tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288149032024-03-14T02:19:53.150-06:00Sweet Dreams are Made of TheseBriana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-17794711704631924022016-11-20T11:44:00.000-07:002016-11-20T11:55:15.949-07:00Hope Works<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XU9OyLDOby0/WDHXm7VJ-BI/AAAAAAAAJhs/eZ4dpCuK288gq1ItMYY77JLkUIEcwV5tQCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XU9OyLDOby0/WDHXm7VJ-BI/AAAAAAAAJhs/eZ4dpCuK288gq1ItMYY77JLkUIEcwV5tQCLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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oftentimes the things that we repeatedly think about and the things we repeatedly say </div>
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become who we are and what others remember about us</div>
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a photo of my daddy sits by my home monitor </div>
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his soft gaze looks at me as i work in the wee hours of the night and early morning</div>
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oh how i wish i could talk to him in person </div>
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but the words i hear my daddy say to me in my mind are the words i heard him say so often</div>
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words of counsel</div>
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words of encouragement</div>
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words of love</div>
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but so very often the words of hope</div>
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my father was a spiritual man who drew strength and wisdom from the words of the scriptures </div>
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that lucky for me he passed on to his family</div>
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one of my favorite things i heard my daddy teach about was hope</div>
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my father's adopted definition of hope was an "earnest expectation"</div>
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taken from one of my most beloved chapters in scripture, <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/8.19?lang=eng#18" target="_blank">Romans 8 verse 19 </a></div>
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and <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/philip/1.20?lang=eng#19" target="_blank">Philippians 1:20</a></div>
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an earnest expectation</div>
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in an address at a <a href="http://www.tofw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">conference of women</a> Lisa Valentine Clark said</div>
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'when we don't know where to begin, we begin with hope. hope has the power to change our attitude. hope sometimes comes from our actions and sometimes comes through inner feelings."</div>
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we begin with hope</div>
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with earnest expectation of a change in how you feel or a change in an outcome</div>
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earnest can be defined as 'resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction'</div>
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for me this anticipation of change in nature or change in situation </div>
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must be coupled with a sincere and intense conviction in God's loving nature and his work and his glory</div>
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"to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/1.39?lang=eng#38" target="_blank"> (Moses 1:39)</a></div>
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which can only come through the process of becoming</div>
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most importantly, becoming as Christ</div>
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oh the joys that come</div>
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but oh the pain and the strife</div>
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no one is exempt</div>
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which means that we are each others' learning material and experts on how to find hope</div>
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we have all felt it sometime in our life </div>
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we have felt of its transformative power</div>
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its sustaining power</div>
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its restful power</div>
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because of this universal reality of the state of man</div>
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to learn, to grow, to be stretched, to rise, to fall, to find peace, to feel despair, to find rest, to find joy</div>
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it is my firm belief that we each must speak up and</div>
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"be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you"</div>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-pet/3.15?lang=eng#14" target="_blank">(1 Peter 3:15)</a></div>
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we must share our stories of hope</div>
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even if we are in the middle of it</div>
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even if we have not seen the light yet</div>
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we can speak of the light in our hearts</div>
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our speaking can spark a hope in the hearts of someone else</div>
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it doesn't need to be on a public platform</div>
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you just need to have an open and willing heart </div>
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that if the opportunity presents itself in speaking to another in need </div>
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that you will be ready to share your story and give an answer for the reason for your hope</div>
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your sharing may just be showing them where they can begin</div>
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it has been my honor to learn from so many in my life through the sharing of their stories</div>
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through my <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">podcast The LifeBeats Project</a> I have been continually amazed </div>
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at the willingness of my guests and my community members so many to share their journeys for the benefit of others</div>
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i continually seek out opportunities to hear from the brave ones willing to share</div>
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recently i was able to attend a brilliant and inspirational TED talk like event called</div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works" target="_blank">Hope Works</a></div>
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put on by t<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/" target="_blank">he Mormon Channel</a> of <a href="https://www.mormon.org/" target="_blank">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a></div>
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in which 6 speakers shared their life experiences and insights of how they feel hope and love</div>
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particularly through the light of the Savior Jesus Christ</div>
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as i listened to </div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works/the-perfect-lie-tiffany-webster" target="_blank">the honest and real feelings of a struggling mother trying to feel enough</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works/living-beyond-what-if-cambry-kaylor" target="_blank">a paralyzed equestrian vaulter trying to understand who she now was after her accident</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works/seeing-green-jill-thomas-hope-works" target="_blank">a mother trying to explain what it feels like to see life in a whole new way after losing her child</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works/how-one-question-puts-life-in-more-perspective-stephen-jones" target="_blank">a man trying to find purpose in his career and what he could do that would truly matter</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works/spiritual-beings-and-the-human-experience-matt-townsend" target="_blank">a relationship coach learning from one of his patients of the pain of scars and on how healing can begin</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works/we-arent-gods-only-people-samuel-hislop-hope-works" target="_blank">and a man's enlightened experience of learning globally from people of other religions and background</a></div>
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i was filled</div>
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there was no podium, no screen, no barrier between them and myself</div>
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it was if they were speaking just directly to me</div>
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i could feel their pain </div>
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but oh could i feel their joy</div>
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there is a power in hearing others' stories</div>
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those <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">LifeBeats</a> inside of us connect with the <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">LifeBeats</a> within their story</div>
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those core desires within us all</div>
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to feel loved, to want to serve, to want to reach our potential, to be understood, to want to feel needed, to want to feel that what we are doing and how we are living has meaning</div>
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if you are in need of a little hope</div>
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i invite you reach out to someone you love, someone you admire, a place of inspiration </div>
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and hear how others have found hope in their lives</div>
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i invite you to hear the stories of the inspiring guests of my <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">podcast The LifeBeats Project </a></div>
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you can even listen to one of the speakers from the event <a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works" target="_blank">Hope Works</a> that i attended over on <a href="https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/hope-works" target="_blank">YouTube</a></div>
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friends make hope an earnest expectation in your lives</div>
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draw on the stories and strength from others</div>
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root your sincere anticipation of that rest, peace, and joy that will come in our Savior Jesus Christ</div>
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for hope lives</div>
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hope conquers</div>
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and hope works </div>
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<i>when have you felt hope in your life? how did you find it? </i></div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-53585531220669360492016-09-20T01:35:00.003-06:002016-09-20T01:35:42.666-06:00The LifeBeats Project Story Search Soiree <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnWQwBM4Qfk/V-DTrIMq6jI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/B-Qb7p0j2g4XDD-PkSuMLhDkpL4Ez0xYgCK4B/s1600/DK0A5104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnWQwBM4Qfk/V-DTrIMq6jI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/B-Qb7p0j2g4XDD-PkSuMLhDkpL4Ez0xYgCK4B/s640/DK0A5104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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in the Spring i hosted a Story Search through my podcast <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">The LifeBeats Project</a></div>
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in conjunction with <a href="http://dianaputnamphotography.com/" target="_blank">Diana Putnam Photography</a>'s series <a href="http://dianaputnamphotography.com/rose-colored-lenses-briana-johnson/" target="_blank">Rose Colored Lenses</a></div>
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asking my listeners to submit stories of people who inspire them</div>
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or to share their own inspirational story</div>
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it is part of my mission to be able to share how extraordinary people are with you</div>
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i had 20 nominees submit stories</div>
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and how could i only share 2 of them with you</div>
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reading through each one of their stories was so uplifting and inspiring </div>
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that i decided i would honor them all</div>
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welcome to the first Story Search Soiree</div>
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at my beautiful new home</div>
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keeping it simple was my goal</div>
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in order to focus on why we were gathering</div>
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people</div>
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and their stories</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5eCwT4tlNME/V-DT3MXyfZI/AAAAAAAAJfg/cUa5tS3GojcRS8jX2SXT_6wCEWh9iVoxwCK4B/s1600/DK0A5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5eCwT4tlNME/V-DT3MXyfZI/AAAAAAAAJfg/cUa5tS3GojcRS8jX2SXT_6wCEWh9iVoxwCK4B/s640/DK0A5128.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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our simply beautiful decorations</div>
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felt ball garlands, floral buntings, wooden flatware, and sunburst napkins</div>
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were there to add sunshine and feminine fun</div>
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provided by the darling party and paper store <a href="http://shopmypapercrush.com/" target="_blank">My Paper Crush</a></div>
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dedicated to having all the pretty things in one place</div>
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you have a chance to win a $50 gift card to their darling shop</div>
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by simply following the steps shown on my <a href="http://www.instagram.com/lifebeatsproject/" target="_blank">Instagram post</a> of the soiree</div>
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giveaway will end Thurs Sept 22 so hurry and enter</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgoZ73pkS6c/V-DT26XIdlI/AAAAAAAAJfY/0g816JqdX3AoEHwY3kys9R6CMLy1kYV5ACK4B/s1600/DK0A5133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgoZ73pkS6c/V-DT26XIdlI/AAAAAAAAJfY/0g816JqdX3AoEHwY3kys9R6CMLy1kYV5ACK4B/s640/DK0A5133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHajAaOe1SQ/V-DQVN-eiCI/AAAAAAAAJfE/ppjq5sU86kcSFW6QRB0_omRM5DtsTLzSQCK4B/s1600/DK0A5147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHajAaOe1SQ/V-DQVN-eiCI/AAAAAAAAJfE/ppjq5sU86kcSFW6QRB0_omRM5DtsTLzSQCK4B/s640/DK0A5147.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59QKlzPRRHU/V-DQU5J_woI/AAAAAAAAJe8/8EIYtR4hJQsvzbq7Cf0dYFuBPki_hQSZACK4B/s1600/DK0A5138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59QKlzPRRHU/V-DQU5J_woI/AAAAAAAAJe8/8EIYtR4hJQsvzbq7Cf0dYFuBPki_hQSZACK4B/s640/DK0A5138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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our guests were provided with some gifts as little physical reminders of how truly amazing they are</div>
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5vTph7cFXI/V-DUZZc5MUI/AAAAAAAAJfs/OZ3ZDK-KN1EKLwTXhYjP1tru5-8xFehCgCK4B/s1600/DK0A5110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5vTph7cFXI/V-DUZZc5MUI/AAAAAAAAJfs/OZ3ZDK-KN1EKLwTXhYjP1tru5-8xFehCgCK4B/s640/DK0A5110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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notebooks and pen by <a href="http://shopmypapercrush.com/" target="_blank">My Paper Crush</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Wj2m578G0/V-DUrFGl3XI/AAAAAAAAJgE/y8JQvdxetgUW9w3ME9UoooEmQHehS3nBgCK4B/s1600/DK0A5165.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Wj2m578G0/V-DUrFGl3XI/AAAAAAAAJgE/y8JQvdxetgUW9w3ME9UoooEmQHehS3nBgCK4B/s640/DK0A5165.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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my favorite heartbeat necklace by <a href="https://www.sweetlemonboutique.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Lemon Boutique</a></div>
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perfect for my brand and a special gift to my interviewed guests</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KcUWbDxl5Y/V-DUiJE6KwI/AAAAAAAAJf8/egFVFkXGN48SpkOIBO0MBOXwk1jiBpjogCK4B/s1600/DK0A5160.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KcUWbDxl5Y/V-DUiJE6KwI/AAAAAAAAJf8/egFVFkXGN48SpkOIBO0MBOXwk1jiBpjogCK4B/s640/DK0A5160.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFQl13-L15I/V-DZvIObGgI/AAAAAAAAJgs/dL16I78GXF44XBb8L662gFdnoUwy-gxowCK4B/s1600/DK0A5167.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFQl13-L15I/V-DZvIObGgI/AAAAAAAAJgs/dL16I78GXF44XBb8L662gFdnoUwy-gxowCK4B/s640/DK0A5167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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beautifully burned wood leather wrap 'be brave' bracelet by <a href="http://www.sweetsaltwater.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Saltwater Designs</a></div>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJPhMsxixc8/V-DU3eXGuBI/AAAAAAAAJgM/KoX0zZS2ZOM_5agkSc5EHi5YaU_N_ubpwCK4B/s1600/DK0A5179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJPhMsxixc8/V-DU3eXGuBI/AAAAAAAAJgM/KoX0zZS2ZOM_5agkSc5EHi5YaU_N_ubpwCK4B/s640/DK0A5179.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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seven of us gathered together</div>
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some arriving after our photos</div>
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to share in a delicious meal made by my loving mother who knows how much cooking stresses me out</div>
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she used fresh vegetables from our garden as part of her main shrimp pasta dish</div>
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strawberry shortcake my favorite for dessert</div>
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FisFVNNURZw/V-DVJ079pwI/AAAAAAAAJgk/iuE_rzfNfugR3sY_leND4B2eIQZceqqOQCK4B/s1600/DK0A5191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FisFVNNURZw/V-DVJ079pwI/AAAAAAAAJgk/iuE_rzfNfugR3sY_leND4B2eIQZceqqOQCK4B/s640/DK0A5191.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41cx25EzGYo/V-DVJp-Nm0I/AAAAAAAAJgc/5XYXlziG81gPOLZLk0BSoVLFxFoVKzyZACK4B/s1600/DK0A5195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41cx25EzGYo/V-DVJp-Nm0I/AAAAAAAAJgc/5XYXlziG81gPOLZLk0BSoVLFxFoVKzyZACK4B/s640/DK0A5195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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i am glad we got the women behind the lens out in front</div>
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to know <a href="http://dianaputnamphotography.com/" target="_blank">Diana</a> is to love her</div>
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she has a heart of gold and a magical talent</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j828MvmX6hQ/V-DUiJI4cyI/AAAAAAAAJf0/3AszotrbVIMGa4oAeE1zNKZW8v1l1M67gCK4B/s1600/DK0A5153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j828MvmX6hQ/V-DUiJI4cyI/AAAAAAAAJf0/3AszotrbVIMGa4oAeE1zNKZW8v1l1M67gCK4B/s640/DK0A5153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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the darling Ashley Lundgreen of <a href="http://www.instagram.com/visage.artistry/" target="_blank">Visage Artistry</a></div>
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when i envisioned this dinner</div>
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i imagined it to be for the purpose of coming together in meaning conversations and to share our stories</div>
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three of the attendees shared their stories through video</div>
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together we watched them and were able to discuss together the underlying stories</div>
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each of us shared a piece of our story</div>
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and we talked into the dark of the evening</div>
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creating connection and learning from one another</div>
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it couldn't have gone any more perfectly</div>
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here are the videos for you to witness the beauty of each of these stories</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEs1GxoQjoe8rFGbsSY_oQZcKtx8F82wMsPvmUkw_Rtdi061Zlr6m1uUUnxDNjHc5iy5yLlZg_cpM' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KdtOsxx4Bn0/V-DiwEK71uI/AAAAAAAAJg8/vL2Eag3b-4YOKhE4PUgb3fyxxPTVruUUwCK4B/s1600/DK0A5157.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KdtOsxx4Bn0/V-DiwEK71uI/AAAAAAAAJg8/vL2Eag3b-4YOKhE4PUgb3fyxxPTVruUUwCK4B/s640/DK0A5157.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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the passionate Carissa of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/familyhistorymodernized/" target="_blank">Family History Modernized</a></div>
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i am so excited to share with you this coming week on my podcast <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">The LifeBeats Project</a></div>
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about the new social media campaign i will be launching soon</div>
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to help give everyone who wants to share their story an opportunity to do so</div>
