Day 508 ~ All We Need Is Love (XXI)

Day 21 of the Husband Encouragement Challenge
courtesy of ReviveOurHearts.com

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) 

• You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
• Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband . . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

If we are living in light of eternity, everything we think, do or say is seen from an eternal perspective. We will someday give an account for our failure to speak words of love and encouragement. Determine today that your words will be sweet and helpful.

Does your husband have an eternal perspective that allows him to reject materialism and temporal values? Express your gratefulness for his value system, and praise him for putting eternal things before riches and other things of this world. If this is a problem area for him, consider how you might alter your own value system and live for eternity in front of him, encouraging him to do the same. Only two things will go into eternity . . . the Word of God and people. Be sure that you are focusing on the right things. 

Day 21 ! . . .    

I'm going to keep this simple and not let it get too wordy.  

Materialism.... hmmmm... what a brain teaser, if you will.

Seems when one is young and looking forward to adulthood, most of one's dreams are of what their life may be like as adults... the house... the car... the spouse.. and not to mention the 2.2 kids.

We all assume that life will be just like that...

Never do we picture life struggling ... having a marriage that fails ... an abusive spouse ... or possibly having life altering experiences happen.  

We just assume that we will live happily ever after... just like in the fairy tales.

As a child when my own parents were divorcing ... life as I knew it was falling apart... I experienced much sadness... the only thing that gave me happiness was the hope that God would step in later in my life.  At the mere age of 9 I thought that since my childhood was unhappy that God would make sure that my adulthood was happy.  I thought he did this for everyone.

Needless to say that childhood hope did not come true.

Fast forward to today ... my life is not "peachy keen" per say HOWEVER I have had to struggle for my own happiness and God is a big part of it.

Do material things really matter?  Well they don't hurt anything that's for sure and they do bring pleasure to ones life... maybe a little comfort and luxury.

Do I long for a beautiful home?  luxury car?  all the dresses and shoes to choose from?  

I long for happiness, as does my husband.  My husband is a most content man.  He always makes sure I have nice things (not because I ask for them) and takes the bottom of the barrel for himself.  He is very selfless in that way.

I am in no way saying that any of "those" things would not be grand to have... who are we kidding here?  wink, wink.  But we really don't NEED them as long as we have love and a happy home.  

Besides which, you can't take it all with you and they do not matter in eternal life anyways.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 500 ~ Time & Intimacy (XIII)

Day 13 of the Husband Encouragement Challenge
courtesy of ReviveOurHearts.com

"I belong to mybeloved, and his desire is for me ." (Song of Solomon 7:10) 

• You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
• Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband . . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

The sexual relationship. It's one of those elements—along with money and children—that can derail a marriage through negative comments. Negativity destroys intimacy, but encouragement builds and strengthens the marriage bond.

Let's get practical here. Is your husband a "good lover"? Have you told him so? Be specific. Let him know when he pleases you. Most husbands genuinely want to please their wives, especially in this important area of marriage.

In moments of intimacy, do you find your mind wandering? This can change as you focus on something wonderful about your husband. Realize that your husband wants intimacy with you . . . his desire is toward you.

Does this area of your marriage need some work? Remember that this is a sensitive area for men. Be sure to encourage his lovemaking and masculinity in positive ways. 

Day 13 ! . . .    

I'm going to keep this simple and not let it get too wordy.  

I could not agree more that this is a sensitive area for most... sensitive and a little akward for most to speak of openly.- myself included.

I know this is getting a little personal... just a little - wink, wink.

I will say this... I need to make more time for my husband and make the effort to be on the same page with him.

What I mean is that I am going, going and going all day long.  I take Calley to school, then pick her up and all that's in between having to do with The Blessed Spoon.

{and}. . . 

My hubby is up at dawn and off to work before we even get out of bed; works for four to five hours; then goes and works a second job; and then back for another four hours or so... and gets home anywhere from 7:30 to 8:30 each evening.  The man gets home exhausted!!  

Calley's in bed by 7:30; I do my nightly blog writing and finish and Blessed Spoon business; and hit the sack by 9:00p

Hubby on the other hand needs un-winding time, a little time at the guitar and music mixer (he's always creating music- his second love ... wink, wink.); and then if there's a MMA or UFC fight you can find him glued to his tv chair! -  {and} really I do not blame him one bit for wanting to kick back in the evenings.  

SOOOooo . . .  as I said the hubby and I need to get on the same page or just spend a litle "exhausting" time together!!  BIG SMILE!!

On another note... I just wanted to do a little celebrating here... DAY 500!!!  WOW!! I can't believe what a great milestone!!!  YUP-PEE!!!!  

Here's to 500 more!!  

What a fabulous growing experience this has been and continues to be.  Not to mention all the wonderful people that are crossing my path.  Thank you for being a part of such a wonderful journey.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 473 ~ Saying Good-Bye to a {Four-Legged} Family Member

Lola came into our lives April of 2002.  

