I received two gifts Friday evening.
The first one was that my daughter, Hope, came home from a trip. Hope had left Wednesay morning while it was still dark out. She is in 8th grade and is a student in AVID. AVID is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. This program is an in-school academic support program for grades 4-12 that prepares students for college eligibility and success. She spent 3 days touring universities and colleges. She came home excited, wanting to go to college. Anything that motivates her to do well in life I am all for.
The second gift I received was from Hope. She brought me the shells in the picture. Hope went walking on the beach in Santa Cruz instead of spending all of her time in the arcade at the Boardwalk. I love shells, I grew up in Santa Cruz. My teen years were spent at the beach and the cliffs of Santa Cruz. We had sent her with some money for food and stuff. I had asked her to not buy us anything but to use her money for food. When she got home she gave me my shells and then apologized that she didn’t buy me anything else.
She brought me the best presents ever. She brought me a beautiful Daughter that is interested in College. Then while away she took the time to walk the beach that I use to walk when I was her age and she gathered me shells.
I am one Happy Mom!!!
Those that are most slow in making a promise
are the most faithful in the performance of it.
— Jean Jacques Rousseau
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My son turns 16 today. It has been an interesting year with him. I am really proud of what he has accomplished, what he has chosen to stand for, and his self control that he exhibits daily with his grandfather. Now ssshhhhh, I am not suppose to talk about him on my blog so don’t tell. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!
I have gotten to spend this last glorious week with my Girls in Edmond, Oklahoma.
While I have been here two amazing blog writers have been writing about the finer parts of Tornadoes and Earthquakes. Natalie at I Am (not) and Sarah at The Best Days of my Life. It has been an awesome back and forth dialog both on “The Twitter” and via Blog.
Today I got to have lunch with the Amazing Robin. It was her Birthday!!! She brought me back to the Beautiful Cindy’s house. As we are all chatting Robin gets a call. There are tornado sirens going off in Yukon. I can’t believe it. I am in Edmond, Oklahoma. I am visiting from California. UHMM, Excuse me Mr. Tornado Maker you aren’t suppose to be here for a few more months.
We watched Rick Mitchell showing us all the pretty colors and lines. Apparently the pink and black colors are bad. Follow the link for the real news story.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid1801207160
I survived….the February 10, 2009 Edmond Oklahoma Tornado and I want a T-Shirt that says so. 
Please you all say your prayers for the families of the 8 who died, for those whose homes where lost or damaged, for the business that will need to clean up before opening again. Natalie’s mom was in one of the affected businesses and thankfully was unharmed.
So to once again give my answer to the question of Tornadoes or Earthquakes….I am sticking with Earthquakes!!!
I have reached a milestone!!! I have had 1,000 comments on my blog. I know there are those of you celebrating way more! I am a small time blogger and it takes us little ones a longer time to hit the big numbers.
My 1,000th Commenter was ABBI. She is a busy woman. She writes on 3 other blogs that I know of. Many Meadows (Her Fiances Family’s Blog), The Bod Squad (getting in shape forum), and Z as in Zebra (cake making, yummy!).
She is planning her wedding to Andrew. She is excited to be becoming a Meadows and the Meadows are just as excited to have her.
I am going to have to think of something fun for her. A prize for being #1,000. Go visit her blogs!! She is one awesome lady!!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8EzaReSKg0]
Meet my Pastor, Bill Giovannetti. He has recently had a book published called “How to Keep Your Inner Mess From Trashing Your Outer World“. The website for this book is fun. It explains what the book is about, talks to you about your Inner Mess characters and gives you some information about who Bill is.
Bill is an amazing speaker that captivates an audience. You can find his sermons here at the Neighborhood Church of Redding’s website, http://www.ncredding.com/.
I also encourage you to visit his Blog, maxgrace.com and to stop by the book’s website, http://www.innermess.com/.
