You guys are sneaky. You Raise Me Up. Here I turn my comments off in the previous post. But you proceed to flood my email inbox and my other posts are beginning to groan.
You Raise Me Up
How blessed I am to be a part of such a fabulous group.
Laura
“The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.” ~ Ecclesiastes 7:8
Laura, you are the inspiration! Congratulations on all you have accomplished and congrats to your daughter on her graduation, too!
Oh, Dear Laura, Dear One – you're the blessing. After going to Marty's and seeing she had asked us to post about you, I ran over and read your most touching post and knew I had to post about you too!
What an incredible woman you are and I appreciate you letting us into your heart by sharing your story!
God bless you and I love this song!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thanks for the comment! I tried to watch to video, it's blocked here in Taiwan!
Have a great week ahed of you!
Aha! So that's what I need to do next time you turn your comments off! I had been considering smoke signals…
Well deserved congratulations to you, an incredibly gifted and hardworking woman. I didn't know the details of your childhood and now that I do, I am even more in awe of all you have accomplished. Your story indeed will be an inspiration to anyone who has had to struggle to attain their goals. You have proven that it pays off to pursue a dream, no matter how many roadblocks are thrown your way.
I know how proud your family is of you and I shared your story with my family yesterday. We all send congrats to you and The Fashionista.
As a side note: so glad Mr. Decor has a mini-me in Sweet Boy. They are two peas in a pod. 🙂
Laura, I am so thrilled you shared your story with all of us. I know your emails had to be many. You have so blessed soooooooooo many with your sweet spirit and determination. Thank you. Hugs, Marty
LOL!I kept coming back to see if you'd turned them on, Laura! YEA!
Oh, how I cried when I read your post. And I am so very, very proud of you! This actually gave me hope about something completely different that has been weighing heavy on my heart, and I am going to press on! You are an amazing lady, Laura, and I am so proud to call you my friend. You are my hero!
Congratulations and enjoy this victory! You deserve it!
XO,
Sheila 🙂
Laura, you are such an inspiration! After Marty posted about you, I had to come and visit and immediately knew I had to follow along your blog! I'd be honored if you visit my humble blog. Thank you for sharing such an inspiring post with all of us. I am so happy that I came by to read it. I hope you have a wonderful Monday.
Sandra
Well done Laura!! Yes, you inspire…big time. I have raised two children who learn differently. One is currently in college in Vermont and the other is graduating high school in a few weeks and yes, he will be attending college too. I have become an advocate for children needing special education classes, explaining or just sitting next to their parents who might not understand their needs or the system. Your previous post is mixed with so many emotions…but I need to say congratulations…please continue to inspire!
♥, Susan
Thank you so much for the inspiration you are to us!!!!
Laura..
Thanks for visiting and enjoying my beachy blues..
Like all the others, I too was truly inspired by your post.
Shared with friends and family..
and then posted so even more could read and be inspired..
love the blog!
warmest hugs to you and yours..
Loui♥
CONGRATULATIONS, Laura. Thank you so very, very much for sharing your story. It truly is an inspiration. I hope every single blogger reads it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting us celebrate with you!!
what an inspiration. you are amazing.
Laura, thanks for coming by and congrats to you for graduating!!
We are blessed to know someone so inspiring, Laura!…Christine
Dear Laura,
I didn't spend time reading blogs over the weekend and missed all of your great news –
I am entirely humbled and amazed by your beautiful, beautiful story of achievement!!! I really have no words, because you are more than an inspiration – you are a most incredible blessing!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS on everything! I will need to read your story again and again… ♥
Love and lifelong blessings,
Linda
What a wonderful story you have. Congratulations! I know your children are so proud as my mom graduated from college when I was in 7th grade! I know that you and your family have made many sacrifices to accomplish this wonderful goal. Keep up the good work!
