Beautiful Stories

Five lessons to make you think about the way we treat people.


1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read
the last one:

'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the
cleaning woman several times.. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question
blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

'Absolutely,' said the professor.. 'In your careers
you will meet many people. All are significant. They
deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is smile and say 'hello.'

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her
name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American
woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a
lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a
ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally
unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man
took her to safety, helped her get assistance and
put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his
address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the
man's door.
To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.
A special note was attached..

It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The
rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came
along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's
bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and
unselfishly serving others.'

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy =
entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass =
of water in front of him.

'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.

'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and
studied the coins in it.

'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing
impatient.

'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on
the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice
cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress
came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the
table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,
were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left
to leave her a tip.


4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a
roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the
king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping
the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of
the way.=20

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the
stone to the side of the road. After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the
peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in
the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins
and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who
removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of
us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease.
Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would
be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will
save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in
bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,
seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his
face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away?'.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the
doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his
sister ALL of his blood in order to save her but he
had chosen to save her anyway.

8 Weeks!

Your Pregnancy: 8 Weeks

www.babycenter.com

It is interesting to know that you are now 20 percent of the way to delivery day!

At about 36 days of development, your baby's ears begin to assume a more human shape. The baby is starting to resemble a newborn. The facial muscles begin to develop, the eyes begin to develop color, the eye muscles begin to form, the eyelids start to develop and the nerve fibers that connect the nose to the brain begin to form. In the heart, the valves are present and distinct. The body's trunk area is getting longer and straightening out. Elbows are present, and arms and legs extend forward. By the end of this week, your baby will be about 1.4-2cm (½ to ¾ in).


Your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

Twilight love obsession

Because I too am a sucker for the Twilight series. They are just so good! What can I say. Stephanie Meyer captured my heart with these books. And I got excited when I saw an upcoming movie trailer for new moon! yay. but i don't think it is the real one. but i just love the songs in it. ahhh. music makes me so happy!

and on another note. a new thing i learned today. do not gulp down water with your dinner while pregnant. otherwise your dinner will end up in the toilet! eww. sorry gross i know.

The latest...

So, even though I thought my mild case of nausea was all I would experience, I was very very wrong. I woke up bright and early to make Dave's lunch this morning. Unfortunately the kitchen smelled like last night's dinner; next thing I know I am bee-lining it for the bathroom. And then I decided to try and clean out the smells of last night's dinner. Bad idea. Round two. Two for two. The good thing. I feel amazingly better now. TMI I am sure, but I just thought I would share :)

Our Little Blueberry

• Your pregnancy: 7 weeks
  
  How your baby's growing:The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
  How your life's changing:Your uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks, and eating may feel like a chore — or worse — thanks to morning sickness, which by now may be in full swing. (If you're feeling fine, don't worry — you're lucky!)You may need to pee more than usual, too, thanks to your increasing blood volume and the extra fluid being processed through your kidneys. (By now, you already have about 10 percent more blood than you did before you were pregnant. And by the end of your pregnancy, you'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through your veins to meet the demands of your full-term baby.) As your uterus grows, pressure on your bladder will send you to the bathroom as well.About half of the women who feel nauseated during the first trimester will find complete relief by about 14 weeks. For most of the rest, it'll take another month or so for the queasiness to ease up. It's unlikely, though, that the need to pee more than usual will ease up. In fact, research shows that both the frequency and volume of urine tends to increase over the course of pregnancy.

A beautiful prayer I found

I have a maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands
I have a Father
He calls me his own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call

How my life will change

Here is an email that my brother sent. We play Civilization 4 on a turn basis through email. He has been getting a little impatient as I haven't been so prompt with my return of the save.

"yo ya ya, where's the save. Rice dude isn't born yet, so you should have plenty of time for civ."

No shortage of comedy to influence the new guy...

-dave

Baby Developments

Your pregnancy: 5 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

2009-02-8 (6 weeks)
Your pregnancy: 6 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

This is for you mom :) Happy Valentine's Day

Our Apartment is all ready for Valentine's Day and so are we!

Winter in California

This was the most beautiful weekend. Winter in California doesn't get much better. Dave and I enjoyed a glorious hike yesterday and short bike ride today. I am so ready for the spring time and today was so warm and wonderful. We had the screen door open and smelled the amazing BBQ outside. PURE BLISS. Even though our baby is still just the size of a seasame seed, we want to capture every moment. I have been doing some prenatal yoga to prepare myself for the birthing process! EEk. although we know chances of having a miscarriage are high right now, it doesn't stop us from enjoying every minute with this wonderful life we created! We know God has a beautiful plan, and no matter what happens he will be with us through it all.

