Dear Meagan,
So the last kidney surgery was postponed but whenever it is rescheduled for, it will go well :) Now we just gotta figure out when you get to rock that thing out!
I don't know if you noticed, but it seems that all of Michigan caught the Christmas spirit this year, and it's great isn't it! :) People are just in a better mood- and I have a non-professional theory! haha
I've told you about Gary Chapman's five love languages before. In his books, he explains how people give and receive love in five different languages, and that it is important for families and couples to 'speak each others language.' I'm going to argue that the holidays fulfill EVERYONES love language and therefore lead to the Christmas spirit and the joy of the holidays!
Here are the five love languages and how they are fulfilled by Christmas:
1) Receiving gifts- Ok, this one is very clear. Holidays are a huge gift giving time. So anyone who's love language is receiving gifts, is just on cloud nine at this time of year!
2) Quality time- Outside of giving gifts, another huge thing we do around the holidays is spend quality time with our families and loved ones. I got to celebrate with you last weekend (which was awesome- thank you again for that amazing scrapbook) and people all over the world are flying and driving to visit their families. Therefore, those whose love langague is quality time, are also feeling very loved around the holidays :)
3) Physical touch- Along with seeing family is lots of hugging and kissing and hand holding! Also couples are probably getting a little intimate at this time of year as well :) haha... I dare you to count how many hugs and kisses you get at Aunt Lizzies on Christmas, more than any normal day I'm sure! So you can see why the physical touches are feeling extra loved as well!
4) Words of affirmation- During the holiday season bosses are thanking their employees, families are telling each other I love you, and strangers are wishing each other a great day/holiday. On top of that, people are getting heartfelt cards and letters from November- January. The words of affirmation people are definitely loved during this season!
5) Acts of service- Ok, think about the last month... true or false: more people have opened doors for you than the rest of year. I'm not sure about you, but I've really noticed it this year! People are just more helpful during the holidays, whether it's offering to help with dishes or doing small favors for strangers like picking up a dropped pair of gloves. People just do things more for each other at this time of year- so the acts of service people feel loved too!
On top of all that, people everywhere have the opportunity to GIVE love using their love language during the holiday season, by doing all the above listed things... making them feel even more warm and fuzzy! It's a vicious yet amazing cycle :)
SO be aware of all this love going around and embrace it! Here's the challenge: bring it into the rest of the year! Imagine how different the world would be if the 'holiday spirit' was just the normal spirit of our town, state, country and world-- it can happen! I challenge both you and I to keep the holiday spirit year round-- I think we can do it, and change the little worlds around us :)
Love you Meagan! Have a great Christmas-- I'm sad I won't be with you ON Christmas day but our celebration last weekend was amazing (& delicious)! I'll call you Christmas day girlie :)
XOXO,
Brooke
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Moving FORWARD
Dear Meagan,
Congratulations Meagan Ann from Japan! You finished off your first semester of class since your diagnosis and I could not be MORE proud of you for doing so :) Raise your right hand.... and pat yourself on the back! hehe- I can't wait to see you on Saturday to give you a big congratulatory hug. You did a BIG thing this semester- you took a GIANT step forward- and there are so many more to come!
So we have ONE more 'obstacle' to tackle on Tuesday and then you are home free. Just one more small gig to take care of this kidney thing once and for all! As always- I'll be there by your side before, during, (well in the waiting room) and after. I wouldn't miss a chance to support you for anything in the world! As I've said time and time again your are a CHAMPION and a FIGHTER and this minor thing is cake walk at this point!
Before that thoughhhhhh we are going to celebrate family Christmas on Sunday! Woo hoo! I am super excited to see you and can't wait for some Kruse n Muer-- yummmmm-- get ready to eat like 5 lb of bread haha :)
So that's all for now chica-- I still can't believe how far you've come and more importantly, how far your going! Keep taking those steps FORWARD everyday!
XOXO,
Brooke
Congratulations Meagan Ann from Japan! You finished off your first semester of class since your diagnosis and I could not be MORE proud of you for doing so :) Raise your right hand.... and pat yourself on the back! hehe- I can't wait to see you on Saturday to give you a big congratulatory hug. You did a BIG thing this semester- you took a GIANT step forward- and there are so many more to come!
So we have ONE more 'obstacle' to tackle on Tuesday and then you are home free. Just one more small gig to take care of this kidney thing once and for all! As always- I'll be there by your side before, during, (well in the waiting room) and after. I wouldn't miss a chance to support you for anything in the world! As I've said time and time again your are a CHAMPION and a FIGHTER and this minor thing is cake walk at this point!