I have posted recently about having dreams and doing what it takes to pursue them, but you are such a practical example of it! Congratulations! I really appreciate your husband's encouragement to you, too. Having a supportive husband is a wonderful blessing! (I do too)
Laura, you are an inspiration and encouragement to me as I slog away on my French degree. It's been derailed a bit by our recent move, and now our youngest is getting married and that is taking more of my time.
But I am determined to finish, one small course at a time.
Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!
I did come see your 23 year projects and of course I couldnt comment:) Just so you know I stood up beside my computer chair and cried and Applauded you.
thanks so much for stopping in to see the ottoman slipcover and leaving a comment. Its always a pleasure to have you visit..
happy thoughts~!
Sonny
I found your blog from Nanny's Good Life and just had to leave you a comment. Your story is amazing and I'm sure that you have touched so many lives along the way on your journey! Congratulations to you and your daughter and thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing your touching story and congratulations!
Congratulations! Your 23 year project was truly an inspiration! If you are interested in joining my Designer Challenge, I would love to have you. It would be your first OFFICIAL designer project. 😀
If you are interested, send me an email: theshinypebble@gmail.com
The Living Room edition will be rolled out in July. I would love to have you on the roster!
catherine
http://theshinypebble.blogspot.com
I visited your site the other day and was inspired, to say the least!
I couldn't comment though.
Congratulations Laura, you are so deserving. Best wishes as you further your education and dreams!
Thanks for your visit and sweet comments.
Thank you so much for your last post. I needed it so desperately. Our stories are very different, but you somehow spoke to my heart. Thanks so much.
That is soooooo awesome that you graduated with the Fashionista! What an accomplishment.
But wait! There is so much more…. You have big plans and that is a fine thing!
I love the verse that you chose for today's post! How perfect! 🙂
~Liz
What a wonderful story, Laura. You are really an inspiration. I hope you and your daughter are having a wonderful day. Blessings to you both….Mary
Wonderful story! I also noticed you had turned your comments off and wondered if you did it for privacy reasons? This reminds me of my sister's journey to her master's. She says it took her 41 years, only some of those in school. Congrats!!!
Tee-hee, you didn't think a little thing like turning off the comments would stop us congratulating you 😉
Congrats on your accomplishment Laura. That is fantastic and I'm very proud for you.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment. It is appreciated. Come again anytime.
Diane
I saw your name as a comment on the posts for blue monday. I had to come over to meet you. I wanted to know if there was any connection to you and the other Laura Ingalls Wilder, my favorite books of all times. I see on your recent post a comment about turning off comments and I was intrigued so I had to go back and see what I had missed. I read your graduation post……I have tears in my eyes as I write this. I am so impressed and moved by your strength and determination. I will remember your post and if you don't mind I would like to share it with others as a story of inspiration. Good job, Good for you. I am so glad to have met you.
Sherrie
Yep, I gotta admit I was one of those sneaky gals that commented to you on the post before…gotta find someway to tell you congratulations! LOL You might as well not turn your comments off anymore, we will find you! ROFLOL 🙂
Very proud of you lady!
Love & Hugs
Melissa
Well everyone else must be smarter than me! I kept coming back to see if you had turned the comments on after getting so much focus about your post throughout blogland. When you didn't, I thought I'd just post on your next post, so here I am.
I had no idea you had gone through so much in your life. It makes your accomplishments much more special. You have to be so proud of yourself!
You have fulfilled a dream that so many other people only hope to. Personally I think you should start some kind of foundation to inspire kids to persevere and keep moving forward.
You have a very touching success story, and I think you should share with as many people as you can as often as you can.
Congratulations to you! and to your daughter.
My step daughter and her daughter just graduated on the same day too – only my step daughter graduated with her doctorate and my granddaughter graduated kindergarten! It was still a cap and gown ceremony! 🙂
OMG!!!! I was catching up and I am SOOOOO glad I did. I was just smiling from ear to ear reading that post. You are such an inspiration!
You can do anything when you really want to. You have proven that.
