You've Got This Sis

Sometimes life comes at you. Life came at me. And the unknown can be crazy scary. For a few minutes it was crazy scary. If you are wondering where I've been, I've been recovering. 

Perfect efforts are what you do, each day, the best you absolutely can. And they are enough. You are enough. You have experiences in your life that you have been the hero. Let's remember those and be grateful for who they have shown you to be!  

Staying healthy can involve quite a few aspects, however I am going to touch on a few simple suggestions that will serve you. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Keep it hydrated, healthy and clean. Hand washing is the number one thing you can do to cut down on bacteria and illness. You are what you eat and an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. Wash prior to eating. Illness and inflammation are fueled by sugars. Many foods common to our diet are metabolized into sugar. Sugar feeds bacteria, keep you body strong, avoid excess sugar.  Stay safe!  Stay healthy! And win your day!

I'm aware that many have opinions of me. I'm too much, too fast, too kind, too sassy, too pretty, too plain, too everything. That's ok. I'm just right for who I aim to be, and for me. This episode I talk about my focus word for 2021, COURAGE. Courage is how I do the crazy hard. Jump in with me and I hope to pass along a little courage your way. Lyrics that speak to me, La La Land, Audition Song: "A bit of madness is key To give us new colors to see Who knows where it will lead us? And that's why they need us" So bring on the rebels The ripples from pebbles The painters, and poets, and plays And here's to the fools who dream Crazy as they may seem Here's to the hearts that break Here's to the mess we make I trace it all back to then Her, and the snow, and the Seine Smiling through it She said she'd do it again    

You heard it!  New Year's Resolutions are not for me! They haven't been for a while.  They don't serve my mind or my future self. They are limiting, they are suffocating. Any one else resonate with that? Amen!  Here we go. We are going to talk about how to win your 2021 through future focus, present living and goals. You've got this!  Feel free to join Erin Kay on her podcast or at her website for more inspiration! Podcast: Wholly Healthy Christian Moms https://www.facebook.com/groups/whollyhealthychristianmoms Erin Kay email: Erinkaycoaching@gmail.com website: www.therootedhealthcommunity.com

Are you feeling kinda blah? It's been more difficult for me this holiday season to have it feel special. This episode I share with you a few tips to bring the Magic into your life.  Once you have it, you can then share it with others. These are things that help the season feel special for me. 1. Music 2. Stories or Books 3. People Here are links to the story I shared as well as a few songs to look up to brighten your day.  Author Unknown "It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn’t yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn’t buy them anything. Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun. Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait. In front of me were two small children - a boy of about five and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He carefully clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The girl’s clothing resembled her brother’s. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the Christmas music sounded in the store’s stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key but happily. When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said. The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pocket for some change. Finally he came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back," he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow." With that statement a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes," she cried. "Well, we’ll go home and work some more. Don’t cry. We’ll come back," he said. Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair or arms came around me and a small voice said, "Thank you lady." "What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked. The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus." The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won’t mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?" My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes," I answered. "I am sure she will." Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving. Mercy River, All is Bright Album Lady Antebellum Christmas Album Mariah Carey Christmas Album 98 Degrees Christmas Album

It's natural to form judgements. They are meant to protect us. However, what are the things we need protecting from? Bears, hot stoves, fires, etc.  Take a listen as I talk with you about judgement and perspective. Trio

We recently celebrated nineteen years of marriage. When people learned we've been married for nineteen years, then that we have four kids, they are in shock. I remember thinking how those celebrating fifty years of marriage was forever! So I'm astonished to get that reaction when other look at us like we're an anomaly. We recognize it's hard, and that choices are made within a marriage that can be hurtful. We focus today on how we've evolved together and made it nineteen years and counting. 

Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we feel we get more than our fair share of downs.  Meet Marco Brown, a family friend, and one of Utah's top divorce lawyers. Why am I interviewing a divorce lawyer? No worries! I am interviewing him because of who he is, not because of what he does. He is an inspiration to me of someone who doesn't stop dreaming, who is determined, focused, and hard working.  Marco shares his and his wife's journey with us. I hope that their story causes reflection and appreciation no matter where you find yourself. My wish is for you to always have hope, perseverance, and determination. You've Got This!

