Pet food drive

Hello friends. Today I want to talk about something very close to my heart. This would be pets. I love my dog, Draco. I couldn't imagine my life without him. For this purpose, I wanted to do a fundraiser to help animals that don't have a warm bed and a full belly. I contacted the SPCA of Tampa Bay. They approved for me to do a Pet Food Drive. I am in the process of contacting local businesses and setting up a paypal account for donations. What I am looking for is pet food (any type), toys, blankets, puppy pads, leashes, bowls, and money donations. If you don't have much, that's OK. Even a penny could be the difference between a hungry belly and a bag of pet food. With our shelters packed full this holiday season, these innocent animals need all the help they can get. Once I have the actual website up for this fundraiser, I will post that as well. For now, I have provided the link to the FaceBook event so that you can keep up with the progress we make. https://www.facebook.com/events/567712306617490/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming. Please consider helping our cause. I thank you in advanced.

FTLM Days 13 through 15

Coleen- For those of you who do not know me, Coleen is my birth fathers wife, making her my Step Mother. Coleen is so good to my dad. When we found each other, she was supportive of our decision to stay in each others lives. I love Coleen more than I let on. It is impossible not to. She is so beautiful and is so kind. I cannot imagine my dad having a better wife. I hope to be able to establish a closer relationship with her.
Uncle Mike- I have not met my Uncle Mike. I simply wanted to say what a great man he is. I can not wait to meet him and get to know him. He has been so great and so wonderful. My sister and father talk highly of him.
Uncle Kevin- My Uncle Kevin is a very special person. He has a special nickname for me. That nickname is Sweetness. I will not let anyone else call me by that name. I have always had a strong relationship with my Uncle Kevin. He was in the Navy and I didn't get to see him very often as a child. This made the times he was there very special. He would always bring my brother and I something small when he came home. He would make Mexican Lasagna and play with us. He would watch the movies we wanted. My Uncle Kevin was a super hero in my eyes. He is a great man and I am so very lucky to have him in my life.

FTLM days 9 through 12

I have some exciting news! I finally got my own car. I am so happy about this. I am so sorry that I am posting in chunkd like this for Feel The Love Month. Midterms kicked my butt this week. I have one more that I will do tomorrow. Here are the four friends that I want to mention for days 9 through 12.
Kate Hanna- Kate is very special to me. She is more than a friend. She took me in when I was going through a rough patch. She allows us to have playdates with our dog and hers (when we both aren't busy of course) Kate has been there for me from day one of my diagnosis with depression. She has helped me get through all the hard times, and is still there on a whim if I need someone to talk to. She is always very supportive of my dreams and achievements, and she always knows how to make me feel better when I fail. There aren't enough words to describe the love that Kate generates naturally. Just being around her would make anyone smile.
Danielle McLane- Danielle is one of my friends from back home. I am not sure how I met her. I simply remember seeing her at church and just being able to say anything to her. Danielle is assistant manager of the Humble Bee Facebook page and the Humble Bee blog. She has been super helpful and has been such a great friend to me. She has taught me that beauty is more than your apperance. That was a lesson that I needed. She is such a beautiful person and spirit. I always feel comfortable around her.
Corrine- Corrine is my sister in law. She is married to my husbands oldest brother. Corrine has such a happy demeanor. She can make anything seem funny. Being married to a Johnston herself, she and my other sisters in law knew exactly what kind of advice to give me when I got married. Corrine is the type of person that can see the good in just about anything. I know she doesn't always feel beautiful, but she is. I am so envious of her beautiful hair and eyes. She is one of those people that just makes everything seem prettier.
Cindi- Cindi has been like a mother to me. She took me under her wing when I first moved here. She helped make me feel more at home by helping me keep traditions from my own family. At Christmas time, we try to get together to bake cookies. We always bake three or four different kinds by recipe, and then we invent one or two. Cindi has such a joyous spirit. She is very uplifting. It is almost impossible to feel sad or upset around her. When I broke my leg, she came over as often as she could just so I could have someone to talk to. I will never be able to thank her enough for this.
These four women are very beautiful people who are family to me. They have seen me struggle and fall. They have seen me succeed. They have seen me at my best and my worst. Even so, they love me and support me. I can not thank God enough for these four women.

