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my lucky charms

“Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it."
– Charles R. Swindoll




a daughter's self-portrait...
My 20yo completed this painting today as part of her college requirements...
She was agonizing about it because it wasn't perfect..
But it definitely looks like a masterpiece to me - it just grabbed the center wall in our living room - on the mantle of our fireplace!


My Christian beliefs...
A treasured gift from my sister-in-law...




Our Jewish treasure, mezuzah...
A cherished possesion passed on to me by my mom (in-law)...





A friend once asked me,
“Do you feel like you live a charmed life?”

I chuckled and hysterically laughed,
“Me? My life’s super chaotic!”
“There’s always drama and tragedy every single day!
And when I think it can't get any worse,
Bam! Another tragedy decides to pay me a visit...”

Hhmm.. It’s been 25 years since I first arrived here in the U.S.A.!
Moved from Manila to San Francisco to Oakland to Los Angeles to San Diego and then to NJ!
I guess I do live a charmed life!
No matter how difficult the challenges we have had to face all those years,
My family got stronger…

I’m not saying I’m all smiley-faces every single hour,
But I do see the light at the end of the tunnel…

Last night, I asked my husband, “Are we going to be OK?”
“What do you mean, OK?”
"OK in our life – our marriage, our finances, our children, our quality of life.’

“Honey, after over 8 months of being home with you every single day,
Seeing each other 24/7 and not one time being mad at each other,
Our children are in good health and seem happy,
Still have a beautiful home,
A happy family,
A lovely marriage.
What more can we ask for?”

I guess I do have my lucky charm!



“The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.” – Charles R. Swindoll

As Deborah Larson King summarized it: “Life is choices and attitude”.

What's your lucky charm?

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Comments

  1. I love the picture. Your daughter is so very talented...all of your kids are.

    I can't say I'm lucky but I'm blessed, that's for sure.

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  2. My mom always says that I live a charmed life!! But of course not all my days are sunny but with friends like you and a great hubby, I do get through the dark days.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Chocolate Covered Daydreams - thank you. And so true, we are all blessed!

    @Veronica. LOVE from families and friends do help us get through the dark days!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I LOVE YOUR BLOG.. and I LOVE your out look on life.

    You are so extremely blessed. We all are in our own little ways.

    YOU SO ROCK JENJEN!

    Your daughters self-portrait is BEAUTIFUL! GREAT JOB! and such TALENT!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That painting is gorgeous!!! YOu have such talented gifts!!! What a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the painting of your daughter! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The self-portrait is SO beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your daughter did a beautiful job! You two look so much alike :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Tami @Buckeroomama @Jennifer @Alicia @Mommy24cs - I am blessed because you are here! My daughter doesn't think she did a great job so I showed all of your comments! She's so happy and shy about me posting her artwork on my blog!

    @Mommy24cs - my daughter and I do look alike, right? My 20yo doesn't see it yet , lol!

    ReplyDelete
  10. When you want to create a masterpiece, you want it to be "perfect" and what looks like a flawed drawing [to your daughter's interpretation]doesn't mean it's not a masterpiece for us. Your daughter's art is beautiful! How talented!

    I am thankful for knowing God's love and when I discovered that, then I know that my life is blessed in so many ways!

    God bless you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your daughter's art is beautiful. She did a wonderful job.
    I think it is perfect for your living room!

    ReplyDelete
  12. @RCUBEs what an insightful comment! God bless you and your family, too!
    @Pam, I kept staring at it – the colors match my “earth-tone” living room!

    My 8yo’s painting that I framed to match my formal dining room has graced my dining room for 5 years! He made that painting when he was 3!

    My 2nd is also artistic. I have his artwork in the pool room! My 3rd is musical – we just hear his music (piano playing) every day! These crumbcatchers of mine are truly my lucky charms!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Honey, Tell Nicole that I said "her picture is as beautiful as she is" - I would love to duplicate her picture for my house.
    It is wonderful.
    Can't wait to see it.
    Love, Mom

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello beautiful lady,

    That is an amazing painting by your daughter! WOW!! I love it.
    I hope you are well & safe.

    take care,
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jen!
    What a talented daughter you have! Wonderful self portrait! Loved looking at your "treasures." So glad you stopped by, i love hearing from you! Glad school is about to start again? Have a great day!
    Shelley
    http://iamstillstandingafterallthistime.blogspot.com
    http://theplaygroundprincess.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. She is very talented! I think its a marvellous portrait!!

    I've given you an award too - pop into my blog to collect it http://annettepiperjewellery.blogspot.com/2009/08/gardening-cooking-and-renewable-energy.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful portrait! Your daughter is an amazing artist.....wow!

    ReplyDelete

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