tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70626063078668637362024-03-14T03:03:04.106-07:00I Made It Through The DayKaren Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-1683549071437683092016-06-25T12:48:00.002-07:002016-06-25T12:48:53.166-07:00My Weight Loss Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few pictures to show my progress. Pretty good. Have 20 more pounds to go.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-18343530540376762842016-05-21T13:04:00.001-07:002016-05-21T13:04:41.826-07:00I"M Doing Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well folks I have lost 7 of these!!! Feel so much better and calmer too. I don't feel hungry. I am getting plenty to eat. It does get hard when a parent brings pizza for their child's birthday. I am motivated to keep going. Is what is good is I will be taught how to keep it off which is very valuable.<br />
<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-48306906267510777392016-05-14T14:47:00.001-07:002016-05-14T14:47:48.603-07:005 Down....35 To Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, my journey so far is going great. I am down 5 pounds. It has been going pretty well and I feel that I am getting enough to eat. I am doing the Medifast 5 in 1 plan. I eat 5 replacement meals and 1 meal they call lean and green. That is 1 type of meat and 3 servings of vegetables. I am excited for more weight to come off. I want to go shopping!!!Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-5102089844048408582016-05-03T19:51:00.002-07:002016-05-03T19:51:34.737-07:00I Am Going On A Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the next couple of days I am going to be starting on a journey. A weight lose journey. It al started on Facebook where I saw that a friend of mine was a health coach. I had thoughts about contacting her but never did. Then my aunt passed away and I went to her funeral. There I saw 4 of my cousins who are extremely overweight. I got scared and thought I have got to contact that health coach. So when I got home, I made contact with her and now she is my health coach. I am not sure about what I will be doing but she told me it would be the Medifast program. I am really excited and am looking forward to being at the weight I should be.<br />
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I am only about 5foot 1inches tall and I weigh 155. That is way too much for me. I am a tiny person. I am aiming to get down to 110. It will be nice to be able to be in a size 4 again. <br />
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I will definitely keep all of you posted. I'm excited.<br />
<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-9451665767216083712016-03-05T19:29:00.001-08:002016-03-05T19:29:20.502-08:00On A Brighter Note<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got a new car today. It is a 2002 Mercedes E55. I just love it. I had to get a new car because the car I was driving was totaled. I was driving down a residential street and some guy was backing out of the driveway and hit into me. He caused more damage than the car was worth. It was a 1999 and had over 200,000 miles on it. So here's to happy driving.<br />
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UPDATE: I am feeling better but still feel a have a way to go yet. I will be attending a support group starting on Tuesday. I think it will help.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-62328710929266784802016-03-02T23:17:00.000-08:002016-03-02T23:17:37.045-08:002 Steps Forward And 3 Steps Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am not in a very good place tonight and I apologize to all of you but I need to blog about this. There are just good days and bad days. This is my bad day. These two pictures really sum it up. I have written a note to my doctor. I hope I am not scaring everyone away. I hope that you will lend me your support and understanding. I feel there is a great bond between bloggers. Thanks for listening and for being supportive. Better days are ahead.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-63499887138989285682016-02-27T16:32:00.001-08:002016-02-27T16:32:18.369-08:00Making Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I think I am coming around some. I went and saw a NP last Wednesday to talk about my medication. It went well. She also seemed to know about Fragile X too which was good. She increased the dosage of one medication that I take. Can't tell too much if it is helping yet but I am sure I will notice something soon. I just feel the side effect of being dizzy right now. I go back in April for a follow up with her.<br />
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I am feeling somewhat better about work. A lot of stuff is coming from there. I am just trying to pace myself and not get so frustrated with myself and to be calmer. It is working pretty well. I have talked some to my principal about it. He seems to be understanding. He stopped by my room on Friday to see how I was.<br />
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I am also trying to be more open with my husband about how I feel. That is going well and he really is understanding about it all.<br />
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I go and see my therapist sometime in March. Wish it could have been sooner but I can contact him through phone or email if need be. I haven't yet but I am thinking I might send him a few of my thoughts.<br />
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Thanks to all for being supportive and your wonderful comments. God really does work if you let him. Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-36143399415242364072016-02-17T12:57:00.002-08:002016-02-17T12:57:42.960-08:00Found Out I Am Human Today And It Is Okay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My doctor appointment went well. He was very nice. Also a dear friend of mine went with me and that sure helped. I have an appointment for a medicine evaluation next week and I see this doctor I saw today in a month. <br />