FTLM days 3 through 8

Today I am making up for five days of Feel The Love Month. I am sorry that I have not been on to post. My husband ran his 10 miler this weekend. I am listening to my ankle and taking one more day off of running to let it heal from being rammed by a stroller several times. The first person I would like to talk about is my biological father, Charles.
Dad- My dad's birthday was this past week. I am happy to be able to celebrate his birthday with him very soon. He was out of town with his wife for his birthday, so we will get together soon. I am very lucky to have him in my life. When I went searching for him Halloween of last year, I wasn't sure what I would find. I am very happy that I have been able to reconnect with him. He is way more than I could have imagined. He and my stepmother have been so wonderful. I am so glad that he excepted me back into his life. Now that I know him, I couldn't imagine my life without him. He is a great dad, and I can't wait to spend several more years knowing him.
Mom- My adoptive mother, Ruth, is an amazing women. She never once tried to hide the fact that I was adopted. In fact, she was very happy for me when I found my birth father. My mom raised me religiously. I grew up knowing that I am a daughter of God and that I am very loved. My mom and I butted heads a lot. We are both very stubborn and set in our ways. I wouldn't say I was a difficult child or teen. I simply had a mouth and I was not afraid to object to something that I felt was unfair. A lot of times my mom and I would have to walk away from each other so that we could think about the points that we each made. We always came back and worked things out. I still call her every Sunday to talk. She still supports my ambitions. My mom has always been a great mom and I could not have asked for better. She sat up with me when I was sick. She laid in my bed when I was in so much pain from female issues and just held me while I cried. She stayed home from work when I had the measles to make sure I had what I needed. She would take me to the mall just so we could hang out. She came down for a week when I broke my leg to help me out.She is a great mom. She is the reason I am the person I am today.
Daddy- When I say Daddy, I am talking of course of James, my adoptive father. I have always been a daddies girl. I am lucky that I now have two dads, but my daddy kissed my booboos and held me as I cried over my first crush and first fight with my best friend. When I had nightmares, he would let me snuggle in next to him. My senior year, I got sick enough to go to the hospital. My daddy held my hair when I threw up and yelled at the nurses who just didn't understand how sick I was. He ran with me in his arms into the hospital and made sure I got back right away. I will never be able to repay him for the things that he or my mom sacrificed to make sure that I was safe and happy. I owe them so much, but I know that they do not see it that way.
Echo- My sister in law Echo, was the first Sister in law I met when Brian and I got engaged. She has been such a great sister. She has been there for me these past few years. She has helped me through some major situations and has been honest with me no matter how hard it was for me to hear. I only wish she lived closer so that we could spend more time together. She has been an inspiration to me and does not judge me based on my image. She sees me for who I really am, and it is really nice to have that in my life.
Dawn- Dawn has become one of my best friends. She started out as my employer nearly two years ago. I started watching her little princess in January of 2012. She has shone me that I do not have to be perfect for people to accept me. It's perfectly fine for me to be me. She taught me that my past does not define me and that not all people will see only my depression. She is one of the only people who saw ME. She took the time to get to know me. She talked to me. She helped me. She even listened and gave me plenty of hugs when my aunt and I found my brothers obituary. She took the time to see me and to learn about me. She became more than just my employer, she became part of my family. Words cannot express how thankful I am to her for everything she has done for me. I have the job I have now because of her recommendation. I will be forever grateful for the chance she gave to me. She didn't even know me when she hired me as her babysitter. She was going off of a recommendation of a mutual friend. I am so very grateful that this mutual friend pointed us towards each other.

I promise that I will be better about updating this month :)

FTLM Day 2

Today I want to talk about a very special person in my life. He is my best friend, my true love, and a great support in life. Of course I am talking about my husband. Does that surprise you? I met him in July of 2005 at EFY. This man has been there for me ever since. He has helped me through so much and is the one person that I can say absolutely anything to. He isn't always romantic or mushy, but that just makes it even more special when he is. He is my eternal companion and I am so very glad that I sat next to him that day at EFY. He proposed to me on Sunday, October 4 2009 and we were married and sealed for time and all eternity on March 6 2010. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can not believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing person in my life. I know this is short, but hopefully it is sweet as well. I hope that everyone gets the opportunity to find someone who makes them as happy as my husband makes me.

Feel the love month

I have decided that every day this month, I will post a blog about a friend (or family member) that means something very special to me. I got this idea while asking a friend when we could get together. It really hit me that I always talk about my husband and God and how grateful I am to the people in my life, but I never really talk about anyone in specific. I am going to declare October as Feel The Love Month. I am going to talk about TWO very special people today. The first person is my sister Tabitha. I have only hung out with her once and have only know for just under a year; However, it's just like we have grown up together. We talk about the craziest things, send each other the most random pictures, and are there for each other no matter what happens. I love my sister very much. I know she loves me too. The past few days we have talked everyday. She sends me a good morning message and we talk about the craziest things. I have never had a sister (a blood sister). Or I did, I just didn't grow up with a sister. I have to say, it is such a blessing to have a sister. Especially one like Tabitha. She is very talented and very beautiful and just everything I imagined my sister to be. I am so very lucky to have her in my life. Just know, that even though we didn't grow up together, if ANYONE hurts her, I will not hesitate to defend her. Oh yeah, and she is a great singer! I love when she posts videos of her singing. It brightens my day!
The second person I want to talk about is my friend Alannah. She is such a strong person. She went through some pretty tough trials and is still coming out on top. She always manages to make me laugh on Instagram. She helped me out when I needed clothes (the first time I lost a bunch of weight), she talked to me when I worked for her mom, AND she likes Hockey! What?!?! She introduced me to Duck Dynasty. If you haven't seen it, watch it. She is a truly great person and is filled with so much love. She is a beautiful daughter of God and I am very blessed to call her my friend. She will be such a wonderful mother to her precious baby girl.
These two women have done so much for me without even realizing it and without expecting anything in return. They are both very wonderful, talented, beautiful, daughters of God. I am so very blessed to have them both in my life.

A tribute to Rusty

From our Uncle Mike: On this date, one year ago today, a life was senselessly taken, and countless others changed forever. A good and decent person was stolen by a careless driver at Ft. Bragg. Rusty, you are so loved, and so missed by so many. I love you.
Uncle Mike

I remember Rusty always enjoying what he got, and even from a very young age, knowing and proudly telling anyone who would listen the true meaning of the holiday. Always helping with decorations, and alwsys wanting to give his money to charities(salvation army bell ringers and such). Even was a bell ringer as a teen. Never saw a kid so fulfilled and happy from helping others.

I take great pride in the fact that I and Mom raised Rusty. I dare say that no one knew him better than I. He was, and is, an amazing example of how a person should conduct their life. To try and describe him with any number of words is an insult to the person he is. He positively impacted so many lives and negatively impacted not a single one. All who were fortunate enough to have met him will always be blessed. He truly is an angel sent to walk among us for a tragically short time. My hope, Amy Lynn, is that you and I can make time so that I can help you to know what a wonderful brother you sadly never got to meet. God bless you.

From Christopher Rodney Craig: May God bless you and keep you my friend on this day of memory and memorial for Rusty. I pray you will do beautiful thing in his name, not just today, but for years to come. Rusty had a consistent kind spirit, he encouraged all he encountered with his way of seeing the best of who people were. In the years I knew him at church his kind ..slow southern greeting...during Passing of the peace, consistently had his grandmother and the congregation smiling and saying "what a polite young man that Rusty is!" 

