Better Together Forever

The greatest thing to remember in this life is the people who are in your life. Whether they've been there for 19+ years,  you just met them yesterday or just see them once at the grocery store.  People are constantly changing people, leaving a mark or impact in one another's lives and sometimes we just don't see it. Sometimes we see the world only through our eyes and think if we're not getting or receiving what the world is giving us then something is wrong with this world. Growing up in a christian home that for as long as I could remember we were constantly told to be in the world but not of it, or to treat someone like they were a hundred dollar, treat them like they were of value. But after my brother Preston accidentally throw a hundred dollar in the fire I realized that not everyone sees it like that. Not everyone is going to see a kid being bully as someone they value. Some people just throw away dollars and so it may not apply to everyone. People have more value than the things we think we need. We need each other. We need people to shape and change us for the better and even for the worst.  We're better together loving each other.

Cinderella Retold (My version)

We all know and love the story of Cinderella. But Sadly it wasn’t really what really happened. I mean the version was written by some person who heard it told so many different ways that he probably decided to come up with his own. But let’s not lead you astray from the real story of a young girl named Ella. So get all settled and comfortable because this story is anything but comfortable.

Ella, Unsure of her last name was dearly loved by her parents. Her mom was well known in the small town they lived in. She was kind, fair and of course beautiful. Ella was her prize and joy, for she was 3 times her mom’s beauty so her mom always wanted to show her off. But she would always remind Ella that “Beauty has nothing to do with looks, it has everything to do with who you are as a person and how you make others feel about themselves.” She hoped that teaching Ella to be kind to others and helping others and not worrying only about herself, she would be make the world a better place. Everyone loved Brielle for she possessed everything a good queen possessed and more though she was the wife of an apothecary. She also was an amazing seamstress/dressmaker. The royal family would often order new attire from her as no one’s gowns were as exquisitely beautifully made as hers. Ella loved watching her mom create gowns. When she turned 6 her mom started teaching her the basic hemming and stitching. By the time she was 10 Ella made her first gown for her doll Agatha who was her most treasured doll. She lived such a happy carefree life. Her parents adored her as well as the villagers. It seemed like nothing could ruin her happiness or steal her joy.

But her happiness was short lived. On her 12th birthday her mother heard of a family who didn’t have much as they had just moved and their father had just died a few months prior to their move. So she loaded a basket full of goodies and took it to the family. She never returned. No one knew what happened and when Ella and her father discovered her disappearance they went to the family. But the family was gone. No sign of any family living there. The search for Brielle went on for weeks until they gave up and assumed she was truly gone. Ella saw the joy in her father’s eyes disappear but he never let his love for her disappear.

A month before her 13^h birthday her father traveled two towns over on a business matter as he had sold his store and took up merchant trips to avoid being home in the house he built and lived with Brielle. He left her in the care of the new store owner who used to be an apprentice under him. He was gone for a month and when he came back he was not alone. He had married a widow who was strikingly beautiful but jealousy and hatred took over creating an evil stepmother. Her daughters Carissa and Evian weren’t ugly or stupid they just allow what their mom say about them affect them negatively and therefore created something in them that wasn’t them but they believed it was them.

Ella as much as she had a father and loved him dearly his trips became longer and longer where he was gone for months on end leaving her to be poorly treated by her new step family. Before he was off on his travels he would ask each girl what they wanted him to bring back. Her step sisters would always ask for clothing of the latest fashion or jewelry while Ella always said the first thing that reminded her father of his daughter. He left for 4 months and when the 4 months were over and he was due home Ella would sit by the window in the sitting room looking out for the first glance of her father. But a day went by and he never returned, a week, two weeks and there was no sign of her father. Word came to them that his ship was attacked by pirates who never left any prisoners alive. She wept for her father for many weeks on end.

Because her father had been providing them with a daily income from his travel and her stepmother had no talents to support them they soon became lacking in money. When she noticed how skilled Ella became in sewing she forced Ella to make her and her daughters dresses which they would parade through town. People would notice and ask about the dresses. To which they created would force her to create dresses to support them. On top of that they forced her to clean their messes and cook for them.

As badly as she was treated Ella remembered her mother’s words “Beauty has nothing to do with looks, it has everything to do with who you are as a person and how you make others feel about themselves. Kill them with kindness and in return you’ll feel unspeakable joy arising.” As much as that didn’t make sense at the time, she knew her mother was trying to tell her that always be kind to others for in doing so you’ll always find joy. She found joy in creating her dresses they made her feel close to her mother. They used to spend hours sitting, sewing and talking. She dearly missed that but felt comforted by creating dresses.