Before that thoughhhhhh we are going to celebrate family Christmas on Sunday! Woo hoo! I am super excited to see you and can't wait for some Kruse n Muer-- yummmmm-- get ready to eat like 5 lb of bread haha :)
So that's all for now chica-- I still can't believe how far you've come and more importantly, how far your going! Keep taking those steps FORWARD everyday!
XOXO,
Brooke
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Carly Rose Sonenclar
Dear Meagan,
Thought I would switch it up this week and do something fun!!! Last week on the phone I was telling you about this AMAZING 13 year old girl on X Factor who is GREAT at what she does (singing) but I am also going to tell you what else she is great at!
But first watch her audition...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffyZNW7Ra7M
WOW RIGHT!!! Soooo amazing :)
The great thing about Carly is that she is not only great at what she DOES, she is also so LIKEABLE and genuine which makes her talent more 'effective' than someone who may have the same voice as her without that likeability factor.
The even better thing about Carly is that she is just like YOU :) You are also great at what you do (helping others/german/fundraising) AND you have the likeability factor! You are your very own X factor hehe :)
Love you Meag! Keep up the great work... now go watch some more Carly Rose, she's an inspiring little one. Here is a couple more of my fav's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OOSIec9ehk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75VM6vxQlk8
ENJOY!
XOXO,
Brooke
Thought I would switch it up this week and do something fun!!! Last week on the phone I was telling you about this AMAZING 13 year old girl on X Factor who is GREAT at what she does (singing) but I am also going to tell you what else she is great at!
But first watch her audition...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffyZNW7Ra7M
WOW RIGHT!!! Soooo amazing :)
The great thing about Carly is that she is not only great at what she DOES, she is also so LIKEABLE and genuine which makes her talent more 'effective' than someone who may have the same voice as her without that likeability factor.
The even better thing about Carly is that she is just like YOU :) You are also great at what you do (helping others/german/fundraising) AND you have the likeability factor! You are your very own X factor hehe :)
Love you Meag! Keep up the great work... now go watch some more Carly Rose, she's an inspiring little one. Here is a couple more of my fav's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OOSIec9ehk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75VM6vxQlk8
ENJOY!
XOXO,
Brooke
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Proud of you!
Dear Meagan,
Tonight will be short and sweet! I just want to say that I love you and that I'm proud of you!
It's been a long road starting school all over again, but your handling it like a champ as we knew you would... You are only a couple weeks out, and I love how determined you are. No stupid book or faulty website will hold you back.
You've proven over and over again that you are a champion and a fighter. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And you sista are one strong chica.
I love how you don't let things hold you back from your dreams, it is truly inspirational.
Two weeks left, your a few short steps away from successfully completing your first full semester back after all you've been through. There is no greater accomplishment in the world!
I love you... your awesomeness is awesome hehe :)
XOXO,
Brooke
Tonight will be short and sweet! I just want to say that I love you and that I'm proud of you!
It's been a long road starting school all over again, but your handling it like a champ as we knew you would... You are only a couple weeks out, and I love how determined you are. No stupid book or faulty website will hold you back.
You've proven over and over again that you are a champion and a fighter. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And you sista are one strong chica.
I love how you don't let things hold you back from your dreams, it is truly inspirational.
Two weeks left, your a few short steps away from successfully completing your first full semester back after all you've been through. There is no greater accomplishment in the world!
I love you... your awesomeness is awesome hehe :)
XOXO,
Brooke
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Giving Thanks
Dear Meagan,
I bet you are not at all surprised that this is the topic the day before thanksgiving! I'm going to be short and sweet tonight- got a paper to write by Friday :/ Buuuutt I'm thankful for the opportunity to get my degree and to write a paper on my own research! (hehe)
So as I'm sure you are well aware it is absoultely natural human tendency to notice the bad things in life :/ We notice all the little things that go wrong throughout the day but rarely notice all the things that go RIGHT! We need to make a conscious effort to laugh off the bad and NOTICE the GOOD!
A great way to remember to give thanks is to pray to daily. Every time you pray be sure to start by THANKING God for all things in your life that are going RIGHT. Thank Him for the roof over your head, the direction that your going with school, and most of all thank Him for making you a living miracle and allowing you to overcome and thrive through your surgeries (I know I thank Him every day for that!)
