Spaces we love by Teresa Stephens Harvey! Hanging out at home.
#FlowerMound #Texas #TexasRevamped #TeresaStephensHarvey #HOMEandHearth
Friday, November 21, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Lessons learned along the way...
There are days that are hard. You learn that in life rather quickly. Days you don't feel all that well. Days that you feel kicked before you get up. That is just part of life. Sometimes you are left with the darkness after a thunderstorm without any signs of a rainbow.
If your a caregiver you put those days behind you as quickly as possible because you see first hand that your worst day is a piece of cake to the one you are caring for.
Our family talks about choices a lot. I believe that life is made up of a thousand choices and depending on the ones you make with a whole lot of help from God behind them that regardless of your circumstance, you health or your position in life you can have a good life. You can have a life that makes a difference.
My sweet Holly has terminally ill cancer. The statement itself is like a stone in my heart. However, until a few months ago that seemed to be such an abstract statement. We have an amazing faith, prayer team and support group. Doctors that have kept up with every trick in the tool box to keep this cancer at bay! No one wasn't willing to do what ever physically possible to fight this fight!
However, sometimes, the physical fight isn't enough.
Holly's cancer has advanced. The tumors in her brain have refused to respond to treatment.
Now we have another choice...
Cancer takes away many dreams in life. Holly will never get married, have children, watch her family grow. God gives back in other ways. Holly has spent her time being an awesome Aunt to her nieces and nephews. Holly has spent her extra time volunteering at Children's Hospital rocking babies who are ill. It's amazing to see one dream be answered with NO and have another dream provided.
Holly has had the opportunity to travel, to build amazing and lasting friendships, and to work in a job she enjoys and that challenged her.
I have watched a feisty, funny, beautiful spirit become more so. Holly has never wallowed or let Cancer define her. She has instead chosen to walk with Grace, to look for joy, to seek ways to fill her time and mind with positive things in life. And I am so thankful that I get to share this journey with her.
So, when we sat down for our family meeting recently the heartbreaking reality that sometimes Cancer wins hung heavy in the air. Our kids listened with mixed tears glistening in their eyes as they bravely held them back. My son sat in stoic silence. Several questions from our curious lot finally surfaced...but what did not ever surface is that this was defeat. We may not have our happily ever after this time but we will have our happy. We will find our joy and share our time with Holly in love. We will continue to enjoy our great family and AMAZING friends. Our choice is to lean on faith, to find joy, to look for the best in every day.
Holly's journey
Ways to help Holly
Psalm 41:3
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. (NIV)
If your a caregiver you put those days behind you as quickly as possible because you see first hand that your worst day is a piece of cake to the one you are caring for.
Our family talks about choices a lot. I believe that life is made up of a thousand choices and depending on the ones you make with a whole lot of help from God behind them that regardless of your circumstance, you health or your position in life you can have a good life. You can have a life that makes a difference.
My sweet Holly has terminally ill cancer. The statement itself is like a stone in my heart. However, until a few months ago that seemed to be such an abstract statement. We have an amazing faith, prayer team and support group. Doctors that have kept up with every trick in the tool box to keep this cancer at bay! No one wasn't willing to do what ever physically possible to fight this fight!
However, sometimes, the physical fight isn't enough.
Holly's cancer has advanced. The tumors in her brain have refused to respond to treatment.
Now we have another choice...
Cancer takes away many dreams in life. Holly will never get married, have children, watch her family grow. God gives back in other ways. Holly has spent her time being an awesome Aunt to her nieces and nephews. Holly has spent her extra time volunteering at Children's Hospital rocking babies who are ill. It's amazing to see one dream be answered with NO and have another dream provided.
Holly has had the opportunity to travel, to build amazing and lasting friendships, and to work in a job she enjoys and that challenged her.
I have watched a feisty, funny, beautiful spirit become more so. Holly has never wallowed or let Cancer define her. She has instead chosen to walk with Grace, to look for joy, to seek ways to fill her time and mind with positive things in life. And I am so thankful that I get to share this journey with her.
So, when we sat down for our family meeting recently the heartbreaking reality that sometimes Cancer wins hung heavy in the air. Our kids listened with mixed tears glistening in their eyes as they bravely held them back. My son sat in stoic silence. Several questions from our curious lot finally surfaced...but what did not ever surface is that this was defeat. We may not have our happily ever after this time but we will have our happy. We will find our joy and share our time with Holly in love. We will continue to enjoy our great family and AMAZING friends. Our choice is to lean on faith, to find joy, to look for the best in every day.
Holly's journey
Ways to help Holly
Psalm 41:3
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. (NIV)
Monday, April 7, 2014
Cancer Sucks...
I've said that phrase often. We even made wrist bands and t-shirts with the motto. There is no getting around it. If you or someone you love have ever had to live with the fear the reality of the forever life changing status that little 6 letter word brings then I am sorry. It does SUCK!
But, what I have learned along the way being a caregiver to one of the sweetest and bravest woman I know is that with Grace you can forge on with your life. You can LIVE and you can make the best of the worst possible situation.
You can be an inspiration to others, you can lift up beyond the fear and find joy and happiness. Life is not a promise of sunshine, rainbows and happily ever afters. But, life does become what you make it.