George was a spoiled Prince who had everything handed to him. As he grew older he got tired of the spoiling and the pampering as they never let him do what he really wanted to do. They kept him indoors or in the garden. He was never allowed to go into the village and mingle with the villagers until he was prepping to take over the throne. By then he was allowed to go once a month and he had to have soldiers protecting him at all times during the village visits. One day he couldn’t stand it no more and he snuck out while everyone in the castle was asleep. He wondered past the village into the woods to just breathe and collect his thoughts. This became a routine of his.

Ella was just yelled at and slapped for being late for prepping the evening meal because she was dilly dallying on her chores. She tried holding back the tears. When they had eaten and had gone to bed she ran out of the house away from the village finding herself in the woods. Where there she wept like she had never wept before. She couldn’t take it any longer, life was so difficult, no matter how hard she tried nothing was perfect in her stepmother’s eyes. She missed her mother, missed her dad, her friends everything that once was perfect and happy.

George heard a sound...it sounded like crying...But no one was ever in the woods at this time of night. Curiosity got ahold of him and he found himself falling the sound to where it lead him to a girl sitting on a log crying. He hated tears, his little sisters were always in tears being reprimanded by their father being told that tears made them feel week. But seeing as she was weeping and beautiful he would admit, he was moved by her tears. He walked up to her and asked if she was alright.

Ella through her tears couldn’t believe how stupid this random stranger was by asking if she was alright when she was certain he heard her crying. She wiped her tears with hem of her skirt and told him she was alright and cringed when she lied, there was rarely a time she lied to someone less a stranger. It made her start crying and an hour later she realized that she had told a complete stranger her entire life story. It must have been an emotional night for him as well for he told her how awful it was being pampered and not allowed having real friends or going anywhere. How he wished sometimes he wasn’t a prince. Ella was shocked to find out she was talking to the prince, the prince her stepsisters mentioned always wanting to me and one day marry. The same prince her stepmom had been prepping her daughters to impressed in hopes that he might love (though she knew nothing of love) and marry her instead of a princess, duchess or a lady of the royal court.

As George was listening he realized how lucky he had it to live in a castle and be waited on hands and feet. For this poor girl lost both of her parents and was being treated as a slave in her own home. It then got him an idea, it was getting close to his birthday and he thought it was a wonderful idea to invite the entire kingdom to attend his celebration. He was about to express his birthday idea when he noticed she was gone, without a goodbye.

Ella noticed it was getting light and knew she couldn’t be late to start on her chores, if she was behind on chores she would be late in waking up her step family and knew her stepmother didn’t like to be awoken late. The rest of the day went on as usually. Being yelled constantly for little mistakes or things that didn’t met her stepmother’s approval. The next day when she went to get the mail she saw an invitation from the palace. She gave the invitation to her stepmother and stayed in the room while she opened knowing she might get in trouble but wanted to hear what it was about. The prince was having a birthday celebration in honor of him turning 18 and everyone was required to take a day off work and attend. Ella knew that she was going to have extra work making new gowns and suits for the ball that even if she wanted to take the day off to attend it was quite impossible. Her stepmother was thinking the same thing except of easing her burden added to it.

On the day of the celebration Ella was too exhausted to want to attend. She had sewn 34 dresses, 23 suits 46 skirts and practically redid her step family’s wardrobe. She was happy that she didn’t have to do any chores the day of the celebration but knew if they didn’t get done today her stepmother would find someway to add more chores tomorrow. So she did her chores and extra. She watched her step family ride off in the carriage the palace provided for them before heading to bed.

She awoken the next morning to screams in the house followed by her name being yelled. She got up and found her step sisters standing on top of the table and her step mother sweeping at something? She saw something furry skitter past them and towards her. It was a mouse, their cat was nowhere to be found. She decided she was going to let them deal with that and got breakfast ready knowing they never were mad when stuffing their face. Her stepsister at breakfast talked about the prince’s birthday and how the prince disappeared the entire evening but they danced with 2 dukes so they barely noticed his disappearance.

three year later

She went out to get the mail and once again there was an invitation from the palace. Inviting all eligible lady to a ball in the prince’s honor, there had been 8 balls, celebration in the prince’s honor all of which he was always missing. But this one was different. This one the prince was to find a wife for he was to be crown king 3 months later. Ella had never attended any of the balls as she was too exhausted from sewing new dresses and suits for them all.