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for you and the rest of the fam for sure :) I hope you don't ever look at your life and think of the struggles (we could all do that- although I think you beat out most 23 year olds ;).... instead I hope you look at your life with joy and amazement realzing how much of a miracle you are and how much you've overcome!
Love you.... HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
XOXO,
-Brooke
I bet you are not at all surprised that this is the topic the day before thanksgiving! I'm going to be short and sweet tonight- got a paper to write by Friday :/ Buuuutt I'm thankful for the opportunity to get my degree and to write a paper on my own research! (hehe)
So as I'm sure you are well aware it is absoultely natural human tendency to notice the bad things in life :/ We notice all the little things that go wrong throughout the day but rarely notice all the things that go RIGHT! We need to make a conscious effort to laugh off the bad and NOTICE the GOOD!
A great way to remember to give thanks is to pray to daily. Every time you pray be sure to start by THANKING God for all things in your life that are going RIGHT. Thank Him for the roof over your head, the direction that your going with school, and most of all thank Him for making you a living miracle and allowing you to overcome and thrive through your surgeries (I know I thank Him every day for that!)
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for you and the rest of the fam for sure :) I hope you don't ever look at your life and think of the struggles (we could all do that- although I think you beat out most 23 year olds ;).... instead I hope you look at your life with joy and amazement realzing how much of a miracle you are and how much you've overcome!
Love you.... HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
XOXO,
-Brooke
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Finish What You Start
Dear Meagan,
Great to see you last weekend at Mom's event :) You and grandpa did some dannnnccinnng! hehe
Today I'm going to tell you about WHY you have to finish what you start. No one likes a quitter and Sutherland's simply aren't quitters!
When you make a commitment to something it is absolutely crucial that you follow through on that commitment, no matter how big or small. Each time you let yourself quit something you are telling your subconcious that you are a quitter, maybe even a failure, and that you don't follow through. This will effect your confidence and your self esteem- and we just don't what that to happen!
You always say that Mom used to let you 'wuss' out of things when you were little. Although she had good intentions, she would call you out for a test you weren't ready for or call you out if someone was picking on you, etc. When you were younger you thought that was cool, but looking back you've said yourself that you wish she would of made you stick through it.
So, KNOWING THAT, you should realize that YOU determine what you stick with (which should be everything you commit too). Just because mom or your teacher or your counselor or whoever says that 'it's ok to quit,' does NOT mean you have to listen! Decide that you will follow through for you!
I've told you time and time again that you are truly capable of anything you put your mind too. Who cares about the minor details or if it doesn't end up being perfect. You can not cop out of things when things get hard. You are better than that!
Meg you can finish this semester out, and you can finish it out strong! Say to yourself outloud ten times, "I can do this!" Study your BUTT off for that final and get it done- you have like three classes left. Prove to yourself that you have truly grown and become stronger from all you've been through.
Time to move forward and get this done! I'm so proud of you, you are almost there!
Sorry if it's a lil tough love tonight- I haven't eaten dinner yet... and you KNOW how I get when my blood sugar is low bahahahaha :)
Love you! YOU CAN DO THIS!
"Winners never quit and quitters never win." -Vince Lombardi
XOXO,
Brooke
Great to see you last weekend at Mom's event :) You and grandpa did some dannnnccinnng! hehe
Today I'm going to tell you about WHY you have to finish what you start. No one likes a quitter and Sutherland's simply aren't quitters!
When you make a commitment to something it is absolutely crucial that you follow through on that commitment, no matter how big or small. Each time you let yourself quit something you are telling your subconcious that you are a quitter, maybe even a failure, and that you don't follow through. This will effect your confidence and your self esteem- and we just don't what that to happen!
You always say that Mom used to let you 'wuss' out of things when you were little. Although she had good intentions, she would call you out for a test you weren't ready for or call you out if someone was picking on you, etc. When you were younger you thought that was cool, but looking back you've said yourself that you wish she would of made you stick through it.
So, KNOWING THAT, you should realize that YOU determine what you stick with (which should be everything you commit too). Just because mom or your teacher or your counselor or whoever says that 'it's ok to quit,' does NOT mean you have to listen! Decide that you will follow through for you!
I've told you time and time again that you are truly capable of anything you put your mind too. Who cares about the minor details or if it doesn't end up being perfect. You can not cop out of things when things get hard. You are better than that!
Meg you can finish this semester out, and you can finish it out strong! Say to yourself outloud ten times, "I can do this!" Study your BUTT off for that final and get it done- you have like three classes left. Prove to yourself that you have truly grown and become stronger from all you've been through.