In our family we look every day for the best of what we have. We strive to find the joy, the laughter and the good in what we have. God has graced us with great friends, family and with Holly's undying spirit of hope we will continue to make the best and to live life. To find comfort in God, our faith and from the family and friends who surround us and champion us on.
James 5:13-16
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
But, what I have learned along the way being a caregiver to one of the sweetest and bravest woman I know is that with Grace you can forge on with your life. You can LIVE and you can make the best of the worst possible situation.
You can be an inspiration to others, you can lift up beyond the fear and find joy and happiness. Life is not a promise of sunshine, rainbows and happily ever afters. But, life does become what you make it.
In our family we look every day for the best of what we have. We strive to find the joy, the laughter and the good in what we have. God has graced us with great friends, family and with Holly's undying spirit of hope we will continue to make the best and to live life. To find comfort in God, our faith and from the family and friends who surround us and champion us on.
James 5:13-16
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Prom, Spring Formal, Senior luncheon, etcetera!
Piling into a room with your
favorite girlfriends, curling and pinning each others hair, putting on a beautiful
dress and slipping into fun shoes is a right of passage for most teens as
they prepare for prom. But for some it is a time of anxiety. Ignoring the
other kids that chatter and plan for the event, because the money isn’t there
for the clothes, shoes, and other accessories that make up most
of the fun.
A friend of mine is working
to help turn that around and gather items so that all can enjoy
the fun.
If you have any formal wear
collecting dust in your closet? A pretty dress or evening
suit you wore once but have
no other use for? A daughter that has left a closet of formals
hanging in your new guest
room? Then consider donating to my friend Londa Salazar. She is collecting
formal wear for students who may not be able to buy a formal outfit of
their own. It’s a worthy cause and a great way to clean out your closet
and feel GREAT about doing it. You can find out more and reach Londa via
her Facebook Page.
Embellished Prom Gown
Monday, January 6, 2014
Political side step...Drawing you into my PEACE state of mind...
This post sprung from a morning reading of posts from Facebook Friends and Twitter. It has nagged at me for awhile.
Back to that whole draw you into my peace state of mind....My peace was interrupted by some of the postings this morning and I had a mental rant - Frustrated by all the political discontent. We have elections. WE VOTE in this country. Then as it's citizens whether we agree or not we should stand up and support our country and nation with the majority choice. Yes, have beliefs. Yes, bring those beliefs into our lives and share them with our family, friends, and YES, vote for the changes we would like to see in our government.
I am not saying a peaceful demonstration is not important in our process during times of bigger division. But, sniping and hateful comments against each other and our leaders via Twitter, Facebook, or whatever other social media is out there seems to breed hate, division and to support negativity and draw the focus away from the real issues. It breeds mob mentality and does not honor the goals of our democracy. Love to read the posts by friends that support their cause, even if they are not a shared cause. It is tiresome to read posts that beat up on another just because we don't agree.
If you ever get the chance to travel to other parts of this world I hope you seize them. You may find that the freedoms, beliefs, and people of the United States are very privileged and that without care we will loose that privilege. Without respect and support of each other and our country and it's democracy we may find ourselves without that democracy and wondering how we let it fall apart.
I get it that Christianity (Not Religion) in general equates for some to be close minded, backwards, prejudiced, malicious, and at times worse than evil - the title Christian is often manipulated for various purposes just like a lot of other titles in this world.
That's the beauty of our country. We have the freedom to choose. We have freedom of religion or the lack there of. Yes, we have the choice to choose our leaders and because our leaders start out as ordinary people they have beliefs, views, and political agendas. So choose your beliefs wisely with thought and consideration and don't hate simply because someone else varies in their belief. Take the time to know your candidates and then vote with that information in mind. End Rant.
Back to that whole draw you into my peace state of mind....My peace was interrupted by some of the postings this morning and I had a mental rant - Frustrated by all the political discontent. We have elections. WE VOTE in this country. Then as it's citizens whether we agree or not we should stand up and support our country and nation with the majority choice. Yes, have beliefs. Yes, bring those beliefs into our lives and share them with our family, friends, and YES, vote for the changes we would like to see in our government.
I am not saying a peaceful demonstration is not important in our process during times of bigger division. But, sniping and hateful comments against each other and our leaders via Twitter, Facebook, or whatever other social media is out there seems to breed hate, division and to support negativity and draw the focus away from the real issues. It breeds mob mentality and does not honor the goals of our democracy. Love to read the posts by friends that support their cause, even if they are not a shared cause. It is tiresome to read posts that beat up on another just because we don't agree.
If you ever get the chance to travel to other parts of this world I hope you seize them. You may find that the freedoms, beliefs, and people of the United States are very privileged and that without care we will loose that privilege. Without respect and support of each other and our country and it's democracy we may find ourselves without that democracy and wondering how we let it fall apart.
I get it that Christianity (Not Religion) in general equates for some to be close minded, backwards, prejudiced, malicious, and at times worse than evil - the title Christian is often manipulated for various purposes just like a lot of other titles in this world.
That's the beauty of our country. We have the freedom to choose. We have freedom of religion or the lack there of. Yes, we have the choice to choose our leaders and because our leaders start out as ordinary people they have beliefs, views, and political agendas. So choose your beliefs wisely with thought and consideration and don't hate simply because someone else varies in their belief. Take the time to know your candidates and then vote with that information in mind. End Rant.
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