Remember

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cutus off in traffic last night, is a single mother who worked nine hoursthat day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do thelaundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed,disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final examswith his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging formoney in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is aslave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares
Help us to remember that the old couple walkingannoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shoppingprogress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsyreport she got back last week, this will be the last year that they goshopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all thegifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to sharethat love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those whoare close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quickto forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Book Give Away!!!

http://skrishnasbooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/page-out-of-life-book-giveaway.html
Ok so for all of you bookworms out there like myself S. Krishna's Books is doing a free book giveaway. The book is Kathleen Reid's: A page out of life. For all of you out there trying to consume less, whether for the environment, the lack of economic stiumulus or a little combination of both this is a great opportunity to get a new book for free, and its signed by the author! All you have to do is leave a comment before Tuesday July 15th 11:59 pm and promise to blog a review. Check back july 16th to see if you have won.
Just click on the book give away link and you are on your way to being the possible winner of an excellent summer read!

My Bucket List: This will be checked off before I die

1. Marry the love of my life
2. Travel to: Europe; especially Paris, France and the entire country of Spain, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, Las Vegas, Australia, Alaska, and Hawaii.
3. Watch the cowboys play a game in Dallas
4. Run a marathon
5. Have a family
6. Be a good mother
7. Become a successful social worker
8. Ice skate in central park
9. Be Financially stable
10. Be a good wife

Im sure I will add more to this list. It is so important to take the time to smell the roses an important lesson I learned from my late uncle. When something as terrible as cancer takes over you, you begin to realize how important family and life in general is. Lets all learn this lesson and not wait until death knocks on our door to enjoy life!

Emma

Take the Quiz here!

I miss him

So as most of you know the end of last month and the bulk have this month ryan has been working in jacksonville. Im usually pretty good with being away from Ryan, but I have to tell you it is starting to take its toll. Growing up my dad was always gone so it was just something that I got used to. He would leave in February and not come home until October. But it was always different with ryan because he wasnt consistently gone like my dad was, every year I would prepare myself for my dad leaving, not that that made it easier but I knew it was coming. Ryan is not usually gone for work so this was a whole new experience all together. I am really trying to be positive about this and do things that I do not always make time for when Ryan is here. Since I am off from school until August I have really been taking the time to read new books and take new classes at the gym, both things that I enjoy very much, but sometimes things that I dont do if they interfere with dinner. (Some of the later classes at the gym) These next several days are going to be rough but we are making the most of it and are planning to have a very special date night when ryan gets home. So for those of you have your loved one with you, embrace that...although they may get on your nerves they are there and they love you.

Our Special Holiday

The fourth of July has always been a special holiday for Ryan and I. Growing up we both loved the holiday and when we met it was only natural that we loved to celebrate the holiday together. Every year other than the ones I was in the parade, Ryan and I have gone to the parade together; its a tradition we hope to continue once we have kids too. Its a silly parade but we always have so much fun. Two years ago a few days before the fourth of july we adopted Jake our puppy. He was only about 6 months old so we thought it would be fun to take him to the parade with his. He had a blast and was such a good sport, he even wore some beads:) He is too big for us to take him now but its always brings back nice memories to look at the pictures of him at his first parade. For now he is our baby and we love him so much!

The Future Mrs. Lauren Baer

Today marks a year to the most wonderful day of my life thus far. Last year on this date ryan proposed to me. I cant believe it has already been a year. When we originally got engaged I was not happy that I would have to wait a long time before the wedding planning even began, let alone a long time before we got married. Looking back now I would recommend it to any couple to wait. We have really had the opportunity to enjoy our engagement before the planning starts and becomes a little hectic. After a year of waiting in a few weeks we will begin our wedding planning and I couldnt be more excited! Ryan is my best friend and I could never imagine my life with out him. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and over the past six years are relationship and love grows to levels I never even knew possible. I cannot wait to call myself his wife and to officially be a Baer.Our life is so blessed right now and I know we will only continue to find more blessings in our future.