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to share that #lifebeatsforme</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnC36UJIjBu4V6D-OH0bBHzrgrFyVXkS75h54yMO_6jHyWEFTbDPEdZyPGmT3NEfw_MybYgpyvAhs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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the incredible Tami Schlappi, one of our selections to interview on the podcast</div>
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hear her full podcast episode <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/tami/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/tami/" target="_blank">"Trusting in God and His plan even in times of great loss and when you plan doesn't align with His"</a></div>
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<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-72300436431249647712016-09-14T08:32:00.000-06:002016-09-17T07:27:37.373-06:00loving your post-baby body <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AaHjTXfsV_U/V9jwPKBFiYI/AAAAAAAAJeU/00CTYJ8a2LYm3cBvPLbizLyJWRnkiqbLwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5883%2BSpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AaHjTXfsV_U/V9jwPKBFiYI/AAAAAAAAJeU/00CTYJ8a2LYm3cBvPLbizLyJWRnkiqbLwCLcB/s640/IMG_5883%2BSpot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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to love yourself is a gift you give yourself</div>
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to love the way you look is the bow on top</div>
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we all have beliefs within us that shape the way we see the world and ourselves</div>
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possibly outside forces turned into inner thoughts</div>
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we repeat again and again</div>
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for me the way i look right now is a result of lots of those</div>
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lots of hard things </div>
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but my smile and the way i carry myself despite my weight</div>
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tells me that despite the hard i choose to focus on the joy</div>
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yes i initially wince when i see photos of myself still</div>
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but i then i look at the happiness that i see in myself and i try to allow it to outshine the shape of my body</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHFJXn5IXWM/V9jwB5u8EaI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/c6IF2bHk4NUAsmq6qHgna-_xjLKZuDkuQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHFJXn5IXWM/V9jwB5u8EaI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/c6IF2bHk4NUAsmq6qHgna-_xjLKZuDkuQCLcB/s640/IMG_5646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAv7Awh67nM/V9jwBlni5JI/AAAAAAAAJeM/zuZi19HTMLoB3KoIxBTtGjaETTFbYklbgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAv7Awh67nM/V9jwBlni5JI/AAAAAAAAJeM/zuZi19HTMLoB3KoIxBTtGjaETTFbYklbgCLcB/s640/IMG_5608.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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i was so happy to have had a studio full of mamas and babies on my podcast<br />
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as we candidly discuss experiences and feelings about body image post-baby </div>
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with a panel of three incredible moms. </div>
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Michelle Petersen from <a href="http://www.themumsyblog.com/" target="_blank">The Mumsy Blog </a></div>
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fashion blogger <a href="http://brittanymaddux.com/" target="_blank">Brittany Maddux</a> </div>
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and Roxana Baker of <a href="http://www.roxanabphotography.com/blog" target="_blank">Roxana B Photography </a></div>
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we openly shared our struggles with the way we view ourselves </div>
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and even moments when we have wondered who that girl is looking back in the mirror </div>
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we dive into what experiences and beliefs have shaped our view of what we should look like </div>
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and how we work on safeguarding our own children from an unhealthy body image </div>
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what we struggle with varies but we each relate the things that have helped us through moments of definite discouragement </div>
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and what we would say to someone struggling with this right now </div>
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and for those still planning on having more children, what they </div>
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(because you know I do not fall in that category) </div>
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would do differently during their next pregnancy to prepare for their post-baby body. </div>
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you are not alone</div>
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whether you have given birth to children or not – </div>
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it is something we all struggle with</div>
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and we hope our very candid responses help you to feel that</div>
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listen to our podcast on The LifeBeats Project <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/bodyimage/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
Winning your battle with your post-baby body image | with Brittany Maddux, Michelle Petersen, and Roxana Baker (TLBP #29)</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPjC_1u01NA/V9jwlrIr6SI/AAAAAAAAJeo/C9c6NwWlrZIPOAGJ-TQ5wVTWnDQIG4JfQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPjC_1u01NA/V9jwlrIr6SI/AAAAAAAAJeo/C9c6NwWlrZIPOAGJ-TQ5wVTWnDQIG4JfQCLcB/s640/IMG_5848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-McytPifZnGM/V9jwQIN8wWI/AAAAAAAAJeY/8Bgh4SVaCcACVNc42UY_1Y_R-JTyscsZwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-McytPifZnGM/V9jwQIN8wWI/AAAAAAAAJeY/8Bgh4SVaCcACVNc42UY_1Y_R-JTyscsZwCLcB/s640/IMG_5896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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we were joined by lifestyle blogger <a href="http://www.crowleyparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alycia Crowley</a></div>
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for an opportunity to work with <a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/" target="_blank">Shabby Apple</a></div>
-the clothing store dedicated to celebrating the beauty in you-</div>
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to celebrate and honor our post-baby bodies<br />
with a photo shoot by <a href="http://www.roxanabphotography.com/blog" target="_blank">Roxana B Photography</a></div>
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and you can get in on the celebration too </div>
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with our huge giveaway of five dresses</div>
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hop on over to my Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lifebeatsproject/" target="_blank">@lifebeatsproject</a> for more details today Sept 14 at 10 am MST </div>
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giveaway lasts til Sept 17 at 10 am</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SeIik-Xr88E/V9jwlgwDG0I/AAAAAAAAJeg/IhexBWHWYM4mMoQ0QTEnmLHHYkM5n-29wCLcB/s1600/IMG_5881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SeIik-Xr88E/V9jwlgwDG0I/AAAAAAAAJeg/IhexBWHWYM4mMoQ0QTEnmLHHYkM5n-29wCLcB/s640/IMG_5881.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZp9OkKiRX4/V9jwlvLvQ8I/AAAAAAAAJek/PPRlh9P1jMkzjsjSQPu4wNQtC2zyuHM2wCLcB/s1600/IMG_5842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZp9OkKiRX4/V9jwlvLvQ8I/AAAAAAAAJek/PPRlh9P1jMkzjsjSQPu4wNQtC2zyuHM2wCLcB/s640/IMG_5842.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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for me choosing clothes is tricky</div>
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i loved how many options Shabby Apple had available and in a variety of sizes</div>
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i choose clothes that have some structure like the seaming on the bodice</div>
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and have some illusion of angles like the belt wrap and flare skirt</div>
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i love color and love the way it makes me feel when i wear it</div>
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check out the other girls' blog posts on their thoughts on self-acceptance, body image, </div>
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and their choice in clothing</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVCYMmtOBmA/V9jwBbKd4WI/AAAAAAAAJeI/mx1ZB2bRfvY_oXQgBmwzBoWyqxyV1hkowCLcB/s1600/IMG_5677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVCYMmtOBmA/V9jwBbKd4WI/AAAAAAAAJeI/mx1ZB2bRfvY_oXQgBmwzBoWyqxyV1hkowCLcB/s640/IMG_5677.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yG4z8fb3tHk/V9jwQLtXxsI/AAAAAAAAJec/fpF7fbCugpkLjvgP9vxndhsjnBh7Vg9ggCLcB/s1600/IMG_5906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yG4z8fb3tHk/V9jwQLtXxsI/AAAAAAAAJec/fpF7fbCugpkLjvgP9vxndhsjnBh7Vg9ggCLcB/s640/IMG_5906.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-13643200687654878212016-08-31T22:52:00.000-06:002016-09-01T00:33:36.732-06:00just where we are: family photos by Heal Courageously <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-30_1VlBLU/V7pvrCrkF8I/AAAAAAAAJaM/m9ZhrLTin1QBUZxqrsIz4Wro1VFTw0JFwCLcB/s1600/HCFamiyPhotos002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-30_1VlBLU/V7pvrCrkF8I/AAAAAAAAJaM/m9ZhrLTin1QBUZxqrsIz4Wro1VFTw0JFwCLcB/s640/HCFamiyPhotos002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">the moments turn into minutes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">the minutes into hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">hours into days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">days, weeks, months, years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">it has been years since we have had our family photo professionally taken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and so when Michelle from the incredible organization <a href="http://healcourageously.org/" target="_blank">Heal Courageously</a> offered her free service </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">of taking our family photo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">i was elated</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://healcourageously.org/" target="_blank">Heal Courageously</a> is a non-profit organization which provides a free service to those dealing with life threatening illness </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">patients, care givers and survivors </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">in which photographers volunteer their time to capture life just where they are </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">in what Michelle calls “the night side of life” </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">this time of life that shapes us the most </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">she gives them the opportunity to to reflect back on those things that cannot be taken by illness </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;"><i>to hear more about Michelle, her story, and why she founded this organization</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;"><i>be sure to check out my <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lifebeats-project-briana-johnson/id1088514723" target="_blank">LifeBeats Project podcast</a> with her <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/michelle/" target="_blank">here</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/michelle/" target="_blank"><i>"learning connection while being broken open: how cancer gave me my voice"</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">i am sure you have all experienced the stress that comes with getting ready for and taking family pictures </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">this experience was nothing like that </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">it was freeing </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">it was freeing to know that some one was coming to our home for the purpose of capturing us just as we are </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">no wardrobes were purchased </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">no predetermined poses </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">just us </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">we had not had our family photographed professionally in over five years </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">and so much has changed </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">Michelle and her photographer Emily came to our home and were there to serve </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">their presence was calming and warm </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">we captured Mike in his wheelchair </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">with his garden</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">with each of our children </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">we captured him and i together </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">and us as an entire family in our home </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">and on our back porch </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">emotions were there on the surface as I watched my little family </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">and cherished where we are </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">and that we could capture this time in our life together</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">here are just a few of the many photos captured</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">that will forever freeze this time in our life</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">in our home</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">our beautiful home</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">16 moves in the making</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">where we can thrive as a family</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">and provide the clinical material for each of us to grow into our potential</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">i can't wait to watch</span></div>
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<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-34871320801464483452016-03-08T00:14:00.004-07:002016-03-08T00:14:56.629-07:00Cloudy Day Gray Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TP_KZdD_oBA/Vt55z7IgqRI/AAAAAAAAJY8/HqK9PZx8TBQ/s1600/ARGforCDG-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TP_KZdD_oBA/Vt55z7IgqRI/AAAAAAAAJY8/HqK9PZx8TBQ/s640/ARGforCDG-5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">everybody has cloudy days</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but it's what we do with them that determine the rain or shine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I am so happy to have been a part of the Cloudy Day Interviews by Kelly of </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=609983059027785" href="https://www.facebook.com/cloudydaygray/" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">Cloudy Day Gray</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">in which I share some particularly stormy and cloudy days</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and how I have still seen those parting rays of sunshine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">even in the rain and how you can too! </span></div>
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hop on over to read the full interview on Cloudy Day Gray <a href="http://www.cloudydaygray.com/2016/03/cloudy-day-interviews-briana-of.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTpn9AFY_Rs/Vt57buKnpMI/AAAAAAAAJZI/27Aui7wBZik/s1600/cloudy%2Bday%2Bgray%2Binterview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTpn9AFY_Rs/Vt57buKnpMI/AAAAAAAAJZI/27Aui7wBZik/s640/cloudy%2Bday%2Bgray%2Binterview2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">photos by <a href="http://argphotographs.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amanda ARG Photography</a></span></div>
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Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-44802634551542201132016-02-24T01:35:00.001-07:002016-02-24T01:48:27.126-07:00Paparazzi Ready Altitude Summit Mini Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULUPZQrqY-4/Vrs5yqq23DI/AAAAAAAAJT4/jOdqtSL2mmw/s1600/DK0A7612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Altitude Summit Mini Party" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULUPZQrqY-4/Vrs5yqq23DI/AAAAAAAAJT4/jOdqtSL2mmw/s640/DK0A7612.jpg" title="Altitude Summit Mini Party" width="640" /></a><br />
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alright friends I am going to tell you a little story about how dreams come true</div>
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and then I will give you a tour of my dream</div>
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are you ready?<br />
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from a small idea came a life changing event</div>
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i was elated to have my party idea chosen by the top blogging conference <a href="http://www.altitudesummit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Altitude Summit</a></div>
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to create on a full scale</div>
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a free ticket to this prestigious conference as payment</div>
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and a sponsorship from <a href="http://www.maurices.com/home/index.jsp"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #021eaa;">Maurice's</span></a> for the party</div>
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with two rockin teammates by my side </div>
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Emily of <a href="http://modestgoddess.co/" target="_blank">Modest Goddess</a> and Cami of <a href="http://www.worthingtonave.com/2016/02/paparazzi-ready-alt-mini-party.html" target="_blank">Worthington Ave</a></div>
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we brought my vision to life</div>
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we worked hard for over two months and had the help of an army of people</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B57IcAGPeQk/VsHviEsqS9I/AAAAAAAAJW8/eCI664E4JMA/s1600/DK0A8005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="utah bloggers alt summit party hosts" border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B57IcAGPeQk/VsHviEsqS9I/AAAAAAAAJW8/eCI664E4JMA/s640/DK0A8005.jpg" title="utah bloggers alt summit party hosts" width="640" /></a></div>
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the party title: Paparazzi Ready</div>
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the idea: guests enter our room at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah on a red carpet treated like a leading lady, with a Old Hollywood Glamor style backstage vanity for a vintage hair and makeup look to be pampered to get ready for her time in the limelight.</div>
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we were pampered by <a href="https://www.renttherunway.com/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #021eaa;">Rent the Runway</span></a> who lent us these fabulous dresses for our special night</div>
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head over to <a href="http://www.ourlovelydeseret.com/red-carpet-worthy-rent-the-runway-honey-slip-formal-dress-modesty-hack/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #021eaa;">Emily's post</span></a> and <a href="http://www.worthingtonave.com/2016/02/4-tips-to-rent-runway-with-post-baby.html"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #021eaa;">Cami's post</span></a> to learn more about their incredible service and how you can wear designer dresses on a budget</div>
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now let me take you on a tour</div>
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but first lets help set the mood with some <span style="text-align: center;">Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Glenn Miller</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">click here for my </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/123589916/playlist/3XZflTHPZQ0hz76m49oQif" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Sinatra Spotify Playlist</a></div>
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MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhXuUVTuP6E/Vrs7BhlacjI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/ln2l6Ky7dGQ/s1600/DK0A7634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="my cinema lightbox" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhXuUVTuP6E/Vrs7BhlacjI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/ln2l6Ky7dGQ/s640/DK0A7634.jpg" title="my cinema lightbox" width="640" /></a><br />
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Attendees entered the VIP entrance on the red carpet, illuminated by <a href="http://mycinemalightbox.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Cinema Lightbox</a>, and lined with gold ropes and standards.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thc44oNGZUs/Vrs4wlKWTkI/AAAAAAAAJTg/XElX1MKQ_UM/s1600/DK0A7557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="melissa calligraphy" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thc44oNGZUs/Vrs4wlKWTkI/AAAAAAAAJTg/XElX1MKQ_UM/s640/DK0A7557.jpg" title="melissa calligraphy" width="426" /></a></div>
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our gorgeous welcome sign written by the Renaissance woman Melissa Esplin of <a href="http://calligraphy.org/">Calligraphy.org</a></div>
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lets see some of our fun Alt friends strut their stuff down the red carpet</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTZr4tR_vxo/Vrs-o_cEe1I/AAAAAAAAJU8/wBWG9GzYi1w/s1600/DK0A7709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="paparazzi ready alt summit party" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTZr4tR_vxo/Vrs-o_cEe1I/AAAAAAAAJU8/wBWG9GzYi1w/s640/DK0A7709.jpg" title="paparazzi ready alt summit party" width="426" /></a></div>
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Dayle of <a href="http://number4designstudio.com/" target="_blank">Number 4 Design Studio</a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rP8t1_aqgw/VsHqybZfqyI/AAAAAAAAJVg/11DFqNGIhAE/s1600/DK0A7748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pop and banter alt summit" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rP8t1_aqgw/VsHqybZfqyI/AAAAAAAAJVg/11DFqNGIhAE/s640/DK0A7748.jpg" title="pop and banter alt summit" width="426" /></a></div>
