Fur Babies

No more news on Minnie's condition. We are just waiting. Waiting to hear how bad it is. How much or how little of what her liver needs is it actually getting and able to process? I watch her play and she is happy. She has no idea that she has such a serious condition. I know that if she has a shunt which could possibly be fixed by surgery, I will do whatever I can to save her. So, in the back of my mind, no matter what else I am doing, I am thinking. How can I get the thousands of dollars that it's going to take to help her??

You see, when I say that my animals are my babies, those aren't just words to me. I have always had animals. Always. There are times when I think that I like my animals more than I do most people (just being honest). My animals never get mad at me. They are never disappointed in me. They don't care how much I weigh or if I put on make-up this morning or even if I brushed my teeth. We have never argued about politics or religion or anything else. They expect nothing but love from me. In fact, they are true examples of how to love unconditionally!!

My animals have helped me to teach my children compassion, service to others, and responsibility. We are responsible for their every need and we meet those needs out of love. All we will ever get in return is love. It's not like Rusty is going to get a job and pay us to clean his litter box. We do that because we want him to be healthy and happy--because we love him.

Many times, when I am sad, one of my animals will cuddle with me. It's like they know how much I need them. When we lost Daisy last year, I felt like my world had stopped spinning. It was the hardest day of my entire life. I still cry when I think of that day. She was truly my best friend and when I lost her the only thing that helped even a little bit was to hold Rusty.

And then we got Minnie. She isn't Daisy and could never take her place, but she helped me heal. She gave me a reason to smile again. We all fell in love with her immediately!! She is such an awesome dog!!

To think that we could lose her.......I just don't think I can do it again. I still need her. She needs me. I am not giving up. I will do whatever it takes to keep her healthy for as long as I possibly can. And so I wait. Wait to learn what our next step will be. And I pray. Pray that her liver is still working correctly and that her condition can be controlled through diet and medicine. Pray that she will have a good, long life. Pray that she understands just how much she is loved!!

Debbi

Before!!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

Read that again.

When does it say that God knew us? Before He formed us in the womb!! 

Does it say on the day you were born? Or when you were big enough to breathe on your own? Or the first time your mother felt your little kick? Or when you had a heart beat? Or when you implanted in your mother's uterus? Or even when your father's sperm fertilized your mother's egg?

Before He formed us in the womb!! Before!!

Whoa!! That's a huge statement. If God knows every individual before they are created and then He creates them, what right do we have to destroy any life?

Just because it's legal, does that make it right? I don't think so.

I often hear people say, "I would never have an abortion, but I don't have the right to tell someone else not too." Really!?!? Let's rewind a few hundred years to the black man being sold into slavery. Was that right? Just because you would not have owned slaves, do you still think others should have had the right too?? Why is that different??

I once had a high school teacher tell us, "One person's rights end where another person's rights begin.". Just think about that for a minute. I have carried that statement with me for over 20 years.

Science has proven that life begins at conception. From that very first moment a unique individual with it's very own DNA is created. Gender, height, skin tone, and fingerprints are determined by one sperm and one egg. That same combination will never be created again.

This is a new person. This new person's right to live is more important than his/her mother's and father's right to finish college, or not disappoint their family, or keep their job, or whatever. 

I believe in the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. As we approach the 41st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, I mourn for the over 50,000,000 babies that have lost their lives to the violence of abortion :-( 

I promise to continue fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves!! 

Debbi

Day 3

The greatest thing to ever happen in the history of the world, happened on Day 3. Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after being crucified and buried. This single event changed history!! Because Jesus rose, we serve a living God. That's what makes Christianity different from every other religion. But, did you ever wonder why He chose day 3?? (This would be one of those times to log off if you are overly sensitive!!)

Maybe, He was HUNGRY!!

Day 3 of a diet has always been the worst for me. I know, I know.....diet is a bad word. It's a life style change, healthy eating....blah, blah, blah!!! No, it's a diet. I am restricting calories in order to lose weight. That's a diet and I don't like it!!

It seems that on Day 3, my body figures out that something is up. I am hungry and tired and irritable and my motivation is too small to measure. My body is saying, "Feed me or I will make you and everyone around you miserable."

I know that things get better after Day 3, but Day 3 is not my friend. I find myself walking through the kitchen, looking in the fridge and the cabinets. Staring at the food I was eating last week. Wanting to pig out on everything in sight but also wanting to make it through this day.

The most frustrating part is that I have done this before. I have lost the weight several times. Why do I keep gaining it back?? Am I addicted to food?? Am I afraid to succeed?? Do I like the attention?? I really don't know the answer. I just know that I have been in this cycle for way too long and I want out. So, this time will be different. This time I will keep the weight off. That is my prayer :-)

I understand that my weight does not define me. I know that those who love me, will love me no matter what size I am. I know that Jesus loves me and that He created me. I believe that I am a good person even if my jeans are getting too tight. I get it!! But...... I want to be thinner. I want to look better. I want to walk up my bedroom stairs without getting winded. I want to look at myself and see more than fat rolls. I want to meet new people and not be self conscious. I want to go out to eat without worrying that people are judging what I order. I want to be happy.

I choose Weight Watchers. I know there are a lot of diet plans out there. I know that everyone has advice. Weight Watchers works for me. I know the plan (the 2010 version) and I do well on it. In fact, I have already lost 3.6 pounds. That was in 48 hours!! I will make it through Day 3 and I will succeed!! I am excited to think about where I will be in a few months :-) I am going to be one hot mama this summer!!

I am sure that this is not the last I will have to say on this subject. My weight loss journey (2014 style) has only just begun. Stay tuned for all the fabulous results :-)

Debbi

Getting Started

This is me. I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a cousin, a niece, an aunt, a friend. I am me and I like me (most of the time). I have a lot on my mind and on my heart. I need a way to get it out. I like to write. A blog seems like a good idea :-)

What will I write about? Probably everything. Marriage, Kids, Diabetes, Work, Faith, Weight, and whatever else is keeping me awake at night.

Why now? Why not?

I am not a poet or overly educated. Do not expect me to be politically correct. If you are easily offended, please stop reading now. I am not conceited enough to believe that anyone cares what I have to say. This is for me and no one else. If you want to read, that's great. But if you don't, that's ok too. I promise not to be offended :-)

I confess that I have a tendency to complain. This does not mean that I don't see the blessings in my life. Believe me, I do. I cannot promise to always be upbeat. I can promise to always be real. Sometimes, life is grand. Sometimes, life sucks. That's just the way it is and I am not afraid to say it. So, again--Read At Your Own Risk!!

Like everything with me, I imagine this will be quite a ride. Buckle Up, Hold On, and Enjoy :-)

Debbi