Christmas and Family Pictures 2011

Where has the year gone?

I am amazed that it is already February. It seems like just the other day it was Christmas and our girls were here visiting from Colorado. The holiday's were amazing. The girls were here for the Christmas break, which made Christmas so much fun. I also love having Christmas on a Sunday. We had the girls open one present on Saturday, which were skateboards. The weather here has been incredible, so there were able to go outside and ride them. Jared also took them down to the skate park to ride. No presents were opened before church on Sunday. It was so nice to make the day last longer. Everyone had a great holiday. Relationships were strengthened. I love having 3 additional babies from another mother. MaKayla, Celeste and Emma are such huge blessings in our lives.

I am beyond grateful for an amazing husband, who adores, loves and cares for his family. A man who loves and honors his Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I could not have designed or picked a more perfect man for me. Thanks Jared Gibb, I love you more!

I am back in school this semester,taking Human Behavior in the Social Environment. It is fascinating. The case studies are more in depth and my knowledge is growing. I am so excited about the Social Work path I have decided to take.

Life is AMAZING!

Our Wedding, October 7, 2011

Wedding Time

Friday, October 7, 2011 was the most amazing day! The love of my life and I were married. Jared Gibb came into my life in February of 2011 and we have developed the most amazing friendship and relationship. I am so excited to have married my best friends. GOD definitely hand picked and designed the perfect man for me.

All of our children were able to be at the wedding. Jared's parents came up from Colorado and those family members that couldn't be there physically, we made heads on a stick for them.

I am so grateful to have been allowed to be Jared's wife. Before meeting Jared, I had lost hope that there were any single men out there who knew how to be a best friend, a lover and a spouse. Jared showed me otherwise. The wedding was amazing and life just continues to get better and better.

Summer of 2011 Pictures

The End of 2011 is near.

What an amazing and challenging year it has been. I met and married the man of my dreams. I have 3 more amazing daughters. I wouldn't trade this last year for anything. This summer Jared and I had his 3 girls for 9 weeks, MaKayla (9), Celeste (7), and Emma (6). This was definitely and adventure. I went from being single and living alone, to being engaged and have 3 girls living in my extra bedroom. Between Jared, an amazing soon to be sister-in-law and myself, we were able to arrange schedules so that the girls never had to go to a day care. I would go to work at 6:00, Jared would go in at 8:30 and then I would get off by noon to pick the girls up and then come home to finish my work day. It was very challenging, but very rewarding and amazing. Every weekend was an outdoor adventure, hiking new trails up the canyons here. On occasion we even were able to be blessed with Mike and Sabrina, my babies from another mother from my first marriage.

One particular weekend, All of us, Jared, MaKayla, Celeste, Emma, Mike, Sabrina and I headed up to the Granite Quarry to do some hiking and climbing. We had climbed up pretty far, some had seen a baby rattlesnake, but we were all hot, tired and thirsty, so we began to head down the mountain, with Jared leading the way. He was followed by Emma, Celeste, MaKayla, Sabrina, Mike and then me. On the way down a boulder with about a 14 inch diameter came loose and down the mountain it went. I screamed, Mike jumped out of the way and yelled, Sabrina moved, but unfortunately the boulder hit MaKayla in the back, pushing her into Celeste, who was not even a foot in front, and then pushing Celeste into Emma who fell. In the meantime, the boulder rolled around to the side, smashing MaKayla's thumb on the hand she had used to brace herself. We now had 5 freaked out children and 2 freaked out adults who had to spring into action. Emma's lip was bleeding where she had hit it on the rock, she had a scratch on her head, Celeste, Mike and Sabrina where just scared. MaKayla was bleeding from her thumb, as it was shattered and had almost ripped the pad of the thumb completely off. Jared grabs MaKayla's thumb, wrapping it up in his shirt and heads for the car. Here I am trying to get 4 kids down the mountain. Thanks goodness for some other very kind hikers. The gentleman picks Emma up, carrying her down, I grab Sabrina and Celeste's hand to help them down and Mike was the biggest help in trying to keep the girls calm. About 20 feet from the car, on the dirt trail, Celeste trips over a rock and face plants in the dirt, she is now crying hysterically, but not hurt. The kind hikers had an ice pack, so the thumb is now wrapped in a sock, with the ice pack around it. The hikers also gave the kids drinks to share. Now it is off to the closest hospital... Alta View.