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Becca + Tiffany of <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #021eaa;"><a href="http://www.popandbanter.com/">Pop and Banter</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugZL39EtBQA/Vrs-q89gQEI/AAAAAAAAJVA/Hv0f2NjwFv0/s1600/DK0A7714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt summit mini party" border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugZL39EtBQA/Vrs-q89gQEI/AAAAAAAAJVA/Hv0f2NjwFv0/s640/DK0A7714.jpg" title="alt summit mini party" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1PHJW9ZpRno/Vrs_D58MmyI/AAAAAAAAJVI/WogqyasnvkY/s1600/DK0A7768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alt summit mini party" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1PHJW9ZpRno/Vrs_D58MmyI/AAAAAAAAJVI/WogqyasnvkY/s640/DK0A7768.jpg" title="alt summit mini party" width="426" /></a></div>
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Check out more red carpet and party photos taken by the incredible Diana of <a href="http://dianaputnamphotography.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diana Putnam Photography</a> by <a href="https://dianaputnamphotography.smugmug.com/Paparazzi-Party/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. See if you were captured walking down the runway or getting glammed up at the party. Photos may only be used if they credit Diana.</div>
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OLD HOLLYWOOD STYLE DECOR</div>
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The grandeur of the hotel lent itself perfectly to our styling. We accented it with white chaise sofas, a jewelry clad portrait of Marilyn Monroe from The Painted Earth, standing mirrors, recovered bistro chairs, and can we talk about these vanities?!</div>
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These vanities were the foundation piece of my vision. I knew exactly what I wanted them to look like and as all of our effort came together, they shined and owned that room.</div>
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We raided every craft store in a 45 minute radius to get clearance Christmas ornaments. The dedicated Cami frosted each globe...twice! My gracious and mastermind in-laws conceived the design so that they would hold up and not fall over on someone during the party. Crucial!</div>
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Life-saving friends drilled, hot glued, attached Christmas lights, and assembled these beautiful beasts in the room. Emily and I had quite the adventure in the freight elevators getting them upstairs.</div>
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Aren't they just perfect?!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rOxpKG5IZ8/VsHqcNHv5qI/AAAAAAAAJVc/IKZ3H6ZM7ss/s1600/DK0A7652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="grand america alt summit" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rOxpKG5IZ8/VsHqcNHv5qI/AAAAAAAAJVc/IKZ3H6ZM7ss/s640/DK0A7652.jpg" title="grand america alt summit" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rdL1quPTqw/Vrs5fe8is3I/AAAAAAAAJTw/ii60i5BKPM8/s1600/DK0A7604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy hollywood vanities" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rdL1quPTqw/Vrs5fe8is3I/AAAAAAAAJTw/ii60i5BKPM8/s640/DK0A7604.jpg" title="diy hollywood vanities" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3rHOS9P_7qA/Vrs4wfbKFXI/AAAAAAAAJTc/hre5jXNkguI/s1600/DK0A7577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy hollywood vanities" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3rHOS9P_7qA/Vrs4wfbKFXI/AAAAAAAAJTc/hre5jXNkguI/s640/DK0A7577.jpg" title="diy hollywood vanities" width="640" /></a></div>
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Marilyn gave her nod of approval for the party. Thank you to <a href="http://www.plantedearth.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Planted Earth</a> Antique Store for lending us this iconic lady adorned with vintage jewels. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZVrWwbGGo4/Vs1Lb4UQWlI/AAAAAAAAJX4/bscRJJBkevA/s1600/IMG_8436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="my cinema lightbox" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZVrWwbGGo4/Vs1Lb4UQWlI/AAAAAAAAJX4/bscRJJBkevA/s640/IMG_8436.JPG" title="my cinema lightbox" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px;">VINTAGE HAIR AND MAKE-UP LOOKS </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px;">One set of five vanities housed 5 hairdressers and the other side 5 make-up artists. </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 16px;">Each attendee was able to choose from various</span><span style="font-family: "times";"> vintage hair and make-up selections featured on these beautifully printed 'menus' from <a href="https://www.prodigitalphotos.com/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pro Digital Prints</a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHRCdzX2Bk/Vrs5LZ1wljI/AAAAAAAAJTk/xhEakNxN63w/s1600/DK0A7580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pro digital photos vintage looks" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHRCdzX2Bk/Vrs5LZ1wljI/AAAAAAAAJTk/xhEakNxN63w/s640/DK0A7580.jpg" title="pro digital photos vintage looks" width="640" /></a></div>
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They then sat in an antique bistro chair and had their hair styled by one of four stylists from <a href="http://www.h2blowdrybar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">H2 BlowDry Bar</a> or Brittany from <a href="http://www.tanglezhairandmakeup.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tanglz Hair and Makeup</a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XNu0swZAoXA/VsHu9V8UthI/AAAAAAAAJWs/-bccYuO7W7E/s1600/DK0A7967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="utah vintage hair stylist" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XNu0swZAoXA/VsHu9V8UthI/AAAAAAAAJWs/-bccYuO7W7E/s640/DK0A7967.jpg" title="utah vintage hair stylist" width="640" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Moq7BWuOlGY/VsHup2qA1CI/AAAAAAAAJWY/vqtj1Kqq29I/s1600/DK0A7896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="glamour alt summit" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Moq7BWuOlGY/VsHup2qA1CI/AAAAAAAAJWY/vqtj1Kqq29I/s640/DK0A7896.jpg" title="glamour alt summit" width="640" /></a></div>
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After hair they made their way over to the second set of vanities to get their make up down by one of our five fabulous makeup artists using makeup and supplies graciously provided by <a href="http://www.sephora.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sephora</a>. They are the reason we were able to provide our attendees with so much. They even offered up their lead makeup artist to assist. These girls worked hard all evening to make everyone look glamorous. </div>
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Pretty dreamy right?</div>
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<span style="color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); font-family: "open sans" , serif "important"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Devan: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/devanmakeupartist/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.25s; color: #6a6359; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;">instagram @devanmakeupartist</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); font-family: "open sans" , serif "important"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jesika: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessikaluzmakeup/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.25s; color: #6a6359; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;">@jessikaluzmakeup</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); font-family: "open sans" , serif "important"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Alex: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexcrabtreehairandmakeup/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.25s; color: #6a6359; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;">@alexcrabtreehairandmakeup</a> / <a href="http://www.alexcrabtreehairandmakeup.com/read-me/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.25s; color: #6a6359; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;">website</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); font-family: "open sans" , serif "important"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Natasha: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/toshifire/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.25s; color: #6a6359; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s;">@toshifire</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0ZD4KKCEEc/Vs1ZGEBIQmI/AAAAAAAAJYI/U-zC0Od_jDs/s1600/DK0A7561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sephora alt summit" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0ZD4KKCEEc/Vs1ZGEBIQmI/AAAAAAAAJYI/U-zC0Od_jDs/s640/DK0A7561.jpg" title="Sephora alt summit" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kHUbJ2NA34/VsHu9YgmsII/AAAAAAAAJWo/H0X8sKsW3mY/s1600/DK0A7985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vanities makeup artists utah" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kHUbJ2NA34/VsHu9YgmsII/AAAAAAAAJWo/H0X8sKsW3mY/s640/DK0A7985.jpg" title="vanities makeup artists utah" width="640" /></a></div>
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THE PAPARAZZI SWARM</div>
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This had to be my very favorite part of the evening. Throughout the night the hostesses and I, along with some of our friends, dressed up as vintage paparazzi made possible by trench coats and fedoras provided by <a href="http://rentals.halecentretheatre.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hale Centre Theatre Costume Rentals</a>. We hid and then swarmed unsuspecting 'celebrities' as they entered the party on the read carpet!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3heYdeSfVno/VsHrIcwwneI/AAAAAAAAJVo/1v1uDLZGLX4/s1600/DK0A7826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red carpet alt summit" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3heYdeSfVno/VsHrIcwwneI/AAAAAAAAJVo/1v1uDLZGLX4/s640/DK0A7826.jpg" title="red carpet alt summit" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSbmgvr5IHw/VsHsND9N1dI/AAAAAAAAJV8/_yPJ6z_YUvg/s1600/DK0A7833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="interview alt summit" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSbmgvr5IHw/VsHsND9N1dI/AAAAAAAAJV8/_yPJ6z_YUvg/s640/DK0A7833.jpg" title="interview alt summit" width="640" /></a></div>
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We swarmed, screamed, laughed, and interviewed them with questions about their latest role or break-up. We took 'photos' with my vintage camera collection. The costumes were the perfect touch and the stars were so surprised. Some ready to take their turn in the limelight.</div>
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Here is a fun video of our Paparazzi Swarm captured by one of our friends </div>
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Jacquelinne of <a href="http://www.babycubby.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Baby Cubby</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BA7u31NHHY8/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A video posted by Briana Johnson | Podcast& Blog (@lifebeatsproject)</a> on <time datetime="2016-01-24T19:21:01+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 24, 2016 at 11:21am PST</time></div>
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THE GLAMOUR PHOTO BOOTH<br />
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Melissa of <a href="https://saltybooth.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SaltyBooth</a> and Cami & Emily's Dad worked their lighting magic to get the iconic Hollywood glamour shot in front of our gold sequin backdrop. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maeberryvintage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maeberry Vintage</a> lent these luxurious vintage furs for the attendees to truly step into the role of leading lady. </div>
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Attendees were ready for their album cover or to accept their Academy Award. Aren't these absolutely epic?</div>
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our fabulous make-up artists in full force</div>
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Flip through below to see some more fabulous Salty Booth photos! We were so grateful to Lindsey of La Pionera for helping with the booth. Check out her incredible artisan handbags <a href="http://lapionera.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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This party was a party of glamour and pampering. We hope everyone that attended felt like a star and the leading lady of their lives! I know I had an absolute blast creating it alongside my amazing teammates. They truly made it the best experience possible.</div>
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A huge thank you to everyone who helped us make this party possible. And a huge thank you to the <a href="http://www.altitudesummit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Altitude Summit </a>for this opportunity. As you can see below in the credits that this party was showered with help. Take a minute and check out our contributors and friends' pages to see them shine!</div>
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<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-61307423057847543472015-12-10T00:16:00.001-07:002015-12-10T01:17:32.875-07:00the time has come: a wheelchair for Mike<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIzzF81aVdA/Vmkrj668lqI/AAAAAAAAJTM/mpnbANB6O9M/s1600/Mike%2BEvelyn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIzzF81aVdA/Vmkrj668lqI/AAAAAAAAJTM/mpnbANB6O9M/s640/Mike%2BEvelyn.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">the time has come</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the doctors said it would be twenty</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but its been six</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mike needs a wheelchair</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">it is pretty crazy how things have progressed so quickly in such a short period of time</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and i don’t just mean the progression of Mike’s Multiple Sclerosis</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i’m talking about Mike and I’s view on things</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">when Mike was first diagnosed I tried to will my will onto him</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">try this</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">read this</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">do this</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">don’t do this</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">all in the name of love of course</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i’m a fixer and it has been rather torturous not to be able to ‘fix’ this</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mike’s will is his own and it took me awhile to understand that</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and to see that this strong will of his would in fact be a large reason he would thrive the way he has amidst such trial</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">he needed to come to decisions on his own</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and i have learned how to give my input without guilting him into following it</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">we have gone through stages of ‘fixes’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">medication</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">natural remedies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">supplements</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">diets</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">physical therapy</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and then alongside these have been the stages of his physical decline where i wanted him to accept help</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">from others</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">from a cane</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">from a walker</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">from a wheelchair</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but he needed to come to terms with things on his own time</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">some of which he still refuses</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and i have had to accept it at varying times along the way</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i had to accept that he would crawl up stairs instead of asking for help or allowing me to move our TV downstairs</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i had to accept that he would cook as long as he could using a chair sometimes to sit on and sometimes as a stabilizer behind him for support and balance</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">because he knew that cooking was my number one stress and he loved to do it</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i had to accept that he would sweep the kitchen floor while cries of pain would inadvertently escape his lips</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i have had to accept so many things that i saw as hurting him </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but he saw as retaining his purpose, his pride, his worth, his display of love, his ability to be a father and husband</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">he is the very best of men</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">all who know him know this</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">so when friends reached out to us to start a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoBIGMikeJohnsonFundraiser/?fref=ts" target="_blank">campaign to help us get a wheelchair </a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">a wheelchair accessible vehicle</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and a wheelchair friendly home</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i knew it wasn’t up to me</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">it was up to him to decide to accept the help or not</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">its tough being in a position of such need when your heart cries out to just give to others</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but we have learned that through accepting help,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">although painfully humbling at times,</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">has brought us lasting friendships and breathing room just when it was needed most</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">we are so grateful for the human desire to lift one another</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">we have felt it from each of you</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">your kindness sustains us</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">upon finally agreeing to this fundraiser after many ‘no’s</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the idea of a wheelchair really sunk in</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">a wheelchair</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">isn’t that something so confining, so restrictive</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">doesn’t that mean all hope is lost</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mike and I have come to see a wheelchair as just the opposite</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">freedom</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">freedom for Mike to reserve his energy for other activities instead of painfully walking with concentrated effort to move each foot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">freedom to get outside of our house for our sons’ sports games</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">freedom from falling frequently</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">it has taken us a long time to wrap our mind around this view of a wheelchair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">with the hope this campaign has brought</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mike had a wheelchair rep visit our home with a snazzy model to test drive that would give him all the support he would need</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">one that will be ready for his continued decline as years progress</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i have to admit as Mike texted me a photo and an accompanying video of him in the wheelchair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">i was not prepared for what i saw</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">although my intellect told me that a wheelchair would bring freedom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">this image hit me like a ton of bricks and i walked outside my work to cry in private</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">how could we be here already</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">how could this be our reality</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">how could this man who would run to the ends of the earth to help someone else</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">be destined for this</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">forgive me as these emotions are still fresh</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">my intellect will catch up to them and will speak reason to bring me around again soon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the reality is here</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">whether i am ready or not</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and with your help we can set Mike free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">thank you to those who have contributed already</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">named or anonymous</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">your generosity and kindness are making a real impact on our life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">we love you all</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">to find out more about Mike’s story and our journey with Multiple Sclerosis check out these posts <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/our%20journey%20with%20MS">here</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">to find our more about the campaign ‘Go Big Because its Mike’ click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoBIGMikeJohnsonFundraiser/?fref=ts" target="_blank">here</a> or go straight to the Fundly page <a