Marci's surprise Bday party

I had a big weekend this weekend.  Yesterday Dr. Phyl (Phyllis) invited a bunch of us over for Marci’s surprise birthday party.  She and Phyllis Sr. her mom put on such a sweet party for her.   We all had a wonderful time.  Marci was so cute as always, we call her our little sugar dumpling.  Got to meet a lot of her friends.  Dr. Phyl’s place is beautiful, it’s right on the water and I just love it.  Very warm.   I framed up a  picture that I had done of the two of them together from Easter.   I also got one of Dr. Phyl and me, and Dr. Phyl and Turk, and Dr. Phyl and Karl, we sent it from her three sons, and signed it Ginger, Mary Ann, and babysister.  Yes I’m babysister, o.k.  it’s just the name and it stuck so far, I’ll tell you how I got that name another time.  The scenery from the back of her house is so relaxing.  This is just one of the views from below.  I also just loved Dr Phyl’s mom Phyllis Sr.  I see where she got her loving nature from, her mom.    I had a photoshoot after the party for opening of the beaches that I will post later on in the week.  I had a full weekend.

Wendy Photoshoot

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March of Dimes March for Babies

 

 

Everyone knows I love babies.  My nephew Gavin was born premature.   My friend Lee will be walking this year for the March for Babies. The goal of the March of Dimes is to provide healthcare and wellness for our precious little one’s who are born with various illnesses.

His personal web page address is http://www.marchforbabies.org/loquinn.  It’s for a great cause, so please support him if you can.  Thanks

I had a wonderful day, worked hard, and even had a photo shoot on my lunch break, that I’m about to get started on.   Happy Hump  Day folks.

Growing like trees

I can't seem to get over how fast they are growing, just like the trees they like climbing.  I can't wait to go home again to see them, and the little one, not pictured here, I'm trying to think of some interesting baby pictures to take of the boys little cousin, and Autumn's little brother.

Easter Sunday pictures from Church last week

The comcast man just came and got me all connected finally, woo hoo!  So I decided to post my pictures from Easter Sunday at UCC.

Living in the Present but Thankful for the Past

My mom sent me this email I had written to her way back almost when I first started this aol journal four years ago.   I’m living in the present, but I am thankful for the past.   I just moved into a sweet little place by the river, I’m really enjoying the peace I’m finding there.   I thought it was interesting that my mom sent me this email that I had sent her in the past.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

From: Mom
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:01 PM
To: Me
Subject: Re: Something I wrote when I lived at the beach

 

Thought you would enjoy reading this.  Everything changes with time.  I am so glad you like where you are living.

 

The reason I have not emailed you lately is that I have been working in the council room and I don't have email over there.  I check my email before I go home everyday.

 

Have a good week-end.  Enjoy your new home.  I love you the best.  Always remember that.  You are number 1.

----- Original Message -----

From: Me

Cc: Mom

 

 

 

I wrote this my first month when I was living at the beach in my little beach house a block from the Ocean, I’ve been going back and reading stuff.   Funny how reading things I wrote in the past help me today.

 

Love ya’ll

Derek

THANKFUL FOR THE PAST

 

I've been thinking about my past today. Trying not to be too hard on myself. It is easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness. But maybe it's better to look at ourselves and our past in the light of experience and growth.

Our past is a series of lessons that advance us to another level of living and loving. The relationships we entered, stayed in, or ended taught us necessary lessons.

I've come out of some painful circumstances with strong insights about who I am and what I want. Mistakes? Oh yes, many! Necessary! I guess so. Necessary for me to learn from the mistakes. Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes stumbling attempts at growth and progress? Necessary too. Each step of the way, we learned. We went through exactly the experiences we need to, to become who we are today. Each step of the way, we progressed. Is our past a mistake? No. The only mistake we can make is mistaking that for the truth.

Today, I ask for help to let go of negative thoughts I may be harboring about my past circumstances or relationships. I can accept, with gratitude, all that has brought me to today. One of my internet friends sent me this. I really liked it.

Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

There comes a time when you must stand alone.

You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.

You must be willing to make sacrifices.

You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.

Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.

There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.

Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.

Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.