We arrive at the ER, the 4 other kids settle in the waiting room, I go back with MaKayla, while Jared gets her checked in. At this point I still haven't seen the thumb, Jared being an EMT knew it was broken. The nurse enters the room and begins to unwrap the thumb, taking one glance at it, she wraps it back up and says the doctor will be in shortly... Must be bad is my first thought. Once Jared is done, I head out to the waiting room to sit with the other kids and Jared stays with MaKayla. About 15 minutes later, I decide to take the kids home to get them something to eat and to get cleaned up.

After X-Rays are taken, it is determined MaKayla will need surgery. Her thumb is broken near the joint and the joint is broken as well. She will need pins to secure the bones and help them heal. She survives the 2 hour surgery and is given prescriptions for an antibiotic and pain. As Jared stops at Walgreen's to fill them, MaKayla is still a bit out of it, but decides she needs to use the restroom. Apparently the anesthesia has made her sick. After throwing up, MaKayla is more awake and feeling much better, as she sits in a chair banging her cast on the arm, saying it doesn't hurt...

We are very grateful that everyone was able to walk away from this little adventure. There were definitely angels there that day watching out for all of us. It could have been so much worse.

MaKayla again has full use of her thumb and it didn't slow her down at all this summer.

The girls went back to their mom's 12 days into August, I began the semester shortly after and Jared continued working as did I. I began teaching ballet again in September and life continues to move forward.

Life so far....2011

Crazy and amazing times have happened so far this year. What a blessed year it has been. I returned from Europe in January and jumped right back into life. Taking calculus during Spring Semester and actually understanding it for the most part, at least the first several chapters. I decided it was time to start taking dating a bit more serious, or I guess you could say I should consider dating in general. I hadn't dated much since my divorce and had the desire to meet my eternal companion and move forward with life. So I did just that. I joined a dating website and met the most amazing man, Jared Gibb. It did take me quite some time to respond to his messages and his flirts but I finally did, as he would say. Then one night we chatted online and Jared got my phone number. Our first phone conversation was about 5 and a half hours, which if you know me is an absolute miracle as I do not talk on the phone much. Jared was living in Southern California but was coming to Utah to visit his brother, so we decided to meet on Presidents Day. It was the Tuesday or Wednesday before and Jared was entertaining the idea of just moving to Utah. This freaked me out a bit, because we hadn't even met face to face and I wondered what if this didn't work... Looking back now, I am so glad that he moved. He made the decision, began applying for jobs on line and had a phone interview the same day. Within days of moving to Utah, Jared was employed and our friendship and relationship was blooming. Our first date was amazing. Our first kiss was shocking... mainly because Jared leans in for this amazingly romantic kiss, and it all begins... then I stop after noticing a light bulb is out and simply state, I need to change out that lightbulb. That is me, always multi-tasking.

Life has been 100% amazing since I met Jared. He is my dream come true for my eternal companion. Jared is beyond supportive of me, my crazy ideas and desires and he allows me to do the same.

Jared and I have been dating every since and have enjoyed getting to know each other, our stregnths, our weaknesses, our quirkes... what a joy it has been getting to know Jared and having him there and sharing my life with him.

Saturday, May 14th was an amazing day and boy did Jared get me good. A few weeks prior we had gone ring shopping, we had designed my ring and ordered it, or had it custom designed/made. So on the morning of the 14th we were off to Sierra West to pick up the ring. As we walk in, I am told that the ring isn't done. I was disappointed, but the final payment was made on the ring. Jared and I were then off to Bridal Veil Falls for a bit of hiking. Before we left, Jared leaves me in the car and runs back into Sierra West to see when the ring will be done, or so he says. The skies are darkening as we reach Provo Canyon, but a little rain never hurt anyone. On the drive down, I am giving Jared ideas of how to propose and how not to propose. I am sure his is just laughing during my suggestions and stories. Well we begin the hike and sure enough the skies open up and down comes the rain. As we head down the mountain, Jared stops, puts his arms around me and says, "will you do me a favor?" I answer yes, he then says will you marry me? I of course answer yes, he then brings his hand around in front of my face with my gorgeous ring on it... yes he got me good and I love it!

February thru May of 2011

Europe Trip!

New Year, 2011

Well here it is, another year has past and a new year has begun. 2010 was very interesting and eventful, from work to school to vacations. I was blest to have the opportunity to visit Disneyland with my wonderful babies from another mother and their mom. It was perfect. I love seeing the excitement in children at the happiest place on earth.

At the end of the year, I was able to spend 2 and a half weeks in Europe with my younger brother and my mom! It was the first Christmas in 6 years that we have spent Christmas together. I love Europe. This trip we visited Salzburg Austria, which is where we spent Christmas, and then several cities in Germany; Mannheim, Trier, Ladenburg, Heddisheim, Frankfurt and Heidlburg. A small jaunt was also taken to Luxembourg. I could live in Europe in a heartbeat. I am slowly learning German and this trip I was more able to listen and not to think in Spanish. I love the time that I was able to spend with my brother, who is one of my best friends and my mom. It was very cold and wet during our trip, each day was overcast, with the exception of one where the blue skies tried to peak thru. I wouldn't trade those memories and experiences for anything.

