Beautiful Women

I was reading my friend's blog (Sonyetta) and I thought she put into words what I've been really thinking about lately. Here's what she said:

"I wish women knew how beautiful they are. Why is everyone so obsessed with getting rid of wrinkles? Why do we feel the need to run the household, run the business, AND run twenty miles a week? I used to think that if I just lost enough weight, I would feel good enough, but I realize that's not true. In fact, many of my friends who are half my size are even more insecure than I am. And the world just keeps layin' it on us, ya know?

I don't get why youth is such a coveted thing. What's wrong with a few wrinkles? If you're fifty, what does it matter if you look fifty? If you've survived fifty years on this planet you deserve to look a little rough around the edges. Those lines show that you lived. You laughed and cried and loved and brought forth life and you should be proud of yourself.

I've spent so much of my life hating my body, but I can now look in the mirror and have profound respect for my body. It's been up and kickin' for 23 vicious years and yet it has rarely given me any major fits. I certainly don't deserve to have had it treat me so well, not after how I treat it, and yet here I am. I may not have the perfect figure, but my body is sturdy and strong. It's got more than it's fair share of bagage to haul around but doesn't complain too often. I feel blessed to have this body.

Maybe next time you look in the mirror, instead of noticing the newest zit, or the size of your hips or whatever it is you usually gripe about, think about everything your body has done for you. Breathe a prayer of thanks if you're healthy. Think about all the things it has gone through and will go through and what an amazing piece of machinery it is. And that face of yours may not be everything you hoped it would be, but I'll bet someone loves that face. Those eyes speak love. Those lips curled in a smile can warm someone's heart. And best of all- you are a reflection of Jesus, the One whose beauty is so brilliant one cannot look directly upon it. So don't hide your light under a basket. Let it shine girl, you're the only one who can bring your gift to the world. Nobody can take your place."

This is Sonyetta....isn't she beautiful? She has one of the most bubbly, sunshine-filled personalities and even though I think she's gorgeous, it never mattered what she looked like because she really cared about me. I know another girl who is really gorgeous, but she's acts mean, pretentious, and superior. So to me, she's ugly....anyway, (climbs off soap box).

Family Camp

I got back from Family Camp on Sunday and was completely exhausted. It was fun but tiring....maybe from lack of sleep. It was just Gina and Eric and I that ended up going. The camp was held in Plains, MT, about a 1.5 hour drive from where I live. You can kinda see the "P" on the hill for Plains. Most Montana towns have a letter on the mountain or hill for the town.

We would get up and eat breakfast at 8:00 am. Then there were optional mini-bible studies. The one I went to was called "Laugh your way to a better marriage". It was really funny and interesting. Then we had lunch at 12pm and free time until 5:30 when we ate dinner. The Camp was held at a fair ground with buildings for eating etc but no dorms. I decided to try to set up camp in an old concession building. This is what it looked like.

The first night I tried sleeping there but it was too cold and also a little gross, (dead bugs, mouse droppings etc). So the next night I slept in my car....laid the seats down and a egg carton mattress topped with towels. We were nice and warm and didn't have to worry about spiders. Here is a pic of my bed:


In the evening we had a service. The worship was let by a Christian Rock band called the Angie Raess Band. They were very good and excellent musicians. The speakers at the camp were professional actors from CA who also do comedy ministry. There were very funny and really kept your attention while getting their point across. It was really refreshing. I think everyone really enjoyed it.

I wish I had taken more pics....here are some more.






Our Friend Pam Knight


Bonnie Khenne, we kinda substituted her for Mom. She and Mom are alot alike and I really missed Mom at camp.

Do you ever wake up in a bad mood? You don't know why but everything and anything is irritating. Thats me today. I just feel blah, fat, and like I'm mad at whoever happens to talk to me. Now that I write this it seems ridiculous!!! Anyway, I guess i feel pretty drained from this last week/weekend. The family reunion was alot of fun, people and noise. After a few days of being sleep deprived from staying up late, the heat and lots of visiting (and fully enjoying it), it definitely saps your energy. I'm so glad we did it and hope that we can do it again in the near future. I was talking to my Grandma Mary who is the Matriarch of the whole Laudadio clan and she seemed like she was very proud of her family. She said as she looked at all the people during the reunion it made her think of how her and my Grandpa Tony (who is in heaven) started it all. How you have a few kids and then they have kids and pretty soon you have a big family. She was joking and said, "all of this is our fault"!!!. Anyway, here are some pics.


Four Generation picture...I look a little wierd.


Grandma and her "five" children. They are making a spot for John who wasn't able to make it.


All the Laudadios....it's impossible to everyone looking at the camera and smiling....so this is the best we can get.


My cousin Daniel and I dancing. My Aunt Jeanie and several of my cousins are great dancers so Maria took us all out one night to dance. I can't dance but Daniel was trying to teach me.


A BBQ at my Grandma's Assisted living apartments. My cousins Dave and Joy came along with my nieces Kendra and Lynette.