Sister Highlight.....

Whooooo Hoooooo!!!!

SISTER HIGHLIGHT FRIDAY!!!!!

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Here we go again with some awesome sisters!

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Meet Natalie...:)

I live in Pleasant View, Utah.  Which is North of Ogden and South of Brigham City.  I'm originally from Southern Utah, a little town called Escalante, where I was raised on a cattle ranch.  I met my husband at Southern Utah University and we have lived in Boulder City, Nevada, Southern California, Northern California and Arizona before moving to Pleasant View in 2006.  We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it here.  We just didn't realize how much we missed the seasons, and YES, I even LOVE the snow.  Most of all I love the mountains and can't get enough of them.  I'm sorry, but next to my family the mountains kind of flood my feed.  Besides the mountains we love the people of this little town.  Everyone is super friendly and after all the places we have lived, this place wins our hearts hands down.

My favorite treat: 

 WOW, I've rarely met any treat I didn't like.  It's the treats I love that keep me from being a size 2!  Okay, so I might have never been a size two in my life, but you get the picture.  I would have to say my all time favorite treat is Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I like to pride myself in thinking I might have mastered the BEST chocolate chip cookie ever, but then that would be bragging...but I think it could be true!😆

My favorite color:

  I like lots of colors but my top two at the time, I'd have to say is pale yellow and light blue, which were my wedding colors by the way  36 years ago!! (Just realized that)😳. Favorites have come and gone but somehow those two always seem to lead the pack.

Talents:

  My daughter ask me one day....."So Mom do you have any talents"? OUCH....haha.  I'm not a great singer, or artist, or any obvious talents like that.  However, when we are at Pineview Reservoir, there isn't anyone, including men that can back in a boat trailer better than me😂.  I think it's from all my days being the tractor driver, while my brothers piled hay on the trailer I pulled.  But seriously, I love to cook, sew and decorate my house.  I'm not a good creator, but I'm a MAD copier of other peoples ideas!!

{darling shower curtain she made........AHHH LOVE!}

My favorite quote: 

 "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.  It's about learning to dance in the rain."  

I'm not sure who the writer of that quote was, but I have it on a table by my front door, because being a mother to five and a grandma to three, I think we need to be reminded to not let the junk of everyday life and trials bring us down.  Life will always have challenges, but if we wait for life to get perfect, we might be waiting a LONG, LONG time!!

Person who most inspires me: 

 I have lots of awesome people in my life, but I lost my mom to cancer when I was 26 years old.  I have brothers but no sisters.  This awesome inspiration in my life is Susan Haslam my friend from AZ, she has kind of filled that void.  She has not only been the most fun, spontaneous friend I have ever had, but she has been like a big sister and even sometimes like a mom, cause her advice is just that good.   She is just enough older than me that she could help me solve all my raising teenager problems.  (which if any of you are raising teenagers, you know this is kind of a BIG deal), I always knew I could go to her with any problem of the day and she would always know what to do.  I had to put our dog down recently and she talked me through it and gave me the courage to make a tough decision.  She's the type of friend that I knew would help me through things and would tell me the truth even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear.  I love her SO much.  Do you have people in your life that you know Heavenly Father sent to help you get through the tough days?  Well.... Susan is my best pal and guardian angel!  She isn't much of a social media person but I hope she knows the impact she has had on my life.❤️

{ohhh what an angel.... love her already!!}

Just a last note that is a big part of me and shaped my life is the love of my Heavenly Father and my faith in his Gospel.  I love my Savior and strive to become better each day so I might live with him again.

Adoption is my passion.  We have five children ages 32 to 15.  Three out of five have blessed our family through adoption.  My family is my life and without them it would be SO boring.  If you loved your kids, just wait, the BIG bonus is the grand kids and we have another one coming in January that will make four for us.

Thanks for letting me ramble with all my nonsense.  It's truly an honor to be highlighted.  I just love this Sisterscircle and the very cool people I have met because of these awesome sisters.  Since I have no biological sissies I have adopted you all in my heart.

Natalie---thank you for sharing such tender amazing things in your life with us, We love how HFs hand is in our lives and puts people exactly where they need to be, for GOOD! Including our children and friends....

On Instagram its clear how much you love your kids and 
family!

We love you.....

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Now, 
Meet Jeri!  :)

 I live in Columbia, Maryland with my husband and three children. We were supposed to be here for 2 to 3 years, but we're going on 10 years! It's looks like I'd better start calling this place home. 

What is your favorite treat?