Dream Log

The night I found out I was pregnant I had a dream about three pregnant women. (January 26th)
On January 28th (Wednesday) I had a crazy vivid dream. I had a dream Johnny and Chrissy had five animals. Two dogs (Misky included) and three cats. One was a gigantic yellow and black tabby cat. It was larger than life. The other cat was a normal black size cat, and the last one was a cute kitten. The black normal one peed on me! Then it walked away and came back with a paper towel and ever so humanly began to wipe up its mess. It was apparently very funny to me and next thing I know I am loudly cracking up in Dave’s ear. I mean, doubled over, cracking up. It was seemed to be a hilarious dream.
January 29th (Thursday night/Friday morning) I awoke this morning to the sound of my own voice. I had a dream about tons of green water snakes! Lots of water snakes. And they were going to bite me. I made it through underwater the first time fine without being eaten by sharks or water snakes. And then the second time I followed a lady and all the green slimy snakes came after me. And one bit me. So I awoke to my own voice. But I don’t remember what I said. Dave thought I was on the phone with laura.
And lastly…The night I found out I was pregnant Jenny (unaware that I was pregnant until Tuesday night) was cleaning her room. A rare moment for her J She was so engrossed and on a roll until about 4:00 am. She found a bunch of her old journals she wrote in as a child. She used to write to Poppy after he died. She sat there and was reading them and looking through Nani’s jewelry. She got a strange feeling Nani was in the room with her. She kept expecting to look up and find Nani in the mirror.
Nani and Poppy’s presence feels very close to my heart right now too. Our baby was conceived during Poppy’s birthday month, and is due Nani’s birthday month J very special.
Mom and Dad have already put in their grandparent name request. Nani and Popa.

An Amazing Sister...Soon to be Auntie

Kimmy!! I am so excited that you are going to have a BABY!!! This is so exciting and I cannot wait to hear all about your aches and pains and the joy you are having carrying the baby!!! Now you may not want me to be practically living with you, but sorry hunny, i am going to be up there as much as i can!! Kim i want to be there through everything with you!! this is the most amazing news i have ever received in a LONG time!!! I am so honored that you told me first!!!!(yea, thats never going to get old for me!! haha) I just wanted to say how happy I am that we have gotten so close. it amazes me thinking about how much we have grown together in such a short amount of time. Just a year ago, we were hardly speaking, but now we are glued at the hip!! Kim, i know i can always count on you for everything and that is why i am leaning on you so much. Your apartment is my getaway place and i could not have chosen a better place. i know that anytime i need to get away, i can get in the car and drive four hours away, but i know that my destination is the only place in the world i want to be! Whenever i come into that door, you welcome me with love and i know that every time i come up there, i am always wanted. Kim you know how great it makes me feel that you and dave make me feel like i am always wanted whenever i see you! i know that this baby will be showered with love and have the best parents ever (and best youngest auntie ever!!) Kim, even if you have a miscarriage, God will bless you with a child when he knows that you are ready, he has a plan for everyone and everything. Even if you feel ready, God might have a different plan and it will be perfect. I will pray for you every night until you hold that baby in your hands, and for the rest of your babies life. You have this natural talent with kids and i cannot wait to see you with the child of your own.I have no doubt that you and Dave are going to have the most amazing kids ever!! well i just wanted to send you this email for a little inspiration and know that i am not going anywhere when you need anything! I am SOOOO excited for you!!! I love you so much!! CONGRATS!!!!

The Exciting News Continued

After a long day Dave picked me up and in the car was a beautiful vase of flowers! What a sweet and devoted husband. The vase had my two favorite flowers. Beautiful white roses and purple lilies. I was so touched. We are both so excited about this little life growing inside me. As soon as I found out, I just placed my hand over my stomach and said a little prayer to God. Dave rested his hand on my stomach all night :)
We love this little life so much already! Today we are making an appointment to visit the doctor :) We don't know what we are doing but we are so thankful for all the amazing people out there who will be helping us!

Surprise!

Our Journey With You

January 26th at noon we found out we are pregnant and expecting our first child! Since we are doing NFP we knew exactly when my period was due and it is so regular that it was a little weird that it was late. My temperature was also high and we thought that strange. We didn't exactly plan on having a child yet, but we were very open to the possibility and putting it into God's hands.
So, I made a trip to the grocery store and must have been so nervous that I almost fainted with dizziness at the store and then my card went flying as I was trying to pay. The lady at the cashier must have thought weirdo alert!
I got home and took the test. I really didn't think I was pregnant. I have taken the test before just for fun. :) I know, nerdy. My boobs were sore and I had cramping so I thought for sure period cramps. In fact I had a full blown convo with Laura about how crazy it is that we can feel our period coming so easily and how I knew I would get my period the first day back at school to receive my credential. Well, wrong! I found out we are pregnant my first day back :)
Anxiously awaiting the results....PREGNANT! OMGOODNESS. I started laughing and crying out of happiness at the exact same time. Dave said that is a good thing since I reacted the same exact way when he proposed almost two years ago.
I took one more just to be sure! PREGNANT again. So because I can't wait for anything. I decided to email Dave the exciting news by sending him a picture. I didn't want the mark of PREGNANT to ever go away.