bloom :: finding the beauty in the unexpected

Kelle Hampton
a blogger, a mom, now a writer.



So are you in tears?

Because I was  earlier, when I saw this video on The Mess' blog. And every time I see this video I feel more touched and I cry more - I can't stop watching it.

I immediately felt compelled to write and share. Nobody should miss out.

I started following Kelle Hampton many months ago.

I've been watching her throw the best of birthdays, the most creative holiday parties & day in and out of her life with her two little girls and her husband. One of my favorite posts

was a Christmas Party {a must read} she had for the girls and their friends. It blew me away.

I was drawn to this. If you know me, you understand my love with children

with special needs. As a team member of the SOGA {Special Olympics of Georgia} & always a fan of the special needs kids/adults - I loved seeing Kelle with Nella and the life she gives her.

I always questioned why you saw a person with down syndrome

in the clothes that never fit, was extremely out of date and ... just bad.

I always wondered why their hair was never fixed and their shoes were... pitiful looking.

Just because they weren't born listed as the "normal" baby, doesn't mean they needed to be put out on the roof and be given up on. Kelle doesn't do that. She is inspiration to this world. She is a wonderful reason why I love blogging. Kelle makes the world a better place.

Nella is the beauty of all.

She smiles. She plays well. She loves. She's beautiful.

Their life {the whole family} has always been so inspiring.

I recommend you read her heart-felt birth story after this post. 

#TrueStory

A week ago my husband had to deliver something to a company.

After leaving he calls me and says

Aaron: "I just left a place that you would LOVE.

Me: {thinking he is being funny} "Oh yeah, where?"

Aaron: Coastal {something, I forgot}"

Me: "What is that?"

Aaron: "It's a place where all special needs people of all ages

work. They have them doing so many different things. I didn't think they lived to be

as old as some of them where."

Me: "Oh how fun. Yeah, they do. They are just like us."

Aaron: When I walked in, they all just looked at me and I felt kind of

weird... uncomfortable. {saying this very sincere}

Me: "Well now you know how the world looks at them when they

walk in a room."

Aaron: "Hey hey now, I wasn't being mean. Don't judge."

And that stuck with me for a while because it's so true.

As  much as my husband wasn't NOT trying to say or judge them, making them an outkast,

that is exactly what this world does. Kind of like Kelle was making a point of ...

She thought he world was over, yet it was just starting.

I bought this book today. Immediately. It's been out for one day.  

You can find it at any Barnes & Nobles, Books a Million, Target or online HERE

 @ Target with a coupon code of 10% off { code = TGT4TWW7},

online offer expires Apirl 10th.

Thank You Kelle. I'm so excited and can not wait to see what you have

to say. Thank you Stephanie for writing just a wonderful post today.

It sucked my wonderful eyes right in.

If you are reading this...

 then I ask you to stop what you are doing &

Peace for a sweet little boy, Tripp Roth.

{via}

I do not ask that you read his story today, because I'd rather you use your

time to stop and pray for him. His amazing mother, Courtney

mentioned that she feels his life on earth is coming to an end soon but knows he will be rejoiced in heavens with our God almighty where there is no harm or pain. Tripp is incredibly strong & battling the worst disease I could ever imagine.

Most people haven't ever heard of it {including myself} until they've read his story.

Courtney shares his excruciating story in hopes to one day someone being able to maintain this disease or find a cure.

Tripp is so strong, stronger than most men I know.

He absolutely loves Elmo with all his heart. Courtney says Elmo is Tripp's best friend. He holds Elmo in his hand day in & out up until a few days ago.  Elmo even wrote his own song just for his biggest fan!

Tripp has the most incredible talent that I have ever seen. He brings a smile to my face and so much joy to my heart, he plays the drums. Watch him play! 

Friends, I ask for your prayers to make Tripp as comfortable as possible.

As his mother asks, 

Thank you.

All of these pictures are pictures captured from

"Ebing" A Mommy, Courtney's blog.



a thank you note

 I would like to Thank everyone

for ALL of your wonderful, kind, sincere comments this week

regarding the loss of my friend. My heart is more at ease by reading your words.

Writing that remembrance post was a way to put myself at ease; writing has always been the best way I can release thoughts or words that hide deep within my heart. I didn't realize how many other people out there I touched nor did I realize how many of you also lost a friend or family member as I did Cj.

Of course with time, it'll get easier but never can our hearts be healed.

