“Here’s to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.”
– Anonymous
Another year come and gone…and as they say, the older you get, the faster it goes.
It’s this final day of the year that we look back at our memories…new friendships made, loved ones lost, old doors closing, and new ones opening.
No matter what has happened, good or bad, look at each as an experience, something from which to live and learn.
Have no regrets.
Take your experiences from 2009, and use them to unwrap the Blessings for 2010.
I want to wish you and your loved ones a
Very Happy and Prosporous New Year!
God Bless You!
Tags: Holidays
Push your way to success!
First you make your habits, and then your habits make you.
Break those habits that can break you.
Adopt those practices that will become the new habits that will help you achieve the success you desire.
Your habits are a form of exercise.
The harder you work at something, the harder it is to quit.
The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change.
Your habits are either the best of servants or the worst of masters.
You are what you repeatedly do. ~ Max Steingart
Have you ever heard the expression it takes 21 says to make or break a habit? Well, just think…in less than a month, you can actually be doing whatever it is you REALLY want! Go for it! You CAN do it!
Tags: Inspiration, Quotes
My family's faces of Halloween
Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. ~ Mason Cooley
Halloween…ah yes, the one day a year we can be whomever or whatever we wanna be! Not to mention, you can eat all the candy you want (or as least as much as mom will let you). 
Everyone from Cinderella and Harry Potter, to the Devil with the Blue Dress on, to Dr. Evil…pick your passion or poison. Everything goes!
It’s funny…when we’re young, we want to be cute and precious (or is that the parents’ idea), but as we get older, we look more towards the guts, gore and rock-star status! I guess that’s just the way life evolves, huh?
Well whomever you want to be on this day of fun, go all out and be creative with your costume…after all, you deserve to be all that you want to be! Let your costume tell YOUR story!
Have fun and be safe!
My "little" boys...
Often times as parents we want to give our children “a better life,” then what we had growing up, but how do we define “better?”
Last night I was listening to Heshie Segal’s interview of Dr. Dennis Waitley, and he made this comment, ” Give your children roots and wings and less loot and things.” It made really made me think…
In today’s society, we often allow material things to play a huge role in our lives. We want our kids to have the latest and greatest game consoles, the most expensive name brands, we GIVE them nicer cars then we ourselves drive, and the list goes on and on…
Perhaps sometimes maybe we’re “buying” their love and affection, or they’ll think we’re “cool parents” if we buy them this or that. However, if you think about it – are we really doing them a disservice?
In fact, I can remember one time, when I was a little girl, I overheard my dad talking to one of my aunts. He told her that there were many things that he and my mom could buy us (my sisters and I) but they intentionally didn’t. Back then, I was hurt…I thought, “Gee, why would they do that to us?” But now, as a mother myself, I KNOW they wanted us to grow up understanding the value of money. They knew that if we were responsible financially for some of our own pleasures, we’d take pride and better care of those things we earned ourselves.
As our children grow up, and they become the next generation of adults, can we say we really gave them the better things in life? Did we teach them values, respect, morals, good judgment, and responsibility? These are the products we should worry about giving our children.
Once they’re ready to “fly the coup” can we honestly look ourselves in the mirror and say we planted good seeds? Did we help our children grow their wings, so they can mature and fly out on their own? Or will we regret handing everything over to them on a silver platter, hindering them as adults?
Tags: Parenting
My youngest son playing in the Autumn leaves
Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to spring. ~ Doug Larson.
Isn’t this the truth?! Aw, yes, today is officially the end of summer – or I guess you could say yesterday was, here in Colorado. Snow flying already – just the third week of September! 
Those of you you that know me, know that I’m definitely a SUMMER girl! I love the hot days, when the sun is shining bright and the skies are blue!
Well, I guess it’s time to pack up the shorts and sandals and pull out the sweaters and boots.
I’ll miss you Summer…it’s been nice. I’m definitely looking forward to your next visit! Don’t be a stranger, come back soon!
Today’s September 11th. The anniversary of that tragic day when the United States lost part of its soul. So many innocent people taken from us…friends, family, and loved ones. As time passes, we sometimes start to lose sight of the past, but I can guarantee you, WE will NEVER forget.
I personally remember when I heard the news on the radio that morning, as I was getting ready for work. I felt as though someone slugged me in the stomach. It was so surreal – things like that just don’t happen here…but it did.
My sister and I took a trip to New York a few summers ago, and we went to the site of what used to be the Twin Towers. We heard from a resident of New York that happened to be giving tours that morning. Just the heartache in his voice…I can’t imagine what the people felt like actually witnessing what was happening.
My heart goes out to everyone that lost a friend, or loved one that tragic morning in September. Just know that together as a Nation, we will always remember, and continue to pray for their souls and for your peace. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
Tags: Random Thoughts
A few famous Latinas...
Yesterday morning I was quite honored to speak on a radio show with a prestigious group of Hispanic women. The show, Views From the Top, hosted by talent diva, Adrienne Graham, was aired in honor of celebrating the Empowered Latina!