href="https://fundly.com/mike-johnson-fundraiser?fb_ref=Default" target="_blank">here</a></span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-84559876790300551872015-11-29T21:22:00.000-07:002015-11-29T21:22:33.802-07:00a new home: the start of a new chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgpD100JhlE/VlvKaJh8NkI/AAAAAAAAJSw/QDKn8MQZ7bw/s1600/IMG_7579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgpD100JhlE/VlvKaJh8NkI/AAAAAAAAJSw/QDKn8MQZ7bw/s640/IMG_7579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">i have never been more thankful for a hole and a pile of dirt in my life</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">and with 3 boys there have been plenty to go around </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;" />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">after one miracle after another and another </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">we will be able to build a home </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">one designed with mike's current and future needs in mind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">two years ago when we applied for Disability I never would have guessed we would be blessed with this miracle </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">when we were denied Disability after a year i wondered how we would make it and why this was happening </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">i am thrilled to say that the timing of finally being approved for Disability set into motion a series of unforeseen miracles that will now allow us to have a place of our own </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">after moving 15 times we will finally be able to put down roots </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">in a home where Mike and our children will thrive and feel secure</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">no more questions from them of when we are moving next</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">generally the kids are happy to move</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">with the exception of one teen pictured</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">the size of our yard is doing much to persuade them that leaving their friends one more time will be worth it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">i am thrilled that Mike will have the accommodations he will need to live life with more ease</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">and have all of the things he needs on one level</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">especially since the need for a wheelchair has come</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">for me i will be nine miles from work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">a comfort and a convenience and peace of mind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">it won't hurt that i will get to select fun things like paint colors and lighting fixtures either</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">i think back to those moments of wondering why we were being denied the blessings that in my mind seemed to have not come at a better time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">how grateful i am that there is one that can see more than i</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">i think questioning the timing of things will be a lifelong obstacle for me</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">but more and more i am beginning to trust God and his timing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">oh there's still the woes in the midst of the storm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">but evidences of past aid find their way into my mind and heart more often</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">delivering that desired calmness which smooths over my eruptions of despair or panic more quickly </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">sometimes these episodes come when I think of our future and what that means for Mike's health and our family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">and although the circumstances of our trials are not being removed </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">the Lord shows us time and time again that he is moving mountains for us so that the climb we are making carrying our load feels possible </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">and indeed there are times when He walks the trails beside us, carrying it himself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">we have been so grateful to so many of you who answered my call from my last post to come and visit Mike or send him a video or note</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">our home has been filled with visitors </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">and our mailbox and inbox have been filled with messages</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">it has brought Mike so much joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">and tears to my face</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">our new home will need to echo your warmth so consider this an official invitation to our new home whenever it's finished</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; line-height: normal;">we'll sit on the back porch and sip some lemonade</span></div>
<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-20959008865368278932015-10-21T23:51:00.002-06:002015-10-22T00:16:23.521-06:00progressing with multiple sclerosis: an update on Mike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0NQy1ExMug/Vih45vzp5KI/AAAAAAAAJSg/hiFYCnSl_I4/s1600/BRIANNA-0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="living with multiple sclerosis as a father and husband" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0NQy1ExMug/Vih45vzp5KI/AAAAAAAAJSg/hiFYCnSl_I4/s640/BRIANNA-0011.jpg" title="living with multiple sclerosis as a father and husband" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
we are not meant to carry things alone<br />
<br />
at times when this journey feels so lonely<br />
when i keep quiet to avoid being the heaviness in the conversation<br />
when one more thing just makes me feels like i will shatter from the pressure<br />
when i ache watching my husband suffer<br />
at these times without fail i have not had to carry on alone<br />
<br />
you have been there<br />
in a text<br />
in a phone call<br />
in a comment<br />
in a song<br />
with a load of folded laundry<br />
with a bucket of cleaner<br />
with a meal<br />
with your car keys in hand<br />
<br />
and because you have been there<br />
i know He has been there<br />
aware of my sorrows<br />
reaching out to let me know<br />
i see you Briana<br />
i see your husband<br />
i see your children<br />
and i will not leave you alone<br />
the weight you all carry may seem heavy<br />
but i will send you people to help you carry it<br />
for you are not meant to carry it alone<br />
<br />
this week we received difficult news regarding Mike's health<br />
the disease has accelerated from one type of MS to another<br />
from relapsing/remitting to progressive<br />
from an ebb and flow of symptoms to a constant decline<br />
and an aggressive one at that<br />
<br />
there is no specific medication for progressive MS at this time<br />
but there is hope for one in 2017<br />
there is however a medication not designed for MS that has shown some success that we will be lobbying with our insurance to try<br />
we would love your prayers and positive thoughts as we advance through this approval process both to be able to try the medication and for financial assistance to do so<br />
as it is very expensive<br />
<br />
as you can imagine this news is daunting<br />
i have watched with great alarm as Mike's health has declined rapidly over the past 3-4 months<br />
and yet his spirit remains determined to be happy<br />
just this monday on our special family night<br />
he implemented the Positivity Project<br />
in which he encouraged us all to channel our perspective and the words we use to demonstrate positivity<br />
<br />
the struggle for Mike to be himself is real<br />
the physical and cognitive limitations take a toll on him<br />
and take him away from us for a time<br />
but he comes back to us<br />
and you know when he feels like himself in a big way<br />
when he has visitors<br />
so if you have some time<br />
if you have been blessed by Mike in any way<br />
i ask for you to come visit him<br />
he is homebound almost exclusively<br />
and while i am at work<br />
the battle is real for him to be present while he is alone<br />
come laugh with him<br />
renew a friendship<br />
strike up a friendship<br />
he's the greatest man i know<br />
and he needs us right now<br />
he needs us to help him remember who he is<br />
how brave he is<br />
how witty he is<br />
how insightful he is<br />
how faithful he is<br />
<br />
if you live far away<br />
give him a call<br />
do Facetime<br />
send him a text<br />
jump on a plane to come visit<br />
we've got a guest bed ready for you<br />
<br />
we thank you for your kindness<br />
we thank you for your prayers<br />
they sustain us<br />
and we feel them<br />
for we know that when you have been there<br />
God has been thereBriana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-10332566222002343142015-06-20T11:21:00.002-06:002015-06-20T21:23:47.250-06:00The LifeBeats Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6F__DQvOQzo/VYWTy8ah_9I/AAAAAAAAJRo/1pXMDQg_kuc/s1600/LifeBeats%2Bphoto%2Bfor%2BSweet%2BDreams-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6F__DQvOQzo/VYWTy8ah_9I/AAAAAAAAJRo/1pXMDQg_kuc/s640/LifeBeats%2Bphoto%2Bfor%2BSweet%2BDreams-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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friends i am so grateful that you have stuck around for this ride</div>
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that of the journey of transition and finding happiness</div>
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as we have adjusted to living with Mike's multiple sclerosis </div>
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as well as my pursuit to provide for our family in a way that will allow me to preserve our family lifestyle as much as possible</div>
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<br /></div>
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i am so grateful for all the things that have come into my life that have provided me </div>
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with learning opportunities and communities of support</div>
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and have aided in refining my path towards financial self sufficiency through pursuing my passions</div>
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the next stepping stone in this journey comes with much anticipation and joy</div>
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as it has so much to do with you</div>
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on the wise urgings of my husband who has told me to 'just start'</div>
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as opposed to my natural tendency to want to know everything from the beginning to the end</div>
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i have 'just started'</div>
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and am now able to share the beginnings of this incredible project with you</div>
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<br /></div>
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it is with much excitement and a truckload of butterflies swarming my stomach</div>
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that i present to you</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.lifebeatsproject.com"><img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/polkadotsquare/LifeBeatsProject-BusinessCards_v1-01_zpsaa5x3a2h.jpg" /></a>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/" target="_blank">The LifeBeats Project</a> is a podcast and blog dedicated to Pursuing the Art of Living Extraordinarily</div>
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<br /></div>
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its a celebration of the extraordinary that already lies within you and</div>
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a practice devoted to helping you achieve a breakthrough</div>
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to illuminate more of it in yourself</div>
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and the world around you</div>
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<br /></div>
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i will be interviewing everyday people like you and me</div>
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and sharing their inspiring stories of extraordinary living</div>
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as well as expert guests who will share with us practical and applicable steps we can take to help us better our lives and enrich those relationships around us</div>
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<br /></div>
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Listen to my 10 minute introductory podcast over at <a href="http://www.thelifebeatsproject.com/">www.thelifebeatsproject.com</a> </div>
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that will share more about how my passion was sparked and ignited</div>
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as well as what you can expect from upcoming episodes</div>
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be sure to subscribe with your email address to receive notification of when my first podcast will be released</div>
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beat alongside of me in all the beginning stages on instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/lifebeatsproject/" target="_blank">@lifebeatsproject</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and of course I would love to hear from you</div>
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my longtime friends</div>
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please share with me your thoughts by commenting below or emailing me at briana@thelifebeatsproject.com</div>
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and if you would like to share your story with me</div>
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or someone else's story who has inspired you</div>
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please share it with me at the above email address as well</div>
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<br /></div>
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thank you for your continued support </div>
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the impact your encouragement and confidence in me has provided</div>
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has helped carry me through this rollercoaster journey</div>
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<br /></div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-17011625305322329892015-03-19T07:25:00.002-06:002015-03-19T07:25:43.515-06:00every life matters Q&A<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aS-Be-AGa0s/VQrJ9eOFt1I/AAAAAAAAJQM/Vl2jH3hplAA/s1600/Every%2BLife%2BMatters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aS-Be-AGa0s/VQrJ9eOFt1I/AAAAAAAAJQM/Vl2jH3hplAA/s1600/Every%2BLife%2BMatters.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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i am honored today to be featured in a meaningful blog series called</div>
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Every Life Matters</div>
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by the fabulous Katie from <a href="http://dotsonlove.blogspot.com/2015/03/every-life-matters-q-briana-johnson.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dotson Love</a></div>
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her zest for life is contagious</div>
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and her mission to help the world see that every life matters resonates with my own passions</div>
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<br /></div>
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read my full interview Q&A <a href="http://dotsonlove.blogspot.com/2015/03/every-life-matters-q-briana-johnson.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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where i answer some fun and tough questions like...</div>
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how i keep focused on the things that matter instead of the things that scream the loudest</div>
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how i've overcome times when i have felt like i haven't mattered</div>
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what our family fights over</div>
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and of course what i am passionate most about</div>
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<br /></div>
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be sure to say hi <a href="http://dotsonlove.blogspot.com/2015/03/every-life-matters-q-briana-johnson.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">over there </a></div>
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and even stay to read some of the other powerful interviews of some incredible women</div>
<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-32379651677257008102015-03-08T18:59:00.002-06:002015-03-08T18:59:35.038-06:00our surprising news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0z2A8esvRQ/VPzwIA67W5I/AAAAAAAAJPI/7nWeqZsJ1Ao/s1600/family%2Bon%2Bcarpet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0z2A8esvRQ/VPzwIA67W5I/AAAAAAAAJPI/7nWeqZsJ1Ao/s1600/family%2Bon%2Bcarpet.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
to borrow from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fQxzuaE2MA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">classic movie scene</a><br />
if we woke up with our heads sewn to the carpet<br />
we wouldn't be more surprised than we are right now<br />
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
another little person will be joining our family</div>
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yep, you guessed it</div>
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we’re pregnant</div>
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if you’re shocked</div>
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you can bet you are in good company</div>
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it still seems surreal</div>
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the chances of this little one joining us are pretty much one in a million</div>
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as i have processed this news over the last few weeks</div>
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i have passed through every emotion possible</div>
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mike has been my calming influence</div>
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<br /></div>
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a few things are for sure</div>
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this child was meant to come to our family</div>
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it will be loved with all the squeezes and snuggles that a baby can receive</div>
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the Lord must think i have a lot more to give</div>
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He will mostly definitely provide what we need as he has in every uncertain circumstance of this our Johnson Journey</div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-91698204067375941332015-02-01T16:31:00.001-07:002015-02-01T16:48:43.907-07:00walking in faith and fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZKhNtRma2Q/VM61s9GXOuI/AAAAAAAAJM4/J7FDJ-ZLYdA/s1600/shoes%2Bat%2Bthe%2Btemple%2Bcrosswalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="faith and fear " border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZKhNtRma2Q/VM61s9GXOuI/AAAAAAAAJM4/J7FDJ-ZLYdA/s1600/shoes%2Bat%2Bthe%2Btemple%2Bcrosswalk.JPG" height="640" title="faith and fear " width="640" /></a></div>
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in my mind i think that knowing the end from the beginning is what i really want</div>
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because only seeing my journey a step at a time</div>
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means there is only so much information available for me to base a decision on</div>
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which leaves so much remaining space for the unknown</div>
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<br /></div>
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so what do i fill in that space of missing data</div>
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that unknown </div>
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that is beyond this step i'm currently evaluating taking</div>
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will it be filled with </div>
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fear or</div>
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faith</div>
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now i've heard that where one exists the other can not </div>
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but i'm telling you </div>
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i choose faith</div>
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but i choose faith in spite of all the fear that is creeping in</div>
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<br /></div>
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i will take a step in faith </div>
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with fear at my side</div>
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but i pray that with each next step i take</div>
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fear will trail further</div>
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and further</div>
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behind</div>
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<i>what has your experience been with faith and fear...</i></div>
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<i>would love to hear from you</i></div>
<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-52269286037007843452015-01-21T13:36:00.000-07:002015-01-21T13:41:01.699-07:00new reader? start here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9g7FV_H67M/UNT_qegH5qI/AAAAAAAAFUM/A-NS7kmM4wI/s1600/sweet+dreams+new+reader+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v9g7FV_H67M/UNT_qegH5qI/AAAAAAAAFUM/A-NS7kmM4wI/s640/sweet+dreams+new+reader+collage.jpg" height="302" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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hello there new friend! </div>
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pleased to meet 'cha</div>