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I need to not put so high of standards on myself. It is okay that I am not perfect. No one else is.<br />
I know that God and my good friends will help me through this. I have got to kick depression in the butt.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-40444444354015003602016-02-11T16:06:00.001-08:002016-02-11T16:06:50.621-08:00Something A Little Cheerful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I decided to write about something cheerful today. I have really been in a slump lately. Too many things pulling at me and my heart. I do have an appointment on Wed. to see a doctor. Hopefully that will help.<br />
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Yesterday I took the day off of work. It was good. I slept in, went to lunch with some friends and got a manicure. It was all wonderful. I felt more renewed as I went back to work today.<br />
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The little boy in my class that I have been having difficulties with was really good today. He was in a good mood and did what he was suppose to do. (tender mercies)<br />
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I only have one more day to work and then I am off for a week for the President's holiday. I am planning on doing things with friends that week.<br />
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To night Tom and I are going to a college basketball game. We are meeting his son and his family there. Should be a good time. Hope our team wins.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-54270529052577821292016-01-30T11:23:00.000-08:002016-01-30T11:23:00.339-08:00Tender Mercies That Came My Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was a little upset to say the least about finding out about my brother. That night I prayed that I would have some tender mercies come to me. I just needed to know that someone knew of my pain.<br />
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So, I have a great group of friends. Many times we send group texts to each other. So I sent out a group text asking my friends to pray for me. Well, there is one lady in the group that for some reason can't receive group texts on her phone so for some reason I didn't send her one. (too lazy to write it again I guess) The very next day she sent me a sweet text saying that she was thinking about me and hoped I was doing okay.<br />
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The next day a former student left me the sweetest note saying that she loved me. Totally melted my heart. This girl has had a lot of issues to deal with in her young life.<br />
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I am so grateful to the Lord for showing me these tender mercies. I think they are all around us if we are opened to seeing them. Have you had any tender mercies shown to you?<br />
<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-53498624617464747212016-01-27T18:34:00.000-08:002016-01-27T18:34:09.542-08:00My Little Brother Is Wearing An Orange Jumpsuit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have many emotions running through me as I sit here and type this blog post. I don't know exactly what to say, I just know I need to get this down to help me work through the pain of it all.<br />
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I found out a couple of days ago that my little brother is in jail for stabbing his wife and breaking some of her ribs. I don't know any more details than that. I just talked to my sister-in-laws mother. My SIL is okay. She was in the hospital for a couple of days.<br />
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I don't know what to feel at this time. My little brother was so sweet and kind back in the day but drugs and alcohol really can take a toll on people and change them. Also, my brother has really pulled himself away from the family over the years. I just hate drugs. I wish they weren't here.<br />
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Because of all this history it brings about all my conflicting feelings. I really care and then I find myself not caring at all because he brought this on himself. I want to punch him and shake him but then I want to hug him because I remember how sweet and wonderful he was to me. There are 6 years between us but were we always closer that me and my older brother. <br />
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I just have to let it go and let God handle it. I can't take this on. All I can do is pray.<br />
<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-6617539076544860492016-01-22T18:52:00.000-08:002016-01-22T18:52:36.134-08:00I'm A Happy Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a happy girl today for several reasons. First and foremost it is the weekend. I look forward to the rest and sleeping in.<br />
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Secondly, Tom brought home a pizza from a local pizza shop that is to die for. I didn't know that he was going to bring it home so it was a surprise. <br />
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Thirdly I have my computer back. There was something wrong with it and my (step) son fixed it. He is a whiz with computers. We are lucky to have him to help out like that.<br />
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Fourthly I have a hot date with my husband tomorrow. We are going to San Francisco to see the Jersey Boys. We have seen it before and just loved it. We might go out to eat somewhere after the show.<br />