This was a blurb taken from Adrienne’s intro. to the segment:
From starting their own businesses to making inroads in Corporate America, Latinas are a fast rising segment of women who hold true power. Join my guests as we discuss tips and strategies for Latinas to get ahead in business and their careers, the struggles faced along the way, and ways Latinas can position themselves to cultivate power relationships through networking.
The show’s host, Adrienne Graham, is a successful Recruiter/Headhunter/Talent Acquisition Consultant/Networking & Career Strategist. Adrienne is the Founder and CEO of Empower Me! Corporation which includes Empowered Career Woman, several professional networks- Empowered Black Women, Empowered Latina, and The Roundtable (a network for executive level professionals). The Empower Me! Corporation also contains a publishing division, which produces podcasts, books, DVDs and CDs, and of course the weekly radio show Views From the Top on Blog Talk Radio.
In addition to Addriene, the panel included the following AMAZING women:
Maria del Rey- the CEO of MDR Kids Inc. A former concert cellist, she is a Cuban America Award Winning CEO, Recording Artist and Entrepreneur. Her company MDR Kids INC creates culturally diverse programming connects families and communities and breaks through prejudice, hatred and stops the cycle of violence in the home, community and the world. She created over 51 international works in 6 languages. She has some exciting projects coming up that she’ll talk about later in the show.
Aurelia Flores – the founder of PowerfulLatinas.com. A single, teenage mother who defied the odds and went on to Stanford Law School. She has been practicing corporate law for the past ten years, first at a prominent law firm and now for a Fortune 300 company where she specializes in intellectual property. She founded PowerfulLatinas.com in 2007 to help powerful Latina women stay in their power.
Helen Iris Torres - the Executive Director Hispanas Organized For Political Equality (HOPE) one of the nations leading women’s advocacy and leadership training nonprofits. She is currently serving as a Commissioner on the California Volunteers statewide commission charged with overseeing the state’s volunteer efforts and Americorp programming. She has been appointed to The Zero Divide Foundation Board of Directors (formerly The California Community Technology Foundation). She has also served as a Commissioner of the Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women.
It was quite an experience and HONOR to chat with a such a prestigious group of Latin women. We talked about the struggles that Hispanic women face, as well as our own words of advice for up and coming Latina girls. Words of wisdom…in how to honor their own success.
Click here to listen to the show from the web, or it may also be heard on Itunes.
Tags: Random Thoughts
Mike, Joe & Rick - Together Again...
We had the privilege of attending the wedding of our friend, Rick Winslow, this past weekend in Las Vegas. It was a pretty emotional evening for many reasons.
It was exciting to witness not only the union Rick took with his new bride, Inika – a new beginning for them together. However, it also sparked a lot of emotion for all of us who have been around to experience the many years of friendship held between Mike (my husband), Joe (my brother-in-law) & Rick (the groom).
Many years have passed since the days of elementary school and walking the halls together in high school. However, some friendships are meant to last a lifetime. I know that…because my best friend, Robyn, and I have had the same kind of bond you all have shared.
Through thick and thin, the strings of friendship have been tied, and remember the promise you guys made to one another…you HAVE to get together at least once a year. Okay, Rick…I guess that means you’ll be moving back to Colorado here shortly!
Tags: Friends and Family
It is time to let go,to stand back and watch
as the young leave home
and go out into the world
on their own.
Bless them, O God,
in all their endeavors,
in their successes and failures.
Guard them from all harm and evil
and make them strong to resist temptation.
Lead them in your paths
that they may be the builders of life
and not destroy your creation.
Teach them your ways of justice
that they may care for the well-being of all
and not for their needs alone.
Guide them in their search for truth
that they may praise you in all they do.
Let them trust the love of family
to support them in their time of need,
to care for their hopes and dreams,
and to love them, no matter what comes.
Amen.
- Vienna Cobb Anderson
It’s not often that I post something twice in one day, however, when I came across this prayer, I just knew I had to share it. With our children all headed back to school, we know that it’s sometimes difficult to watch them leave.
Perhaps it’s just for the day, or for many parents, we face the fears of the dreaded “empty nest syndrome.” No matter how long they’ll be gone…all we can do is hope and pray that the morals we’ve taught them, and the lessons they’ve learned will help them along their journey.
Tags: Parenting
My niece, Marissa
Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want. ~ Margaret Young
What really makes us happy? Personally…I define success by happiness. It doesn’t matter what your house looks like, how much money is in your bank account, or what your “job title” says. To me, if a person is happy then, YES…they are also successful!
So stop waiting to have kids, or to get married, or to finish school, or to retire. Whatever you’re waiting for – until you think you’ll finally be happy - don’t wait for it any longer. Decide that YOU are happy, and I bet before you know it, you WILL be!
Have an AWESOME day!
Tags: Inspiration
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Created by Philip Norton