 I love coconut cake. A long time ago I looked at my pinterest board called "i want to eat that" and the only thing I had pinned was cake- lots and lots of cakes.

What is your favorite color?

 Help a girl out...my favorite color doesn't have a name.  I googled light mint green blue aqua to find this picture. 

{lol}

Tell us one of your unique talents?

 I am a dance photographer...go check out @jeritidwellphotography to see my dance images. I love it. I've been in the photography business for 10 years...but I've adored focusing on photographing dancers. I still do ballet when I can get a spare minute to go to the dance studio. I love that dancing is part of my life. I have two daughters that also dance. I love washing three (Daughter #1, Daughter #2 and mine!) sizes of pink tights, and hanging them up to dry. I also have a sickness called "need to buy all the cute leotards in the world". There is no cure. 

What is your favorite quote? 

When I was growing up my Father would sit at the head of the dinner table with his nine children on the two long side benches, and my Mom would be seated at the other end of the table. Every time he would say, "Kids, do you know how much I love your Mom?"  

I did know. I still do. It's a lot. 

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

 Oh dear, I have too many people to list. Right now the person I will mention is my friend Kayelynn. She passed away in April after her battle with breast cancer. She was such an amazing friend to me, and she was always such a good example of righteousness. I knew she loved me, because she was so good at showing me that. I've promised myself to be more like Kayelynn. If you love someone, tell them. If someone is on your mind, call them. Go to the post office and mail the gift you bought them a month ago! If you think someone has cute shoes at church, compliment them! If you think someone needs help or to be cheered up, do something about it! There are so many ways to show people you care about them, that you notice them, and that you love them. 

{ohhhhh my goodness, love that!!!}

I feel like a cheater being in the spotlight...because I know Annie (Sissy #5)! We were BFFs in high school, and some how we've managed to see each other every few years even though we live so far from each other. Annie is pure sunshine! I love her. I'm thankful for the internet and instagram so we can keep up with each other so easily! Her love of life is so strong you can feel it through your phone! Am I right? I love that her other sisters were always kind to me. I have good memories of each one of them! They welcomed me into their warm, delicious smelling home (blueberry candle...I remember!) and made me feel loved. (Their Mother even did my hair for prom, and it was so cute!) This is who they are. This is who they always have been. We are lucky, so lucky that they've opened their circle and let us in.

Oh Jeri...{Tears} such great memories, just want the world and sisters to KNOW YOU....and love and adore you, and enjoy your talents!  

And thanks for sharing HS pictures of you and sister #5. CLASSIC hair!!!! haha......... #hairspray

the human spirit.......

Sister #1 here

I'm a runner. 

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When I want to be.

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I pretty much have a love hate relationship with my running shoes.

I've done ONE marathon {off the bucket list} and quite a few half marathons.

There IS a reason I've only done ONE marathon. ha!

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I enjoy half marathons a lot more as they are kinder to your body.

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Right now, I'm in the "not so much likely" mode and am taking a break.

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I'm human

My husband on the other hand - he's a die hard marathoner.

He has a goal to reach 50 marathons by the time he's 50.

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He's 49

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To be honest I've lost track of how many he's done

but it's somewhere in the 45+ range.

He's been trying for many many years and marathons to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  He really never thought it would happen.  But it did.  Three years ago the perfect marathon fell into place and he qualified and drew out to run in the Boston 2013 marathon.

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Yep, I said Boston 2013.

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The year of the Boston Marathon Bombings.

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He was there.

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Crossed the finish line about 6-7 minutes BEFORE the bombs went off. 

He has blogged about his experience.

He is an excellent writer and expresses himself well. 

It's well worth the read.  {tissue is recommended}

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Part 1

Part 2

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As you can image this was a traumatizing experience for all runners, spectators and family members involved...near and far!

It effected us personally as my husband soon started showing symptoms of PTSD.   Difficulty in dealing with every day tasks, depression, guilt and loud noises really seemed to send his mind back to that horrific day.

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It was a tough few months.....and still lingers

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His resolve for running was heightened even more with determination to return to Boston in 2014

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...and HE did

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This time we took the family.  We made it into a week long family vacation and it was healing and bonding for us all to be together and back in Boston where it all began one year earlier.

 

The City of Boston was electric.  The people so kind.

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The human spirit is amazing

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The atmosphere was unbelievable as the people of Boston were determined to take back their city

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Group of Utahans running the Marathon gathered near the finish line for a group picture.

Healing happened.  Boston was strong.

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The focus this year was "we all run boston"

loved it!