Simply fantastic.
Congratulations Laura! Job well done! You certainly are an inspiration to all of us!!
Laura, I just read your story and my emotions were a roller coaster. Congratulations to your well deserved success. This song is one of my all time favorites. You are one special lady whom I admire beyond words.
Blessing to you and your terrific family who supported you so sweetly.
How lucky for you to be able to say You are a person 'did' be ALL you can be. And yet, there is still so much more ahead of you.
Best wishes to you Laura.
Hugs and blessings, Jeanne
I had to go back a post to see what everyone was talking about. You are an inspirations. With God's help everything is possible.
I cannot imagine the love of learning your children must have gained from watching your diligence over the years. Your story is truly inspiring! Congratulations!
I had my oldest the year before I graduated. My husband and I were in school full time and were exhausted by the time I graduated, but I know I would have never forgiven myself had I given up. We do what it takes to get done what must be done, and you certainly went far beyond. Congrats again!
Thanks for stopping by my blog so I could see your amazing story!
Hi!
Your blog is very inspirational…
My daughter loves Westlife…I'll have to show her this {she prob already saw it ;o)
Your story is amazing! Thank you for sharing it with us! GOD BLESS YOU ♥
~Maria
Thank you Laura for stopping by my blog. I am so glad you shared your story – I was very much moved. I love how we meet wonderful people and learn bits of their stories through blogging!
What a gift
God bless you!
Kathy
Hi Laura! I ran right over here from Lidy's blog to read your wonderful story and to congratulate you! Your postitive attitude is such an inspiration and I have no doubts that you will reach ALL of the goals that you set before yourself! My mom went back to college to get her degree {in interior design, no less!} when I was in 5th grade and finished when I was in junior high. I have always been so proud of her, as I KNOW your beautiful children and husband are of YOU. I hope that your foster mom is doing better and was able to share in your happiness. Many hugs!
xx P&H
Ah yes,
I was trying to e-mail you the other day too! For some reason it just wouldn't go through for me. You are an inspiration Laura and your story brought me to tears. I work with families whose children are often placed in Foster Care. You succeeded despite the odds! Bravo Girl!
Hugs, Cindy
Well, I didn't email but I did post about your inspiring accomplishment and came back to respond today. 🙂 I applaud your efforts! You are truly an example of tenacity and strength which equals success.
I am honored to share your story!
Why didn't I think of putting my comment on older posts…?! I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated that last post, it was simply amazing. I'm soooooo proud of you for all you've done with your life, including your college degree. Congratulations!
Hello there! I am not sure how you stumbled across my blog today but I am so happy you did! Thank you for your comment! I snooped around your blog a bit and wow. What a lovely blog you keep and that is quite the weekend you just had. Congratulations to you.
CailinMarie
Laura, I was so sad not to be able to leave a comment, but figured I'd get a chance some time. You are an amazing person with an amazing and challenging history. God has really worked all things together for good for you. May He continue to bless! Linda
AMAZING story! I was so touched reading it, thank you very much for sharing and CONGRATULATIONS!
You are such an inspiration!!! I just finished reading Dr. Wayne Dyers book “Excuses Begone”….you are everything that book is about! Congratulations!!!
U are simply AMAZING!! CONGRATS on your amazing journey to your graduation!!! U truly inspire me! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Thank you, thank you for sharing your story! It is truly touching and inspirational. You should consider writing a book about it, or article or something (for Guideposts for ex.). I really admire your goal of sharing your story to encourage others. My little 10 year old girl and I just read the post together. Thanks for commenting on my blog today, too (picnic wreath). I'm your newest follower! ♥ and hugs! Laurie from Scene of the Grime
Wow was I ever honored to see you left a note at my blog!!! You are such an inspiration to so many and I must say that it made my heart go pitter~pat,,you are a JOY to soooo many it seems and that you took time to visit me, well its even more inspiring..Thanks for also sharing your wonderful story and more importantly, sharing your heart for God to all of us..Hugs from Iowa~Dena
Your story was so insspiring I had to write about it on my blog,…
A Baby Changes Everything…
Your life story is full of heart ache and happiness. You've been at the ends of both worlds. I wanted to just cry when I heard of your childhood. And I want to jump up and down at your successes. Your life is an inspiration to all women everywhere. Congratulations!
