America

I've shared a few of our own videos lately along with stories of our dreams coming true. But today, I feel compelled to give thanks for the realization of a much greater dream. I'm not talking politics. No . . . I'm just genuinely grateful to live in a country so diverse, so beautiful; In a country where we all (each and every one of us) have the opportunity to make our own dreams come true.

MyHomeIdeas Beach House Girls Room Reveal

Our daughter loved her new bedroom . . . as you can see.

MyHomeIdeas Windmark Beach Idea House Big Reveal -- for kids

The MyHomeIdeas.Com Home Giveaway Big Reveal -- Kids' Style.

As you can see. . . our children love the new beach house from MyHomeIdeas . . . Read the full story from MyHomeIdeas here and more from this blog on our Story of a Dream Come True. This scene ends with our daughter running downstairs to find her new bed.

A Walk Through Windmark Beach

This scenic video, posted on the Southern Resort's Gulf Coast Blog (and created by our very own angel and property manager, Patti Stroud) offers a glimpse of the treasures awaiting you at Windmark Beach.



Oh, watching it again makes me homesick for the coast. I truly hope you all get a chance to experience this Summer Dream!

100 Years from Now -- Tribute Video

Life Time Fitness Child Center Team Tribute

The following video was a labor of a love that my husband and I created for a team and a workplace that absolutely changed my life. I had the good fortune of serving as a Child Center Activities Coordinator at a Life Time Fitness in Texas.

I believed in our team's mission to make an impact in the life of the children brought to our care. I believed in the company's focus on family and healthy lifestyle choices. And I believed in the people with whom I shared my time -- coworkers, members, friends, and hundreds of precious children. Yes, I said hundreds! Sure, we had our share of drama (as any workplace is bound to have), but I will never forget the joy or the incredible lessons learned during my time there. My life is richer for having been a part of this wonderful team.

100 Years From Now
It will not matter
what house I lived in,
the kind of car I drove,
or the size of my bank account,
But the world may be different
because I was important in the life of a child.

And. . . . a personal note about the quote chosen for this video. I don't think I ever shared this with any of my coworkers. I first saw this quote on a frame underneath the picture of a beautiful young nurse and her 9 month old son. A pediatric unit had been named in this nurse's honor after her life was taken too soon in a car accident -- the day after the photo was taken. The baby boy in the photo lived through the accident. We all know his mother's final prayer was for his life to be spared. This boy -- now almost 10 years old -- is my nephew. His mother was my brother's wife.

The beautiful nurse, Heather is her name, was well-known for her devotion to critically ill children in the hospital where she worked. She was an angel to know. Heather was often asked how she was able to work with so many terminally ill children -- surely it had to be heartbreaking. Heather's response was always, "I know where the children are going. My job is to just make their time here as comfortable and joyful as possible." Heather made a difference in the life of children and inspired me to do the same.