Though this a hard day with different memories of a life taken too soon, I also hope is a --blessed day-- for both you and all those who knew and loved Rusty. Blessed day-- because now in his memory people might do random acts of kindness. ..trying to see the best in people, finding ways to love others unconditionally. ..maybe even creating projects which follow Rusty's example.

Mike, blessing and peace this day.
To all others who remember Rusty this day, my prayers and joyful anticipation await to see the beautiful deeds done in Rustys name.

From our Second Cousin, Carol: 

I remember my oldest son David spent a summer together with Rusty and they had the best time. He never spoke an unkind word to or about anyone. His grandma Mary was my mothers sister. I hope one day we can meet and get to know each other. I hope this helps a little.

From David Whitlock: I did spend the summer with Mary, Mike, and Rusty. I had a great time with them. I'll remember the places that we went, such as Busch Gardens and The Science Center. I went on my very first roller coaster ride with Rusty right by my side.  I was scared senseless. lol Rusty was a good guy, and I hate that I didn't get to know him better than I did. I'm sure that we would have been good friends. He will be truely missed and never forgotten!

From our dad: I will keep this as short as possible...

One year ago today, PFC Charles "Rusty" Wills was taken from us. He is my youngest son. He was killed by a hit-and-run driver near Fort Bragg, N.C. while riding in a convoy to a field training exercise. The driver of the offending vehicle has not been caught.
I would rather spend my time telling the world what a great kid Rusty was. Smart beyond his years and education and very generous. My heart breaks every single day thinking of what the world is missing out on. I continue to struggle to make sense of it all and to make something positive come out of this. But I SHALL persevere.
Please keep Rusty's sisters and brothers in your thoughts today, as I know hard it is for them. They would appreciate it, as would I. We will make it through the day as we have made it through the past year.
Finally, to those that have been there and supported me and mine through the past year, you will never be forgotten. I, on behalf of my family and myself, will always remember every act of kindness and every kind word. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear Rusty,

            The above are some tributes and kind words from family and friends. One year ago today, you were taken from this mortal life. One month and a half later, my Aunt was helping me to find you. She found your obituary. I prayed and prayed that it was a different Charles Wills. I called my mom (Ruth) and told her what was found. She confirmed the worst. I bawled my eyes out. I have loved you all of my remembered life. Sometimes I even talked to you in hopes that God would carry the message to you. I still do. My mom and dad always made sure to tell James Michael and me that you were out there. I was crushed to know that you were gone before I ever got the chance to know you. The only thing that helps to ease the pain is, knowing that it was YOU who lead my Aunt to your obituary. It was YOU who lead me to our family. It was YOU who helped them to accept me, and it was YOU who helped me to establish a relationship with them. It takes everything in me to not get angry at the person who caused your accident though. It takes everything in me not to scream out towards heaven “Why him? Why now?” I do my best to hold on. I do my best to keep my head on straight. I do everything I can to comfort Tabby. I try so hard to make up for what she lost. I know I can’t, but I try. I want you to know that I am taking good care of her, as a sibling should. I also want you to know that your friends and family are speaking of you. They are keeping your goodness and your kindness alive. Dad (Charles) told me today that you wouldn’t want me to cry, that you would want me to celebrate your life, and that you love me. I believe him. When he was telling me that, I could feel you. This might seem strange, but it was like you were right there, helping me to listen to our Father, and to take his words seriously. It was like you were letting me lean on your shoulder. It was like you were telling me that our relationship is not lost just because you aren’t here. I will get to know you in Heaven. I will get to stand with you at Jesus feet, and Heavenly Father will reward us for our patience. I will get to hug you and talk to you face to face. I will get to introduce you to the family that raised me and to your (future) nieces and nephews. I may not get to celebrate knowing you on this Earth, but today, and every day for the rest of my life, I will celebrate God for giving me the opportunity to meet you again someday. I love you so much. I will see you again someday, until then; I will continue talking to you. I will continue hoping that God will deliver the message to you, and I will continue looking forward to seeing you again.

Some people say I'm crazy, but I don't care.

I know that I can feel you over my shoulder there.

When I was told of your passing

I couldn't help but to start asking,

Why was it him? Why at this time?

But life can be taken without reason or rhyme

I want you to know that you are here in my heart

I want you to know that, of me, you'll always be a part

I see you in all the beautiful things

but especially in butterfly wings

When they land on my shoulder, or even just fly by

I always stop what I'm doing and whisper "Rusty! Hi!"

I may not have known you as well as some

But I know I will when my day comes.

I talk to you often and I try to be tough

But you are my brother, and sometimes it's rough

We all still hurt, and we all still cry,

To say that we don't would be a lie.

But we all know, we'll be together someday

That eases the pain and washes our tears away.

Your life was amazing and I try to remember that.

Your love and kindness lives on. That is a fact.

You are missed so dearly but as they say,

I will see you again in Heaven someday.

Truly blessed

Today, I got a call that showed me just how truly blessed I am. As you know, this month is the anniversary of my brother, Rusty's death. It's been a little hard for me to cope. I keep telling myself, 'If I had only found them sooner, I would have gotten to know him'. And there are days that I feel like I really screwed it up. This past week has been a real eye opener for me. I gave a talk at church that was based somewhat on service. While preparing my talk, I realized just how much service I received after I broke my leg, and after both surgeries. Suddenly, things were a bit brighter. After my talk, several people came up to me to tell me how wonderful my talk was. Things got a little brighter. My brother in law came over Monday to pick up his dog, and we talked for a bit. Things got a little brighter. I went to Dr. Garcia to start my weight loss plan and change of lifestyle. I was told that I am healthy and on the right track and mindset. A prayer was answered. Things got a little brighter. Last night, in the limbo between sleep and alertness, I heard a terrifying voice from my past calling my name. I freaked out and start sobbing. My husband was right there. He stroked my hair until I was awake enough to realize that this person couldn't hurt me. Things got a little brighter. I talked to my dad this morning and got his approval to do my brothers work. Things got a little brighter. By the time I got this call, I was thinking that I might be able to make it through this anniversary without melting down. So, this call came. I was walking in my door from going shopping with my mother in law (who has been an excellent support through this). My phone was ringing. I picked it up. The voice on the other end said,'This is Miss Grace (name changed for those who I don't know that read this blog). We got the approval through the school board to hire you. Would you be able to come in tomorrow so we can get started on your background check and your fingerprints?' It was all I could do not to start crying right then. I was shaking and dropped my phone, causing me to accidentally hang up on her. Keep in mind, this is the school Princess goes to, so I really wanted to work here. I immediately said yes and called Princesses mom. Then my mom. Then my husband. Then I posted it on Facebook. The overwhelming support I have gotten from my family and friends is enough to make me start crying again. I know I am very emotional. I feel like this is Gods way of saying, 'Yes you do not have your brother on earth right now, but look at all the things you do have. You are not alone. You are loved and cared for.' I have been praying for comfort for a very long time now. My Heavenly Father has answered my prayers. I just want to share that with everyone I love!