But know on my weakest days, I will return to my remembrance post and your words for

support & strength.

I'm going to end this thank you note with inspiring thoughts and words that I've come across. They've helped me see things in a different light & maybe they can do the same for you.

          

           

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Inspiring Bloggers

"/> I LOVE what Aly & Molly are doing here!VERY inspiring! "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
-AesopGrab the Button & Check it out! Meet Aly Meet Molly 

Funny VS Inspiring

So this week.. Man, it's been off the wall happy! I'll save that for Tomorrow for THursday Five! Not only has it been an amazing week, it's been a tearful one too. Tearful, described as... Tears of Sadness, Hope, Joy, & Inspiration!

I'll start with my NEW neighbor. Debbie Hice... She's just awesome! Her and my Mother in Law are best friends, and too her husband Rick is just as close to My Father in Law. They are wonderful people, who'd do anything for you... better yet, they do anything for anyone! It's been one thing after another for Mrs. Debbie. Last week... Or maybe the week before, She was inform she had Cancer. BOMB! Wow, devastating! The cancer was found in her Breast & is the fast growing kind. Let's pray the cancer is not in her bone. She's a tough cookie though. She's gonna be fine! God doesn't give you what you can't handle right? Keep your Faith are the words I keep telling her! It's True. God is awesome!

TEAM DEBBIE

Back: Mrs. Debbie, Mr. Rick

Front: Kandi & Paul[& Aaron's Parents]

Inspiration & Joy goes to a young lady I went to High School with. Shae Cowart. She's was everyones find, always wore a smile, and like Debbie... Would do anything for anyone. Shae was younger than me, I think by a few years, so it wasn't until we started Cheering together for the High School team that we became close friends... More like Sisters I'd say. My Team was very, very, very close... The Team had a bond that was CraZy for each other. We wanted to strangle each other most of the time, but let an outsider dare hurt ones feelings.. We'd be on them. :) Personally, whether I talk to the girls now or I don't... Most of them I don't, I still care & hold tremendous feelings and emtions for them. When one is hurt, I hurt inside. It's kinda weird. [Remember, I come from a VERY small town.. We all know each other very well.]

ANYWAYS... sidetrack with my history of this miracle!

We're back on track... I'm not going to tell you the story.. I'll let you read for yourself.

So, do so... then come back to my page and finished the rest....

Shae Cowart McDaniels

[click her name to read the story]

Shae & her Husband Charlie

Are you crying? I was when I read this this morning! I'll never forget when I heard about Shae. It pretty much was a dream! To know that she's come so far... and hopefully will be walking again it's truely GOD'S miracle. 
BELOW:  is a song that ALWAYS reminds me of Shae, & it's weird because around the same time she was getting married.. this song came out! It makes me cry everytime!
To Listen Click -


I'll Walk - Bucky Covington



OKAY, OKAY... Enough of the saddness ALREADY!

It's COKE MAN wednesday, and YES the Coke man was back. So, last weekend when I was describing how akward this guy is I drew some pictures to help describe his crazy actions. THIS week.. yes, I did... I had my camera on my phone out... Now, I had to be VERY sneaky, because remember... My office front is completely glass! This was great! THank goodnes we were totally slow today, because not only did I win the spot of looking funny by reaching my arms way out in different spots trying to get a capture of this guy!!!! So, Jack, the man I work with... his desk as a much better view & he was gone today, So.. that's right.. I switched desks. Oh man, I know he could clearly see me this time.. which is why I had be be very smooth... I looked like Wilson on Home Improvement

So, here are the pictures I got.

Go back and compare them to the pictures I drew last week ...

They're pretty darn good!

As you can see... This is where Wilson comes in..

My fence is the the computer shown here on the bottom.

[HAHA... Aaron's gonna kill me!]

&& This is where he stands when he strikes his poses & looks directly into the office.

Do yuo see his leg croosed, his other hand is on his hip.. he's leaning but this time...

he's faces the outside.. NOT MY OFFICE. This, I can deal with...

I'm exactly sure what's going on here...

 

This is RIIIIIGHT before he struggles. He moves to fast in order to get a picture of that!

Maybe next week...

THat's it!

Am I stalking, & not meaning to? Is this normal?

I'm just trying to share my laughter on Wednesdays!!!

Have a good day!

See ya tomorrow for THursday Five!

♥ miss jla