In looking forward to 2011, even though January is half over, there is so much to accomplish this year. Some of my goals are to complete Calculus I and II, to take one vacation (at least), to date... yes I said date. It has been 2 and a half years since my divorce was final and I feel it is time to get out and start to meet gentlemen and perhaps even get into a relationship. Who knows what this year will hold, it will be wonderful.

I am looking forward to this year and all that it hold! May 2011 bless all of my dear friends and family. Thank you for always standing by me and being so supportive! Love you all!

THE ONES WHO DO

Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.
They're not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.

They invent. They imagine. They heal.
They explore. They create. They inspire.
They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones who do.
-Apple

Oh the Places You'll Go

OH, THE PLACES YOU`LL GO!
``You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You`re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who`ll decide where to go...`` - What a great quote by Dr. Seuss!


This great article about this quote from Dr. Seuss that was written by a woman named Jacqueline Wales.She writes the following:

You have brains in your head. Stepping out of our own way is the biggest challenge for most people. We over think, or under think, and many times the thinking is completely skewed in the wrong direction. Using our brains is what changing our thinking is all about. Move from the negativity to the positive and learn how to embrace your fearless self, removing doubts and anxieties that are currently stopping you from being your best self now.

Feet in your shoes. How many of us are standing in our own shoes? It took me years to realize that I was walking in someone else's. It was a proud day when I could say they were mine. Don't be walking someone else's path, and don't go trying to wear shoes that don't fit you. Pinched feet are painful. Leave them at home.

Steer yourself in any direction you choose. Choosing a direction is the hardest part. What do you really want for yourself? Where do you really want to go. Once you decide on that, then take every possible action to get yourself where you want to go.

You're on your own. That much is clear. We are totally responsible for EVERYTHING that happens in our life, whether wittingly or unwittingly, we have made a choice or a decision that brought us into the circumstance or event in our life. Being responsible for each and every aspect of your life means you're on your own, but you are not alone. Everyone is right there beside you.

You know what you know. It's all inside of you. The questions and the answers. Trust yourself more. Fear is essentially our lack of trust that we have all the answers, that we can control our life. We are stronger than we think, and we KNOW a lot. Trust you more often.

You are the one who'll decide where to go. It's your life. Learn how to embrace it, and allow it to unfold the way you want it to be. Be Fearless: See Where It Gets You! You will be surprised at what you find.

Three Words

The following three-word phrases can be tools to help develop every relationship.

1. Let me help
Good friends see a need and then try to fill it. When they see a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they jump in and help out.

2. I understand you
People become closer and enjoy each other more when the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know - in so many little ways - that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. And this can apply to any relationship.

3. I respect you
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect demonstrates that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become closer friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.

4. I miss you
Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how important you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."

5. Maybe you're right
This phrase is very effective in diffusing an argument. The implication when you say "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting, "Maybe I’m wrong". Let's face it. When you have an argument with someone, all you normally do is solidify the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not likely change their position and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to explore the subject more. You may then have the opportunity to express your view in a way that is understandable to the other person.

6. Please forgive me
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

7. I thank you
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

8. Count on me
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship. It is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating "you can count on me."

9. I'll be there
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

10. Go for it
We are all unique individuals. Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how far out they seem to you. God has given everyone dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only. Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to "go for it."

11. Bonus: I love you

Perhaps the most important three words that you can say are telling someone that you truly love them. This satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs; the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words: "I love you." Love is a choice. You can love even when the feeling is gone. "

Trip to Cedar City

Fantastic Weekend

Finally I was able to make it back to Cedar City from Thursday October 14th thru Sunday October 17th for a Theater Arts and Dance Department Reunion and fundraiser. What an awesome weekend it was! I left Thursday after work, about 4. The traffic was horrible until Spanish Fork due to road construction, but after that it was smooth sailing. I finally arrived in Cedar city about 8:15 and stopped at the grocery store to pick up some breakfast food before heading to Kay's! I love staying at Kay's home, it is so welcoming and peaceful. Kay is a very dear friend of mine. He was my modern professor in college and a co-worker afterwards with the American Folk Ballet. It had been a year and a half since I had seen Kay, but you would never know it. Our friendship is one of those that it doesn't matter how much time goes by, when we see each other, you would never know it. Steve Nielsen met me at Kay's. Steve and I graduated from SUU today and haven't seen each other for years, probably 6 years. Steve had invited me to perform with him on Saturday night, so at 9:00 Thursday night, it was off to the studio to rehearse and learn the piece! We danced until midnight, when campus security showed up and kicked us out! Nothing like getting in trouble by campus security on the first night back in town! hee hee hee. Steve and I stayed up until about 1:30 AM talking and catching up. Lot's has happened in both of our lives!