Such a beautiful and touching post, Laura. I know a lot of people will read this and feel inspired that they can reach their dreams, too! Truly, you are an inspiration to so many! I know that was a night you will not soon forget! Congratulations!
Hugs,
Susan
Just wanted to say, I'm so sorry to hear about your foster Mom. I know she was with you in spirit. And I know she has been so proud of you a thousand times long even before this special night!
Love to you,
Susan
Congratulations Laura!!! I am so proud of you for sticking with it through all the hardships. You did it…you graduated!! I am so happy for you. Love & blessings from NC!
I adore your blog. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my story. I am doubly happy because your commenting allowed me to find your blog. Congratulations on acing all your classes and graduating with honors. Congratulations also to your lovely daughter.
This is the third time I have read your story and the third time I have cried while reading your story! You ARE amazing!!! Thank you for sharing your story with the world. You are MORE than inspiring! I will feature this on my blog tomorrow to spread the story of hope and inspiration. (TURN THOSE COMMENTS ON!!!) ps-i AM LOVING the 70's goody package I received! My kids love it and so do I!
HI~!!!!
We are sooo happy for you!!!!
Congrats on a GREAT JOB!!!!
loved every minute of your story!!!!
I am so happy for you and fashionista daughter!!!!!
Hats off to both!!!
love and hugs,
jamie
Beautiful!
Thank you for your visit and sweet comment. I am following your blog and would love for you to follow me back.
I enjoyed my visit here.
XOXO
Frenchy
Hi, Laura!
Just dropping by to say thank you for your visit and for leaving sweet comments. I really appreciate it. Have a nice day always.
Laura,
I knew you would be inundated with emails and 'real' mail. Don't mind me standing in the back of room until it clears. I have an idea I think you will be pleased with.
Your Friend,
Deborah
I was going to say thank you for visiting and commenting my Blue Monday, but I was stunned to read about your graduation. Fantastic!
Pure Inspiration my friend…you are such a blessing…congratulations. xoxo
I don't know you but I was in tears at the end of “The Ultimate DIY.” Thanks for telling your story – it shows that dreams are not out of reach, just that the timetable might be different Beautiful post.
Congratulations, Laura!! Definitely the most inspiring DIY I've seen in a long time, maybe ever!!!
Way to go!
Many blessings,
Melissa
I'm new to your blog -you commented on my topiaries. Okay, this post made me cry! What a journey you have been through. It's so neat the way you outlined your life…I can see that God had a plan for you, even in such sad tragic circumstances of losing your parents so young and growing up without a champion. That is what is so awesome about our God! He can be our champion! He works everything for the good of those that love Him. Congratulations on your accomplishment! And I am so happy for you that you have your forever family now in your husband and beautiful children!
Amber @ It's Greener Over Here
Congratulations on your enormous achievement! I was hoping you would mention it in another post so I could comment. 😉 Thank you for stopping by my blog!
Oh, and one more thing. Guidance counselors have no idea what an impact they have on students when it comes to major decisions such as college. My mother in law was also told by a guidance counselor that she wasn't college material. She is actually very intelligent and a passionate person. It sounds like you are a 'fighter' personality.
Stopping by from Tuesday Tag-along
What an inspiration you are to all of us who still continue to struggle thru the reality called life with the various obstacles that face and challenge us daily you have found that light that showed you the way, and inspiration to all of us moms battling those challenges of trying to pursue our education but how easy it would be to give up. thank you for your story congrats on a job well done…
if you have a moment stop on by
http://www.sewhappysewcrafty.blogspot.com
you are so inspirational!! thanks for stopping by my blog today.. so glad i found you!
