Go Blue For Autism!

To kick off Autism Awareness Month, April 1st and 2nd is designated as Light it Up Blue days to raise.  Prominent buildings across the world will turn their lights blue to help raise awareness for autism and to commemorate the 4th Annual World Autism Day on April 2nd. 

Supporters are asked to wear blue and encourage others to do the same or light your house up blue by putting a blue light bulb in an outdoor fixture.  Most importantly, raise awareness for Autism online or spread the word about Light it Blue and what it stands for.

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex brain development disorders.  It's estimated that 1 in every 110 children are diagnosed with autism - making autism more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

I have a very special 10 year old in my life - who is, also, autistic.  He is one of the most strong-willed, energetic and loving person that I know. I'm willing to support anything to make life a little easier for him and advance research in autism.


Please take the time to spread the word this month and Light It Up Blue on Friday and Saturday for Autism!!!


Be Blessed Divas and be a blessing to others!!!

Did you know ...

• Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade
• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter

• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter

• No babbling by 12 months

• No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months

• No words by 16 months

• No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months

• Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age

It's Not About You

I stumbled across a book given to me years ago and one you may be familiar with, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  As I read the first paragraph, I had an AH-HA moment:

"It’s not about you.
The purpose of your life is far greater than
your own personal fulfillment, your peace of
mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater
than your family, your career, or even your
wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to
know why you were placed on this planet, you
must begin with God. You were born by his
purpose and for his purpose."

My regular readers will know that I focus quite a bit on knowing and working within one's purpose.  Life is so much more fulfilling and meaningful when you accomplish things that truly mean something to you and those around you - but even more importantly that are within the plan that God has for you and your life!!!"

One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11  - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I truly believe God has awesome plans in store for each of us - as long as we walk within his will.  He does, however, give us free will to choose to follow his path or not to.  Some of us may stray and take many, many, many detours along the way; some of us may stay on that path from start to finish; some of us may decide to go an entirely different route all together - whatever choice is made, it is ours to make and ours to reap the consequences for.

When focusing on our purpose in life and what we want to accomplish, it is essential to start and end the thought process by focusing on what God has planned for us.  Leaving Him out of the equation just leads to lots of unnecessary work and frustration.

Be Blessed Divas and remember to be a blessing to others!!!

Birthing Pains

I walked into an interesting conversation this morning in our break room. We have two ladies who are pregnant with their first child and they were discussing how much pain they may endure during child birth with a group of other ladies. One of the ladies mentioned that yes there was pain but that as soon as you held your baby you forgot about it all.


Ummmm….I don’t know about that!!! I don’t know what other women’s experiences were but I recall the pain very vividly at times! Especially from my 3 year old…that was the worst pain I’d ever experienced in my life – even with an epidural.

True, once the labor and delivery was over and I held my little bundle of joy the memories of the pain moved to the back of my mind. However, there are some days when that little three-year-old toddler terror is running around and it all comes rushing back…and I just want to shake him :0)

Pain is not always a bad thing.

Pain can often be a warning to a much bigger problem and allows us to get the necessary medical attention before it evolves into something scarier.

Often to get a blessing, you have to experience some pain – whether it is physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually or financially.

As you walk in your purpose and begin to “birth” a new idea, there will be some birthing pains. You may lose some friends and loved ones along the way. You may have to go back to the drawing board quite a few times. You may encounter financial disappointments. However, if you keep pressing and continue to labor you can and will succeed.

Oh, the joys of sweet success! Especially success that you’ve put your time, effort, sweat and tears into. The things that I have worked the hardest for and faced the most adversity while achieving, I treasure and value much more:

My marriage. Oh my wow!!! This diva and her partner have been through some things. But at the end of it all, I value what my husband and I have gone through because it makes our bond so much stronger. My husband is truly my best friend. Yes, he still drives me insane sometimes (okay, most of the time…LOL) but I’m pretty sure I do the same to him just as much if not more. We both made a vow that we were in this marriage through the end and we’ve worked at it. Have there been times when one of us were ready to walk away? Heck yeah! But we were always there to remind one another of the vows we made to one another before we said “I do”.

My children. They are still “babies” really, so I’m sure there are still some stormy days ahead of me. I had a nasty and extremely long custody battle for my oldest son. It wore me down physically, spiritually and financially. There were days when I just wanted to say forget it and reconcile with his father because it was “easier”. However, I knew that was not the situation that God wanted me and had an awesome support system that helped me keep pushing it through. Yeah, it took close to 4 years, but in the end the best decision was made for my child and I was free of a controlling and manipulative relationship.

My non-profit. This is my current struggle. This is my passion and my purpose all rolled up into one. Finding the right people for the right positions is definitely a struggle and being able to dedicate the time and energy necessary to getting it up and running is taxing. My family and current job take priority, but I have pledged to be up and running in 2011.

Be blessed, Divas! Let go of the hurts and disappointments of your past. Release yourself from the hold they may have over you. Learn from them, grow from them and bless others along the way!

Sources of Inspiration

What gives you inspiration? What influences your actions and your beliefs? What produces a strong sense of feeling or thought in your world?

For me, it's a few things:

My faith:Hands down if it wasn't for my faith and belief in God, I would have probably gone in insane years ago.  I realized a long time ago that there truly is truth in the saying "God won't put more on you that you can bare" and that many of us do not know our true strengths.  It's been in the midst of spiritual storms that I have grown closer to God and my family.  I've learned who my true friends were and when it was time to let some people and things go.  I've been humbled and reminded what truly matters in my life.


My mother: As often the case, it took me becoming a mother to realize just how wonderful my mom was and how many sacrifices she'd made over the years (and still continues to make even though her children are all "grown") for us. My teenage years were special to say the least and we grew very far apart, but the birth of my oldest son established a common bond between us and forever changed the dynamics of our relationship.  My mom has a sweet spirit that just calms you. She believes in the power of fasting and praying and often will call me up out of the blue to say a word of prayer for me (and it's always the right time!).  I've often said if I am just a fraction of the woman that my mother then I will still be one awesome diva!!!

My children: My boys are so different and yet so similar.  They each bring something different to our family dynamics and I could not imagine my world without them.  I "grew up" with my oldest son having him at 21.  He brought some serious reality checks to my life.  He has a nurturing spirit that is evident in the way he dotes after his little brother and those close to him.  My youngest son is full of energy, life and laughter.  The two of them keep me in check and remind me that my daily walk is shaping the legacy that I will leave for them and their families.

So, let's hear it Divas? Who or what inspires you?

Have a blessed day, Divas, and be a blessing to others - you never know who you are inspiring with your daily walk!

Slacker Mode :0)

My body has officially put itself on a much-needed.  I looked over my calendar for this year and I have literally been on the go every weekend since the first of the year.  It's been a roller coaster of emotions from a death in the family to celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and old friendships.  At the beginning of the year, I decided to focus on gratitude and while it has been hard at times, focusing on what I have to be thankful for has really helped to keep things in perspective and my attitude in check.

I'm thankful for the blogger friends I've made that have checked in on me while I've been on this hiatus...message received loud and clear: TIME TO GET MY BUTT IN MOTION :0) You all are the absolute best!!!

Have a wonderful and blessed day, Divas! I hope your weather is as wonderful as mine is today.  Enjoy your family and friends and continue to make happy memories :0)