2:00 reflections - taken for what it is

Ah, those middle of the night, can't sleep, not much else to do, gonna' regret this all day tomorrow, kind of nights!! Having one right now.  Not sure if the brain work is more on target or completely off the wall, but it's sure working overtime!

I know I'm not alone in the "feeling completely overwhelmed" category.  Nothing major on any level, nothing in my life to complain about, but all of these little things that are starting to feel like a mountain - afraid that I am really going to snap at the next person who throws another meeting or request my way!

Without going into any details (in case the day brain actually does regret the night brain's thinking!) I'm looking for solutions.  Categories-

*celebrate life party
*company
*behavior
*cleaning
*organizing
*teaching control
*love bombs
*health
*connections
*SH future
*reading
*subjects
*fun
*trip
*trip #2
*sleep
*money
*mystery worry #1
*mystery worry #2, 3 and 4.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

...and the strength to do it with grace and thoughtfulness.

- tackle one objective to be able to cross it off...
- make a list... again, cross it off.  For me, the visual is empowering, plus I accomplish more.

I frequently hear, "I don't know how you do it all."  Well, here's the secret - I don't.  And at times, I find it all completely overwhelming!  I want to do it all.  I love every smidget of it.  But I don't do it alone.  I think that's why I stumble though.  I need a lot of help and support to keep this wonderful mission moving forward.  I understand the busyness of others, I understand others' priorities are different, I understand my own obsession is probably extreme.  I also understand the importance of this mission. I understand that lives are being affected by what we do, not just for the moment, but beyond.  I understand the ripple effect.  I understand that this mission is much larger than me, that this really is something God has put on me.  I also understand that I need to trust God to handle all of this; I don't have to control everything.... That one just came to me.  Finding peace through reflection.


None of this is meant to be a reflection on any of you.  I am the one searching my soul, finding my way, exploring my heart.  I completely recognize the wonderful ness that surrounds me.  Searching to  lighten my heavy heart.  Too many recent deaths, too long of weeks, too many obligations.  Even breathing time is interrupted these days.  I think I need a special "me" place!

No worries, this too shall pass.  Pity party is turning into a fix-it party.  Have a great day, and find time for yourself.

Welcome, Direction, questions...

It was almost 15 months ago that Sister Hugs was created.  Prior to that, I was trying to figure out how to create my dream space, Nana's Place.  I prayed hard for answers, called the shelter to talk things through, and was still lost...on that fateful, sleepless night, I happened upon a blog that I hadn't seen before, that was talking about this group called The Sisterhood.  They are in New Zealand so I went to this blog and learned more.  I contacted the sweetest angel named Sophie about her group and she answered all of my questions.  I also asked her if she'd mind if I started something similar, but separate here in the states.  She didn't, since we are so far away, and Sister Hugs was born.  We do use their name for our gifts, Love Bombs, because no other name does it justice.  The rest has evolved into what it is today, but our heart will always have a part of the Sisterhood in it.
I do know there is a plan for this, one in which I HOPE can include Nana's Place someday and a location for Sister Hugs.  However, I've learned that this is not my project, it is not even our project, but rather it is His project and we are the tools.  Everyone is so amazing being there for whatever is next.  I hope I am always ready for the next mission. I sometimes feel selfish for all of the perks that have come my way since the birth of SH - so many friends, fun times, rewarding hugs and thanks, tears beyond belief, and my heart has grown 20 sizes since that fateful July.  I do expect to die of an exploding heart someday as the love that I feel everyday is immeasurable.  It is such a blessing to be able to give a little happiness to others -

Fast forward - we are celebrating over 1000 followers on FB and others via email.  Many ask how they can get involved.  There is an address on the FB page if you'd like to donate.  Items that are requested are items from the heart, both hand made and purchased.  Things

that make you smile, give you comfort, provided some pampering.  GC are great as gifts or for us to use to purchase items.  $ donations are used for postage and purchasing specific items to add, such as a willow tree gift for a gold star mom that we wanted to bless.  Prayers are wonderful, comments, support, advice, nominations...publicity...it's all appreciated.

Clearing the brain

I posted a thought on FB about balance, but want to expand on that.  

There are days I want to run off to the mountains and live the life of a hermit.  Leaving societies' conflicts behind sounds so tempting at times.  However, I like to talk too much and would probably go crazy, do something stupid, and be a story in the newspaper on page 3B.  I think all of us struggle with balance of some sort.  Time, family, job, philosophy, morals, children, money, ...time again.  Setting priorities sounds easy enough, but we also like to eat, keep our jobs, and socialize.