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i'm briana and welcome to my blog Sweet Dreams are Made of These. i see life in a swirl of colors and ideas and do my best to create some sort of order. to read about what swirling elements make up my family of 6 read <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/p/little-about-us.html" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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for some divulged random facts about me click <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/06/one-word-wednesdayhello.html">here</a> or <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-liebster-award-and-divulging-11.html">here</a> including my <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-liebster-award-and-divulging-11.html">mixtape for life</a></div>
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recently my hubby has joined me as a co-blogger and our goal is for this to be a joint space for us</div>
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get to know him <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/05/about-me-by-my-husband-new-co-author.html">here</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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this year</div>
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i have helped brand and launch an organization that breaths life into the soul of mothers</div>
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and opens their eyes to see that their journey</div>
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the one they are living right now</div>
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is worthy of inspiring others</div>
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so come inspire and be inspired at</div>
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<a href="http://www.momslivinghappy.com/">MOMS LIVING HAPPY</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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through my own journey i have discovered my true passion</div>
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people</div>
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i love people</div>
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people are beautiful</div>
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you and you and you</div>
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and i want to celebrate you</div>
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i am all giddy inside just thinking about my next venture </div>
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which will share that passion with you this year</div>
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watch for it</div>
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be a part of it</div>
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<br /></div>
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see more of what i've done this year as a party blogger contributor to </div>
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<a href="http://www.designdazzle.com/2014/10/create-build-targets-new-toy-emporium/">DESIGN DAZZLE </a> for <a href="http://www.designdazzle.com/2014/10/create-build-targets-new-toy-emporium/">TARGET</a> <a href="http://www.designdazzle.com/2014/10/create-build-targets-new-toy-emporium/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.designdazzle.com/2014/09/10-bright-diy-party-decor-ideas/">here</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and more of sharing our family's journey with hardships such as Multiple Sclerosis and cancer</div>
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<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2014/11/our-five-year-journey-with-multiple.html">here</a> on <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2014/11/our-five-year-journey-with-multiple.html">SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE</a></div>
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and <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/2014/01/how-to-help-children-through-grief/">here</a> on <a href="http://powerofmoms.com/2014/01/how-to-help-children-through-grief/">POWER of MOMS</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7aeMjYTBWo/UNUKGN7utuI/AAAAAAAAFVI/CvhiP1TsDOI/s1600/what+i+blog+about-.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7aeMjYTBWo/UNUKGN7utuI/AAAAAAAAFVI/CvhiP1TsDOI/s640/what+i+blog+about-.png" height="52" width="640" /></a></div>
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here i blog about: </div>
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<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20dish%20on%20mommyhood" target="_blank"><b><i>the dish on mommyhood</i></b></a> for four young active children {3 busy boys and 1 'baby girl'}- <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20fun" target="_blank">family fun</a>, specializing in <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/pure%20boy%20bedlam" target="_blank">mayhem</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20creative%20outlet" target="_blank"><b><i>my creative outlet</i></b></a> - the essential part that creativity plays in finding joy in each day </div>
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see my growing list of diy/tutorials <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/p/diy-tutorials.html" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/a%20little%20light%20and%20truth" target="_blank">a little light and truth</a> </b>- the role faith plays in my family's adjustment to <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/our%20journey%20with%20MS" target="_blank">my husband's diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis</a> and <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/my%20Daddy" target="_blank">my Daddy's recent passing from cancer</a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2MlAfvTfq8/UNT0xKmJk5I/AAAAAAAAFS0/x2wZMvh6JEs/s1600/sweet+dreams+new+reader+sewing+machine+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2MlAfvTfq8/UNT0xKmJk5I/AAAAAAAAFS0/x2wZMvh6JEs/s640/sweet+dreams+new+reader+sewing+machine+desk.jpg" height="302" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTmY6OvjqX8/UNUK4zg_woI/AAAAAAAAFVU/x-z3HIug-UM/s1600/few+of+my+favorite+posts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTmY6OvjqX8/UNUK4zg_woI/AAAAAAAAFVU/x-z3HIug-UM/s640/few+of+my+favorite+posts.png" height="51" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-parable-of-swing.html">the parable of the swing</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-to-do-about-cave-drawings-and.html" target="_blank">what to do about cave drawings and spills and tears</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/04/guest-blogging-on-mine-style-today-10.html">10 tips for styling the whole boy</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/01/acceptance-is-just-out-of-my-grasp.html">acceptance is just out of my grasp</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/02/mr-bowlerman-miss-charleston-applique.html" target="_blank">mr bowlerman & miss charleston - an applique tutorial</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-photo-shoot.html" target="_blank">back to school photoshoot</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/09/marquee-love.html" target="_blank">marquee love</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-mental-challenge-by-mike.html">the mental challenge: by mike</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/02/mr-right-and-little-miss-t-shirt.html">mr right and little miss t-shirt tutorial: adventures in freehand cutting and freezer stencils</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/05/in-pieces.html" target="_blank">in pieces</a></div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/05/gateway-to-summer-door-banner-diy.html" target="_blank">'gateway to summer' door banner diy tutorial</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-morning-we-feared.html">the morning we feared</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/03/an-unhurried-day-felicity-is-princess.html">an unhurried day: felicity is princess for a day, her birthday that is</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/02/handmade-valentine-swap-helping-to.html">handmade valentine swap: helping to revive the art of the penpal</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/10/love-her-mother.html" target="_blank">love her mother</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/04/to-simply-begin-one-branch-at-time.html">to simply begin, one branch at a time</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-2011-our-new-family-photos.html" target="_blank">our new family photos</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/11/backyard-date-corsage-little-tutorial.html" target="_blank">backyard date night corsage: a little tutorial</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/10/black-and-white-and-smiles-all-over.html" target="_blank">black and white and smiles all over: cousins captured</a> | </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYa8l4uSM2M/UNUNNYqsizI/AAAAAAAAFW0/uyQr4eKMEQY/s1600/recent+events+that+have+shaped+my+world.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYa8l4uSM2M/UNUNNYqsizI/AAAAAAAAFW0/uyQr4eKMEQY/s640/recent+events+that+have+shaped+my+world.png" height="88" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/08/to-those-who-attended-service.html" target="_blank">my Daddy's passing</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-morning-we-feared.html" target="_blank">Mike's battle with Multiple Sclerosis</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/04/sharing-my-dream-with-you-how-you-can.html">my dream of building my blog to provide for our family</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/07/instant.html" target="_blank">miracle of a rebuilt heart for baby Abigail</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/02/walking-away-from-wheel.html" target="_blank">our uninvited guest of unemployment</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-all-about-your-heart-celebrating-my.html" target="_blank">14th wedding anniversary</a> | <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/12/homeschooling-i-cant-quit.html" target="_blank">homeschooling Owen</a> | <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/10/craft-explosion-registration-is-open.html" target="_blank">Craft Explosion</a></div>
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thanks for reading Sweet Dreams are Made of These</div>
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grab your favorite bunny slippers and stay for awhile...</div>
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i would love to hear from you.</div>
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your friend in this journey,</div>
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briana</div>
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Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-62797561078804490492014-11-09T23:37:00.002-07:002014-11-10T00:15:40.157-07:00our five year journey with Multiple Sclerosis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mV3iM0h2bn8/VGBZ_bg8vrI/AAAAAAAAJMc/wLoTez2HuJg/s1600/Mike%2Band%2BI%2Bshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dealing with symptoms of multiple sclerosis" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mV3iM0h2bn8/VGBZ_bg8vrI/AAAAAAAAJMc/wLoTez2HuJg/s1600/Mike%2Band%2BI%2Bshoes.jpg" height="640" title="dealing with symptoms of multiple sclerosis" width="640" /></a></div>
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i was asked by a beautiful friend of mine who also has MS and is very involved with the MS Society</div>
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if i would submit Mike and our family's story for her to share</div>
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one focusing on the effect of the disease on our family and how our lives have changed because of it</div>
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i was indeed grateful for this opportunity as it gave me time to reflect on these past five years</div>
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i cannot believe it has been that long </div>
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and yet it feels so much longer since our lives are completely different</div>
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i only had a few paragraphs to share our five plus year experience with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis on my sweet husband</div>
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i pray i did it justice</div>
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thank you for sharing in our journey</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am honored to share with you a small part of my husband and our family’s journey with Multiple Sclerosis. The summer of ’09 found my husband Mike in a thriving career with Apple as well as the backyard soccer hero to our three small boys, when our world was turned upside down and inside out. For three months Mike had not been able to swallow food, losing weight at an alarming rate and suffering tremendous fatigue and weakness, to say nothing of the intense worry we faced. We had found ourselves on the trail hop from doctor to doctor looking for answers. When <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2009/07/july-2009-long-awaited-diagnosis.html">the diagnosis</a> finally came, we were stunned. I will never forget looking across at each other that night, not knowing what to think but feeling tremendous fear and as if our future plans and expectations of our life together were slipping through our fingers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The passing of each year has brought one family adjustment after another, and the onset of unexpected <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/08/change-in-air.html">symptoms </a>and the loss of functions for Mike. We have learned together as a family the effects of the disease. As fatigue, pain, temperature intolerance increased, and taste, sight, cognition, balance, and mobility decreased, we began experiencing little losses we had not expected... </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">no more backyard races with the boys, loss of stamina to prepare meals that brought him delight and stress relief, inability to watch our boys’ sports games due to hot or cold temperatures, no more walking hand in hand on a date, and so many more. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>Blessings have come as well, one in the form of a beautiful baby girl, the child we had found out I was pregnant with the exact day we received Mike’s diagnosis. <span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">One night when our little girl was very young, I left her at home with Mike before putting her to bed.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Being beyond exhausted after a long day at work, Mike did not have the strength nor the balance to carry her up our stairs.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">With her in his arm he sat on the stairs and tread by tread scooted and crawled his way to the top of the stairs to put her to bed.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">My heart broke when I came home, not realizing that such a simple task would be so difficult for him.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because of his love and sense of duty as a father, husband, and provider, Mike worked for as long as he could. Leaving his career at Apple at the age of 36 due to his worsening symptoms. He then worked for three additional companies trying to do what he could to provide for our family. Mike has a gift of the mind and of words. He has a thirst for knowledge and had a photographic memory. He was a linguist, a scriptorian, a passionate researcher, an author, a teacher, and one of the those guys that would win Trivial Pursuit on one turn. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The most difficult of symptoms, that of drastic <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2014/06/i-decide.html">cognitive decline</a>, has robbed him of so many of his gifts and pleasures. This decline has produced emotional scarring due to his inability to provide for our family any longer or function in his roles as a husband and father as he would wish. He suffers from confusion, memory loss, inability to concentrate or perform simple tasks, as well as absent seizures. He is home bound while I am now the sole provider for the our family of six. When he has moments of physical and mental strength he does what he can at home and I have had to learn to let him, despite great sacrifice on his part. I have learned that although his suffering is audible and quite visible when he does these tasks, I must allow him to do what he can to feel he is still contributing to our family and retaining what independence he has left.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today our children are strong, having had to learn independence as well as reliance on one another. They are brave, they are aware, they are compassionate and protective. God has blessed us greatly. He makes himself known to us each and every day through the kindness of others who bring my children home from school, come visit Mike on their lunch break, wash our laundry each week, take my son to football practice, and so much more. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mike is my champion. His desire to make me happy, help where he can around the house, and remain loyal to his faith while instructing our children, renews what I knew the day I <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-all-about-your-heart-celebrating-my.html">married this man</a> almost seventeen years ago, how lucky I am to be able to be by his side each and every day. Sometimes the future is scary, sometimes we wonder how we could possibly adjust to one more thing, but we continue to put in the work and step forward in faith that we can make our life full and joyous no matter what is on the horizon. </span></span><br />
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<i>{to read more of our journey with Multiple Sclerosis, click <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/our%20journey%20with%20MS">here</a>}</i>Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-40911469804369430692014-10-18T09:13:00.002-06:002015-02-26T22:52:53.429-07:00Forever Young Club with Nerium AD Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-gh53xAN98/VEJ0FcX2WMI/AAAAAAAAJKk/4F7joPSAI-E/s1600/Forever%2BYoung%2BClub%2BNerium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-gh53xAN98/VEJ0FcX2WMI/AAAAAAAAJKk/4F7joPSAI-E/s1600/Forever%2BYoung%2BClub%2BNerium.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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forever young</div>
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i want to be forever young</div>
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if you are a child of the 80s you have already begun singing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1TcDHrkQYg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">alphaville</a>'s synthesizer led ballad </div>
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i feel so privileged to be able share products with my family and friends that contain natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to improve the appearance of the overall health of your skin by an average of 30% in a 30 day period</div>
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yep, you heard that right...30%</div>
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you can't get much closer to forever young than that</div>
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the products you are buying from your dermatologist or local department store, even the high end ones</div>
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are only improving your skin 2 - 7%...what?! </div>
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yep...30 vs 2 - 7 </div>
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i haven't taken a math class for awhile but i know my greater than and less than equations</div>
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30 > 2 - 7</div>
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a few bloggers joined my Forever Young Club this month and had the chance to try out <a href="http://www.nerium.com/mikeandbriana/Customers" target="_blank">Nerium AD</a></div>
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for two weeks</div>
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hop on over to their blogs and Facebook pages to hear in their own words what they experienced and loved about <a href="http://www.mikeandbriana.theneriumlook.com/" target="_blank">Nerium</a></div>
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it is so much fun to be continually adding to my photo gallery of before and afters from people that i know and are experiencing incredible results with Nerium</div>
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check out a few of the participating bloggers and their before and afters</div>
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i love how the array of results shown below really represent the spectrum of improvements you can get from our products </div>
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<li>reduction in the appearance of deep and fine lines</li>
<li>reduction in the appearance of pore size</li>
<li>reduction in the appearance of discoloration and age spots</li>
<li>improve the appearance of uneven skin texture</li>
<li>improve the appearance of aging or loose skin</li>
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then head to the bottom of the post for a chance to <b><i>win one of the 2 Nerium Age-Defying Night Treatments</i></b> up for grabs</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"No makeup! Circles gone, overall skin tone evened, deep lines are softened."</span></i></span></div>
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Frieda from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/friedalovesbread/media_set?set=a.10205175321726309.1073741835.1343244920&type=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frieda Loves Bread</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STaKKpfjnWQ/VEJ7Zgam1vI/AAAAAAAAJLI/k6o6uLYwMPE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-18%2Bat%2B8.38.01%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STaKKpfjnWQ/VEJ7Zgam1vI/AAAAAAAAJLI/k6o6uLYwMPE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-18%2Bat%2B8.38.01%2BAM.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I did see a big difference in my overall skin quality and it seemed to really brighten up my skin tone."</span></i></span></div>