As she watched her step family get in the carriages to leave she felt really sad. Sad enough that tears were running down her face. She ran into the woods to the place where she had first met the prince and cried. Cried so much she didn’t see her fairy godmother appear but got startled by her instead. When she asked what was matter she told her how she wish she could go to the ball but she hadn’t had time or energy to make herself a dress. Her fairy godmother told her that she was here to make her dreams come true. First had her gather the biggest berry she could find and turned it into the most beautiful coach Ella had ever seen. After Ella gathered field mice, deer, porcupine and watched them all transform into a coachmen driver and footman. Then her stepmother gave her a cup and told her to drink it. It gave her the energy she needed to dance. She then transformed Ella’s outfit to a dress that made the queen jealous of. And with a pat on her head and telling her not to stay past midnight for when it strikes 12 everything would be just as it was before and sent her off to the palace.

She arrived at the palace and hurried into the ballroom. Every head turned and all eyes seemed to be on her as she walked down the stairs onto the dance floor. She couldn’t understand why they were all staring at her. Her step family looked as if as they had never seen her before as well as everyone she ever made

“Who was this girl?” George didn’t think he had ever seen her around. He walked down from his throne to ask her to dance with him but she was already being asked by another gentleman. He watched as she was being asked by almost all the eligible gentlemen. He was determine to dance with her, so when he saw she was standing by talking he went and asked her to dance. Oh he could have danced the rest of the night away with her. But he wanted to just spend time with her and get to know her. So he asked if she wanted to walk in his garden with him

The prince was enchanting. He was more wonderful than the night they talked 3 years ago. His heart was caring, pure and everything her mother had taught her. She wished she could spend all evening talking to him but she knew that the clock would soon strike midnight and this wonderful evening would be just a memory she would hold close to her heart. And just like that the clock started ringing to signal it was close to midnight..She looked at the prince and told him she had to leave and she took off running. She could hear him calling for her to come back. She could hear him running after her. As she ran down the steps she misplace a step causing her to lose a shoe. She couldn’t turn back and grab it as the clock was ticking. So she ran to her carriage, where her carriage took her back to her home. Arriving safely and before her step family. She climb into bed hoping when she woke up again this all wouldn’t be a dream.

Back at the ball while the guests were still dancing and chatting far into the night. George approached his father and told him of his wonder evening, though he knew his dad wanted him to pick his bride right then and there, George had picked his bride years ago and had a feeling in his gut that the girl he danced with was the same girl he had met in the woods. So when his father asked if he had picked a bride George told him that she had gotten away and left behind only a small glass slipper. George told his father that he would marry the girl that the glass slipper fit.

Ella was surprised when her step family let her sleep in. When she arose she was shocked to see the sun was shining brightly as if it was mid morning. Her step family though they didn’t wake her were in a tizzy. Word got out that the prince had chosen his bride. The mysterious girl from the ball and the royal shoe fitter was coming to every lady in the kingdom to have all the ladies try on this glass slipper. Ella was pretty excited hearing about this. She thought that she was dreaming. She went on with her day making it as normal as it was after all the others balls had been. She was coming back from town when she saw the royal carriage that brought the royal shoe fitter in. Her younger stepsister had just tried fitting it on when she walked in the room. Her step mother tried blocking so that she couldn’t after the shoe could fit her younger stepsister but correction from the royal guard stopped her.

She sat down in the chair that her step sisters had been sitting on. Looked at the glass slipper wondering how it hadn’t turn into her regular shoes as her other had. But then remember that both of her shoes showed up. Believing it was her fairy god mother’s last chance at helping her she put her fit in the slipper where it slide in as if it was made for her.

The whole room was silent and speechless, well mostly her step family. In a flash she was being led out of the only place she knew and into the carriage that lead them towards the castle. All while her step family stood there still gaping and speechless.

George was pacing the floor of the throne room anxiously hoping that the shoe fitting wasn’t a stupid idea and didn’t bring back a pretty girl. When the royal announcer announced that they found the girl that fit the shoe George was excited but stayed in his spot waiting. When he saw Ella he knew she was the girl he danced with at the ball and when she spoke knew she was the girl from the woods.