I don't have answers, but I do realize none of us can do it all.  Even together, we can't do it all.  I think sometimes I try; the result is a chaotic brain going 20 different directions and accomplishing little.  We do need to lean on each other, count on each other, and be bold enough to fight, or address, those things that can be changed while breathing...breathe in...breathe out...

Feeling frustrated, worried, overwhelmed, but very blessed.  Breathe in...breathe out.

Cancer walk planning

Cupcakes with various cancer tags




Display for finish line- streamers, flowers, pinwheels, PVC pipe.


Warrior wall -

Food - pulled pork/buns/chips/desserts/ drinks

Raffle items

Matching donation


Use colors on noodles - ribbons - decorate with lavender for all cancer.  Shelter - use plastic and 3M hooks - tape.

Mail check and order form to:

Sister Hugs
PO box 155
Panama, NE 68419

Love Bomb #3 - Cassie, TR, and Braxton

I would like to nominate my cousin Cassie. 

4 1/2 years ago, she gave birth to Baby Braxton.  Braxton was born with Gastroschisis.  That is when the intestines are on the outside of the baby's tummy.  The doctors worked to get his bowel back in, but it did not all survive, so they had to cut out the majority of the bowel.

Now he is a "Short Gut" kid.  

He was in UNMC for 8 months before he ever went home.

Over the span of his 4 1/2 year life, he has had 30+ surgeries.  He seems like a vibrant healthy boy - but if you lift his shirt - you know different.  Scars leave their mark everywhere. 

Braxton never got to eat as a baby.  His nourishment has come from TPN (total protein nutrition) that is fed through a Central Line to his heart that delivers the TPN to his body. And if you could see inside his body, you would see a liver that is at stage 4 of liver disease because of the TPN.

He has a G-button that allows Cassie to put a special formula directly into his stomach.  He has in the last year or so been doing Feeding Therapy where he has been working on learning to eat by mouth.  The skill of chewing, pushing food from side to side in his mouth and swallowing are not natural.  Braxton has come leaps and bounds on his eating skills in the last 3 months!!  He has been able to cut way back on time needing to be hooked up to the TPN.  He has to have an intake of 500 calories 5 times a day at this point.  They continue to work towards increasing that week by week.  If he doesn't get enough calories by food, then he has to be hooked up to the TPN more.

Braxton was just "released" from feeding therapy this week!!  

TR is Braxton's daddy.  He has been such a rock for Cassie and Braxton - keeping bills paid and with them as much as possible.  But, because he has had to work all the time, Cassie has had to do most of Braxton's care on her own.  TR also has a country band that on the weekends across the state.

Cassie had gone to school to be a CNA before she got pregnant with Braxton.  Who knew that her schooling would play such a HUGE roll in taking care of her own child!!

They have been through a lot over the years - but they are still so strong! I just am so humbled by Cassie's routine day after day.  But for them, it is their normal.  

Cassie is an amazing mom and TR is an amazing dad!  Braxton is their life (as we can relate).  They hope to have another child some day, but for now B needs Cassie's attention nearly 24/7.  There aren't many others (besides their part time nurse) that could truly manage all his medical needs day in and day out. Cassie is his full time nurse, his feeding therapist, his everything.  No one else knows when and how much and what meds he needs every day.  No one else knows how to measure out his food to determine his calories.  She is an amazing woman and mom!  She continues to believe that God has a purpose and did indeed pick them to be Braxton's parents, even on the days that she is tired or worried, she trusts in His plan.

They still have to make numerous trips to Omaha to UNMC (especially at the first sign of sickness because of B's central line), so I know that gas cards for fuel would be helpful.  They all love country music, and have iPods, so maybe iTunes.  Cassie has taken up knitting and crocheting, so yarn....  They are all country - camouflage, cowboy hats, and bling!  Braxton loves the Cars themed stuff.  He is one little smarty pants... Cassie has done preschool type interacting with him from day one!  I don't think he can actually read yet, but he is so darn close.  So any learning preschool level things would be nice for B.  Huskers or Steelers are their favorite sport teams.  Their house is completely cowboy!

Thank you for considering them for a Love Bomb!

Not sure if you'll be able to read these or not, but here is the article from the Voice.  It's a great article, but I have to clarify two things, which were probably my fault in the first place.  It refers to all of the Sisters as "my volunteers".  I do not look at anyone here as my volunteers, I look at all of us as Sisters looking out for other sisters and brothers.  If you feel like you're a sister, you ARE a sister!  The second item that needs clarified is the label, Love Bomb.  I do not get any credit for that wonderful name, it is from The Sisterhood in NZ.  They started Love Bombing over there, and I asked permission to use the same terminology.  Otherwise, I think everything is pretty accurate and shows a snapshot of what we do!