Many marathoners wore their 2013 blue jackets to honor the prior year.  We often heard and were asked "were you here last year?"  We were stopped on three different occasions for radio and tv interviews.  {I'm a star!}

 

None of us are exempt from life's trials.  None. 

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Everyone has "something" that they are dealing with. Truth.

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There is a lot that we won't understand about the reasoning behind why things happen they way they do.

We have to trust God and allow that faith to carry us.

In my house we are Lord of the Rings fans and I love this quote;

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."

 

the human spirit is resilient...

Boston, Thank You!

Sister #1 out!

Sister Scribble

There is nothing he can't do.

He is there for us always.

We must conquer our battles together WITH Him!!

Our Kids!

                                {2010}

We thought it would be fun to post our kids and introduce you all to them a little bit more....Seeing as you're our sisters and all..... you should probably get to know your nieces and nephews. :)

#1's kiddos

Joshua:  22 years old. He came into this world as a spitfire, a whirlwind a strong willed soul!   Full of life and love of learning.  A busy body!  He's pretty much been smarter then me since kindergarten.  He has a love for music and plays the piano, tuba and trombone.  He loves the sciences and has been known to banter with the best when it come to politics.  He also has beautiful curly hair (when it grows out a bit).  He is currently a full-time student at USU and is a recent return missionary from the Belgium Netherlands mission, where he learned the Dutch language. {...and is available...uh hem...}

Tanner:  20 years old. I prayed for this child.  His older brother was a handful and I really needed a low-key child to survive motherhood.  So, I prayed and I received Tanner.  He was a blue eyed toe-head full of adorableness! Nothing phases or upsets this boy.  He's as layed back as they come.  As a one year old baby he would put himself to bed.  Who does that?  He is a little on the quiet side, but has a sense of humor that triggers the giggles with his one-liner classics.  Tanner is currently serving a full-time LDS mission in Honolulu Hawaii.  He is due to be home in January 2015.  We look forward to a sweet reunion.

Landon:  18 years old. I honestly don't know what I did to deserve a Landon.  He's a parents dream child.  I've often been made offers of trade or bargaining for him, but I've always declined. :)   He's self motivated, makes friends easily, thinks of others, cleans up after himself, a 'fix it' guy and loves the Lord.  When Landon has his mind set on something there is no turning him back until he has achieved his goal.   He recently built a boat from watching YouTube videos.  Landon leaves in 2 weeks to serve the Lord for the LDS Church as a full-time missionary.  He is serving in the Missouri Independence Mission.  He'll bless the lives of those he serves.

#2's whipper snappers

Zachary

Age: 23
Currently serving LDS mission in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He loves his mission and as of right now, doesn't want to come home.
He is a brainiac! Loves to read and write! Wants to become a successful author someday! He is a nerd of all things Star Wars and Harry Potter.

Kenzie and Brent:
Age: 22
Married to Brent Smith who is amazing, delightful and full of AWESOMENESS!!! They had her first baby, Boston, 4 months ago and  started their forever family!
She is a wonderful mother, full of so much love!  She is very artistic and creative! She is the life of any party! She loves to laugh, buy shoes, and be with her family!

Mattison: (farthest left in red)
Age:19
Currently serving a LDS mission in Cincinnati Ohio! She loves her mission!
This girl has personality dripping off her! She loves life and wants to explore it. She is funny and makes people laugh. She makes you feel comfortable when you are around her.

MaKael-
Age:16
Kell loves to dance. She walks just like a prima ballerina! She also loves to act and is very good at it! She is a doll and is kind to everyone! She loves to read and devours books daily. Very witty and can carry on a very intelligent conversation!

Mollie
Age: 13
Mollie loves to sing. And this girl is smart! She knows wants she wants to do in life and goes after it! She isn't afraid to ask questions, which is a good quality to have. She is a social butterfly. Loves to have good friends. Those that uplift you. And she tries hard to be one herself.

#3's offspring

Treavor age 20. The biggest teddy bear you'll ever meet. He is ginormous and his heart is even bigger. He's super tech-geeky-nerdy smart and lives for video games, NFL football and movies. Don't challenge him to a wits of Star Wars knowledge. {#nerdssavetheworld} He served a mission to Florida and is now working full time. He is always happy & positive...ready to help... and he will hug you until it hurts...but no really it hurts tho. 
(as you can see from both photos..i want to be with them all the time!!)

Tai is pure sunshine and thunder and the same time. She knows who she is...she knows what she wants...she knows the sky's the limit...and she won't let anyone stop her. She loves animals....wants basically to build an ark and have 2 of everything. {Her mom says no} This hilarious miss smarty-pants is a Senior this year and is so ready to take on college.

