Women's Suffrage

Today is the 90th anniversary of the right to vote for American women. That's right! Women have been able to vote in the US for fewer than 100 years! This date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote.

What does that right mean to you?

Thanks to our freedom-fighting sisters!

Thanks to the women and men who fought for our rights!! May the names of these amazing people be honored in history forever. I am grateful for these rights every day.

Thanks Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Alice Paul, and all the suffragettes for all they went through to get American women the right to vote.

Thanks for getting us the right to vote despite the ridicule, jeers, and abuse you took.

Every time I vote, I am reminded how grateful I am to the women before me who fought for my right to vote.

I don't take for granted my right to vote, or abiliity to run for office, or the women who went through horrible things for this right of mine today.

It has only been a little over 30 years since job ads placed in newspapers were written under "male/female" headings, and women were not allowed to be police officers or fire fighters.

We owe it to ourselves and to our trail-blazing foremothers to learn where we can still let our voices be heard!

Happy Three-Month Birthday, Baby Joy

Three months old -- such a milestone

-- for the baby

 -- and for the baby's parents!! 

She IS pure Joy =)

The GuinnDaviVargas used to be referred to as the six-em.

And now we are seven -- seven interlocking "circles of life."

Upon arrival of the wall art, it appears there are eight circles?

We decided to keep the piece.

We look at it as "and one to grow on!"

Joy and I (with Piper's approval) are embracing the flower power =)

They were here to mark the half-way point of my infusions.

What a treat!!!

Holding Hands

And Christ said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 18:3

My "new awareness" brings me back to this verse over and over again.  The thought of becoming child-like is challenging, and yet, He says He is telling us the truth.  He cannot lie. Can we really abandon our fears, trust in Him so that we are totally dependent on Him, and therefore enter into the Kingdom?

Things I would like to remember:

• Holding hands
• Continuing to try to wear highheels
• Pridefulness
• Diagnostic testing -- diagnosis is a mystery
• Unknowingly walking out of one of my flat shoes and discovering it later down the aisle
• Falling down
• Getting up
• Defying Gravity
• Holding hands
• Diagnostic testing -- diagnosis is a mystery
• Appreciating the buckle on mary jane shoes
• Learning to walk with a "balancing stick"
• Obtaining a parking placard
• Humbling
• Holding Hands
• Finding out Trey and Julee are expecting a baby
• Hope and encouragement
• Diagnostic testing -- diagnosis is a mystery
• Holding hands
• Toll on family and friends
• Sobbing
• Prayers
• Enchanted Rocks
• Holding hands
• Trip to MS
• Sarah and Josef graduating from college
• Hope and encourgement
• Diagnostic testing -- diagnosis is a mystery
• Total frustration
• Holding hands
• Baby Joy is born healthy and happy
• Hope and encouragement
• Trip to the renowned Mayo Clinic 
• Finally a diagnosis (CISP)
• Treatment plan
• Weekly IV Therapy Infusions
• Physical Therapy -- safety techniques
• Sincerely appreciating everyone and everything
• New awareness growing even stronger
• Winds of Change
• Holding hands
• Dancing Through Life

We hold onto our parent's hand when we are children.  We hold hands with our best friend in kindergarten.  We hold our spouse's hand often while we are courting.  We hold onto our own children's hands when they are little. These days, I seem to be holding hands with anyone who is willing -- it helps support me and gives me tremendous steadiness.  And it is delightful to discover that while holding hands, I am learning to be more child-like.  If you are open to it, then I invite you to explore the wonder of holding hands with somebody!

Can We Talk

This is not an easy post for me to make.
When I was growing up, I was taught to always be aware of my surroundings and what position I may be putting myself in.....and to remind myself to check and see if this is where Christ would like to find me upon His return. I definitely would not like for Him to find me complaining.  Actually, I am trying to be totally open to you in an attempt to help someone else, if possible. And, eventually, I would like to look back on this adversity someday and have total recall of His faithfulness.
One very good thing: I find myself at the half-way point of my IV Therapy Infusions.  Whenever I feel discouraged that I am not seeing enough measurable progress, they remind me that the Infusions are working at the cellular level! However, an adverse reaction to the IV Therapy Infusions I am continuing to experience is awful headaches that unfortunately have steadily increased.  They no longer go away with a couple of tylenol.  The doctor has prescribed 800 mg of ibuprofen.  Somedays when I get home from work, my feet feel like marshmallows.  And while the marshmallow is a key ingredient for making tasty s'mores, it does not make for easy transporting through one's normal daily activities.
Continuously striving to maintain a positive attitude is the goal.  I am sure that you will agree with me, whenever we look around it is easy to count our blessings :)

Are You Still Working

A dear friend recently emailed me and asked  "Are you still working?"

So, of course, I immediately replied that yes, I am.

With all that's going on, I am SO happy to be able to say

that I am still working full time with the

Edwards Aquifer Authority,

where I have been working for many years.

Praise the Lord!!!

I have the opportunity to work with

some of the brightest and creative minds;

 some of the most clever and witty people

that I have ever known.

In many ways, they have lived the past year and half with me

 up close and personal.

They noticed symptoms and expressed concern

even while I was still in denial.

As a matter of fact, they "work" around me,

and never give me any grief about time out of the office.

They continue to offer me assistance daily.

I am truly blessed to be surrounded

by such an incredible, supporting group of people.

Then it hit me ............the question that was originally asked

...AND now I encourage you to ponder...

"Are you still working?"