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What is making you happy today?Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-18512078864877268632016-01-19T20:18:00.002-08:002016-01-19T20:20:13.777-08:00A Little Bit Of This And That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Work--Work is going pretty well. I have a nice group of kids. I only have 20 kids because 4 of them left for various reasons. I miss them. There is one aspect that is hard about this. This kids are only in 1st grade and have so much to deal with. One of my kids just got put in foster care. Don't know why. One of my kid's mother is in rehab for drinking too much. Another one of my kid's mother has been homeless for 3 years. So they have been here and there. My student is with their grandparents now. So I try real hard to show them as much love and compassion that I can.<br />
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Family--My family is well which I am grateful for. We got a new addition in September. My niece, Ashley, had a baby boy named Benjamin. He is so adorable. My (step) son Tony had a bad accident on his mountain bike. He had surgery and he is doing very well now.<br />
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The Gathering-- I have a great group of really good girlfriends. We get together about once a month at someones house and sit around and talk. Monday everyone came over to my house. We had a great visit. We had See's candy and Shirley Temples. We also had potato salad, chips and dip and cheese and crackers. Can't wait to do it again.<br />
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We have been getting some much needed rain which is good. We need it out here in California. The only bad thing is that the kids can't go out for recess. LOL<br />
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Hope you are all doing well and have good things going on in your lives.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-32479198569098192012016-01-04T20:16:00.002-08:002016-01-04T20:16:58.873-08:00He Danced With Me In The Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tom asked me if I wanted to go to a college basketball game with him on New Year's Eve. I said I would if he would dance with me in the kitchen. I told him he could pick the song. He agreed.<br />
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So on Jan 1 Tom pulled up a song on Youtube and we danced in the kitchen. It was so sweet and romantic.I hope we can do it again.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-51249238106705956222016-01-01T21:50:00.002-08:002016-01-01T21:50:52.195-08:00Word Of The Year----Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While at my mom"s house for Christmas dinner, my sister in law brought up the idea of one word new years<br />
's resolutions. She asked us all what our word was. I didn't have one at the moment. After a couple of days it became clear to me that my word should be REMEMBER.<br />
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I want to remember how blessed I am. I want to remember to be grateful. I want to remember to pray.<br />
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What is your word of the year?.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-40308892046983039382015-06-23T19:36:00.001-07:002015-06-23T19:36:15.579-07:00A Beautiful Day in San FranciscoMonday my friend Kathleen and I went into San Francisco. We had so much fun walking around a lake in Golden Gate Park, seeing beautiful flowers and walking on the beach. We also walked on the Golden Gate Bridge. I didn't get any pictures because it was really windy. It was a great day. We live in such a wonderful area.
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-60173945971577813682015-05-11T19:52:00.001-07:002015-05-11T20:04:10.124-07:00Mother's Day Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sunday morning I woke up on the wrong side of the bed so to speak. I was bound and determined to be depressed all day. I was even contemplating not going to church. I didn't want to hear anything about Mother's Day and I didn't want to get a stupid plant or anything. <br />
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Basically I don't consider myself a mother. At least not in the regular sense of the word. On June 12, 1987 I became the stepmother to 3 children that I really didn't know. Tom had custody of his son and the two girls lived with their mother in Florida. I didn't even meet them until after we were married.<br />
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Then on Feb. 12, 1987 I became a mother. I gave birth to Daniel. But as time progressed that didn't take on the normal mother aspect either. Daniel had Fragile X syndrome and was not going to be a "normal" person. He was going to school at about 2 and he moved into a group home at 5.5.<br />
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I was sad about all of this and the fact that Daniel wouldn't be calling and that my step children probably wouldn't call either. (I was really hoping they would)Then Tom got a text from his daughter Rachael and she said to tell me Happy Mother's Day. His other daughter, Mary, wrote a Mother's Day post on our family Facebook page, and later that night Tony sent me a text saying Happy Mother's Day.<br />
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This all totally changed my attitude and made my day. I even felt guilty for feeling so bad. God really works in mysterious ways and is aware of us. Even me.<br />
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PS. Over the years my relationship with my step children has gotten better. I think as each of us has grown and matured we have come to realize that we are important in each others lives. I even feel more like they are my children. I wish that I had given birth to them.Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-52117168571486154622015-05-06T21:15:00.003-07:002015-05-06T21:15:59.715-07:00I Survived The A To Z Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I survived the challenge. This turned out to be a really good experience for me. It has restored my faith in blogging. I am glad there are so many people out there doing this. I was also able to meet a few new people and become reconnected with other bloggers. I did do several posts ahead of time and that worked out really well.<br />
