My Secret Revealed..........

Don't you go scrolling down to get the answer.....

There are just some things you want to hold close to your heart

And treasure a while before you let the world in

For the past 7 weeks or so I have been treasuring

just such A Secret

When Mark passed away on Christmas Eve last year

I didn't think I would ever have joy in my life again

But God has chosen to bless our family

And there are glimmers of joy filling my weary soul

This beautiful family of four

 Will become a family of '5'

Friends,

Please meet

Baby Cain #3

Due in May 2012

Photo of Baby Cain #3

Taken 10/26/2011 at 11 weeks, 6 days

Because momma has a heart condition

She was not supposed to have any more babies

So we were all content with 2 beautiful girls

Yet, God chose differently

And we are Humbled and Blessed

Baby Cain will Never replace my Mark

But 'it' has certainly brought joy

During a season of sorrow!

Choosing Joy Tonight!!!!!!!

Secret

Some secrets are just worth keeping for a few more hours :)

I'll be back later today!!!!!

Our New Addition

I am quite sure you are sick of me

Announcing that yesterday was my birthday

The first one I have lived through

Without my Mark in 31 years

It was Awful

That's all I can say!!!

BUT,

I wanted to do something for myself

So I went and adopted a rescue dog

Friends

Meet Bodie

He is about 10 months old

Born about the day Mark joined Jesus in Heaven

I named him Bodie

Because that is where Mark and I were married

He is as sweet as can be

Matthew and I love him

 We cannot say as much for Sam

But he needs to get a grip

Anyway,

He is our newest

And we are enjoying his company

I hope to announce MY SECRET

Either tomorrow night or Thursday

Stay tuned :)

Dates...That Don't Leave My Mind

Today is my Birthday

And my only thoughts

Are about waking up

10 months ago at this very hour

To find my husband had gone to be with Jesus

Christmas Eve 2010

This is my first birthday in 30 years without him

I'm thankful for 30+ years of memories

But missing him more today than ever

A Puppy Lovin' Review

"How much is that doggie in the window?"

How many of you remember that song, sung by Patti Page in 1952

No, I wasn't born then but it was the most popular version ever sung.

I remember singing along a time or two or 'fifty' :)

Recently I have thought about getting a dog

One just for me

My youngest son has a small dog

But it is his and I want something all my own

A dog will Never replace my hubby

But it might be nice to just have a buddy

I was able to read a new book

'Love At First Bark' written by Julie Klam

Three sweet short stories

About Lovin' Unlovable Doggies

And being involved with helping others do the same

Growing up my parents breed, raised and showed

English Springer Spaniels

So I've always loved dogs

And have even rescued a few in my lifetime

'Love At First Bark' is light-hearted and touching

Reveals a deep passion from the heart of a woman

And draws you in to a new understanding

Of the plight of unwanted and seemingly unlovable pets in the world

It is a great short read for the animal enthusiast

And on a very personal note

“I wish we would reach out, value and have the same

Passion for the unwanted, abused and unloved children of our world

As we do for the animal kingdom”

You can join the doggie discuss here

"I did receive a small compensation for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own."

CRAZY......

The past couple of weeks have been

CRAZY.....

We are implementing a new EMR

(Electronic Medical Record) System

in our office and actually 'Go Live' tomorrow!

I am at day 8 of a 13 straight day work-a-ton

My brain is a bit fried

And my body has been fighting dis-ease

I just wanted to check in and let you all know

That I am still around

And am hoping to post Soon!!!

Be Blessed :)

Project Life

I just LOVE receiving Happy Mail

These boxes were delivered just as I was getting out of my

Car tonight after work

 My friend Gretchen

Has turned me on to Project Life

A beautifully creative

Organized and Simple way to document Life

 Becky Higgins was updating and improving her product line

So I wasn't able to order anything

Until, last Thursday when her products became available again

Today I received my first kit

I cannot wait to get started

Let's see ... I wonder what project I should start with????

Hmmm....