Back to School

I am so sorry that I haven't posted lately. My semester started two weeks ago and as any college student knows, the three most demanding times are the first few weeks, the midterm weeks, and the last few weeks. Please forgive me in advanced if I go AWOL.
I wanted to say that I WILL be getting the bracelets to those who have asked for them this week. I am so sorry it took me so long! As I stated before, my life got pretty busy!
I want to talk about something that has been bothering me. My original post was about something I know to be controversial, but I knew I would receive hate mail no matter what I said. I have always been told to state my opinion. Speak up when you have been wronged. But can I really do those things? No. Why not? Because, simply put, most people care way more about their opinions than yours. Also, people get very brave on the internet. They say things they normally wouldn't say. With this month being what it is, and the stress I am under at the moment, I just can't take being torn down for my opinion. The anniversary of my baby brothers death is coming up, and I am already struggling to keep going as it is. What was my opinion you may ask? Well, for once, I am not going to tell you. I just want to say that I hope that when I am ready to post the original post, I do not get hated for it. I will tell you this though, I was not 'hating on' these people. I was simply saying that I respect your rights and I would like for you to respect mine. Those of you that know me know that I would never judge someone on their choices or lifestyles. Only God can judge. However, when your choice or lifestyle effects my families lives, then I will say something.

On a brighter note, I will start running again today. I was going to start Ten Minute Trainer again today, but I decided that MIGHT be too much at once, so I will start Ten Minute Trainer next week. I am so very excited to get back to a healthy and active me. I will be posting pictures soon of my starting weight. I am so very excited to be able to write about my journey! I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial day. Have a beautiful week!

You never know who is watching

I want to tell you guys something. Last night, before I went to sleep, I cried. I wasn't sad or angry or even scared. I was happy. I was talking to a friend from home when she said the nicest thing she could have possibly said to me. She said "That's so good that your still going and doing your goals! You're inspiring me for sure". I cannot tell you what this meant to me. As many of you know, I was training for a half marathon last year when I came down with the flu at the end of December. It was mid March before the cough decided to leave. I didn't get to do my half marathon, but I decided that I would start training again for next year. I signed up for a ten miler in September. On Easter Sunday, I tripped and broke my leg. This was particularly hard for me because I was on bed rest for nearly three months. I couldn't do anything. I had gone from 165 to 200 lbs. I was devastated. All the weight I had lost and all that hard work for nothing. I started working out again around the end of July once all my stitches were out and I was used to walking again. I've lost a few pounds and am still working towards my half marathon. I can start training again in about two weeks. However I cannot do the ten miler. But, I am still working towards my goals and I am doing the best I can to be healthy and have a good mindset. I have been particularly hard on myself lately. I had no idea that my friend was watching and taking notice. I post my accomplishments because I am proud of them. I didn't know that I could inspire anyone. I have been looking at myself as an overweight woman who is where she is because life handed her some really tough blows. Now I look at myself as a determined person who won't let ANYTHING get in her way. I also received a message from a friend when telling him about my struggles. He said "You can get there Amy, you are a strong woman, you'll be there in no time". Again, I felt like I had been looking at things all wrong. I felt like I was weak because of my injuries. I was seeing the glass as half empty. After these two very thought provoking messages, I started to look at everything in my life differently. Last night, before I went to sleep, I looked over at my snoozing husband and realized just how very lucky I am to have someone like him. Things could have been so much different. I got lucky, I married a really great guy who loves me unconditionally. I cried a lot last night. I think I needed to hear those to things to truly realize how great my life is and to see how great I am. I have never doubted that I had a good life, but now I see it as an amazing blessing. To conclude this blog post, I would like to challenge you all once again to remind yourselves how great you truly are. I would like to give a shout out to people who have inspired me. First names only. :)

My sister Echo. She has been on her on journey to a healthy life, and I know that it wasn't easy. To see how far she has come has really helped me to keep going as well.

My friend Danielle. She is such a great person with amazing confidence in herself and others. I hope to one day be that confident.

My friend Jason. He has been through a difficult time and still came out fighting.

My husband. When he started running, I decided I wanted to as well. He has been there for me through so much and has always supported me in my goals. He is a great person who deserves way more recognition than he gets, but doesn't want it.

There are so many others. I'm sorry this post was all about me. I just really wanted to show you all how one little message or word of kindness could really help someone who might need to hear it.