#4's munchkins

Justin is 17. He's a quiet soul. We call him the One Word Wonder. He is very funny and witty though. He is a senior this year. Very excited to graduate. He loves riding motorbikes and playing basketball. He's always willing to help others and is a hard worker. He's very laid back. His happy and mad faces are all the same. (he is happy in this picture..haha)

Tyson is 15. Going into High School!! He's pretty excited to get his license next year. You'll pretty much find him outside either riding his longboard or playing with the neighborhood kids (they love him). He loves to ride motorbikes, anything with wheels actually, and play all sports. He's compassionate for others. He once gave all the change he could find in our house to his friend in school when he was about 9 who's dad got into an bad accident.

 Meghan is 13. She loves singing, clothes, hanging with friends and she LOVES to babysit. She can't wait to be a Mom (in good time of course...geez), Marry a cowboy and live on a ranch with horses. She's always wanting to cook something. She is tender hearted and loves to give hugs. Outgoing and has a little sass :)

Millie is 9. The baby of our family. She loves to dance, watch movies and play with her friends. She loves school, and loves to snuggle. She's loving and very loveable. Always has a smile on her face. Always willing to help. She was born on Friday the 13th, but nothing bad has come of it. She's our little light.

#5's ankle biters

Abbie: 17 1/2 Abbie is a beautiful free spirit. She is very brave with her independence. Her creativity with a pencil and paper is amazing----she has a DEEP gift with drawing emotion. She is very quiet, We like to call her our "Britney S Pearce " from Glee.  For obvious reasons......LOL

Autumn: 16, her smile lights up a room. She can be very hyper, weird, funny and loud. She has a passion for singing. She is NOT a morning person {yikes} , but has a talent to do "Pinterest hair" as we call it. And what else....um let's just say if you were at war, you would want Autumn on your side.

Jackson and Charlee!
Inseparable ----- :)
Jackson is her protector.
He will even fight off "bugth" by clicking two sticks together for HER. Just to make her happy. He reads her stories at night and usually ends up sleeping by her side. She annoys him but he feels the need that this is his DUTY!
Jax loves legos, minecraft, xbox and creating things. And putting together presentations and stats about things! Non rule breaker. He hates school and wearing clothes.
Charlee---rules the house. She is SPUNKY and complely full of life. Sweet and evil. Very smart and darling. Loves to play littlest pet shops and ride her bike. She's our little healer and our blonde hair blue eye caboose.

WELL THERE YA HAVE IT!! That's the whole litter!

These kids have grown up together... they love and support each other.. and they know that #familyiseverything!!

{2003}

{2004}

{2011}

 
{2011 with the Grandparents}

{2013}

And now we all feel old....HA!!

LOVE YOU SISTERS!!

HUGS TIMES FIVE... (plus 19!!)

YOUR SISTER CIRCLE MEET UP!

SISTAS!!!! GET THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR!!!!

*Private Meeting Room

*Name Badges

*Giveaways

*Sister Speed Dating to meet other sisters!

*and stuff we don't even know about yet! hahaha!!

All you can eat  pizza,pasta and salad for those who would like to purchase lunch. 

($5.99 pay at the door.....they made a special price just for us!)

DON'T FORGET TO RSVP to us at yoursistercircle@gmail.com 

and GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST OF FUN!! THE FUN LIST!!

eeeeeks!! SO EXCITED!!!!! 

Fabulous Friday Sister Highlights!

Holy EXCITING!!!

Hold on to your Poka-Dot-Tankini's Sisters!!!!
{modesty is the best policy}

-It's FABULOUS Friday-

SISTER HIGHLIGHT Day!

Meet SARA!!!
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Hello Sara!
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{those glasses!!!  Caaaaute!}

What is your full name?

 Sara Chere Whetten

What is your instagram user name?

       @smplsara

Where do you live?

I currently reside in Fort Drum, New York  

We are a military family of 5 we have called California, South Carolina, Germany, Kansas, and now New York home. We always make the best of where we live.

What is your favorite treat?

          When I indulge......  

              Chocolate + Coconut Cream + Cheesecake = #LIFECHANGING  

What is your favorite color? 
My fav color right this moment is Teal

{she used the half word fav -- right on sista!} 

Tell us one of your unique talents?
A current project I just finished
Chevron Bench  

 My Fav Quote

Love is like the POLAR STAR. 
In a changing world, it is a constant. 
It is something that, when sincere, never moves. 
It is the very essence of the teachings of CHRIST. 