Well you could say that they lived happily ever after. Ella as much as her life changed didn’t want too much of her life to change. She felt compassion on her step family and had her step sisters married richly and taught her stepmother the fine trade of sewing. She wouldn’t allow any of her servants or step mother make her clothes for sewing made her feel close to her mom. Oh were you wondering if her parents ever died? Well turns out that her parents didn’t die. Her mom when she helped that family she fell ill after catching the sickness they had. Was left to die because the family all died except for one child. Someone discovered them and since they were both at the point of death couldn’t remember anything from their past lives. Her father heard that his wife was alive and not wanting to get Ella's hopes up went in searching for his wife as while filing divorce papers from her step mother. His ship got lost at sea but he survived and found his way onto this island where no one spoke his language. Took him 4 years to learn the language and by then he had lost hope of being reunited with his family. But something kept him going. Ella’s faith that her parents were still with her. They were reunited and though Ella tried talking them into living in the castle with George and her they declined and went to live in the cottage house. Ella was finally happy again.

Outstanding with passion

"A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but because of its persistence." -Unknown

Petra-Means rock.She's a steady rock. Rocks were things she used to collect when she was younger, I never understood why she would just have a pile of the same looking rocks sitting on her shelf. When I asked her why she was collecting rocks she responded "My name means rock so I have to like a rock." She's always been a strange person but you love her strangeness. She can make you laugh when you don't know why you're laughing. She can make life feel like a big show that is always entertaining with tons of laughs that keep you laughing for days. A great conversationalist who no matter doesn't understand or follows what you're saying cares enough to keep listening.She's a motivator and encourager. Has a strong desire to see the young generation following the Lord.

From such a small age she has had a big heart, I think sometimes she may have a bigger heart than the rest of us but each of my siblings heart is big in different ways. If you don't know Petra you're missing out on a gem of a person.

May Holiday

May 1-National Foster Care Day 
May 2- National Truffle Day
May 3-National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4-National Star Wars Day
May 5-Cinco de Mayo
May 6-National Nurses Day
May 7-National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8-National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 9-National Sleepover Day
May 10- National Shrimp Day
May 11-National Eat What You Want Day
May 12-National Babysitter’s Day 
May 13-Mother’s Day
May 14-National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 15-National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16- National Piercing Day
May 17-National Pack Rat Day
May 18-National Visit Your Relatives Day
May 19-National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20-National Rescue Dog Day
May 21- National Strawberries and Cream Day
May 22-National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23-National Taffy Day
May 24-National Scavenger Hunt Day
May 25-National Wine Day
May 26-National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 27-National Grape Popsicle Day
May 28-National Hamburger Day
May 29-National Paperclip Day
May 30-National Water a Flower Day
May 31-National Macaroon Day

Dear Old You

Have you ever read what you wrote about yourself a few years ago? I found this letter my miserable 15 year old self wrote about how much I hated living where I lived at the time. And when I got the opportunity to when I was old enough to move, move to someplace I have always wanted to move to. And how much I shouldn't let others affect what I think, say or do. Almost 7 years later I'm still living in what I thought was a miserable town, I'm leaving soon for a few months abroad but I think this is my place I'm calling home. I have let people's options and view affect what I think, say and do and though it's taking some time, I'm slowly discovering who I am and life. I've let so much of my unknown past affect who I was and create me into something that I am not proud to be. It's funny how I tried giving myself advice even if it seemed like the worse advice to give. There's this quote that says "Be the person you needed when you were younger." I think it's a little too late for that.

Dear Old You
First of all your advice suck even though I'm not doing a good job following it. Though you may have had good intention of keeping me from failing and not succeeding but I have and did anyways so it was in vain. But I'm not sure that would have made me who I am today. I'm me because of failures and mistakes I've made so much in the past and will continue doing because I'm human. I miss up more than you'll ever know. Secondly thanks for trying to keep me from failing and not succeeding. As a messed up hurting person you were, I'm not that person today and I thank you for that. Third..One and Two are enough

-Me 7 years later

Moments like these

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." -Unknown

Happiness lies in many people. Many have happiness just bubbling inside them that those around them are able to share in some of that happiness. To me Molly is happiness. God's Happiness. A picture of him smiling. Not many people make me think of that as I do when I'm around Molly. My grandma Burkey would call her a "ray of sunshine." I would call her Sprinkle to the perfect cupcake.. She is one of the chill, easy going type of person who loves one on one time conversations. Spending quality time with her always feels special. Laughter is like medicine, it's contagious and it spreads like wildfire. As well as her hugs, I don't enjoy hugs but her hugs are what you can imagine what God's hugs are like. Warm,inviting and safe. Adventuring with her one of the best times. Special and exciting mixed with a little surprise.

Not many people you find that is able to love you with a intense, everlasting, deep love and that's pretty much how Molly loves on her people. Because she's God's happiness she's also a example of his never-ending, everlasting, unspeakable love for his children.