Meli Monday - No Justice for Trayvon Martin

Myself, as well as many of you, I assume ~ are heartbroken, sad, disgusted over the Trayvon Martin trial outcome.  It hurts my soul so deeply to see this country in the shape it is in.  The Justice System....is flawed, to say the least. 

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And we now know, it wasn't an alleged murdered....but a murderer, who was aquitted.

So what comes next?

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Because this is NOT gonna work. 

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As AMERICANS we should ALL STAND and see to it that JUSTICE is served and that Trayvon Martin did not die in vain.  With skittles and juice in his pockets.  CIVIL RIGHTS ARE CIVIL RIGHTS!!!

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I, too, am tired.  And this time...I AM NOT GIVING UP!!!!! 

Where did I leave off last time?  Ahhh, yes, NEW BEGINNINGS.   Up next....

for thought

Who are you to judge the life I live?

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I know I'm not perfect

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-and I don't live to be-

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but before you start pointing fingers...

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make sure your hands are clean!

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~ Bob Marley

Manic Monday - 04.23.12

Only if we understand can we care.

Only if we care will we help.

Only if we help shall they be saved.

~ Jane Goodall

*Yes we saw Chimpanzee on Sunday, Earth Day.  Yes, it was a very moving and fantastic movie.  Yes, I did want to cry.  Yes, Layla cried.  Yes, we wanted to take Baby Oscar home with us.  Yes, you most definitely should go see it!

THIS is MY hometown....San Antonio, Texas celebrates MLK, Jr. Day

San Antonio, Texas is proud to continue to host One of The Country's Largest MLK March Celebrations.  This year marked the 25th year....and who better to be the keynote speakers?  Martin Luther King III, the oldest child of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. 



Makes me proud to call San Antonio MY hometown.  And I hope it helps breakdown the stereotypes of my beloved state of Texas.  Knowledge is power.

Please take a moment and read this short blog post. 

Manic Monday - 01.16.12

We cannot walk alone.  And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.  We cannot turn back.  I have a dream today!
 

~ Martin Luther King Jr. {I Have a Dream Speech}
 

I love the man who can smile in trouble, gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection.

~ Thomas Paine

2 for 2 - for Nella and all the EXTRA special kiddos!!!!

Click here to donate to a wonderful, amazing, fabulous cause! 

And now a few words from Nella's mommy, the uber talented and highly hilarious and beautiful Kelle Hampton.

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This year, we are launching the 2 for 2 Fund--hoping to raise $200,000 by the time Nella turns two. We're more than half way there, thanks to you.  A little more than $75,000 to go.  Every dollar given to the 2 for 2 Fund supports the NDSS whose mission is to to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.  Things are changing in our society, but it's only because people are working hard to change stereotypes, to recognize abilities and to tear down walls of discrimination.

I come to you as a mama.

What does any mom want for her child?  Hope.  Hope for a successful future, happiness, the opportunity to fulfill dreams.

I don't want anyone to ever tell me that my child's dreams are limited because of an extra chromosome.

And so I'm asking you for something. For Nella. For our family. For all these beautiful capable children and their families and thousands of others.

Whatever you can give. A whole 'lotta $5 and $10 donations went a long way last year. We can do it again.

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Again....please click here to learn more and to donate {I just did and I am flat broke!}...even if you think it is not much...it is significant!!!!!

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{Nella with mommy, Kelle Hampton}

Manic Monday - 12.19.11

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,

we must carry it with us or we find it not.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Beauty is not in the face;

beauty is a light in the heart.

~ Khalil Gibran

For Deb - Rest in Peace, beautiful heart!

All the great things are simple,

and many can be expressed in a single word:

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freedom,

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justice,

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honor,

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duty,

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mercy,

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hope.

~ Winston Churchill

Amanda Knox VS. Troy Davis

Amanda Knox VS. Troy Davis.

Italy VS. America.

It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one.

What are YOUR thoughts!?! 

The Help. And me afterwards...

To clarify, the below post was actually from last week, I've been busy!!  Today "we" are at home sick today.  Really is is Layla that is sick, but it is more allergies, possible sinus infection?  My head has hurt all.day...so I am pretty sure it's just allergies.  Anyway, moving on...

THE HELP!!!!!  Wow.


I had time today, with Layla on my lap....to finish up the book.  And wow! 

Funny...or maybe not so funny thing is...I had a friend that saw the movie and said, "Why did I walk out of the movie, The Help, crying my eyes out?"  My response, "Mm-hmm....I hear everyone is...."  {before I can get out that I am in the midst of reading the book!}  She says....

Nope!  Not gonna ruin it for ya'll who have not seen or read the story.  But that conversation ended with, "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!!!!"  Again, it did not spoil the book for me.  And I really wanna see the movie now. 

I cried two times while reading this book. 

And found myself HOPING that the amazing author, Kathryn Stockett, write a follow up...a part two...continue following the lives of a few of those characters....

Brilliant piece!!!!

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Tasty Tuesday - Red, White and Blue!

Can't you just feel the Red, White and Blue beat pulsating through Layla's core?!?  I know she did.  And I was happy to capture it.  Hope ev'ryone had a beautiful celebratory American weekend!

 

Here's to feeling like a Monday....when it is really a Tuesday!!!!  I just love that....

Celebrate your Independence

I wish for you all....a safe and wonderful 4th of July celebration...with family, friends and those you love.  And please don't forget about this, and this.  Please and thank you. 

Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have. 

~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. 

~ M. Grundler



May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! 

~ Daniel Webster



We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. 

~ Robert J. McCracken




My God!  How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! 

~ Thomas Jefferson



I love my freedom. I love my America.

~ Jessi Lane Adams



{all images via we heart it}