Our dog Kelly had been in {near} seclusion for two months, which meant no play dates, after being hit by a car.  Kelly had to have hip surgery, and lost an eye.

Seeing that Kelly was not her playful self in quite sometime, Dean and I decided to get her a sister.  A permanent play date/mate if you will.  We rescued Lola from the animal shelter, as we did Kelly.

As we approached a kennel, we immediately saw her.  She was the sweetest looking dog.  As she approached us, another dog in the same kennel came along and bullied her into a corner.  Immediately we wanted to save her.

Fast-forward to today... Lola has not been doing well for almost two months.  After her appetite seemed to diminish and she would not even eat roast beef, we took her to the vet.

After x-rays, blood work, exams and the opinion of two vets {and $500 later}... there's nothing we can do.  Nothing was found in the x-rays or blood-work... however, a mass was felt around her kidneys.  Cancer?  We'll never know.  She has lost too much muscle mass, weight and the fact that she won't eat- surgery is out of the question.

As a family we gather... we reminisce... we look at pictures... we laugh... we tell stories... we cry.

We wait for the moment... for the look... where she will tell us how much she loves us... where she tells us good bye.

We are sad.  

However... 

We know that we have given her a wonderful life and when she does leave us...

We know that she will be going to a wonderful place... doggie heaven.

Where she will find rivers filled with milk... with biscuits everywhere... balls galore... and toys here and there.  

Best thing of all she will be reunited with all our other family fur-babies... Ranger, Hannah, Max, Alex, One, Blondie and Mikey...

~ An Homage to Lola ~

Lola and Kelly

Lola welcoming Pepper to the family

Kelly, Lola and Pepper

Lola, Kelly and Pepper

The girls taking over the sofa.

Dean & my engagement photo shoot;

including our girls in a few of the pictures 

Venice Beach, California

Lola- striking a pose

Mar Vista, California 

Our girls LOVE the park!

Venice Beach, California

Pepper, Kelly, Lola and a ball.

Lola got "the" ball.

Lola welcomes and tolerates Calley.

Calley growing up with Lola.

Lola welcomes Shelby to the family.

Lola tolerates Shelby (can you see it in her face?), along with Pepper and Kelly-

all taking over our bed!

Lola

 We are so blessed you chose us. 

We are so honored to have been your family.

We are so much better for loving you. 

~Dean, Carla and Calley Karam

Thank you for being such a wonderful sister. ~Kelly

Sorry we fought, but so happy we made up.  I love you. ~Pepper

Thank you for teaching me the ropes and for letting me snuggle with you. ~Shelby

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 409 ~ #2 of My 30 Days of Truth

My 30 Days of Truth challenge   I will admit that I changed one question and changed a few curse words... other than that the challenge is intact. 

Day 02 : Something you love about yourself.

So as much as I had the day to think about this... the same quality came coming up...


What I love about myself?  


Hands down...


I love helping others.  Helping ... being able to give of myself in that way...well all I can say is that there is no better feeling than that!


Whether it be picking something up for someone, carrying a package, opening a door or even taking the elevator back up to the 18th floor because just as we reached the lobby you realized you needed to go to the restroom... (the only restroom available would be the one on the floor we were just on).. yup... you can count on me to accompany you.


It really isn't any trouble.  I just think that I would one day like someone to help me when I need it.  After someone says thank you... I tell them "your welcome" and ask them to please pay it forward.


So to answer the question of what I love about myself... I love helping others.

what's next? ...

Day 01 : Something you hate about yourself.
Day 03 : Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 : Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 : Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 : Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 : Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 : Someone who made your life hell, or treated you horribly.
Day 09 : Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 : Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 : Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 : Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 : A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 : A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 : Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you've tried living without it.
Day 16 : Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 : A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 : Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 : What do you think of religion?  Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 : Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 : (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 : Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 : Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 : Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 : The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 : Name a decision you made that caused a chain of events that would not have happened if it wasn't for that decision.
Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 : A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Hey if you want to join along... well let me know in a comment and I'll visit your challenge each day.  We could even link up our blogs.  wink, wink.  No.. seriously we could.

Here's to my 30 Days of Truth challenge!

I am second.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 405 ~ Do You Have Life's Tools?

All I can say is ... WHAT A DAY!!

Funny how life happens... you can have your day planned.. you can even have your week planned... but then right when you think things are flowing... Life happens.

All it takes is for one phone call or a text and WHAM-O!  TA DAAA!!  

Hello... this is life... and just in case you thought everything was fine... well ... here I am!

Can you guess this is what happened to me?  Yup.  It did.  The last couple of days.

All that needs to happen is for me to get is a phone call, text, a cry for help... and I drop everything for my loved one.

Doesn't matter if you are a friend or blood relation... I will move heaven and earth to help you.

My heart literally aches, at knowing that one of my loved ones is in trouble.  I always have to refrain myself from giving advice and focus on the situation at hand.  However no matter what... my goal is to help my loved one out,  get them out of harm's way and into happy bliss.