-Standing for Something

-By Gordon B Hinckley 

BEST BOOK EVER

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

 Meet Wendy, ONE of my many inspirations! 
  

Wendy, is not only a great friend she is a great person. I met Wendy in 2010 when we moved to Manhattan, Kansas. Wendy was more than gracious to my family as we got settled into our new home. Wendy always encourages me to do what seems to be HARD at the time, but always the right path. She is very grounded in her faith and an amazing wife and mother. I look to her whenever I have a hard question to answer or to just be inspired to live better. Wendy is a true disciple of Christ, she never wavers, she is constant.  I love her like a sister and could not imagine my life without her. 

Tell us more about you?
I am spontaneous, funny, and get excited easily. When I get 
excited about something I either say;

I’m GOING 

TO PEE

My PANTS 

{are you sure your not sister #5's relative?}

 

 or 

        

 I like to talk in accent whenever I can, which is often. The accent seems to be whatever I am in the mood for that day. I dabble in many crafts and hobbies I especially love DIY projects. I am a sucker for saving money. I love my kids, so much in fact I had them home with me last year and schooled them on my very own.(I know what you’re thinking) It was the best experience I have ever had. 

I am convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have been a member 14 years. It has definitely been a growing process for me that has greatly enriched my life and those around me. I am a first generation member in my family, and that comes with its own blessings. I strive to live a Christ-centered life always. I have learned that we cannot choose for the ones we love, we can only love them and hope eventually they will learn. This is hard for me, I am a fixer, I want people to be happy. I don’t like to see them go through trials. But with that said it’s important we all make mistakes, that we all choose for ourselves because it’s our choices that define us and make us into who we were meant to become. 
{beautifully said TRUTH!}

Okay enough about me- - - I just want to say to my favorite sisters. I LOVE YOU, I Love your blog and your Instagram. I feel less alone and know there is women in the world just like me. Making a difference in such tribulation and dark times. Thank you for asking me to be apart of your wonderful family. 

xoxox

Sara Whetten

Thanks Sara for sharing a little about you with us! 

YOU....ARE....ADORABLE!

WE LOVE YOU! 

SAY HELLO TO RHONNA!

Could she be any cuter?  We don't think so.....

What is your full name?

Rhonna Mask Farrer

What is your instagram user name?

@rhonnafarrer

Where do you live?

Orem, Utah

What is your favorite treat?

Oh mercy.....I have too many.  I love chocolate, Ice cream & pink grapefruit anything!

What is your favorite color?

..again, I have too many!  It totally depends on the mood I'm in!

Lately I've been drawn to CORAL.

Tell us one of your unique talents?

hum..unique?  I can turn my eyelids inside out?  

My Mom used to freak out when I did it!

{Now this we gotta see!!}

What is your favorite quote?

I have so many, but the one that is resonating in my soul lately is from Bonnie L. Oscarson,

"The fact of the matter is, we really and truly need each other.  
Women naturally seek friendship, support, and companionship.  
We have so much to learn from one another, 
and we often let self-imposed barriers keep us
 from enjoying association which could be among  
the greatest blessings in our lives."
 
{insert ugly cry here}

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

Just one? How about one union; My Mom & Dad. My Mom's one of THE most amazing people I know. She knows who she is & has taught me that from birth. She sparkles...not just her bling she loves to wear, but her eyes; her heart; her soul...she just LIGHTS up! She is always positive, always faithful & always loving. She's my hero...& my Dad's right there with her! My Dad is the strong, silent type. He's always led our family, side by side with my mom, with faith, service & a shining example of how to love God & love one another. He's my hero!

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 A little psssst... about Rhonna.... We wanted to give a special shout out to her because she has truly truly TRULY inspired Your Sister Circle.... but no really...lol TRULY.
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First of all... she is the most genuine person you could ever meet. Her face just radiates light and love and she's SO REAL!! SO REALLY REAL!! 
For the one person that doesn't know.... haha...She is the mastermind behind the Rhonna Designs app.  It's Brilliant!   An instagrammers dream app.  You don't have to be an instagrammer to use it either!  It has so many real life applications and the creativity that can flow from your brain is endless! If you don't have it....
GET    .      IT     .     NOW!!
You won't be disappointed......it brings out the good in YOU!!
{did you get it yet?.....how about now?}
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Thank You Rhonna... for contributing to the GOOD in this world

You truly do LIFT and INSPIRE others!!!

Happy Sister Highlight Day EVERYONE!!

WE LOVE YOU!
#hugstimesfive