Oh Laura, your story touched me deeply. I had one of those cries where my heart was rejoicing and breaking all at the same time. You are an inspiration and your journey was just what I needed as I'm going through some heard stuff and you reminded me of how loving our Father draws us to Himself.
Thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable. You have touched many with your story and pointed many to Him. And He is well pleased Laura.
Laura,
I just finished reading your 23 year DIY project and it hit home. I got goosebumps as I read and as I watched your name being called to receive your diploma…CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Congratulations Laura! What an incredible and inspiring life you have lead. I'm getting misty just thinking about your story again. What an amazing person you are and a powerful example to your family. I'm sorry about your foster mother, but I'm sure she was with you. Thank you for this beautiful story of your life.
Laura, I had read part of your story before, but this finale is just the best! What a sweet, sweet story of God's grace and how rich it must feel to graduate now with your daughter. Big Congrats from me!! You're a big inspiration to so many with this story.
Yep, we're a pretty sneaky bunch when we want to be! I'll be here!
Brenda
Two very brief but very special lives existed to bring God's plan to fruition…YOU. Just your monthly header changes exude the talent and creativity that has been simmering all these years. Now that it is ready for the whole world to sample it's perfected final product…I wish you all of the joy, pride and success you deserve and will utilize to your fullest ability. That song choice was right on the mark. I have hummed it's lyrics many a time when I needed to be encouraged and feel God's arms around me. I cannot even tell you how inspiring you are. Be blessed in everyway and you look beautiful not haggard!!!!
Darling, I so needed to look at something soothing and lovely and fortunately I stumbled upon your blog and while here, I enjoyed my visit very much. Your blog is loaded with interesting posts and lovely photos.
I proudly joined your followers.
Love & Hugs
Duchess
I have been here for a good bit of time reading. So inspiring, I seriuously hope a news outlet gets a hold of your story so it can be shared with many, many more!
Oh, and you can draw for me anytime…just beautiful renderings!
Congratulations on getting your degree! My road to higher education keeps getting longer 😉 I've taken about five courses out of 30. I'll get there eventually.
Thanks for commenting on my Butterfly Centerpieces post. It's been a really long time since I got a comment from someone I don't know in person 😉
you're story is truly inspirational. thank you so much for taking the time to share it!!
I am a first time visitor to your blog and let me just say, you definitely are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story.
You are an amazing woman! And soooooo very inspiring!
Laura, you are an inspiration to us all! God Bless you in all your future endeavors!
I'm having a Cottage Charm giveaway, so please make sure you stop by and enter!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
I am speechless Laura. Literally. I'm sitting here at my computer welling up and just in awe of you. What an inspiration you are to the rest of us. I will carry this heartfelt sentimental post in my mind for a long time. Truly one of my favorite posts of all time.
xoxo,
Your friend,
Kim
Just now reading your graduation/ life story and I am so glad that I did! What a great inspiration and accomplishment! CONGRATULATIONS just doesn't seem like enough! I absolutely LOVE the picture with your son in the foreground- wow, what a heart grabbing moment! I pray that you may NEVER feel so alone as you did in your childhood and youth and that your degree and future plans only bring you added JOY from here!
Oh, I am so excited for you! Congratulations on reaching your dream, and never giving up! The Lord is Good!!! I know you'll be an inspiration for so many!! Your children will be forever inspired by their wonderful mother :)!!
Blessings & Smiles,
Stacey
ok, i find a link on Southern Hospitality that brings me here. then i realize i have seen you post comments on Jamie Rose's blog. i am also in phoenix, what a small world. congratulations on your accomplishments.
Laura, I just read your story and what an imspiration! You are an amazing woman…we all know from whence cometh our help! Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog.
I have a granddaughter who is majoring in interior design at FSU, and is in Italy this very minute on a six weeks study course.
