99 Things

I saw this on Angel's blog and had to steal it to see mine!
(Rules: Bold the things you've done)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort 
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

What could you bold from these 99 things?

I would love to see your list so leave a comment or link up if you do this or have done it!

Happy Mother's Day!

What is a Mother? She is kind, loving, nurturing, and understanding. She is someone to look up to, she is beautiful, she makes you smile and she loves you no matter what you do.

When you are little she needs to be firm but she also makes owies better. She is a teacher, she is a chauffeur, she loves you more than you realize.

When you grow up she is a friend. She is someone to lean on, someone who gives advice, someone who prays for you and will pray for you when you can't speak through your tears. She still loves you more than you realize.

I haven't become a mother yet but the depths of a mothers love is not only visible in the mothers around me, but they are also evident within my own mother.

My mother and I had a rough beginning but she has always chosen me and Alex (my brother) above all else. Looking back at the times that were hard she always made sure we were taken care of and had what we needed.She always put her kids first, even if that meant that she went without. When I was little I didn’t see it. But now, looking back at my childhood I can see the sacrifices that were made. I can see the love that was there, even when we had our differences.

I have had the privilege of having a wonderful relationship with my mother. We have had our moments, all mothers and daughters do, but fort he most part all I have are very fond memories. We’ve been through a lot together. During my teen years, when most kids are in their rebellious stage,my dad left. I feel that experience drew my mother, my brother and I closer than ever. We were not your typical family. Oh, sure I still squabbled with my brother, but I feel like were the Three Amigos stickin’ it out till the end. I believe my mom and I became friends during my teen years as opposed to later in life and I am so grateful for that. We have enjoyed great things. We’ve gone out for tea, spent hours playing Hand & Foot, gone on trips, made jewelry together, spent more hours searching for her keys or glasses and so many other things.

This Mother’s Day my mom is in Kansas; that’s where she lives now. I am very happy for her, she has a wonderful life there with her hubby but I miss her. We talk on the phone every week and Skype sometimes but that just isn’t the same and we all know it. lol

This year I am broke and I really wish that I could just spoil my mom on Mother’s Day cuz she definitely deserves it. But instead I have written her a letter. If I know her as well as I think I do, my thoughts and memories will mean more to her than any gift I would give her.

This is for you Mom.

Dear Mom,

I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I’ll start in the beginning. Even though there were some bumps in the very beginning of my life,you have always chosen me and I don’t know if I have ever thanked you for that.So, thank you! I have always admired your courage.

Throughout my life you have always been there for me. You have always been loving and supportive. You have always known which battles to fight, and which ones could be left alone. Someday, when I’m a mom, I hope to be at least half the mom that you are.

My whole life I have been told by pretty much everyone I meet, “You look so much like your mother.” Most kids would cringe or roll their eyes, but I am proud to look like you. You are beautiful – inside and out. You are beautiful because you look to see the best in people and you always want to help. As I have grown up, I have watched you grow into this person who can’t do enough for those around you. I don’t think the word“No” is in your vocabulary. I’ve seen you with too much on your plate but somehow you always pull everything off. Then seeing how happy you are in the end lets me know that all the stress was worth it for you. The drive that you have to serve others is inspiring and makes me want to be more like you everyday.

I miss you now that we live so far apart. I know I say, “I miss you” every time I talk to you but I don’t think I tell you what I miss. I miss sipping coffee together, and I miss going out for tea. I miss the little adventures that we would have around town, and I miss the big adventures that crossed over states. I miss playing games with you, especially Hand & Foot. I miss simply sitting and talking about everything and nothing at the same time. I miss your hugs.

So on this Mother’s Day, and everyday really, I want you to know that you are loved and admired. You make me smile. You are my inspiration.You are one of my closest friends. Best of all you are my Mother and I love you more than you realize.

With all my love,

Jessica

101 in 1001

Well, I have decided to challenge myself. The other day I was on Confessions of a College Angel and she had the coolest idea! She was challenging herself to complete 101 things in 1001 days. I thought it was Awesome!! It's like a bucket list, that you actually may have the ambition to do.

So, I have created one for myself and added it as a page to my blog so I can keep track of what I have done. One of my things to do is to blog about about my progress each month so you will be hearing more about this in the future.

My hope is that I can inspire some other people to come up with a list of their own. If you do, I would LOVE to hear about it. So you can link up at the bottom of this post or on my 101 in 1001 page too.

~ Jessy <3

Rebellion...it's not just for teenagers anymore!

Ok so like what is up with getting a cold/flu the first week in May?! Yesterday, Thursday, I woke up with a dry cough, thought it was weird. I went throughout my day and then at like 9pm I start getting the chills. I was so cold that I wore a long-sleeved night shirt, pj pants, fuzzy socks and scarf to bed. LOL!!

When my alarm went off this morning I decided that I didn't want to share the wealth, so I called into work. I am so glad that I did. I have been in bed all day. I've still got my cough, I've had a headache pretty much all day, but the worst part is being achy and weak. No fun, not at all.

The only reason that I can come up with as to why I got sick, is because my body is rebelling. I have been waiting all week to start my new seizure meds and the day that I was going to start them, I get sick. I don't think that is coincidence.So now I must wait until I am better before I start my new meds. Fail.... Plus I have to miss a party tomorrow. :(

I am starting to feel better. So, *raises cough drops* here's to being better by Monday!!

Quizzical Question 5/3/12

It has been a long time since I've posted a Quizzical Question. Today I have 2 and they are very deep.

As I was calming down from yet another panic attack, they seem to be something very regular now, (I can't wait to switch my seizure meds.) I decided to read the little devotional that I've been reading everyday, it's called A Jolt of Joy. Today's story was about Paul (Paul has been the topic for the past few days - it's amazing how much you can learn about joy from him). He was standing before the King giving a defense as to why he was caught preaching in the wrong place at the wrong time. When asked to explain, Paul started his eloquent defense by saying, "I think myself happy...because I shall answer for myself this day." (Acts 26:2 KJV)

I'm confused. Paul, who was imprisoned and could possibly be sentenced to death right on the spot., said "I think myself happy." wow...I would probably "think myself nauseous."

So my questions to you are these:

1.  How can you re-train your mind to focus on the positive and not on the negative?
2. What are some ways that you can "think yourself happy" everyday?

It's a lot to chew on - believe me. Three and half pages of my thoughts, notes and scribbles and I still don't have a grasp on it.

Until next time
~ Jessy