NOW... to those people that love to harm others.. who actually go out of their way to hurt people... who feel that they need to act on their thoughts or frustrations... who behave like complete idiots...  well... WHAT THE H3LL is wrong with you?

I know that misery loves company... but this is ridiculous!!

I just don't get it.  Why do people hurt other people... people who they claimed to have loved (for crying out loud... you actually told these people YOU loved them!)... people who you broke bread with... people who were supposedly such good friends that you considered them your family... Why?

It is said that there is a fine line between love and hate.  Really?  It is also said that it has to do with intensity, emotion and passion... no different that there being a fine line between pleasure and pain.

I don't know.  Maybe it's all part of human nature?

I am not saying that I am a perfect specimen of a human being... YEAH RIGHT!  LOL!  After all Lord knows that I too have loved someone so much that when there has been a disagreement, fight or falling out... well... I too have thought or rather have felt that anger.  BUT... I have never acted on it.. at least not on purpose.  

I'll be the first to admit that I have said ugly things (derived from you hurt me, now I am going to hurt you...) but after the dust settled... I have felt horrible about what was said.

All I would like to say is that if you have loved someone at one point in your life and they have disappointed or hurt you... it is not necessary to HURT them back.  Just let it go.  If they insist on being ugly... well that's on them... don't lower yourself to their level of non-intelligence.  Let it go.

OH I KNOW... it is easier said than done.  

However... do remember this... we all have been born, raised and have experienced different things in our lives... even within your own family.  

Not only that, but we all have different types of family support... some are caring... and some that could care less... some are encouraging and supportive... others, abusive, demeaning and full of hatred...

{and} When we co-mingle, date or even get married... we are joining our pasts and upbringing together.  It can be healthy... and then... well... we ... should have ... ran the other way!  ;)

Those of you who have been raised in a loving environment,... understand that you have been given better tools than those of us (yes I am included in this bunch) that were raised in the opposing environment.  

With that said... fortunately or unfortunately... depending on how you look at it...  those of you that were blessed with the proper tools have to decide on whether or not you will extend those tools, or rather,  the "love" to those who need it... or regress into the dark side.

Personally... I have been blessed with a husband that was blessed to have been raised in a loving environment.  {and} I feel sooo blessed that my husband loves me enough to share his tools with me.  [He is patient with me and walks away when I have had {for lack of a better description} a temper tantrum.]

I feel so blessed that my husband understands where I came from... he is patient and understanding... he also knows that I want what he wants... a healthy upbringing for our daughter- the most important person in our lives together.

One day Calley will join with her loved one and create a family of her own... We need to do our best so that one day she will be her best.

I am second.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 397 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 17 of 22

This is Day 17 of my challenge... {and} my seventeenth video... 

... Ken Hutcherson... was raised in Alabama, in a time that racism was not only blatant, but flagrant as well.  At a mere age of five he was given a life lesson by his uncle which not only took his innocence, but planted hatred in his heart.  He practiced racism for years with such anger and hatred, and it wasn't until many years later when he learned that Jesus died on the cross for everyone... every skin color... that his heart softened.  Today not only is he a Pastor {in Washington state) in a multiracial church... but he is Second. 

Ken Hutcherson: I am Second

After watching today's video I hugged my daughter for what seemed an eternity.  Why?  Because she is five {and a half} years old and I can not even begin to fathom someone taking her innocence away... let alone let it be a family member... let alone filling her heart with hatred.

My heart literally ached for Ken.  This little boy's life was changed and his heart was replaced with a heart of stone.  No child should feel or experience hate... ever!

At about the same age I learned about prejudice and racism myself.  I am Latin as you know (Argentina/Peru), however I do not look as if I am.  I was made fun of by all the "white" girls because I had a last name that wasn't American (whatever that means) and spoke funny (Spanish accent)... and I was not accepted by the few Latins that existed at the time in Los Angeles {late 60s early 70s} either, because I did not look the part.  

Yes... you read right... there weren't very many Latins in Los Angeles at the time.

Anyhooo... as I grew older and my English perfected, I still was not easily accepted by schoolmates (girls)... but that did not stop me from standing up for those who did not have a voice.  No... I did not get into fights or anything like that, I just preferred to hang out with the underdog as opposed to the popular bunch.

Today, I still experience racism.  I live in town where the majority of its residents are Mexican.  As I mentioned I do not look Latin... however I do speak Spanish fluently and understand it just as well.  

I can not tell you how many times I have heard remarks made of the racial persuasion...  

I can not tell you how many times I have responded back to these people really sweet in Spanish (funny, each time the person being ugly has been an older woman).  

{and} I can not tell you how many times I wish I would have taken a picture of them as their chin dropped to the ground!

I don't get mad or even... I just strike back with kindness.

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  ~John 13:34-35 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.