Singe Dad Laughing and fun times with Children

Today I am going to write about Single Dad Laughing, a blog by Dan Pearce. If you haven't read it, please follow the links below :)

https://www.facebook.com/SingleDadLaughing

http://www.danoah.com/

Dan's blog is rather eye opening most of the time, and it got me thinking a lot this week. For example, he talks about playing with your children (I don't have children, but most of you know that I watch a little girl and sometimes her older brother). I noticed this week, when I play with Princess (I will not use her real name as my blog is not private), she giggles continuously. I love her laugh and her brothers laugh. We were playing hide and go seek today when, out of nowhere, I got a migraine. I turned on Disney Junior for them and gave them some Goldfish crackers. Princess really wanted snuggles. I snuggled her but felt really bad when she started asking me to count (meaning she wanted to hide). I just couldn't do it. I needed to sit. The look on her face broke my heart. I know it wasn't my fault that I got hit with a migraine, but it wasn't hers either. Thankfully, my husband came over for a little bit and played with her. I still felt bad that I couldn't play with her myself, but I knew she was content playing with anyone. Children just want our attention. They want to know they are loved and cared for. We are all they have. In this world of advanced technology, we tend to forget that just sitting them in front of a T.V. or giving them a video game is not enough. Children are only little for so long. They grow into teenagers, and then adults. when this happens, we wonder were all that time went. We are so addicted to technology that we are getting our children addicted as well. Turn off the electronics. Read a story to your children. Ask them about their lives. It may seem boring or even repetitive, but children just want US. ALL of us. They don't just want a hug and a kiss on their way to school or at bedtime. They NEED us. If we don't give them the attention they need and crave, they will get it elsewhere. Whether it be from video games, T.V., or other people. If we don't give our children attention, they will more than likely become teenagers who don't trust their parents and they may even grow into adults that don't stay in touch with their parents. I am saying this based on what I have seen with my friends and with my friends children. Instead of dismissing our children and/or their concerns, we need to embrace them. We need to tell them how much we love them. They are, after all, learning from us.

Love one another

In today's' world, everyone judges each other. It isn't right. Every one is unique and beautiful in their own way. I consider judgement a form of bullying. I want to talk about taking a stand. Instead of judging someone because they look a little different or don't believe the same as you do, take a step back. Put yourself in their shoes. Most of the time we don't know the people we are judging. Sometimes we do know the person, but that does not mean we know EVERYTHING about them. For example, the person you called stupid because they can't read as well as others may be dyslexic. We are all beautiful in our own right. I believe if we can except ourselves and others as the people we are, we will truly be able to have healthy relationships. We all have flaws and I am not saying we are not allowed to work on them, however, we need to be willing to accept that we are all human beings. I want EVERYONE to look in the mirror and tell yourselves ONE good thing. It can be 'My eyes are really looking nice today' or 'I love how my hair looks'. Anything positive. Also, try to compliment people. It again can be something like 'Your eyes are really pretty' or 'your hair is so shiny and smooth.' Find ONE good thing about that person. You never know if that one comment might be just what they need to hear. Besides, who doesn't like a compliment?

What really matters

While everyone is battling over whether or not the Zimmerman  trial was fair, I want to bring everyone's focus back to life in general. In the news today, Glee star Corey Montieth (sp?) died. How do I know this? It was all over Facebook. I think we all need connect to celebrity deaths for one reason or another. For example, when Michael Jackson and Whitney Huston died, music lovers everywhere realized there would never be anything new from them. When Brittany Murphy died, people new a great actress who had a lot of life ahead of her was lost. Princess Diana was an example of good people dying young. We all have experienced a loved one dying in our lives and are able to feel sorry for the families and friends who lost their loved ones. I want everyone of my readers to take a moment this week to say a little prayer for someone, anyone you know that may have lost a loved one recently.

On another subject, I have noticed that a lot of people are addicted to social media. You may think, "not me. I just like connecting with people." Let me ask you this, Can you go a WEEK without social media? If you said no, then I think it is safe to say that you are addicted. When I was in school, if we wanted to talk to a friend or family member, we wrote letters, notes, called them, or just spoke face to face. I used to be addicted to social media as well. What changed? I started writing notes for friends. I sent cards, texts, made phone calls. I realized then that it is so much more delightful to do these things rather than using Facebook or Twitter. I would like to challenge ALL of you this week. Every day, I want you to write a note to your husband, wife, kids, friend, siblings, parent, or whoever you want. I know it is much easier to post it on Facebook, but it is much more personal when it is hand written and made specially for that person. Plus, that person will be so grateful. I'm not saying that we have to give up social media all together. I am simply saying it is better if we not use it for EVERYTHING.

July

So, today is the first Sunday of July. I don't really have much to say this week. I did want to let you all know that I am doing well and my stitches out on Wednesday. My father in law gets his out in two weeks. I wanted to share a recipe with you today. It's very simple. Peanut butter, chocolate chips, and apples. I like to heat the peanut butter in the microwave for about 10 or 15 seconds to soften it. Then mix in the chocolate chips. Cut and slice an apple. Enjoy a healthy alternative to chips and dip. If you have a recipe to share please email me at thebeezknezz@journalist.com. I want to wish you all a happy Sunday! I hope you have a great week. Please don't forget to enter the Humble Bee contest on the Humble Bee Facebook page.

No Hate

As you know, I had surgery last Thursday to remove the screws from my ankle. I am doing better and will be getting the stitches out next Wednesday.My Father in law also had surgery. They had to repair his Achilles tendon. He still needs prayers and kind thoughts as he still has a bit to go in his recovery.

On another note. I declare Wednesdays anti-bully day on Humble Bee. Bullying is a HUGE problem in our communities. I want to stand up to bullying. I want to help those who have been bullied. We at Humble Bee want to start the No Hate campaign. Our goal is to show those being bullied that they are not alone.

I want to start No Hate Wednesdays talking about different types of bullying. When you think of bullies, you might think of Buford from Phineas and Ferb, or Regina from Mean Girls, but the truth is, you can be bullied and not even realize it. When I was in school, I was bullied by a girl that I always considered my friend. I didn't even know I was being bullied until my senior year. I just thought she was being a good friend by telling me those harsh things. You can also be bullied by adults. Adults can be bullied by coworkers. Sometimes you are even bullied by family. The worst kind of bullying is Cyber bullying. What makes Cyber Bullying so bad is that it can be totally anonymous. With teens and adults needing to rely on the internet for so many things, we are more susceptible to bullying then ever! We are also more likely to become the bully ourselves. I have seen Facebook post demeaning 'friends'. We use the internet to rave and talk about our feelings without thinking of others. When you post something mean about someone whether true or not, it is considered bullying. Below, I have posted examples of bullying and non bullying ways to handle things.

