Back to the beginning

I have found myself lately thinking on the things of the world right now. I know there are so many people who claim to be the experts on the happenings around us these days. However I feel the true expert is the One who created us. I am grateful to be able to say I am firm in my faith. I know many don't share my beliefs and that's perfectly fine. I just want to say to my friends and family who are dealing with loss of loved ones, loss of employment, or any other trial, You are truly in my prayers and I hope you know I am here for you in whatever capacity I need to be.

The very first blog I wrote was about being Blessed beyond comprehension. Today I find myself back at the beginning as I ponder the blessings I have been given. I am so very grateful for my family, my health, to be gainfully employed, for my friends, but most especially for my faith.

Thank you to my parents for not simply raising me but teaching me. Thank you for your constant support and encouragement.

Thank you to my husband who endures me most days. You inspire me every day. I love you!

Thank you to my four beautiful and energetic boys for keeping me on my toes and for helping me remember that sometimes it is so much fun not to be a grown up. I love you each with all my heart.

Thank you to my friends (even those who are my co-workers). You inspire me every day.

Most importantly, Thank you to my Father in Heaven for my wonderful life!

Temper My Temper

Work is needed on my part in this field. Especially when it comes to my children. I love my boys dearly but I often (more often than not lately) find myself short fused and frustrated with them. One goal I have set for myself is to learn to have more patience and to "temper my temper". I'm trying boys (and sweetheart), I promise.

"We Serve"

"We Serve" is the motto of The International Association of Lions Clubs or Lions Club International.

I recently became a member of the Lions Club International. My dear husband invited me to attend one of his meetings in October of last year and I became hooked. Hearing about the work/service that they were doing drew me in.

I am so PROUD to be a Lion. I look forward to the many opportunities that I will have being a part of this great organization.

"Lions club members are men and women who strive to make a difference in their local community as well as in communities worldwide. Their volunteer efforts go beyond the support of vision care, to addressing unmet health and education needs worldwide. "

VISION STATEMENT

TO BE THE GLOBAL LEADER in community and humanitarian service.

MISSION STATEMENT

TO EMPOWER volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.

CODE OF ETHICS

TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by
industrious application to the end that I may merit a
reputation for quality of service.

TO SEEK success and to demand all fair remuneration or
profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the
price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage
taken or because of questionable acts on my part.

TO REMEMBER that in building up my business it is not
necessary to tear down another’s; to be loyal to my clients or
customers and true to myself.

WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my
position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt
against myself.

TO HOLD friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that
true friendship exists not on account of the service performed
by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing
but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.

ALWAYS to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my
nation, my state and my community, and to give them my
unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them freely
of my time, labor, and means.

TO AID others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my
aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy.

TO BE CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my
praise; to build up and not destroy.

"I am a loyal Lion, God help me to do my duty as such."

March for Independence

For the past several years my sweet husband has attended the National Convention for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). At the last two conventions he has participated in the March for Independence.

What is the March for Independence you ask...

Atlanta, GA - July 2007

"The March for Independence -- A Walk for Opportunity, is a 5K walk-a-thon fundraising event and celebration demonstrating the independent spirit of the nation's organized blind, their friends, family, and supporters. The event relies on volunteers to register and participate in a 5K walk and to raise donations for walking. The donations raised, support the National Federation of the Blind's Imagination Fund. The Imagination Fund supports local and state outreach efforts benefiting blind people in your local community. Blind children, teens, youth, college students, adults, and seniors losing their vision as well as the programs and initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute."

Dallas, TX - July 2008

This year I am planning to attend the convention with Kevin. We are headed to the Motor City (Detroit, MI). I am looking forward to meeting and "networking" with many different individuals from around the world. Most especially, I am anxious to speak to those who share my challenges with schooling my children.

If you would like to read more about or would be interested in sponsoring KD for the March for Independence you can visit KD's Personal Page.

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I have always been very proud of my dear husband and his passion/desire for equality. One of the many things that I love about Kevin is is ability to write. One of the first creations that I was able to read was an article entitled My Undiscovered Future that was featured in the February 1998 issue of the Braille Monitor.

Here is a note from the Editor regarding this article:

"Before the state rehabilitation agency serving the blind of Missouri decided it would no longer send Missouri residents to the Colorado Center for the Blind for rehabilitation training in the skills of blindness, Kevin Ledford requested to be sent to Denver for job and skills training. (See the July, 1997, issue of the Braille Monitor.) By his own account he had been completely unsuccessful in keeping jobs and had little faith in himself. The following is his story of what happened when he was able to benefit from an NFB adult training center's unique blend of hope, high expectations, and hard work. Kevin Ledford is a living reminder that anything is possible when a determined blind person is offered real opportunity. It's tragic that Missouri has closed the door on those in the state who would like to follow Kevin's example.

As you will find, we are both very passionate individuals and, as any parents would, we will do all that we can to ensure our children have all that they need to succeed. This is just the beginning of a challenge we will be able to conquer together.

"Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion"

~Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Valentine's for my boys

K, Z, K, A & B enjoyed their Valentine's Eve...

Backwards Bob

Monster Trakker

And the winner...

Blue Thunder!!!

Yes, I took the pictures (I was there)

My Valentine's