Friday morning came very early, we had a meeting at 9:00 AM and I was teaching at10:00 AM. Oh how I love to teach. It was an absolute blast teaching college kids who are majoring in dance. The studio was gigantic! I love it! The went amazing! I could have used 2 hours, rather than an hour and half. After my class, Steve and I rehearsed with some of the students that we had asked to perform with us. At noon, Steve taught a jazz/musical theater class, which I took. After his 1.5 hour class, more rehearsal! At 3:00, it was time for Tech Rehearsal on the stage, then a dance panel from 4-5! Busy day!

After panel, it was off to St. George to see Tarzan at Tuacahn. It was a good show, but not up to par for a professional theater, it was more on the level of a high school show or community theater. However, Steve and I had a blast! I love going to the theater to see shows!


Saturday, it was dress rehearsal from 12-3, then off to get ready for the performance and reception. The show turned out amazing, the reception was a blast. I love seeing friends that I haven't seen for 10-12 years! It was just like the good ol' days!

I am so glad that I was able to head south and make the memories! I came home on Sunday and actually started looking at apartments in Cedar. Cedar is home! I love it there, perhaps in the next year I will end up there!

I wish you enough

Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.


Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'

They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.

'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.


I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

He then began to cry and walked away.


They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.


TAKE TIME TO LIVE....

To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.

Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you & keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you
& be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you & give you peace.

Trust

Today I was reading a friends blog and she talked about the song "Consider the Lilies." In reading her blog and then listening to the song, I realized that I had also built a wall. The song goes, "And He will heal those who trust him. And make their hearts as gold." The beginning of the song says, "Consider the lilies of the field, How they grow, How they grow... Consider the birds in the sky, How they fly, How they fly."

Thanks to my dear friend, I too realized that I have built a wall to keep the hurt out and in turn to prevent the happiness and joy I deserve out. It is time for the wall to come down and for me to begin trusting again, trusting those in my life now, trusting new friends I meet and trusting GOD.

I had a great conversation with my mom today about my life and stresses that are happening, situations and feelings that have arisen. I am so grateful for her and the love and support she gives. Her advice is very welcome and really helped me make some decisions today. Thanks Mom, I love you.

Yesterday was a great day as well. It started off with a long over due massage. She knew exactly where I hold my stress and pointed out that is why I have been having headaches. During the massage I realized that some of the stress in my life is self inflicted and I am the one to resolve and remove it. Saturday night was priesthood session of conference, which means the girls get to play while the men are being counseled! I headed out to my friend Tanji's house where we ate TGI Friday's and just talked and got caught up. What a perfect night and way to end Saturday!

Life is good and is going to get better. Thank you to allb of my friends and family! You are all amazing.

GOD Bless America

I'm so tired of seeing what's WRONG with this country....this was truly refreshing!Enjoy. I did!


From a Romanian Newspaper

We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA


Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title 'C'ntarea Americii, meaning 'Ode To America ') in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei 'The Daily Event' or 'News of the Day'.

~An Ode to America~

Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.

On 9/11, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart. Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the Army, or the Secret Service that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about...

Instead the Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand.

After the first moments of panic , they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing. On every occasion, they started singing: 'God Bless America !'

I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people.

How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put into collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy. What on earth can unites the Americans in such way? Their land? Their history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace, I thought things over, I reached but only one conclusion.... Only freedom can work such miracles.

Cornel Nistorescu
(This deserves to be passed around the Internet forever..) It took a person on the outside - looking in - to see what we take for granted!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Two Years

What a crazy and wonderful two years! It was two years ago today that the judge signed my divorce papers and I became a single woman again. In looking back at the last two years I see how blessed I have been.

During my marriage, I became extremely submissive and gave up on a lot of my dreams and goals in life. The one goal which I never gave up on was being a wife and a mother. I have two of the most amazing children (babies from another mother) whom I am still very blessed to see and spend time with on a regular basis. They are two of the largest blessings in my life. It does make my heart ache to hear the challenges they are facing in life and the feelings the have towards people in their life. Children should not have to understand happenings in life at such a young age. I am amazed at their comprehension and understanding of people, their actions and their words. They have a deep understanding, much deeper that I think we as adults give them credit for. They have and understand their feelings and are very creative in their ways of expressing them. Michael and Sabrina are amazing and the best children! I love them with all of my being and am so grateful for them.