Bullying: Are you an idiot?
Non Bullying: Thank you for your opinion, but I don't agree with you.

If we could all think about what we are going to say before we post it on the internet, we can keep from becoming the bully.

I would like to hear your bullying stories.Please email me at thebeezknezz@journalist.com. All stories will stay anonymous. I challenge every one to take a stand against bullying! Let's get the word out that bullying is not OK.

Guest blogger 2013

This months guest blogger is very important to me. She is my sister in law Corrine.

• 8:21pm

  Corrine Johnston

  To introduce myself I am Corrine Johnston and I recently became a Beachbody Coach. With the help of becoming a Beachbody Coach and a newfound love of running, I have left 35 pounds in the dust. This time last year my husband and I joined a gym together. We both wanted to start an exercise regimen to get back into shape. I started going to the gym as time allowed, before or after work and/or on my days off. I wasn’t noticing much change in my body since I had started working out.
  As the New Year came closer I had decided that it was time to make a change and that 2013 was the year that I was going to be the best version of me. I found a new life motto “Live a life that’s good for you. Celebrate life. Nurture yourself by being active and nourish your body with good food.”
  I have learned that there is a problem; the problem is I wasn't eating food anymore; I was eating food-like products. I decided that I didn't want to put those food-like products into my body anymore. By listening to my body and not eating processed foods and sugar I am doing my body good but I am now fueling my body with food that we were meant to eat. I have since discovered my love for cooking clean foods and inspiring others to eat clean too. My days off consist of meal prepping and planning my exercise routine for that week. I feel if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!
  In April of this year I found my Beachbody Coach and joined her challenge group for May. Her challenge group consisted of women and men like me who shared the same goals of losing weight and being fit. The 30 day challenge was to replace one meal a day with Shakeology. During those 30 days I not only lost 10 pounds but I came to learn that drinking Shakeology really is the healthiest meal of the day. It helps me lose weight, reduce my cravings and it gives me energy. After my 30 day challenge I was motivated and had decided that I wanted to be part of the Beachbody Team. I want to be part of the bigger picture. I want to help end the trend of obesity! I decided by doing this and becoming a Beachbody Coach I can help inspire people to achieve their goals of losing weight and being fit! I not only have to hold myself accountable for eating clean and being active but I have a whole Beachbody Team that has the same goals that I do and is there to support me throughout my journey.
  It’s not about six pack abs or looking like a Victoria Secret model. It’s about being happy with yourself and feeling your best and sharing that with others. I’m not a personal trainer or a fitness expert I’m just a girl who found something that works for her and who is passionate about learning how to lead a healthy life and how to help others do the same! I share this with you because you deserve to know about this amazing opportunity that you can be a part of. You don’t have to be an expert; you don’t have to be in tip top shape you just have to want it! Let’s help end the trend!
  Thank you Humble Bee for having me as a guest writer. If any of your readers have any further questions regarding my journey they can message me on facebookwww.facebook.com/committobefitcorrine. I hope to have motivated and inspired your readers to eat clean and be active!

  

  Corrine Johnston
• 

  8:23pm

  Corrine Johnston

  P.s if any of you are interested in delicious recipes follow me on instagram (Corrine a.k.a committobe_fit).

Sunday Sunday!!

Hello! I decided I would take the time today to describe why I chose the name Humble Bee for this blog. It has somewhat of a double meaning. I wanted to let people know that my blog was about kindness, not judgement. So I thought Honey Bee was a good name. But then I started thinking, I also want people to know that only God can judge you and that he is in control of my life. So I changed Honey to Humbel and Humble Bee was born.

I would also like to announce that I am now sharing this blog with my good friend Danielle! Please treat her with respect. When school starts back in August, I will be a busy 'Bee', and I knew I would need some help. Therefore, I asked Danielle to help me out. She has access to all the Humble Bee things except email. She will be helping me post things that are inspirational and important for a healthy body, mind, and spirit. So welcome her with open arms.

I would like to announce that Humble Bee is on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Twitter: HumbleBee16
Pinterest: HumbleBeezzInstagram: humblebeezz

Facebook: Humble Bee

Please do not forget to enter the Humble Bee contest for the Lucky brand earrings!

I hope you all have a happy Sunday.

Amy

Fathers Day

As many of you know, I was adopted at a very young age. In October of last year, I reconnected with my birth father. So this year I got to celebrate both of my earthly fathers. It was a very special day for me. Even though I only spoke with them over the phone, I was very happy. I would like to say that I am a very lucky girl. Heavenly Father is so good to me.

On another note, I would like to remind you all to enter the contest on the Humble Bee Facebook page. You may also enter by email. Simply send me an email to thebeezknezz@journalist.com. All you have to include is your name.

I would like to say that I have dropped another three pounds totaling a seven pound loss. I have to say, walking three days a week has really helped, even if it IS just around the house. You can always find time to workout.

If you would like to share a recipe or success story, please email me. I will keep it anonymous unless told otherwise. I hope everyone has a great week.

Happy Sunday

Hello everyone! We have had some wild weather lately. We need the rain, however, because of my boot, I am unable to go outside. If I get my boot wet, it will mildew and will smell really bad. I did still manage to lose three pounds this week! I had lost five by Wednesday, but I gained two back. That is ok though. Three pounds in a week is still good. I am saying goodbye to those three pounds forever. I want to share a very simple recipe that I found on Pinterest. It's banana Ice cream. You cut up one banana and freeze it. Then you puree it in the blender. You can add PB or Chocolate chips. You blend until the banana is smooth. it's actually pretty good and curbed my Ice cream craving. If you have any good recipes that you would be willing to share, please email me at thebeezknezz@journalist.com.  Also email me YOUR results! I would love to know of your success! Also, please remember to like Humble Bee on Facebook to enter this months contest! Next Sunday is Fathers day. If you have any stories about your father, please feel free to email them and I will share them in my post next week. Any stories or testimonies of our Heavenly Father will be excepted as well.