Time to move forward and get this done! I'm so proud of you, you are almost there!
Sorry if it's a lil tough love tonight- I haven't eaten dinner yet... and you KNOW how I get when my blood sugar is low bahahahaha :)
Love you! YOU CAN DO THIS!
"Winners never quit and quitters never win." -Vince Lombardi
XOXO,
Brooke
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Bullies
Dear Meagan,
You may have noticed I'm writing my blog a day later in the week than usual lol :) I guess I wore myself out yesterday because I feel asleep unintentionally 2 hours before my normal bed time haha. So you get your blog on Thursday this week instead :)
All for the better, because this morining I thought of a good topic: Bullies. I don't know if this ever happens to you but it definitely happens to me sometimes as much as once a week. And that is a run in with a grown up bully! They are worse than childhood bullies, because they aren't bullying in obvious ways that would get them in trouble such as swirlies, or hitting you, or cussing at you about your mama lol. No instead, they just make snide comments, they point out your flaws in front of your peers, or they make you feel inadequate.
Why do they do this? I know you have heard this before but it's true, they do it because of their inadequacies! There are some 'superiors' that you and I will work with that lift us up, help us grow, and shape us into better people. Then there are other 'superiors' that we will work with that tear us down, BUT still help us grow and shape us into better people- if we so CHOOSE.
That's right depending on how we handle a run in with a bully, determines whether we let them tear us down or whether we turn it around on them and let it lift us up! When you have a run in with an adult bully the BEST way to handle them is to just smile, apologize, and compliment them- no matter how hard that may be. Maybe you compliment them later (outside the heat of the moment). Eventually, they will see your heart and soften up towards you, I promise.
But why are they doing this? And why to you? Because hurting people, hurt people. They especially like to hurt those who don't seem to be hurting, because they are trying to bring you down to their level. But I happen to know that you are better than that hurting person :) Of course dealing with bullies might ruffle your feathers a little, but if you stay strong, you win. Them bullying you, hurts them more in the end.... because it is not possible to feel good about yourself, when you are hurting others. It simply doesn't work like that!
I love you, hope this helps dealing with adult bullies! Honestly this blog helps me too haha :)
And by the wayyyy... great job at your mAss kickers/ Wigs for kids event! You got about 10 wigs and $550 for mAss kickers! That's great Meaggy :) You really made a difference!
XOXO,
Brooke
You may have noticed I'm writing my blog a day later in the week than usual lol :) I guess I wore myself out yesterday because I feel asleep unintentionally 2 hours before my normal bed time haha. So you get your blog on Thursday this week instead :)
All for the better, because this morining I thought of a good topic: Bullies. I don't know if this ever happens to you but it definitely happens to me sometimes as much as once a week. And that is a run in with a grown up bully! They are worse than childhood bullies, because they aren't bullying in obvious ways that would get them in trouble such as swirlies, or hitting you, or cussing at you about your mama lol. No instead, they just make snide comments, they point out your flaws in front of your peers, or they make you feel inadequate.
Why do they do this? I know you have heard this before but it's true, they do it because of their inadequacies! There are some 'superiors' that you and I will work with that lift us up, help us grow, and shape us into better people. Then there are other 'superiors' that we will work with that tear us down, BUT still help us grow and shape us into better people- if we so CHOOSE.
That's right depending on how we handle a run in with a bully, determines whether we let them tear us down or whether we turn it around on them and let it lift us up! When you have a run in with an adult bully the BEST way to handle them is to just smile, apologize, and compliment them- no matter how hard that may be. Maybe you compliment them later (outside the heat of the moment). Eventually, they will see your heart and soften up towards you, I promise.
But why are they doing this? And why to you? Because hurting people, hurt people. They especially like to hurt those who don't seem to be hurting, because they are trying to bring you down to their level. But I happen to know that you are better than that hurting person :) Of course dealing with bullies might ruffle your feathers a little, but if you stay strong, you win. Them bullying you, hurts them more in the end.... because it is not possible to feel good about yourself, when you are hurting others. It simply doesn't work like that!
I love you, hope this helps dealing with adult bullies! Honestly this blog helps me too haha :)
And by the wayyyy... great job at your mAss kickers/ Wigs for kids event! You got about 10 wigs and $550 for mAss kickers! That's great Meaggy :) You really made a difference!
XOXO,
Brooke
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