I got this email from a friend today... and I was so awesome I wanted to share... I am going to do each thing on this list... (starting in the Morning) ... I hope it blesses you just as it blessed me!!
~ Melinda

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day - preferably in the morning and feel your feelings.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement, "My purpose is to _________ today."
5. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new positive energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip or issues of the past, negative thought, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like Algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often.
37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _____________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass! You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Send this to everyone you care about.
I just did.And, here are a couple of bonuses:
-The only reason to be alive is to enjoy it. Happiness is a journey, not a destination!
-"If you need help, ask God. If you don't, thank God!"
-For now, begin to apply as many as possible on a daily basis.
~ Author Unknown
This is a wonderful list..

2009

Happy NEW YEAR!! I hope and pray that everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday.. And a Safe New Year.
We had a wonderful Christmas Holiday! We thank GOD for everything that we were able to give. It's been a rough year for a lot of people, but GOD is still in control.
2009 is officially here! I don't know what GOD has in store, but I know that with GOD all things are possible.

Is Organic REALLYbetter? Read this article...

New York Time Article " For Three Years, Every Bite Organic " The excerpts below are taken directly from the article.. just to give you some points from the article..

"In a fascinating experiment — on himself — Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician and author in Danville, Calif., decided to find out. For the last three years, Dr. Greene has eaten nothing but organic foods, whether he’s cooking at home, dining out or snacking on the road.“It was much more challenging than I thought it would be, and I thought it would be tough. There were definitely days where there was nothing I could find that was organic.”said Dr. Greene, 49, the founder of a popular Web site about children’s health, drgreene.com.

• Organic farmers don’t use conventional methods to fertilize the soil, control weeds and pests, or prevent disease in livestock.

• Dr. Greene said he was inspired to go all-organic after talking to a dairy farmer who noted that livestock got sick less after a switch to organic practices. He wondered if becoming 100 percent organic might improve his own health.

  Three years later, he says he has more energy and wakes up earlier. As a pediatrician regularly exposed to sick children, he was accustomed to several illnesses a year. Now, he says, he is rarely ill.

This is such a good article.. Just to give you an idea of what it's like to eat completely Organic. I have used the Dr.Greene Website for information since Alexis was a baby. I hope this helps someone! ~ Blessings Melinda

I

WOW... so much has went on so FAST!
Things are crazy. Christmas is HERE and Thanksgiving is only next week! I am pretty much done shopping, I still have toys to purchase. I am going to try to fight through the "after Thanksgiving Sales" to catch some deals. As MUCH as I TRULY HATE Holiday Crowds... I have to to this year. My Budget says so :) That's all for now...
My baby brother (darnell) got married last weekend.. Here are a few photos..

Today JA Elementary School had a pancake breakfast to honor veterans. Zion (my nephew) choose to honor my father (Sgt. Harper L) because he is a Vietnam War Veteran. It was such an humbling experience. I was proud that MY father was a veteran. I was proud of his E5 Rank. I was very proud of his purple heart received. I love my father and I wanted to write a blog to honor him. He is a REAL man of GOD. He has worked extremely hard throughout the years to be the most outstanding husband, father, and grandfather. He has surpassed our expectations by far. I am proud to call him MY DADDY. I know I have not always shown the appreciate I should growing up, but I pray that my actions as an adult have conveyed my sincere admiration for him. We should always take time to honor our parents while they are alive.

Deuteronomy 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, [ Deuteronomy 4:40] that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Well Dad, we honor you everyday.. Thank you for all that you have done..

Here is Zion’s Short speech at school this morning..

P.S.There is a buzz noise because someone sent me a text while I was recording.

The Ignorance Begins..

"Baylor denounces noose in tree on Election Day"
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hlH3V2WJU5i2jURiiIAGv4RaY_OAD9493LKO0 (read article)

So The Ignorance Begins.... We all knew it was coming. I am not shocked nor upset by the Noose. Annoyed is more like it. Come one “Generation” what are you going to accomplish but hanging a noose and burning Obama pictures? Christians believe what the bible says "love your neighbor as you love yourself". If you don’t believe me.. read for yourself.

Romans 13 Submission to the Authorities
1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

People keep saying He’s BLACK, Obama is mixed, and I will be interested to find out the nationality of the people who hung the noose.. I wonder if their mom is the same nationality as Obama’s momma? (hmmmm interesting thought) I will be glad when this world can come together (ALL nationalities) just like everyone did for this election. It’s time for a reality check. People need to grow up and get over it. Realistically speaking, I know more ignorance is on the way. I am going to continue to pray for the United States of America as well as the First Family.
~ God’s love to each of you

YES WE CAN!!

WOW… I am ecstatic! I never thought that in MY lifetime I would see an African-American (or any race other than the previous 43) president. I am not just proud because Barack Obama is African-American, I am proud for many reasons. He is so eloquent when he speaks. He is elegant and knowledgeable. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty. He loves his wife and speaks highly of her. He seems to be a wonderful father. He has Sparked the NATION in the election process and politics. I am a proud NON-Voter for the last 28 years. I hate politics because I always felt that politicians were liars. I honestly feel that both candidates had good aspects as well as bad ones.
I was prepared to support either elected president. I am so proud of everyone that voted in this election. No matter who you voted for, you are a part of history and there for everyone should be proud.
It was interesting how at McCain Rally the crowd booed when Obama’s name was mentioned. Yet at the Obama rally the crowd cheered when McCain’s name was mentioned. I have much respect for John McCain he would make a wonderful president.
Now Our job is to pray for our new president. I am proud and I hope you are just as proud. My child will teach her children who Barack Obama is and how she watched history in the making with her dad and mom. God Bless our president and God bless each of you.