Thankful Thirty!

Since I haven't done the daily "today I'm thankful for....." that everyone else seems to be doing, and the fact that tomorrow is the last day of November, I stole this idea from my amazing friend, Katy and will be putting my "Thankful Thirty" all right here at once!

1) My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who loves me just as I am.
2) The fact that Alexis and Austin are my niece and nephew. They rock my world.
3) My two amazing parents. So glad God hand picked them just for me!
4) My incredible sister....She's both beautiful and awesome!
5) My two fabulous big brothers....They leave no doubt that they love their little Sis!
6) My yorkie, Tazzie Mae-My constant and loyal sidekick! Love her to bits!
7) My friendship with Steve Lang. Seriously, nobody but Jesus has more faith in me!
8) Cotton candy jellybeans
9) Thanksgiving with Family
10) Shopping on Black Friday
11) Sweatshirt and jeans kinda weather (my favorite combo)
12) Derek Hough and Ricki Lake (see previous post)
13) My DVR that allows me to watch shows when I want.
14) Patrick Dempsey
15) Rookie Blue episodes
16) Ben Bass
17) Michael W. Smith (and his music)
18) Rainy days (and no need to get out of the house)
19) Good books
20) Text messaging
21) guardian angels
22) Starbucks white chocolate mocha
23) A walker with four wheels that STILL gets me where I need to go
24) That an organization like "March For Dimes" exists
25) Friends that I've known my whole life (and are still hanging in there with me)
26) New friendships
27) The fact that I live in a free country
28) the fact that there is LIFE after death!
29) dreams that come true
30) That God STILL has a plan!

Winners in my book!

Tonight, Dancing with the Stars crowned another winner....Congrats to JR and Karina!

However, it's not them I want to talk about. I'd like to talk about Ricki Lake and Derek Hough, my favorite dance couple from this season.

I've made no secret on this blog how much of a Derek Hough fan I am. I'll vote for him every time he's on the floor, even if I don't know his partner. This season however, was different. I used to watch Ricki Lake's talk show and was a fan. So, when I heard she was going to be on the show, I was thrilled, when I heard she was partnered with Derek, I knew I was going to LOVE watching this season and I knew who I would be rooting for.

They made me proud every single week and I couldn't wait until the next week to see them dance again! Ricki talked openly about her struggles with her weight and how it affected her self esteem and about how being on the show had changed all that.

Tonight, after they were eliminated (boo!) a video was shown of their journey throughout the last ten weeks and Derek shared that when he first met Ricki she was incredibly self conscious and didn't want to look at herself in the mirror and always kept her head down. He said that throughout the season, gradually she started to lift her head and she just became became a beautiful princess.

As I sat and listened to Derek tell Ricki's story (through tears, I might add), I felt as if he might as well have been talking about me.

My Cerebral Palsy caused one leg to me shorter than the other and because of that I walk with a noticeable limp. A girl on a walker, with a limp. No reason to stare, right?....Yeah, right! People do, and it drives me crazy! Not only that, but CP also causes me to startle easily so I jump at everything (I've said it before, but you never want to go to the movies with me...You'll probably end up with a lap full of popcorn the first time I jump)! Needless to say, I'm REALLY self conscious about these things. Hearing Derek tell Ricki's story and seeing how DWTS has helped her overcome that and become more comfortable with who she is...Honestly, first it broke me. I cried all the way through the montage of footage and the entire commercial break (Yes, I was sad they didn't win, but that WASN'T the reason I was bawling LOL) and second, it inspired me. I was inspired by how open she was and how Derek stuck by her through it all believing in her so much so that he filled their freestyle dance with numerous lifts and tricks that scared Ricki at first but she did it!

It's not a snap of your fingers and presto your filled with confidence...It's a journey and I'm so thankful to have been able to go on this journey with Ricki and Derek this season! It taught me a lot about myself and inspired me as I walk my own journey.

So, Ricki and Derek, if you ever read this....Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you both for simply being the amazing people God made you.

Ricki-You are a winner! That you for your transparency, bravery, and incredible spirit! Keep holding that head up....You are beautiful inside and out!

Derek-Thank you for constantly being someone I am PROUD to root for season after season! No doubt you are an incredible teacher and amazing person!

You both SHINED this season and I'm proud to call myself a Drickilous fan! Thank you once again!

Heaven has gained an Angel....

My dear friend Keith Caldwell has passed away after a brave battle with cancer.

I wrote an entry about Keith HERE a few years ago. He was an inspiration and I'm heartbroken that he is no longer here with us, and I'm sad for the people that never got to know him like I did.

I remember sending him an e-mail in college asking for advice for my performance of literature class and a particularly difficult piece I was going to have to perform. One of his key pieces of advice: "Remember to breathe...." it's now advice that I have fallen back on these last few days as I've dealt with his passing.

I know however that our goodbye is not a permanent one and that we will meet again one day. I smile knowing he has fought the food fight, his race is finished, and he is now TOTALLY HEALED!

Keith will be greatly missed here and the world is a darker place without him in it, but the things he is a part of now in Heaven....WOW!

Rest in peace, sweet friend. Until we meet again...Shine on!

Prayers for Keith's loved ones would be appreciated. Thanks!

My Prince....

I met a boy. He had dark hair and beautiful blue eyes. I looked at him, he looked at me....And I fell in love! Today, he turns five. And I'm still in love!

Happy Birthday, Austin!

You are already such a tender hearted young man! I'm so so SO proud and thankful that out of all the nephews in the world, God made YOU mine! Thank you for teaching me every day how to REALLY enjoy the simplest things! I love you beyond words, Prince Charming!

Leading by Example

While I was at my volunteer job this past week, some of our music wasn't printing correctly from the cd that had been sent to us from the company. So, our (fairly) new music minister got on the phone with the guy in the office across from me. As I worked, I listened and shot an occasional glance his way.

I was SO proud....He never lost his cool (and believe me there were moment he COULD have). He was patient and friendly for the entire thirty minute conversation....I wanted to run into the office and thank him over and over again for leading by example in that office (I restrained myself, but did e-mail him later).

It was SO refreshing to see someone who claimed to be a Jesus lover prove it by not only saying it, but living it out in this circumstance. And he had no idea I was watching!

THAT, in my opinion, is when you can clearly see where someone stands with their faith...How do you treat people or situations when you THINK no one is watching?

If I learned anything this week it's that people are ALWAYS watching. I hope I'm showing them Jesus!