My Boyfriend....

Benjamin Batey Fradin is one year old today! I can't even tell you all how happy I am to say that out loud... There have been so many uphill battles in this little man's life. And yet here he is today. THRIVING! He simply blows my mind. Ben is a daily reminder for me that all things work together. My life has also been filled with uphill struggles, and God took the time to throw Mike, and Becca into my life. Way before Ben was a glimmer in their eyes, I knew that we were friends for a reason. And now my life experiences are serving as a touchstone for the Fradins. I'm so honored to know Ben. I'm lucky enough to call him Nephew... I can't wait to see where his journey takes him!

Happy Birthday Ben!

I Love you Oodles & Bunches!

Auntie Manders

HAMILTON

Ladies and Gentleman,

I have an announcement. I have a new love in my life. I could not be happier! Hamilton just might be the love of my life...

Ok, he's actually my Hamilton Beach coffee brew station. But I'm totally in love! After Mr. Coffee and I broke up so long ago, I never thought I'd find love again. :)

Thank you Heidi for introducing us! I can't wait for the three of us to spend some time together...

Dear Friends,

Thank you for remembering my BIRTHDAY! All of your warm wishes and loving words are stored away in my heart. I'm so blessed to have so many devoted people in my life. I know I'm going to make today special. I hope you do the same.

Love,

Mandy

Dear friend,

Two words that make me giggle...

Oil Puppets

Enough said. Have a great weekend!

Mandy (aka.Elizabeth)

Dear Friend,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

You don't look a day over 37...

Mandy

Dear Friend,

I'm so glad I know you. My world is ever so much brighter with you in it. Please remember you are vital to my existance. If you lose your hope call me. I'll help you find it again. Please don't ever make me feel the way She did. I can't live through that a second time. If you start to fall call me. I'll catch you. I'll remind you of the bigger picture. I'll remind you of the hole in my heart if you aren't there. I want to be there for you. I want to form an army of the walking wounded. So we're broken. SO WHAT?!? At least we're holding on.

Love you as tall as my heart!

Mand

Dear Friend,

Sometimes I'm not sure you like me. I know that you love me. We've been close for as long as I can remember. You knew me in my past life... Before pain, and death taught me to harden my heart. Do you like me now? I'm praying you do! Thank you for never giving up on me. I'm so glad to know that you will never let me go. Even when I'm hard, and cold, and evil. You see through all that and you stick around. That just blows my mind!

Mandy

Dear Friend,

You inspire me. To see your smiling face was the highlight of my week. I can't wait to see your story unfold. You make me hope for the future. The life we live is not for everyone, but so far we're thriving. I love you, and I'll always be there for you.

Manders

Dear Friend,

Today, I've got nothing deep or insightful. I love you. What could be more important than that?

Mandy

Dear Friend,

You are so brave! I know how hard it is for you to make changes. It takes a lot of strength to start fresh. I'm proud of you. You are on your way. Don't look at this place you are in as a failure. You are losing something, but gaining so much more. You are chosing you, and that makes me glad. I love you!

Mandy

Dear Friend,

You are the most beautiful person I've ever known! Mostly because you don't see it. I wish you could view yourself through my eyes. You would be amazed! Your smile warms my heart at it's absolute coldest. Your light can be seen for miles. You may never know how valued you are in my life. You've saved me on so many occasions, I've completely lost count. I know to you, you're a work in progress... but I wouldn't change a thing. You are perfect just as you are.

Love,

Mandy

Dear Friend,

It feels like forever since I've seen your face. I miss you. I wish I felt closer to you. Life is spinning so fast, and I've misplaced my compass. Are you happy? Are things the way you thought they would be? We always said we could tell each other anything. What happened there? I love you so much it barely fits in my chest! Please don't stay away so long again...

Mandy

A Letter a Day...

This April, I've decided to journal in a new way. I'm going to write a note once a day that is directed to someone specifically. A good way to begin pouring my heart out again...

EASTER...

So I know that as a Christian I'm supposed to be jazzed about the holiday, but to be honest, I'm just not there. I'm so thankful for my salvation, but the motions of the season feel kinda hollow... Today I'm praying that Jesus catches me off guard in the next few days. I'd like to be surprised by joy...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Joshua...

Thanks to my friend Becca, I've been made aware of this Blog ... I'll begin by saying please pray for this family!

The strength and courage of this young couple simply overwhelms me. I have no words of comfort for them. Perhaps there really are none. My story is always one of survival and overcoming obstacles... None of my "stuff" applies to Joshua. He's two months old and he's dying. These past two months have been an unexpected miracle. These last few hours have been an unexpected miracle! His family has known from the get go that he would only be with them briefly. Yet, they chose to give him a dignified beginning and end. They have trusted that God has His hand in this matter. Joshua is not broken, or damaged. He's exactly as God intended.

Joshua's life has been so short, but I have to say that he is impacting my heart. Read through this beautifully documented journey. I know Joshua will impact you all as well.

Praying hard

Mandy

Back in the Saddle...

Well, my chair is up and running after 10 days of craziness. WooHoo! Now if I can just get my knee healed I'll be all set...

This Week...

Ever notice how things always come at you when you're most vulnerable? I knew this week was going to be difficult because of Laurie. I also felt for Steph because March 2 is her father's birthday. Talk about a double dose of OUCH!
What I didn't expect was the series of unfortunate events that lead me up to this emotional weekend...
Last Sunday my wheelchair died. In my effort to get help, I fell out of my chair and injured my knees. I've spent the whole week stuck in bed with ice packs and ace bandages on my legs. I need to setup an appointment for X-rays. My wheelchair repair group doesn't take my insurance, so I had to borrow $3,000.00 from my dad. Anyone who knows me at all, knows how much I hate needing his help...
Very few things can actually wound my spirit anymore. However, the devil seems to know exactly which buttons to push. Being weakened and "extra crippled" has really damaged my spirit. I feel like things are stacking up against me. It also reminds me of how much a person can actually indure.
For now I'm in retreat mode. Like resting and rebooting may be my best option. I'll talk to you all later...

The Song that is Holding Me Together...

BROKEN

Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky

Then it starts to rain....

My defenses hit the ground, and they shatter all around

So open and exposed...

I found strength in the struggle

Face to face with my trouble

When you're broken in a million little pieces

And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore

Every tear falls down for a reason

Don't you stop believing in yourself

When you're broken

Little girl don't be so blue I know what you're going through

Don't let it beat you up...

Hitting walls and getting scars only makes you who you are

Only makes you who you are...

No matter how much your heart is aching

There is beauty in the breaking

When you're broken in a million little pieces

And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore

Every tear falls down for a reason

Don't you stop believing in yourself

When you're broken

Better days are gonna find you once again

Every piece will find its place

When you're broken, when you're broken

When you're broken in a million little pieces

And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore

Every tear falls down for a reason

Don't you stop believing in yourself

When you're broken

Oh, when you're broken