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I didn't get to as many blogs as I would have liked to. Seeing that big list was so overwhelming. However, I did visit everyone who came to me.<br />
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This ended up being a great eye opening experience for me. For my theme I did character qualities that are good to have. I came to the realization that I am not as willing as I should be. (that was my w word). I really need to be more willing to do what it takes to achieve something.<br />
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While doing this challenge, I reached my 400th post. I can't believe I have done that much.<br />
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Thanks to all of those who came by and commented. This was a fun experience and I look forward to doing it next year.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-35294057431675821982015-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-30T00:00:12.542-07:00A To Z Blogging Challenge Zest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you have a keen enjoyment for something? If you do then you have zest. I think more people, including me, should have more of a zest for life or what ever it is that we are doing. A wise man once said that life is meant to be enjoyed not endured. (Gordon B. Hinckley) I think we need to remember that and do things with zest.<br />
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Well, this is the end of the A to Z blogging challenge. I have really enjoyed it and hope all of you have too. It was a good exercise and really helped me to stretch as a wanna be blogging. Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-38581111901280612782015-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-29T00:00:10.959-07:00A to Z Blogging Challenge You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You just isn't a pronoun to refer to someone or people in general. You is a wonderful person with many talents and abilities. You is a person that is like no other. You is a person created to be one of a kind. You is you and you are amazing, wonderful and fabulous.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-60159979896215362122015-04-28T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-28T00:00:11.797-07:00A To Z Blogging Challenge fragile X<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fragile what? I know this isn't a good character quality to have but this has been very instrumental in building my character. When I was 29 I gave birth to my first child, a son, we named Daniel. <br />
After a few weeks it was apparent that something wasn't quite right. Many months and doctor visits later, we were told that Daniel had Fragile X syndrome. Upon further testing it was determined that I was a carrier. However, later testing showed me that I have the full mutation of the gene so in a sense I have it too. There are ways that I am effected by it. So, to make a long story short, dealing with my son and dealing with my issues, has really turned me into a better person and has truly made me stronger. As much as I would like all of this Fragile X stuff to go away, I wouldn't want to give it back for all the things I have learned from it. I guess God gave me Fragile X as a vehicle to make me more like him. I hope I have meet the challenge.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-79185930699189861652015-04-27T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-27T00:00:13.111-07:00A To Z Blogging Challenge Willing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Willing is defined as the power of the mind to decide and do. I like this. We do all have the power to do what is needed. Sometimes, though, it is easier to be willing to do something than others. I find myself willing to do certain things but it is hard to be willing to exercise.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-48787798558943527742015-04-25T09:03:00.001-07:002015-04-25T09:03:20.508-07:00A To Z Blogging Challenge Valor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Valor means to have courage and bravery, to stand strong. Has this word become obsolete? It seems like I never hear this word used much. We need to bring it back but more importantly we need to be men and woman of valor. We need more of these kind of people now.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-83233165197561362162015-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-24T00:00:10.997-07:00A To Z Blogging Challenge Unity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unity is defined as oneness, or being united. I think things work out so much better when everyone is on the same page. We are always stronger together than apart. I always think of the object lesson when a person breaks a twig in half with no effort. Then when many twigs are put together they cannot be broken. Let's all stick together and not tear each other apart.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062606307866863736.post-26912278202582475002015-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-23T00:00:14.828-07:00A To Z Blogging Challenge Trustworthy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think this is one of the greatest qualities a person can have. This is the bases for everything.<br />
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<br />Karen Mortensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991996620864410833noreply@blogger.com5