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Lara from <a href="http://hapagirl.co/healthy-lifestyles/lighten-brighten-nerium/#more-1188" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hapa Girl</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ceJ2OfMgSU/VEJ9fdldW6I/AAAAAAAAJLU/eGqubzI1Iwo/s1600/Becky%2Bbefore%2Band%2Bafter%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ceJ2OfMgSU/VEJ9fdldW6I/AAAAAAAAJLU/eGqubzI1Iwo/s1600/Becky%2Bbefore%2Band%2Bafter%2Bface.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"I had a more even skin tone and better color. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">The creases by my eyes really improved too!"</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">Becky from <a href="http://lovetobeinthekitchen.com/2014/10/17/nerium/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Loves to be in the Kitchen</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln2oFgjJ5WE/VEKAowe0TgI/AAAAAAAAJL0/qPmrILZbLaw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-18%2Bat%2B9.00.29%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln2oFgjJ5WE/VEKAowe0TgI/AAAAAAAAJL0/qPmrILZbLaw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-10-18%2Bat%2B9.00.29%2BAM.png" height="308" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"I’ve always hated the size of my pores and that’s what I noticed the most change in and also the even-ness in my skin."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lindsay from <a href="http://frenchiewraps.com/close-nerium/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frenchie</a></span></div>
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now you can become part of my Forever Young Club with Nerium AD</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #313333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Myriad Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-6797159947568398822014-08-25T22:32:00.002-06:002014-08-25T22:32:40.856-06:00why you should write stuff down<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkfonT3BnqI/U_wNRa6NFgI/AAAAAAAAIsA/OtDTzN8pYNE/s1600/typewriter%2Bdear%2Bmr%2Band%2Bmrs%2Bretro%2Blollipop%2Bteal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="why you should write stuff down keeping a journal family history biography memoirs" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkfonT3BnqI/U_wNRa6NFgI/AAAAAAAAIsA/OtDTzN8pYNE/s1600/typewriter%2Bdear%2Bmr%2Band%2Bmrs%2Bretro%2Blollipop%2Bteal.jpg" height="426" title="why you should write stuff down" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i get it</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">some of us made it through college vowing to never write another thing</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">some of us wonder what is so special about our life and thoughts that we should record any of it</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">some of us feel like we just don’t know where to start</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but i’m here to tell you that writing down the experiences you traverse will be one of the most cherished possessions of your life</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">truly all of us have gone through something in our life that was hard, that was stretching, that was building</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and it should be documented </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">if for no one else, but for your future self</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">because as we all know hard stuff doesn’t just come around once in our lifetime</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the likelihood of us battling difficult events in our future life is certain</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and there is nothing quite like rereading your own words telling you</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that thing was hard</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that thing tore you up</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but you made it through</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and here’s how you did it</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you will now know that you can get through this new thing too</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i declare to you that any effort you make to throw your words down on “paper” will be of tremendous value to you</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">time after time i have revisited my own words </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">words which seem so wise and couldn’t have possibly come from me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but they did</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">writing is a form of clarity</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a clearing away of the fog of the heavy circumstance and channeling a crisp communication that lends to perspective</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">whether you believe in God or not</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">writing is a tool that is given to us to still our busy lives and allow us to listen</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">listen to yourself </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and listen to God’s Spirit</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i am so grateful tonight to have come across a blog post i wrote back in march 26, 2012</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">entitled</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/03/for-those-days-i-just-cant-get-out-of.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for the days i just can’t get out of bed</span></a></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">this post included part of a speech i gave to a large body of women in my church</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">these words were the clarity and comfort i needed today</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I am grateful to a loving and merciful Heavenly Father who provided me with an opportunity to speak so that I could be still, and sit and reflect on the lessons that He was asking me to learn when I just didn’t think I could be stretched any more. Who’s gift to me of the Holy Ghost brought to my mind in just that instant the words of one of my favorite quotes from the ever eloquent <a href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/multimedia"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">apostle</span></a> of the Lord, <a href="http://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/09/elder-neal-ash-maxwell-a-promise-fulfilled?lang=eng&query=neal+maxwell"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Elder Neal A Maxwell</span></a>, from his powerful book “The Promise of Discipleship”</span></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if and when we seem to have squeezed out the last full measure of our devotion, an omniscient and perfectly empathic God not only knows the difficulties through which we have passed and are passing but also knows if any residue of unused devotion still remains to further the process!</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heavenly Father knows what we are capable of and of our potential for greatness - He knows our heart, He is our creator, He sees our life, He sees it in its complete form. He knows what we are to become. And through his wisdom and mercy He will utilize any residue of unused devotion to refine us and raise us to levels of faith and testimony that we didn’t even know we were capable of.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I pray that these thoughts will continue to bring comfort, peace and joy to me</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">even, and especially, on those mornings I just don’t feel like getting out of bed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being stretched is hard and flat out painful. Naturally, I desire the easy route; whether that be the least work, pain, or thought.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let us be careful that we do not resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature - whatever form they may come in: whether it is someone, a health issue, an unyielding obstacle, our own weakness, or the absence of something or someone in our life.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/more-than-conquerors-through-him-that-loved-us?lang=eng">Elder Paul Johnson</a> spoke directly to me in his April 2011 General Conference address. </span></span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes we want to have growth without challenges and to develop strength without any struggle. But growth cannot come by taking the easy way out. We clearly understand that an athlete who resists rigorous training will never become a world-class athlete. We must be careful that we don’t resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature.</span></blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oftentimes my trials and struggles blind me, they are that pebble that I have held up to my eye that prevents me from seeing beyond it. I have had a beautiful and blessed life and I allow fear to take over in imagining the tolls disease may take on my Daddy and my husband and what our life together may become. I find myself like Lot’s wife looking behind because she could not imagine that her future could have been better than her past. If there is anyone who we can look to on this earth for optimism, it is our dear living prophet of the <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng&query=the+future+is+as+bright+as+your+faith">Pres. Thomas S. Monson</a> who proclaimed in his closing testimony in the April 2009 General Conference, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The future is as bright as your faith</span></blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would encourage each of you to turn to writing as you travel along your journey, especially during times of difficulty. It does not need to be published or for others to see, simply in the act of recording your experiences your eyes will be open and you will gain a grander perspective as you create a moment of quietude that can allow the Spirit to work through you. I can not count the number of times that I have felt compelled to write about a struggle in my life, only to have the love of my Heavenly Father communicated to my heart through putting the words down on a page. They have also served as an invaluable source for comfort and strength as I return to reread what I have passed through. "</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">friends</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">you will not know today, or tomorrow, or perhaps even a year down the road if what you write today will become just the words you will need<br />for that is only a portion of the treasure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">writing will bring a sense of clarity and gratitude to your life right now that may be exactly what you need</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">so tonight </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">just write some stuff down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and feel the power of your words</span><br />
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-86364547273038292792014-06-10T23:35:00.002-06:002014-06-11T00:12:41.382-06:00i decide<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9ULuEDfFLs/U5fmJiQ9CXI/AAAAAAAAIqI/RRPIIi2BEXs/s1600/spring+blossoms-4917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="choosing happiness multiple sclerosis" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9ULuEDfFLs/U5fmJiQ9CXI/AAAAAAAAIqI/RRPIIi2BEXs/s1600/spring+blossoms-4917.jpg" height="640" title="choosing happiness multiple sclerosis" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">this week has been brutal to say the least</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">torturous may be a word i would use</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/stepping-out-onto-path-of-peace-and.html">the disease</a> is making an ugly appearance this week<br />
some of our greatest fears made manifest</div>
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and it scares me that these new ugly things may take up permanent residence in him</div>
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tests being run</div>
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new treatments being explored</div>
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every action analyzed</div>
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and in my mind <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/07/self-sabotage-and-barbed-wire-fighting.html">battles are raging</a></div>
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questions</div>
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why more</div>
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why would his last means of<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-book-that-saved-my-husband.html"> giving purpose </a>to his 'duty driven heart' be taken away</div>
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how much longer must this go on</div>
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how much more can he endure</div>
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how much more can i be pulled</div>
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when will things get better</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">there are defining moments </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">when you find yourself in places you never thought you would be in </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">paths you never imagined being on </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">choices you never would have wanted to have to make</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">witnessing seeming injustices that you never would have wanted to witness </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in those moments you have a choice </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">how are you going to react </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">who are you going to become</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">what feeling are you going to give into</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">after a period of feeling very justified in my anger </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">feeling deserving of a reprieve for my husband and myself</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">a chance for us to breath</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i began to recognize<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/07/self-sabotage-and-barbed-wire-fighting.html"> old habits of thinking</a> in myself</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">old habits of reactionary responses</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">old habits of letting the air get sucked out of my lungs as the weight presses down</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">today i had to make a hard choice </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i fought it hard </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i have good reason to be angry </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i held on tight to it</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">but i began to see that i was going down a road i didn’t want to be on again</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i was becoming someone i didn’t want to be</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">someone i fought hard to break free from</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and pleaded with my Savior to help me change from</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">ungrateful</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">self-absorbed</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">justified in anger</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i am grateful that i chose not to let myself fall back into despair for too long</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">but to decide that's not who i am</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">not anymore</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">to decide</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">to decide</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">to decide</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i choose happiness</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">that's who i am and </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">that’s who i want to stay</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">its not easy</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">those thoughts flood in</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">my circumstances scream loudly in my face</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">my husband's suffering blaring </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">he fighting the real battle</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i will fall </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and fall again</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">but i won’t let myself stay down there for very long</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">for i decide</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i decide to choose happiness</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">that’s who i am and</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">that’s who i want to stay</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and as we wait</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">we wait and watch</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i will turn my heart to a place that will serve Mike best</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">a place of trusting</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">a place of peace</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">a place of humility</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">until my next fall comes</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">and then i will decide</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i will decide again</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">to choose happiness</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">prayers my friends</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">i ask for your prayers</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">as we seek for answers</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">{to read more about our journey with Multiple Sclerosis click <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/search/label/our%20journey%20with%20MS">here</a>}</span></i></div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-37744183549632751742014-05-11T11:06:00.000-06:002014-05-11T11:06:09.367-06:00moms living happy: our new adventure, you and me<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="365" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/94711643" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="650"></iframe>
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every once in awhile something seems to fall from the sky and land in your lap that was just meant to be</div>
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i know better</div>
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what would seem like some random fruit falling from the tree </div>
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is more like a heat seeking missile with your heart's signature as its target</div>
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something designed for an impact just for you</div>
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this is how i feel about <a href="http://www.momslivinghappy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moms Living Happy</a></div>
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a project that will change the way we look at ourselves as mothers</div>
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and which will reach out to the corners of the earth and bring together a community of moms who despite life's vicissitudes choose happiness</div>
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i am honored to be a co-founder in this brilliant endeavor </div>
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to step into the homes of countless such moms </div>
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and tell their courageous stories in video form</div>
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your story</div>
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you</div>
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and you</div>
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and you</div>
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so how are we going to hear your story</div>
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or the story of your inspiring friend, neighbor, or own mother</div>
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we need to hear from you</div>
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email us your stories at momslivinghappy@gmail.com</div>
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and who knows we could meet in your living room with a film crew </div>
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to tell a story that needs to be told</div>
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of Moms Living Happy</div>
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so hope on over and see what we are all about</div>
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subscribe to our newsletter so you won't miss a single inspiring story</div>
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head on over to </div>
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<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-55169015337660325752014-03-06T23:53:00.003-07:002014-03-07T00:30:01.950-07:00the book that saved my husband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tle8bQPnNNM/Uvp2JGzvCvI/AAAAAAAAInI/XxUPFSOf02o/s1600/mike's+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tle8bQPnNNM/Uvp2JGzvCvI/AAAAAAAAInI/XxUPFSOf02o/s1600/mike's+book.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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what would you do if you couldn't think</div>
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no really</div>
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you couldn't think critically</div>
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ok so i hear some of you sleepless moms of littles saying, that's me everyday</div>
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trust me, i get it</div>
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but what if you had had a photographic memory, could recite passages of scripture and literature poetically, were fluent in cantonese, and knew every line in every single Seinfeld episode and 80s movie </div>
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and now could not force your mind to complete simple tasks, remember what you did this morning, remember who you spoke with about what, or form words properly when you spoke</div>
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to have a ghost of a memory that you once knew so many beautifully rich things </div>
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this is just a mild taste of what my brilliant husband deals with on a daily basis</div>
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so when i tell you that Mike just finished a novel</div>