Be Beautiful

So today I want to talk about having a healthy mind. I am not talking about being smart exactly. I am talking about knowing that you are beautiful. In my life, I have had several people bring me down. Friends and family. Some would do it to my face, others behind my back. No matter what I did, someone I knew always thought badly of me. I want to say it didn't bother me, but it did. We have to learn to accept that not everybody is going to like us. There is absolutely nothing we can do to change that. We have to get into the mindset that we have to love ourselves. As long as we are doing the right thing and taking care of ourselves, it doesn't matter what others may think or say. There will always be people in these world that will want to tear others down. Some do it to make themselves feel better. Others do it simply because they feel they are better than everyone else. We should not stoop to their level. We should hold our heads up and know that only God can judge us. I'm not saying it's easy, because words can hurt, I am only saying that we must remember that God created us in his image, and we are beautiful in his eyes. That being said, I would like to announce that I am up and walking and looking forward to dropping all this weight I gained while on bed rest. Next week starts my weekly stat updates. I also look forward to learning of yours. :)

More than a barbecue

Memorial day is so much more than having a barbecue for me. My biological brother, PFC Charles Russell Wills, was in the Army.He was born December 14, 1991. He did on September 19, 2012. I never got to know my brother as I was adopted into another family. He stayed with my biological family. Even though I did not get to know him, it still hurts that he is gone. Many people do not understand this. I still cry over the brother I never knew. He died on Fort Bragg Military base. He might not have fought in a war, but my brother is still a hero to me. He wanted to protect his country. I encourage you all to take a moment to pray for those who have lost loved ones who served in the military. Also pray for those who are still serving or have served. I encourage you all to remember the sacrifices made so that you could be free. If you have a loved one who made that ultimate sacrifice for our country, or is serving at the moment, or has served in the past, please email me their names at thebeezknezz@journalist.com. I will write a special blog post at the end of the week with their names.

This commentary was published in the Delaware Coast Press.The real meaning of Memorial Day -- We enjoy freedom today because of the father, the brother, the son, the husband, the pal who never came home.
Commentary by Terry Plowman

Memorial Day now suffers the same secular fate as Christmas -- its commercial value has far outstripped its original meaning.That fact is especially evident here in a resort area, where Memorial Day weekend is considered the kickoff to the busy summer season.
Although there is nothing terribly wrong with that, and we couldn't change it anyway, we hope readers will give a few moments thought to the real meaning of Memorial Day this weekend.
The trouble with evoking memories from past military conflicts is that it is like looking at a grainy black-and-white photograph or newsreel (an outdated term in itself).
For many Americans who can barely remember life without color photography, looking at these black-and-white images has little impact. They represent another time, one that is hard to connect with today.
But for those who lived through the past few wars, there is color in the memories, and for many of those who served in the military, the color is blood red.
For them Memorial Day is not a history lesson, quickly forgotten like other lessons from our school days. For them it is the father, the brother, the son, the husband, the pal who never came home.
And for those of us living today, the war dead are our vivid connection to Memorial Day -- because it is an eerie fact that many of us would not be here today were it not for a quirk of fate that allowed our fathers to survive a war.
How many of the more than 400,000 World War II dead would have fathered the geniuses, the creators, the liberators of today's generations?
How many of the 116,000 World War I dead, the 54,000 Korean War dead, or the 58,000 Vietnam War dead? How many of the 500,000 Civil War dead would have fathered children whose impact would still be felt in our lives today?
Actually, many of these dead patriots were themselves only 18 or 19 years old, so they were robbed of the chance to leave us any legacy other than the memory of their sacrifice.
A wounded seaman who was taken aboard a rescue vessel during the D-Day invasion was quoted in Life magazine about the fundamental mystery of war:
"(The ship) was loaded with the bodies of sailors, soldiers, airmen; the wounded and survivors. And on board was the body of my friend Pete Petersen. He was going to be 21 on June 22. One thing you always wonder is, who makes that decision: Who dies and who doesn't?"
On this holiday weekend, let's not forget the meaning, the mystery and the tragedy behind Memorial Day.

The Telegraph writes

Posted: Monday, May 27, 2013 7:15 am

Today marks the annual observance of the Memorial Day national holiday, and we urge our readers to think about its real meaning.

In our busy lives, it’s easy to just view the three-day weekend at the end of May as the unofficial start of the summer vacation season. Most of us are glad to have a Monday off from work, and we’re preoccupied by the sporting events, barbecues and picnics. Youngsters, in particular, are looking forward to the opening of the area’s public swimming pools, even though this spring has been unusually cool and rainy.

But there’s more to Memorial Day than just the games, hotdogs, cold beverages and fun in the sun. Memorial Day began as a day to pay homage to the nation’s war dead, and that original meaning still resonates today.

The holiday has its roots in the years immediately following the American Civil War, when families and communities began decorating the graves of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who died in that epic struggle. Reflecting the bitter differences that divided the country even after the Confederacy’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, the North and the South initially conducted their observances on different days.

It took the tragedy of the U.S. losses in World War I to finally bring the whole country together to observe the holiday on the same day. As the tradition developed, it grew to include memorializing those who gave their lives for this country throughout its history.

Historically, Memorial Day had the greatest significance for those generations that made the greatest sacrifices for our nation, such as those who experienced the Civil War and the two world wars.

But it seems Memorial Day’s luster has faded in recent years. We’ve lost several thousand lives in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade-plus, but because less than 1 percent of Americans are directly involved in those wars, the nation has not displayed as much patriotic fervor as did generations past.

Despite that, the soldiers and other service members who died in all our country’s wars, past and present, still deserve our respect and our recognition. After all, if it had not been for their service and their sacrifices, none of us would enjoy the freedoms we do today, including the freedom to celebrate this holiday.