I originally was ashamed of my divorce. It is something I never wanted in my life. I always wanted to be married only one and to the man that we would grow together, love, and support each other. Spend time building each other up. Unfortunately that did not happen in my marriage. There were 25 months spent trying to make it work, changing myself so that it would work. I was very blessed to spend many hours in the temple, praying about what to do... then the answer came that it was time to leave... it takes two people working at a marriage and giving to make it work. It was time for me to leave the abuse. I think this was the hardest part for me. My ex was only physically abusive several times in the marriage and I was great at making excuses for it. The first time was 2 months into our marriage, when I ended up with two small black eyes and a cut across my forehead. He did an amazing job at justifying his actions. There was the bruises on my ribs from him poking me, the bruise on my shin from him kicking me... the bruises on my stomach from him 'tickling' too hard. Then there was the verbal, which is also mental and emotional abuse, and the spiritual abuse. I struggled with realizing it until I was able to meet with a counselor, read several books and made some tough realizations, as well as going back to a self discovery stage. I was great at making excuses for his behavior and even got to the point of blaming myself. It was a horrible place to be and I realized that now. I am back to my spunky, loving life and living life self. I am checking goals off my list and completing wants and wishes off of my bucket list.

I think that his family is great and amazing. I have enjoyed keeping in contact on a high level with his family. His mom sent me a very sweet letter, even stating that she was grateful that I had gotten out and away from the abuse. His sisters have been fun and amazing. I love seeing their children grow and have new experiences. His family are blessings in my life!

I pray that my ex can become the man that I saw in him, especially now that he is remarried to a woman with 2 children. I would hate for her to have the same experience I did and for her children to go thru a 2nd divorce.

As for things I have been able to do over the last two years...I am back in school studying Chemistry and Biology, working towards working in the forensics field or medical research field. School is challenging and I love it! I am still teaching dance and am back to being the Assistant Director of Southpointe Ballet company. I have been on a hot air balloon ride, I have returned to Disneyland with the kids, I have been to Europe and am going back in 3 months to experience more! I have met amazing men, who have treated me with the utmost kindness and respect. I have rekindled friendships and have become more social again! Life is amazing. I am so grateful for my trials and the lessons learned thru them. I am grateful for my blessings. I know that GOD is real and truly cares about each and everyone of us. He has carried me at many times thru the last two years and 9 months. My ex and I were separated for 9 months prior to the divorce being final.

I am grateful for Mandi(his first ex-wife) and our friendship. I love that we have become friends, after all we both experienced a very difficult marriage. It was very strange at first to sit down with her and compare our experiences with him. Our stories are almost exact, even from the phrases he used on us. She is a blessing in my life!

So, here is to another exciting time in life, to checking more off my bucket list, to finding my spouse, to starting a family, to living life to the fullest. Thank you to all of my friends who have been there for me in the difficult and sad times. Who have been there to lift me up and keep me going, to hold me back when necessary. I love you all and am grateful for you everyday!

Great Article

ORANGE COUNTY ( CALIFORNIA ) NEWSPAPER-New Immigrants
This is a very good letter to the editor. This woman made some good points..
For some reason, people have difficulty structuring their arguments when
arguing against supporting the currently proposed immigration revisions.
This lady made the argument pretty simple. NOT printed in the Orange
CountyPaper...................

Newspapers simply won't publish letters to the editor which they either deem
politically incorrect (read below) or which does not agree with the
philosophy they're pushing on the public. This woman wrote a great letter
to the editor that should have been published; but, with your help it will
get published via cyberspace!


From: "David LaBonte"
My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful
letter to the editor of the OC Register which, of course, was not printed.
So, I decided to "print" it myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass
it along if you feel so inclined. Written in response to a series of letters
to the editor in the range County Register:


Dear Editor:
So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made
up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the
Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated
the same as those who passed through Ellis Island
and other ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr.
Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of
immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of
Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand
in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on
their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the
laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning
English a primary rule in their new American households and some even
changed their names to blend in with their new home.

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new
life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate
into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare,
no labor laws
to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had
brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity.

Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father
fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany,
Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave
any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were
Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of
Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people.

When we liberated France , no one in those villages were looking for the
French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of
France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one
country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up
another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would
have been a disgrace to their parents who had
sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to
be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue
bowl.

And here we are with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and
privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of
rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being
faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an
American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis
Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard
work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has
become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they
would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving
foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty , it happens
to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I
wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

(signed)
Rosemary LaBonte