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it is with absolute elation that i tell you that my husband just completed his first novel</div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/05/about-me-by-my-husband-new-co-author.html">for those of you who know Mike</a></div>
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you know of his passion for books</div>
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his thirst for reading</div>
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his in depth studying</div>
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his fascination with word choice</div>
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being drawn into other worlds</div>
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living life through the eyes and passion of another</div>
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this same passion was born into the soul of our son</div>
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for years Mike has had a story in his mind to write for Owen</div>
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a story that explored ideals that he wanted our son to seek after</div>
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ideals he felt were lacking in the world our son was growing up in</div>
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Mike wasn't able to dedicate time to write this story before</div>
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well, because he had been busy with so many other things</div>
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now his daily life is quite different</div>
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a type of different that tears at my heart leading me to often times turn my head from Mike's view so as to hide my tears as i witness <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/09/trust-without-borders.html">his daily struggles</a> and see his brilliant mind dormant</div>
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i turn away so he does not witness my moments of inner battle that read on my face, </div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/01/acceptance-is-just-out-of-my-grasp.html">'why him'</a> </div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-lies-ahead-projections-from.html">'why must he suffer so'</a></div>
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but as always the Lord has extended mercy through something very simple </div>
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imagination</div>
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imagination flows from dreams</div>
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from ideas of our own making</div>
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without limits or the necessity for critical thinking</div>
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for this reason and a miracle that the overall idea for the story was stored in a part of Mike's long term memory that has been unaffected by his <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/stepping-out-onto-path-of-peace-and.html">Multiple Sclerosis</a></div>
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Mike was able to write his book</div>
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now the process of writing for him was quite different than it would be for you and i</div>
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every morning he would forget what he had written the day before</div>
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he would forget the storyline, the characters, the direction</div>
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every day he would have to start anew, rereading what he had written the day before</div>
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learning to take exhaustive notes of any upcoming details of the novel, knowing that in a few short minutes or hours he would forget them</div>
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day after day this routine repeated</div>
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until nearly 100,000 words were written</div>
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a novel completed</div>
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out of this process came something beautiful</div>
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something life-saving</div>
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this book saved my husband</div>
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as i sure you can imagine </div>
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having so much of what you would consider your identity and role taken from you</div>
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having limitations hinder you from fulfilling those duties you delight in performing for those you love</div>
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then battling extreme fatigue and intense pain to carry out those things that remain for you to struggle through</div>
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experiencing all of this would throw anyone into a period of questioning your worth </div>
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into period of self doubt and dare i use the 'd' word</div>
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being able to write gave him a purpose again</div>
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a feeling of contributing</div>
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even a feeling of meaning</div>
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it brought excitement and structure back into his day</div>
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even life</div>
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something to look forward to</div>
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and although it was difficult to have to start over every day, he could look back at what he had written the day before and see that he was accomplishing something</div>
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i loved seeing that passion and vibrance for life return</div>
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you could see it in his face</div>
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you could hear it in the way he spoke</div>
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you could feel it in the energy of our home</div>
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he was writing something of value for our son</div>
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which became something of value for himself</div>
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and something he hopes will be of value to many youth and parents out there </div>
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for he is planning on self-publishing it before Owen's twelfth birthday in May</div>
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i want to have Mike tell you more about this experience himself</div>
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i know how much you love hearing from him</div>
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he has just begun sharing his first draft with family and friends</div>
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and is looking for a few others who would be interested in reading it to give him feedback before he sends it to a copy editor</div>
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if any of you are interested in reading a copy of his first novel, please contact me</div>
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it is entitled, CHOSEN, the quest for the eight keys</div>
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and is a young adult novel full of adventure and hilarity as only Mike could write</div>
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it is brilliant and we have already received incredible praise from those who have already finished it</div>
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including one speed reading son who absolutely loved it and can't wait for the next one in the series</div>
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i am beyond proud of what Mike has accomplished and am so happy to see him move forward with self-publishing</div>
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i am so grateful for this gift that God has granted him</div>
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this opportunity to free his mind and spirit</div>
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in a way that will be immortalized for his children and generations to come</div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-15005640605540762382014-02-14T09:36:00.000-07:002014-02-14T09:36:38.693-07:00everything is awesome: my valentines day crew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GclDQER7uiE/Uv4_nQNMjiI/AAAAAAAAIng/rLKZd5Or7vg/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GclDQER7uiE/Uv4_nQNMjiI/AAAAAAAAIng/rLKZd5Or7vg/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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everything is awesome</div>
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happy valentine's day </div>
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from my growing crew</div>
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amidst the complexities of life, little tate's sweet inquiry as to if i was going to make them valentine's day shirts this year, ensured that the simple things that preserve the structure of family life as they know it remains strong</div>
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traditions</div>
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traditions keep our family identity alive</div>
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and give so much to look forward to</div>
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to read about out how our family valentine's day tshirts tradition began, read <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-valentine-bowlermen-and-miss.html">here</a> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2gpNl8g3Mw/Uv4_m7wqr8I/AAAAAAAAInY/QgYcGC306CY/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2gpNl8g3Mw/Uv4_m7wqr8I/AAAAAAAAInY/QgYcGC306CY/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38mTxV7FS2Y/Uv4_nrMKPSI/AAAAAAAAInc/Vi7ieuoQS24/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38mTxV7FS2Y/Uv4_nrMKPSI/AAAAAAAAInc/Vi7ieuoQS24/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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our traditional jump shot</div>
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their absolute favorite</div>
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eyan definitely wins this year's best jump</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gHG1sJfwck/Uv4_pcOf3tI/AAAAAAAAInw/XcYUDM5YYgw/s1600/felicity+blow+kiss+to+daddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gHG1sJfwck/Uv4_pcOf3tI/AAAAAAAAInw/XcYUDM5YYgw/s1600/felicity+blow+kiss+to+daddy.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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felicity steals the show once again for her daddy</div>
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this little cutie pie is daddy's best buddy</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFZhJT3v_yA/Uv4_pU4LhqI/AAAAAAAAIn0/bhZy6u9Gqag/s1600/IMG_3806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFZhJT3v_yA/Uv4_pU4LhqI/AAAAAAAAIn0/bhZy6u9Gqag/s1600/IMG_3806.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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simplicity was the name of the game this year</div>
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but its always a challenge to come up with a design the boys will wear</div>
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i have strict instructions are our <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-rocks.html">first year's design</a>, that no hearts are allowed</div>
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so i stuck to something that has been chiming repeatedly in our house for months</div>
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as i am sure in so many of yours as well</div>
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can you even say it without singing</div>
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<i>everything is awesome</i></div>
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<i>everything is awesome</i></div>
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i used my silhouette cameo to design this stencil i cut out on freezer paper</div>
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you can see my freezer paper tutorial here</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WU9uXnkiU4/Uv4_ph1j0AI/AAAAAAAAIn4/BCuvLu_e6V0/s1600/Valentines+Day+2014+all+4+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WU9uXnkiU4/Uv4_ph1j0AI/AAAAAAAAIn4/BCuvLu_e6V0/s1600/Valentines+Day+2014+all+4+kids.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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as much as i love seeing changes in my children from year to year</div>
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i secretly or not so secretly wish for them to be frozen in time</div>
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happy valentine's day to you and your crew</div>
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<i>our past year's valentines t-shirts:</i></div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/02/3-mr-rights-and-little-miss-highly.html"><i>3 mr rights and a little miss</i></a></div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-valentine-bowlermen-and-miss.html"><i>my valentine bowlermen and miss charleston</i></a></div>
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<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-rocks.html"><i>love rocks</i></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>check out my tutorials for tshirt <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/02/mr-bowlerman-miss-charleston-applique.html">appliqué</a> and <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/02/mr-right-and-little-miss-t-shirt.html">free hand cutting & freezer stencils</a></i>Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-89676819595207451132014-01-26T22:50:00.001-07:002014-01-26T23:00:09.467-07:00putting my inner voices in time out<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gjEhbUxc6A0/UuXzh1OsljI/AAAAAAAAImQ/G3vUf7ZzjJQ/s1600/of+two+minds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gjEhbUxc6A0/UuXzh1OsljI/AAAAAAAAImQ/G3vUf7ZzjJQ/s1600/of+two+minds.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">there is always some fight within yourself when you are nearing a major breakthrough in your life</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">your current self just doesn't want to let go of the good thing you’ve got going on right now</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">good defined as </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">comfortable</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">familiar </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">expected</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">not necessarily good defined as</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">good for you</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">change is hard</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">especially when you keep having that loud and intense inner battle of two voices within yourself </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that you wish you could just rip out of your mind </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">tell them to play nice and work it out </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">or they are just going to have to just stay there in timeout until they can get along</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one voice tells you </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that you are ready to take that next step</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you are strong </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you are capable</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you’ve got what it takes </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you can rise above</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the other voice laughs at you and says</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">who are you fooling</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you can’t change </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">look at what you’ve done in the past</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">what makes you think that today will be any different</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">my head is spinning right now just thinking about it</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">because that has been the battle going inside my mind for months</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and i am here today to tell you that as loud as that debbie downer voice has been screaming in my mind </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she has now faded to a whisper</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that duct tape must have done the job</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">no in all fairness i cannot pin point one major event that has triggered this most incredible quieting of the mind and propelled me on to my next level of growth</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">it has been the compilation of many, many little efforts and the surrendering of myself to faith </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">faith in me </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">faith in my God</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and faith in the circumstances I have been currently blessed with</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">it has been a loooong fight </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and i have no doubt that that duct taped voice in my head may find her way to a bullhorn once again but next time she’s going to find a new me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one that will have grown in my inner debbie downer silencing skills</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/08/change-in-air.html">change is in the air</a> once again</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">so watch for some tremendous growth coming on all fronts over here as i climb to that next level of achievement</span></span>Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-68333587186487951812013-12-31T12:40:00.002-07:002013-12-31T12:44:40.506-07:00charge into the new year with the paper antler party cracker - a tutorialthis is it<br />
the very single last final caboose day of 2013<br />
can you believe it<br />
<br />
i give one final raised glass to this year<br />
by presenting a tutorial inspired by the symbol of the year<br />
the antler<br />
<br />
here is a quick diy to allow your New Year's Eve party to go out with a bang<br />
and to charge into the new year<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">the paper antler party cracker</span><br />
designed for the<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/11/hipster-babys-first-birthday-paper-crepe.html"> Paper Crepe Company challenge</a> mentioned <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/11/hipster-babys-first-birthday-paper-crepe.html">here</a> in my previous posts<br />
<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/12/merry-and-bright-christmas-simple-last.html">merry and bright christmas</a> and<br />
<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/11/hipster-babys-first-birthday-paper-crepe.html">hipster baby boy's first birthday</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--PQZKYtnyrU/UsMN0k2_U8I/AAAAAAAAIlw/ydozXJnH2Zg/s1600/paper+antler+party+cracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="new year's eve paper antler party cracker tutorial" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--PQZKYtnyrU/UsMN0k2_U8I/AAAAAAAAIlw/ydozXJnH2Zg/s640/paper+antler+party+cracker.jpg" title="new year's eve paper antler party cracker tutorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">SUPPLIES</span><br />
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{all decorative supplies provided by <a href="http://www.thepapercrepe.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Paper Crepe</a>}<br />
tp tube<br />
9" crinkle or thin textured paper<br />
glitter paper<br />
high quality patterned paper<br />
twine<br />
adhesive or hot glue<br />
small prizes and candies<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZDMIsjy924/UsMHbh13vfI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/FVkWAGx7pmw/s1600/antler+party+cracker+wrap+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="party cracker form" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YZDMIsjy924/UsMHbh13vfI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/FVkWAGx7pmw/s640/antler+party+cracker+wrap+around.jpg" title="party cracker form" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FORM</span></div>
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cut your crinkle or thin texture paper to approx 9" x 9" </div>
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place tp tube on the inside centered</div>
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apply adhesive</div>
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since my cracker was made for a company party display and not to be opened it was not filled with special prizes</div>
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to create a functional pop-able cracker add just a couple more steps found <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/new-years-eve-poppers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> on this tutorial by</div>
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<a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/new-years-eve-poppers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">make and takes</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0whJtiPPnbY/UsMHafnEr7I/AAAAAAAAIlE/rEamyqR-5-o/s1600/antler+party+cracker+twine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tie up party cracker with twine" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0whJtiPPnbY/UsMHafnEr7I/AAAAAAAAIlE/rEamyqR-5-o/s640/antler+party+cracker+twine.jpg" title="tie up party cracker with twine" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TIE UP</span></div>
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carefully gather up each end and tie the ends</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4j14XUoSFE/UsMHZeDYO6I/AAAAAAAAIk0/sXyzO5Tnt7I/s1600/antler+party+cracker+crinkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="soften paper by crinkling " border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4j14XUoSFE/UsMHZeDYO6I/AAAAAAAAIk0/sXyzO5Tnt7I/s640/antler+party+cracker+crinkle.jpg" title="soften paper by crinkling " width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CRINKLE</span></div>
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here comes the fun part!</div>