Alton has a proud history of observing Memorial Day with its annual parade, which the city bills as the oldest continuously running event of its kind in the United States. This year’s parade will be the 146th edition.

We urge our readers to attend today’s parade, if possible, to show their support for our military and their respect for our war dead. Another moving ceremony is scheduled for sunset today at Alton’s National Cemetery, where many of the graves date to the Civil War.

We hope all our readers will take at least a moment today to reflect on the many Americans who gave their lives to secure this country’s independence and protect its freedom. They deserve our gratitude, our respect and our remembrance.

special guest writer, Issac Vazquez

I wanted to let all my readers know that I do have a Facebook page for this blog. Please check out my page! :)

https://www.facebook.com/thebeezknezz

That being said, Guest writer, Isaac Vazquez has a few words for us on leading a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy.

Top 3 things to manage in order to have a healthier lifestyle and lose weight.
Coach Isaac here,
As a Team Beachbody Personal Fitness Coach, I have helped over 100 people successfully lose weight and change their lives. Here are the top 3 things you need to keep in check in order to have more energy, lose weight, and improve functioning all around the board.
1. EAT RIGHT.

Good nutrition is the foundation to any healthy lifestyle. You should have a healthy diet which includes fruits, vegetables, and protein like chicken, fish, meats. Avoid fatty foods, such as fast food or grease. Stay away from soda and alcohol. EAT BREAKFAST! Research supports the fact that those who eat a balanced breakfast lose weight. Not many people know the correct way to eat. 3 meals a day is the standard, but if you want to lose weight, be more fit, have more energy and control in life. You need to be eating 5x a day, every 3 hours. These meals are smaller portions. Beware of eating huge portions. Eat for life-sustainment, not lifestyle. Cut out the bad and bring in the good. If you would like more nutritional advice, comment, or message me on facebook.

2. SLEEP

Sleep is paramount to a healthier lifestyle. The standard is 7-9 hours of sleep. Everyone's body is different so figure out where in that range is best for you. If you honestly believe you need more than 9 hours of sleep, you are sleeping out of lifetsyle, not for necessity. Sleeping (just like eating) takes time and effort to manage. Once managed, you will have the energy, vitality, and resilience to handle every day stressors. Those who get less sleep and oversleep find themselves always lethargic, groggy, slow to warm up, and they don't lose weight.

3. EXERCISE

This is my favorite (of course). The standard is: 30 min a day, accelerated heart rate. The GOLD standard is 35-59 min a day, accelerated heart rate. Mix and match with anaerobic exercise (strength and resistance training) and aerobic. That is called "cross-training". Beachbody programs to the best job in cross training. Also proper stretching before and after workouts increase range of motion, mobility, and vitality. 6 days a week with 1 day off is the best. Another one of those 6 days can be used for anaerobic training or stretching like yoga. This along with eating and sleep takes time to develop. A beachbody program is the easy way to create the structure. Message me for more info on Beachbody.

CONCLUSION

If you find yourself in a rut of some sort, overstressed, tired, overweight, low confidence, or any other negative stressor overwhelming you. You can check your lifestyle and you will find something lacking in these three. If you have mastered these three congrats! I have not yet. This is a lifetime endeavor and for those who have children, you know how hard these are. Now step back, reevaluate, and see what structures and plans you can create to have more control over any one of these three points.
Coach Isaac
www.facebook.com/bbcoachisaac

A BIG hello

I wanted to say hello to any new readers I may have today. I will normally post on Sundays, but I wanted to share some news! I have a special guest writer lined up for this month! I am so very excited to see what they have to say to us! Also, I wanted to give a little bit of advice. You shouldn't deprive yourself of anything. You just have to be smart about it. For example, try to eat healthy all week. Then on Saturday, treat yourself to a bowl of ice cream, or a milkshake, or even a few french fries. This way, the cravings won't be so bad. Also, remember that eating healthy is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change. If you have any recipes or tips you would like to see posted, please email them to thebeezknezz@journalist.com. I have another yummy recipe for you today.
 I do not know the exact calories,
 but it is VERY yummy!

Strawberry lemonade slush
8 oz of strawberry favored carbonated water
Lemon juice to taste
4 to 6 strawberries sliced (or frozen)
5 or six pieces of ice

You may use sugar as well, but only about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon.

Put all ingredients in the blender and you have a yummy alternative to soda! 
You can also make Cherry lemonade that way as well. Just replace 
the strawberry carbonated water with cherry 
carbonated water. Also use 1/2 cup of frozen cherries instead of strawberries :) 
If you prefer more of a lemon taste, use four ounces of Lemon carbonated water and 
four ounces of strawberry/cherry carbonated water. You may also use these mixtures
 in popsicle trays! Can you say YUMMY!!!!

Bluenana Popsicles

Hello! My name is Amy! I am a mid 20s gal that has always had issues with my weight. I broke my leg in two places on Easter Sunday (my ankle and higher fibula) and have gained back weight that I have worked so hard to get off. Starting Sunday, June 2, I will be posting results from my weeks workouts and healthy eating options. I will not reveal my weight or inches. I will only post how much I have lost and the different types of exercise I am doing. I will randomly post recipes as well. I wanted to start this blog so that I can get a support community going and to also show others that they are not alone in the struggle for a healthier body. Once a month, I will also choose a guest blogger from my followers to write about either their healthy body journey, or something inspiring that they would like to share. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please email me at thebeezknezz@journalist.com. I want to make this a fun journey, so I will also hold contests every once in a while. 

Today, I would like to post a recipe for a healthier option to ice cream.

Bluenana popsicle
1 cup unsweetened Silk vanilla almond milk -30 calories
1 banana -110 calories
1 cup frozen blueberries -70 calories

Mix all ingredients in a blender. Pour into Popsicle molds and freeze. These popsicles are about 53 calories a serving. 
You can use any kind of milk you want, just adjust the calories. I prefer almond milk, but I know some people don't like the taste.

That is all for today. Until next Sunday!