Gifts From Across the Miles...

"Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness..."~Richard Bach

About a couple of months ago, my sweet friend, Lindsay, asked if Abby would like to be pen pals with her daughter, Jessica. I passed it by Abby, and without any hesitation, she said, "Yes!" I had told her that when I was her age, I had a pen pal from Auckland, New Zealand and I still have the letters she wrote me. They've exchanged letters back and forth several times already. Just last week, Jessica sent Abby a letter and something special that she put together herself...Abby was so excited!!!

Here she is reading the letter she got from Jessica...all the way from Yorkshire, England!
This is the CD Jessica compiled for Abby with some of her own favorite music. She did such a great job! Abby and I have really enjoyed listening to it...some songs are familiar; others are not, but we love them all! Here's a postcard Jessica sent to Abby. We enjoyed looking at the various pictures...and dream of the day when we'll get to see it all in person (our fingers are crossed BIG TIME!). Abby has had such fun getting to know Jessica and learning about life in England, and hopes their friendship continues to grow!
I, also, recently participated in my very first swap...a Valentine's Day Swap! My swap partner was Jackie, whom I met through blogging awhile back. Anyhow, I was so excited to get the package from her! Here's what I got...
Needless to say, the Hershey's kisses were a huge hit...notice I said, "WERE"? Yep, we can't keep chocolate around here very long...GONE IN A FLASH! The swap was a lot of fun...nothing like getting a surprise in the mail, right? I'm going to be particpating in a couple more swaps between this month and next, so I'm looking forward to it!

♥Make today a day worth remembering!♥



P.S. You may have seen the news...but, it looks as if Baby Harper gets to go home today! Isn't that wonderful??? She has come so far...thanks to the power of prayer and God's unending mercies! Be sure to check out Kelly's blog for her latest update!

Like Two Peas in a Pod...

My sister-in-law e-mailed me this video yesterday. I thought it was too cute not to share...take a look!


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Isn't that so sweet? It should be a lesson for us all. Friendship affords one the opportunity to see past those things that don't really matter in the whole scheme of life (color, monetary worth, ability, proportion). If only we could learn from these two animals who found true friendship in each other...this world would be a much better place for us all. Do I hear an "Amen"?

Hope your Friday (and everyday!) is filled with fun festivities, frolic, and, of course...friendship! You've got a friend in me! ♥


P.S. You might have noticed that I now have the "Followers" gadget added to my sidebar...please add yourself to my list, if you haven't already! I appreciate it!!!

My Bucket List

I'm sure many of you have seen the movie, "Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It's a good movie that makes you think about your life and what you would want to do if you had only a short time left to live. My blogging friend, Liz, started her own "bucket list", so thought I'd do the same.

First of all, let me say that I think it's so easy for any of us to walk through life thinking that we're immortal and we have forever on earth to live. Well, life as we know it will come to an end for all of us, sooner or later. As the saying goes, "We're not getting out of here alive!"

Now, if I found out that I had only 6 months to a year left to live, here are a few things I would like to do:

1. I would write heartfelt handwritten letters (no e-mail!) to my closest family members and friends telling them exactly how much they've meant to me over the years.

2. I'd make videos for my husband and daughters telling them how much I love them and how they've impacted my life. I would encourage them to find comfort in knowing that I'm in a better place. I'd remind them that, one day, we'd be reunited, again.

3. I would take a trip to Ireland with my family. It's one place in the world I've always wanted to visit.

4. I'd share my faith with as many people as I possibly could.

5. I'd eat chocolate anytime and every time I pleased with absolutely no guilt! Calories...fat grams...who'd care???

6. I would travel with my family to New York City to see an actual Broadway production. If I were really lucky, maybe someone would allow me to just stand on the stage for a few minutes to soak it all in . If I were even luckier than that, maybe I'd get the opportunity to sing, "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent. Man, what I'd give!! I wouldn't even care if I got laughed right off the stage!

7. I'd take my girls to Disney World and ride any and every ride they asked me to (yes, even roller coasters!) without saying I was too chicken.

8. I'd smother my husband and girls with hugs and kisses. I wouldn't let a single moment slip by without saying, "I love you".

9. I would seize every second to have fun and to not worry about what others might think.

10. I'd spend much less energy and time wishing for things I didn't have, and more on being thankful for those I did.

11. I'd take lots pictures of my family and I together so they would have those to cling to when I'm no longer around.

12. I would definitely want to see the ocean one last time. Just to stare out into it's vastness has always brought me immense peace.

13. I would stop sweating the "small stuff"...things that don't really matter in the whole scheme of life.

14. I'd go white water rafting down the Colorado River!

I could probably go on and on, but I think these are some of the things at the top of my list.
So, what would you do and how would you live if you found out you had only a short time left? Maybe we should all ask ourselves the question..."Why are we waiting?...seize the day!"

I Am So Honored!!

My blogging friend over at The Hinesley House gave me this very special award...my first! I am so excited and honored that she picked me!! She has a great blog, so drop by for a visit if you get a chance.

Now, as with every blog award, there are a few rules that must be followed. These rules are:

1. You may only choose five people/blogs to give the award to...
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog...
3. One has to be a new follower of your blog, or live in another part of the world...

So, I would like to give these wonderful blogging friends of mine this award:

1. Lions, Tigers, and Boys,Oh My!
2. TidBits from Liz
3. Shell in Your Pocket
4. My Yesterdays, Todays, and Tomorrows
5. Among the Gum Trees-My blogging friend, Naomi, lives in Australia!!

You know, we may never cross paths face-to-face, but how fortunate we are to have connected in this way. Thanks to all of you who have shared your opinions and perspectives with me. Hopefully, we'll be blogging friends for a long time to come. That includes everyone who isn't on my list! You are a blessing to me.

It sort of sounds like I'm giving an Oscars acceptance speech, or something! Ha! :)