Wish I was there!
Again thank you for inspiration.
Smiles and Blessings,
Nancy
HI!!!
I think that swap would be soooo fun!!!Count me in!!!!
We need to meet for lunch that South Mountain Farm was so awesome!!!!
The morning glory cafe closes at 1 everyday, so an early lunch!!!!
Let me know
and I will get your lunch for celebrating!!!!!
hugs,
jamie
The tears are flowing from reading your previous post. Wow there is just so much that resonates with me. Ironically I didn't make it very far at ARC in Sac because of undiagnosed dyslexia and really understand the pain your dad went through. Anyway there is a lot more but I can't stop sobbing so I won't even try to go into it.
A big congrats on reaching your goal and never giving up. Your story is so huge. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing it. I especially appreciated hearing this today. I'm sure you will continue to touch many other lives with your story, your courage and your amazing spirit.
What a glorious tribut to YOU, sweet Laura. I love that we can use our blogging community to gather strength and encouragement from each other. God is going to use your accomplishment for WAY more than just your own dream. Can't wait to see what He does. You are an inspiration, and you raise US up. xoxo Lidy
Laura, You really didn't think you could keep us from commenting? You know us bloggers can be a pushy group if need be…me included. Your story touched my heart! Girl, you should be so very proud of yourself for this great accomplishment. Hey, If you can do this you can do anything. Congrats.
xoxo
Sherry
And I hope that you also popped by Lidy's blog to catch what those of us who took that option to comment had to say 🙂
I just read your post. Incredible and so inspiring:-) You are a blessing and an inspiration. That was just beautiful!! And you lived in middle Ga?? I lived in Warner Robins and also near Columbus.
This was one great song! I love it. I love it even more now that I have just read your graduation post that brought tears to my eyes (and you turned off the comments!!!!)
Congratulations to one of the most inspirational women I have ever “met”.
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Goodness! What a story!!! Congratulations and God bless you and your family! You have overcome some incredible obstacles to pursue your dreams on your own terms! I salute you and ask the universe to provide you a softer path to your future aspirations. What an amazing woman you are…and what a legacy you are providing for your children and their children.!!! I am so glad I read this post. I wish you safe passage!
Following you back now. Congrats. Such an inspirational story! My parents were foster parents as we were growing up and we still have regular contact with some of the children that lived with us along the way…I now consider 2 of them my “real” brothers. (I come from a family of 4 girls!) I love to see happy endings 🙂
Cheers! Have a fab weekend.
Sarah
Oh my gosh – Laura. What an amazing story! I have tears in my eyes – I'm crying. What a touching and heartbreaking and uplifting journey you've had. Congratulations to you and your daughter. I know that God will continue to bless you. If you're going to dream – dream big. Life is what you make it – and you, my dear – have made it.
Many blessings!
What an amazing accomplishment – I am so happy for you. I love seeing the pictures of you and your talented daughter. I hadn't seen that one when she was so little (kissing you) – absolutely precious.
It must feel so good to be done, but also so good to have DONE this. 🙂
So happy for you!
Hi Laura, Thank you for sharing your story. You have been on quite a journey and I admire you! I was so saddened to read about the passing of your dad and then your mom. No child should have to experience that loss, I know you are very strong or I wouldn't be reading your post today! I'm so happy that you made your dreams come true and I'm sure both your mom and dad are smiling down on you and your lovely daughter and sweet son! They must be so proud of their little girl. The picture of you is beautiful and noooo….you don't look tired or exhausted, you look beautiful and you're glowing…I'm so happy for you and I pray you continue to be blessed along your journey! I'm very touched by you and I'm sure you have reached out to more than one person and have inspired them to do the impossible and without fear or regret!
Hugz,
Kim
I just stumbled across your blog, through another blog, through another. I'm in love …
Your 23 year project is similar to my mothers. You're an inspiration and what you did is amazing!
This video makes me cry by the way 🙂