"Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow." 

  ~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

I am thankful to be the person that I am today and for  the opportunity to better myself tomorrow.

 

 

It's the moment when you recognize that you are more than the moment. You are bigger and stronger than any challenge that life could ever throw at you.  Today I am thankful for challenges that make me stronger.  Things have definitely been challenging for us lately and I have to remind myself that it's those times when things are uncomfortable or hurt that we are about to grow.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
                                      from the Guinto's

When you count your blessings it adds up to thankfulness.

 

Today was one of my favorite days of the year.  Every year I serve Thanksgiving dinner to Las Vegas homeless Vets at the Elk's Lodge.  It's truly remarkable to see how appreciative and thankful  the Vets are for our food and service.  All the while, we should be the one's thanking them.  It humbles me to see that they have so little or nothing yet are so grateful.

Lessons to be learned from today:  the little things and the little moments...aren't so little. Less really can be more.  Too often we struggle with the complexities in life and avoid the simplicities.  Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Thank you Las Vegas Vets for your gratitude and to the Elk's lodge for allowing me to participate every year. 

Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires. 

~ Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching 

 

Today I am thankful that Kadence's hair is starting to grow

                          I can't wait to put it up in pigtails!

Things we can learn from a dog

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something your not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when  a simple growl will do.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you are scolded, don't give into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

..............................................................

I am thankful for the two greatest dogs on earth that help make our house feel like a home.

Riley Jo 7yrs, chocolate Lab and Lexie Rae 5yrs, yellow Lab

Let me introduce you to the joy in our life.....

Kadence Shiree....Thank you for making us smile.  You bring such joy and laughter to our lives.  You make us better people, parents.

We Love You!!!!

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." ~Seneca

Thank you to the random lady in front of us in the Starbucks drive thru who bought our coffee this morning!! 



 

Well...

We did four days of Potty training and have decided to hang the potty up for a while.  Kadence learned a lot and so did I.  She knows what she needs to do but just doesn't want to do it.  And, why would she do it herself when it's so easy to have mommy and daddy do it for her?  I am thankful Kady had  no mess too messy for me to clean!   Stay tuned for round two.

Next month...

HAPPY VETERANS DAY 

to my hero....

My Husband!

Dominic Guinto USMC

Marlon, Tom, Dominic

I love you and am proud of all your accomplishments!

Thank you for all you do...your dedication, love and support for our family.

Out of Darkness

A girlfriend and I participated in the Out of Darkness charity walk for suicide prevention and awareness Sunday.  It was a very emotional and touching day for me.  My brother lost his best friend two years ago to suicide and one of my dearest friends lost her brother this past March to suicide.  It seemed fitting that I help support this cause.  So we walked in honor of my brother's best friend Jeremy and my best friend's brother Ramon.  May they both Rest in Peace.

The opportunity and ability to  participate in events such as this, to help make a difference in a persons life is a privilege not a duty and for that I am thankful.  

"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." ~Maya Angelou

While there, one mother shared a very disturbing story with us about her daughter Suzy who had committed suicide 6yrs ago in college at the tender age of nineteen.  

Long story short.....

Suzy had turned to an online suicide group disguised as a chat room which helped her end her life not save it.  This one predator in particular befriended Suzy, became a surrogate father to her in a way and told her the only way out of her depression was to kill herself.  He then proceeded to teach her how to write and send a suicide note so it wouldn't be received too promptly therefore avoiding any interruption of her ending her life.  He also told her how to obtain cyanide and what the lethal dose would be...this is how her life ended.  You'll be amazed to know that Suzy's predator has had 32 "success" stories, a 17yr old child at the time of Suzy's death and will not pay for anything he has done because he is protected by "freedom of speech."  

Suzy's parents are now trying to pass Suzy's Law H.R. 853 making it a crime to use the internet to assist people in committing suicide.   To read more on the life of Suzy and join the thousands helping make this bill a law please visit:    

www.suzyslaw.com

My favorite part of the day is....

when Kadence and I first wake up in the morning. We spend an hour laying in bed snuggling, hugging and kissing.  I am thankful for the gift of time and this time that I get to spend with her.

I love my bug!!

As I sit here messing around with my blog trying to figure out how exactly to work this site making a more creative and pretty looking blog page, I am overcome with an extreme sense of gratitude. Watching Kadence play in the living room, feeling Zoe kick away inside my tummy, waiting for my honey to come home and listening to the two best dogs in the world snore at my feet are just a few of the reasons why I am so grateful. I feel blessed that Dominic has been able to provide for us in a way that allows me to stay home with our daughter. I could NEVER thank him enough. Sometimes it's easy to get distracted with doing other things. An adult can only sing their ABC's, watch Elmo or play with baby dolls so much in a day. It's my promise to my husband, myself and our daughter's not to take for granted what I've been given or this opportunity to spend every waking hour of the day with them. Thank you God for this wonderful life you have given me!!

Now...I could only be more grateful if I could figure out what to make for dinner!

Fall is my all time favorite time of year.  I love every thing about it.  Breathing the crisp air, watching the leaves change color, lighting a warm fire, smelling the lit candles, snuggling under a warm blanket, spending time with friends and family, eating Turkey, putting up the Christmas tree, giving gifts, the fact that I don't have to worry about swimsuit season for another 6 months!  The list could go on and on.  This time of year always seems incomplete for me without taking a moment of reflection or several.  This month I'd like to share all aspects of my life that I am thankful for as I blog for there are many of them.

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!"  ~Amanda Bradley

Halloween was a blast!! The weekend started off with Dom's 40th very merry un-birthday party Friday night. It was a mad hatter themed party and every one dressed up in Alice in Wonderland costumes. Of course he was the Mad Hatter himself and I, the Queen of Hearts. We sure had a lot of fun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOMINIC

Saturday night we took Kadence out trick or treating for the first time. Getting out of the house was a little bit challenging but once we were out, we had a blast. Her exact words for "trick or treat" were "tricky B" She is still saying it today...too cute.