Maybe the one I haven't told you about yet:)

Still Considering My Secret,

Cindy

BTW: If you are family, go to church with me or are a coworker, you already know:)

Tools of the Day

How neglectful I have been over the past year

Closing off the doors and seldom venturing out into the yard

Though, as the weather has cooled a bit

Life seems to be renewing within me

Breathing is something I do more frequently

And with less effort

So today I journeyed out

With a mission in mind

Power tools of sorts were necessary for my mission

A blower vac

A Weed~eater/wacker/cutter :)

 And of course a Lawn Mower

Which was nearly my undoing

Son #1 showed up in the knick of time

To rescue his momma

Unbeknowst to said momma

Son #1 put the on/off toggle switch on backwards

Can you say: Duh!  I should have known

 A little 30 weight and I was off

Lawn was edged, yard was blown

Lawn was mowed and thatched

After a quick trip to Home Depot

I was able to rake and bag all the 'dead' lawn

 Followed by

The lawn being fertilized, seeded and watered 

 Now I need to remember to water, water, water

And pray, pray, pray that it grows, grows, grows

To be honest my husband never, ever planted winter grass

He hated the extra work

However after a year and a half of no lawn

I am ready for something green in my life

It all took only 5 hours

Quite honestly I enjoyed every minute

And then I rested awhile

Did a little house work, laundry, cleaning and I even managed to

Fix a homemade meal for son #2 and I

Yes, I would say I used a lot of tools today

And I feel Great

What about you

What did you accomplish today

Considering Life Worth Living,

Cindy

More Smiles Today

Today's smiles came

When I walked in my front door to find

That son #2 dyed his hair back to it's natural color

:)  :)  :)  :)

 Mr Cain

You look SO handsome with your natural black hair

This momma Loves It

More smiles have been coming for the past couple of days

October is my birthday month

Family and friends only give you 1 day to celebrate

But STORES give you a whole month

Yeah, I know

They just want you to buy stuff

But, from where I sit this year

I am taking any encouragement I can get

Even if it is from Curves:)

So far I have received

$10.00 certificate to Kohls

1 free month to Curves

1 pair of free panties from VS

20% off my entire purchase at Michaels

15% off my on-line or in-store purchase at Bare Escentials

15% off my purchase at Stein Mart

And I'll take anything else

Any other merchant wants to send me

However, I'm not so sure I have the $$$ to purchase

Stuff at all the places

But it's fun to get the card :)

Also,

I have been keeping a special secret from you all

For about 4 weeks

I still can't tell you

But SOON !!!!!

I'm so excited :)

Looking for any reason to Smile,

Cindy

What Made Me Smile Today

Waking up to stormy weather

Opening the doors

 To allow the cooler air in

And viewing the green outside

 Spending 11 hours with the cutie below

And allowing her to choose the pizza

 Enjoying said pizza with the family below

And being able to play

"Get the Bone"

With son #2 and his doggie

Yep

It was a Happy Day around The Place

Fall Is A Comin'

Though the temperature does not quite match up with the season

It is fall and time to prepare for this most wonderful time of the year

Last year at this time

I spent my days at work and my nights and weekends at the hospital

My husband was in and out most of 2010 but from 9/9 - 10/18

He was hospitalized and I spent every moment I could with him

The house never did occupy decorations last year

Nor was there a spirit of celebration

My beloved and best friend is now gone

And my heart is desperately longing to be with him

YET,

I am here and life goes on around me

So the decorations for the fall

Have been retrieved from their hibernation area

 The box is opened and ready to fill the house with

The scents and colors of fall

 The above is hanging on my back door

 These little friends have decided to line my front walk

And this will greet you at the front door

I still have much to do

But at least this year we have a start

And I will continue the process throughout this week

I can't wait to light my first autumn harvest candle

Mark absolutely LOVED our fall scented candles

How about you?

Are you getting into the 'fall' spirit yet?

Considering Fall A Delightful Time of Year,

Cindy

Ask, Seek, Knock

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Friends,

Honestly, I am not good at the above way of life.

I am independent, self sufficient, and strong!

Proud of my abilities to 'DO' what needs to be done.

It is the life I have lived!

It is the only way I know!

I am an Awesome Nurturer but do not for the life of me know How to Be nurtured!

Yet, I am Desperate for just that!

My way of life worked throughout the 30 years of my marriage

It just did!! 

It just doesn't now!

During the next 90 days I will face

My first birthday alone in 30 years

My first Thanksgiving without my beloved

The one year anniversary of his passing

Christmas

And his Birthday

I do NOT know how I am going to get through this 90 day season

At first I wanted to come on here

~My Blog~

And Beg you to help me

But it is so wrong

I know I have only gotten through the past 9 months

Because of God's love for me

However, facing the upcoming events seems unimaginable

I am really not as strong as my exterior portrays

If you could only see me now

I am quite sure this is exactly where God wants me

Alone, desperate, pleading, broken
Yet, it is so against my nature

Desperately Broken In Arizona,

Cindy