Friends, meet Ty Boyer.  I highlight him this week because I have seen him in action for years.   Ty became a dad at 15 years old. He was a Navy recruit so that his little sister could go to college. Life dished out some road blocks, but Ty has learned to overcome.  His wife Nicole is retired Army. She is an amazing woman who loves and leads with her heart.  Enjoy todays episode as we get a glimpse into understanding how a man supports his woman to succeed in life, love, family, and work.  Find Ty at https://www.facebook.com/ty.boyer.77  

Most twelve year olds are in the thick of middle school. Most are embarking on new life as a semi-independent tweenager. What happens, when none of this rings true? Avery was trying to be a typical sixth grade girl--learning in class, excelling in sports, making friends and discovering new interests. As much as she tried to keep up the pace, she kept feeling exhausted, unable to do the things she enjoyed. She thought this was how life went. She wasn't just exhausted, she was terribly sick.  Her body wasn't able to process sugars, it wasn't making insulin it needed, the build up of glucose was draining her life, both literally and figuratively. Join me as Avery shares her story of Type 1 Diabetes, and learning to thrive again. 

Rachel's daughter Avery was diagnosed a year ago with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 12. Rachel shares her life changing story of mothering Avery and loving her through the diagnosis, while balancing her own feelings of helplessness.  November is Diabetes Awareness month.  I honor all those who have battled their own battles with diabetes as well as the families that are there to love and support.  It's a new normal. A lifetime of balancing.  Contact info for Rachel Graham is: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.g.graham and  https://www.instagram.com/rlgraham85/  

If you are new here with me at Sis, I'm Trio. I like to focus on all things that will lift us. That's a lot. This week is Halloween. I remember the days of being a young mom. It was difficult to get kids ready, feed them and have them ready to trick or treat by the time their dad got off work. Stress. Yes! It is important to take a few minutes and freshen up. I updated some lipstick, put on cute clothes, and then felt ready to be present for the festivities.  As the kids got older, I took more time for me. Take time for you. Make this week fun by being intentional.  I'm the grand daughter of one who succumbed to breast cancer. I share with you a piece of my grandmother's life, her journey, and the independence my dad took as he experienced his mother's death.   

"They said he has stage four cancer." Samara couldn't believe it. He was child number six and now their family was thrown a curve ball they would have to wade through.  Samara shares her journey of Malcolm's diagnosis from beginning to end. She is a woman of strength, light and resilience. She is a warrior woman to me. A hero. I hope you feel her light. I hope that your hope increases. I hope you dream a little more today Sis and allow your heart to be grateful for today. Here is the link for Malcolm's Book, Jared the Blood Genie. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08GQKJPMK&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_AK4JFbGPXB93N As well as Corporate Angel Network mentioned in the podcast.   You can find Samara on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/samara.thornock  

When I look back at the journey, I'm so proud of the person I am. I' am brave.  I am strong. I am crazy and fun. Thirty-nine years, and I'm here. I remember being scared, unsure, insecure and trying to make others happy. I hope this episode cheers you on to become your best self.  It's a process. A journey. It requires you recognize how freakin' amazing your are.  No one else can do that for you!  Here are my notes. Five Things I've Learned. 1. "I don't do this for just anyone" and you can pop a squat anywhere because you've done it before! 2. No amount of trying to be something for someone else will bring you peace.  3.Enjoy learning something new 4.Give yourself grace and others grace 5.Love yourself every day! You are worth it!

20 years of military service, 13 moves, 14 homes...how do you keep your family grounded in the midst of so much change? Learn from our friend Kathryn about how she's approached life as a military wife, and how she and her husband have been united and successful for twenty plus years.    

Sometimes we surf through life trying to find those that get us, that accept us and love us as we are, for all that we are—the good, the bad and the ugly.   We call that safe.    Being safe and feeling safe is better anything else. People hope to be SAFE with you. ALWAYS. On your tongue. In your home. On your keyboard. On the road. In public. In schools. In private. I will always try to have integrity and be SAFE for you.

Pulling together and creating unity is a gift and skill we seek to embrace.  I’ve often heard the saying, “Bloom where you are planted.”  We encourage you to “bloom.”   The world needs your gifts, talents, and skills to unify and heal.   So serve, unify and heal.  Our world looks better with a little bit of your color in it.  

"Mommy, I think your Sad Sickness is coming back." If you struggle with depression, or know someone that does, this episode is for you. Join our chat with Cheryl Roper to learn how she faces her daily battle with depression, accepting both good days and not so good ones. Cheryl's Facebook group (link below) works towards suicide prevention through fighting stigma, sharing real experiences, and building a community of support.  Links to Cheryl, and her Facebook Group: Cheryl's Facebook Page Cheryl's Instagram Page seeme.notthestigma

We're so lucky to have Brenda and Kristi from Normal Bias Podcast with us! It's especially easy for these two to recognize other people's accomplishments, and cheer others on. When we take time to recognize the accomplishments of others, we get inspired to try just a little harder. This week use the hashtag #accomplishmentslookbetterincolor to recognize a friend's victory on social media, and you'll get a free "You've Got This" all-weather sticker. Let's spread the love, and a little bit of color!