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remember when you were a kid and you made your own leather by crinkling up paper brown bags until it became so soft</div>
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that is the same concept here</div>
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this is why you need a high high quality paper so it will crinkle and mold in your hand and not tear</div>
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crinkle away</div>
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it starts off rough but just keep going</div>
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crinkle and crinkle some more until it becomes soft and pliable</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3h4gkEm54qI/UsMHaSoLQSI/AAAAAAAAIlA/DPEo-PXakHE/s1600/antler+party+cracker+cut+triangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cut triangle for party cracker" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3h4gkEm54qI/UsMHaSoLQSI/AAAAAAAAIlA/DPEo-PXakHE/s640/antler+party+cracker+cut+triangle.jpg" title="cut triangle for party cracker" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CUT CORNER</span></div>
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do not try to flatten the crumpled paper</div>
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fold over a corner to form an elongated triangle approx 4" x 2"</div>
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and snip</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeuHLKG9PA0/UsMHX-qbLHI/AAAAAAAAIkk/xhTNyGgMRRE/s1600/IMG_9816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="antler branch form" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeuHLKG9PA0/UsMHX-qbLHI/AAAAAAAAIkk/xhTNyGgMRRE/s640/IMG_9816.jpg" title="antler branch form" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FORM TWO</span></div>
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to form a branched antler cut an 1 1/2 to 2" slit starting at the shortest side of triangle toward the folded side of the triangle at an angle</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IApZRuOFmmM/UsMHbkZBWdI/AAAAAAAAIlU/w0Nfh1XVEo8/s1600/antler+party+cracker+twist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twist to form double branched antler" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IApZRuOFmmM/UsMHbkZBWdI/AAAAAAAAIlU/w0Nfh1XVEo8/s640/antler+party+cracker+twist.jpg" title="twist to form double branched antler" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TWIST</span></div>
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start twisting the paper to form your antler shape</div>
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twist and twist</div>
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don't be afraid to twist tightly if you have some serious high quality paper</div>
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you want it tight to hold its shape</div>
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use adhesives or hot glue to finish off your antlers</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhfPigHYHd8/UsMHXhnGQQI/AAAAAAAAIkg/-7FGIKLe05U/s1600/IMG_9808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="party cracker wrapper" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhfPigHYHd8/UsMHXhnGQQI/AAAAAAAAIkg/-7FGIKLe05U/s640/IMG_9808.jpg" title="party cracker wrapper" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WRAPPER</span></div>
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cut your wrapper from glitter paper approx 3 1/4" x 6 1/2 "</div>
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adhere paper centered on cracker</div>
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wrap paper around cracker and then overlap and apply with adhesive or hot glue</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOhm6Itjvyk/UsMHU-PNtHI/AAAAAAAAIkY/vLgW8LyFzVo/s1600/IMG_2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mounting antlers on paper cracker" border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mOhm6Itjvyk/UsMHU-PNtHI/AAAAAAAAIkY/vLgW8LyFzVo/s640/IMG_2313.jpg" title="mounting antlers on paper cracker" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">MOUNTING </span><br />
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cut a chevron arrow shape out of patterned paper approx 2 3/4" x 1 1/2"<br />
adhere shape to center of glitter paper<br />
glue antlers in the center of the chevron shape<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LRwbfMghos/UsMHZPzFLcI/AAAAAAAAIkw/ur3E7eojqxo/s1600/IMG_9893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="new year's eve paper antler party cracker tutorial diy" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7LRwbfMghos/UsMHZPzFLcI/AAAAAAAAIkw/ur3E7eojqxo/s640/IMG_9893.jpg" title="new year's eve paper antler party cracker tutorial diy" width="640" /></a></div>
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and there you have it</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the paper antler party cracker</span></div>
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enjoy your New Year's Eve friends</div>
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look back with gratitude on the blessings of this past year</div>
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and charge forward with conviction to make this next year one with no regrets </div>
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as you love more </div>
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find more courage to those things which will bring the greatest joy for yourself and those around you</div>
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and dare to dream and act upon it</div>
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here's to living life with passion and conviction</div>
Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-28951773242864596342013-12-24T10:31:00.000-07:002013-12-24T10:50:09.784-07:00merry and bright christmas: simple last minute touches to your holiday table decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz7EmkblRto/Urm6ofBWUWI/AAAAAAAAIjo/lIwMIp5DhEg/s1600/Paper+Crepe+Christmas-9886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="merry and bright christmas simple last minute holiday decor ideas" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz7EmkblRto/Urm6ofBWUWI/AAAAAAAAIjo/lIwMIp5DhEg/s640/Paper+Crepe+Christmas-9886.jpg" title="merry and bright christmas simple last minute holiday decor ideas" width="502" /></a></div>
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although the countdown to Christmas is nearly over</div>
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there is plenty of time to add those final touches to your holiday table decor</div>
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here are a few ideas i designed for <a href="http://www.thepapercrepe.com/">The Paper Crepe</a> challenge</div>
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last month in collaboration with Amy from <a href="http://www.commona-myhouse.blogspot.com/">Commona My House</a></div>
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as we were hired to create displays for their party tour which hit Sacramento, Dallas, and Chicago</div>
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read more about the parameters for the challenge <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/11/hipster-babys-first-birthday-paper-crepe.html">here</a> on my '<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/11/hipster-babys-first-birthday-paper-crepe.html">hipster baby boy's first birthday</a>' post</div>
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so here are some simple last minute decor ideas:</div>
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antler party cracker {watch for tutorial coming just in time for your New Year's Eve bash}</div>
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3D Christmas tree</div>
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triangle trees</div>
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glitter paper chain</div>
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tissue tassel bunting {here's a great tutorial on <a href="http://greenweddingshoes.com/diy-tissue-tassel-garland/">green wedding shoes</a>}</div>
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two tone glitter pine cones</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7BvVwgR130/Urm9W63BfuI/AAAAAAAAIj0/S4QNfHlg9Qs/s1600/Paper+Crepe+Christmas+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="merry and bright christmas simple last minute holiday decor ideas" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7BvVwgR130/Urm9W63BfuI/AAAAAAAAIj0/S4QNfHlg9Qs/s1600/Paper+Crepe+Christmas+Collage.jpg" title="merry and bright christmas simple last minute holiday decor ideas" /></a></div>
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may your days be merry and bright<br />
from a gal who's christmas has become very white<br />
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merry merry christmas to you all<br />
<br />Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28814903.post-80276858703640653662013-12-17T20:47:00.001-07:002013-12-17T21:05:23.657-07:00my Christmas wish<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pSmF-z8pgw/UrEYiqI8drI/AAAAAAAAIi8/nnzgXyTOMNg/s1600/temple+square+christmas-2965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pSmF-z8pgw/UrEYiqI8drI/AAAAAAAAIi8/nnzgXyTOMNg/s640/temple+square+christmas-2965.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">as the list of things that i should be doing are adding up in my mind</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i am drawn at this time to reflect on some quiet moments that have transpired in our life the past little while</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i have missed writing</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for this is how i truly am able to reflect on the goodness in my life</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">as many of you know mike has <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/stepping-out-onto-path-of-peace-and.html">begun treatments for his MS</a> up here in <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/09/those-small-details-of-moving.html">utah</a> where we have moved for a variety of reasons</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but mainly to be close to a <a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-lies-ahead-projections-from.html">specialist we feel confident in</a> and have easy access to</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">due to the nature of the progression of mike’s disease</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">some days, lots of days are just plain hard</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">in my mind and i think in the minds of others </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">making this huge change in our life must have equated to the lessening of daily difficulty</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">if not for that</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">then why would we have moved</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">well the truth is that we have seen many moments of illumination that have shown us that indeed this is the place we need to be</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">we have already seen blessings in various aspects of our life</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">we know that a path of tremendous growth and hope is before us</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but the weight of what remains the same and even the weight of what has changed </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">lies heavy</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">what remains the same</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">mike continues to struggle in a very big way</span></span><br />
<a href="http://journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/09/trust-without-borders.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">physically, emotionally, and </span></span>mentally</a><br />
it is a daily battle<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">hearing him laugh and seeing the relaxation of his face when the pain has lessened are two of my favorite things right now</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the humility and gratitude i see in him makes me love him more and more</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i feel a tremendous honor to be his wife</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">what has changed</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">mike is no longer able to work due to a dramatic decline in his cognition</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">we have been sustained by the benevolent generosity of family</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and i have been giving all i’ve got to my <a href="http://www.mikeandbriana.theneriumlook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nerium business</a></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">with full confidence that soon it will be able to put us on a path of independence</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">mike is my biggest champion</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">as i am my own worst enemy some days</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i admire moms who have worked while raising their children</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i admire men and women who have the fire of confidence with the skills of communication and the ability to inspire</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i admire those who work with laser focus on what they want for the good of their family and don’t let rejection or obstacles get in their way</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i tell you i am being stretched and molded into a woman i never knew i could become</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one that never would have been uncovered had the need for me to rise not have been there</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one who has had to rely heavily on the Lord</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">as well as newly acquired knowledge though good books of all varieties</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-dancing-chicken-to-positive-self.html">persons of great influence and motivation</a></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">all lending to the building up of a woman of greater courage and drive</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but along this path of digging for deeper conviction and leadership capabilities</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">those qualities that need to be attended to most have been widely exposed</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and sometimes for a <a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-dancing-chicken-to-positive-self.html">vast public to see</a></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">those deeply rooted insecurities or inadequacies are paraded in front of my eyes and in front of so many others</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a long line of them</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i have put myself out there for all to witness not only my successes but my struggles</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but as you see me pick myself up over and over and over</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i hope that above all you will see that as i lift my head up again and again </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that my gaze </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">my step </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">my direction </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">continues to be drawn toward what it is i must do and who i must do it for</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">at times i hope i will glance down to see who it is that is carrying me and give much thanks</span></span><br />
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two such moments i would like to share with you<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a few nights ago</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">was one of those moments when the weight just seemed so great</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one of those times in which the heaviness of what you carry causes the strength in your legs to give out</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i found myself flat on my knees alone in our front room </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">only the light of the Christmas tree to illuminate the tears running down my cheeks</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">no one else to hear the gasping cries escaping my lips in bursts of sound</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">so i thought</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i looked up to see Owen standing in the doorway gazing down on me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">without word he quickly came to my side </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">knelt down next to me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">not as i had, flat to my knees</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but kneeling tall so that when he wrapped his arm around me at my side he was taller than i</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">he simply asked me, ‘<a href="http://www.journeywithjohnsons.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-life-well-proven-my-daddy-russell.html">are you missing grandpa</a>?’ </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to which i replied ‘yes’...i kept the array of other looming thoughts to myself</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i looked over at my son and felt his arm around me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">not as a child but as a man who had come to comfort and rescue his mother</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i felt of his strength</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i felt of his faith</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and i felt of the love he had for me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and indeed i felt rescued</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i knew i had to write this down </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for i never want to forget that moment of tenderness between us</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">then last night as i came home late</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i looked upon our counter to find a lovely basket of food and something peculiar in the center</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a mason jar</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">at first i didn’t comprehend what was inside</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">could it be, no</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a jar full of change and bills</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">there was a note accompanying it and i quickly reached for it looking to discover the bearer of such a gift</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">waves of tears overcame me as i read the sweet poem attached </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">which in part reads:</span></span><br />
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we collected all year our dollars and dimes<br />and hoped we could save enough just in time<br />we prayed to know who to give this jar to<br />Heavenly Father’s answer said it was you<br />we hope you will feel the Savior’s Love<br />and know that this gift is from Heaven above</blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">this family whoever they are filled their year with the intent to bless the lives of others at just this moment</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and God himself knew of our need and directed their sweet hearts to our doorstep</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i shook with gratitude and felt the warmth of my Savior’s love</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">in <a href="http://mormon.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">church</a> this past week</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i had the opportunity to address our congregation on a topic that i have been thinking much about</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">not only believing in Christ, in who He is, but believe Christ, believe His words</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">believing He will do what He said He would do</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to not merely be an advisor or a champion or a counselor</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">but be our actual Savior, our Redeemer</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to trust in His care and heeding His simple admonitions</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/14.27?lang=eng#26" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">*</a></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘doubt not, fear not’ <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/6.36?lang=eng#35" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">*</a></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘be of good cheer, for I will lead you along’ <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/78.18?lang=eng#17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">*</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">when i truly understand what He has done for me</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i am happy</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i shine forth</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i carry myself with a perfect brightness of hope</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i let the promises i have made to Him shine through my face </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">even in times of difficulty and distress</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">this is my Christmas wish</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to let this Child who was Born unto Us</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">enter as the Prince of Peace into my heart and life</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">that with the lifting of my heart and the lightening of my step</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the joy returns to my countenance </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and my soul is filled with His redeeming love</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Merry Christmas to you my sweet friends</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">may this Prince of Peace enter into your heart and life</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">this Christmas season and throughout your coming year</span></span>Briana @ Sweet Dreams are Made of Thesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557010255457014506noreply@blogger.com0