Open Up Your Heart And Let The Sun Shine In!

A friend of mine imparted a few of the words to this song to her daughter and she had forgotten where it came from. I LOVE the words to this song and so I had to do a search. I knew it was far more than, 'Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.' I knew the lyrics had to do with chasing the blues, and the devil away. I remember as a kid seeing Pebbles and Bam-Bam sing it together on the 'Flintstones'. It was on my mind this morning when I woke up and I sent a few words of it off to Cassi with her 'good morning' text. Enjoy :

LET THE SUN SHINE IN!

Mommy told me something a little girl should know
It's all about the Devil and I've learned to hate him so
She says he causes trouble when you let him in the room
He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

When you are unhappy, the Devil wears a grin
But oh, he starts a-running when the light comes pouring in
I know he'll be unhappy 'cause I'll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling he'll get tired of hangin' around

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

If I forget to say my prayers the Devil jumps with glee
But he feels so awful, awful, when he sees me on my knees
So if you're full of trouble and you never seem to win
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in

So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

- by- Stuart Hamblen 
-sung by- Gail and Rosemary Clooney 1954

Fun song, inspiring message. Happiness is a choice.

~Sandi Dodge

Texas Gardener (poem)

Texas Gardener

Texas gardening has been my bane,

Oft I wonder if my efforts vain.

To till and kneel, and ready earth,

and coax a seed to begin new birth.

I read and study how best to sow,

and coach those seedlings to begin to grow

Remembering failures of the years past

Concerned for where the sun will cast.

Too much moisture or not enough,

Pinching back wither seems too rough.

Checking progress every day,

Spying new growth we shout, hooray!

One sunny morning I looked to see

Horror of horrors, that’s NOT a bee!

It is, however, an ugly bug

Oh my word! It looks like a slug!

How dare it munch and dine on vine

Doesn’t it know these plants are mine?

Upon closer inspection aghast I see,

little black spots feasting on leaves.

Insects arrived and were uninvited

declaring war, my wrath's ignited!

So down the street to Lowe’s I go,

pesticides to purchase, to spray my rows.

The lady at Lowe’s said, "It’s $40.03."

I said, “For poison, are you kidding me?"

These tomatoes must start looking better,

I could have purchased a cashmere sweater!

With all the soil, seed, and the spray,
I am thinking there must be a much better way.
Spending too much isn't too smart
If veggies are cheaper down at Walmart.

But, I'll walk the path with leisure beat,
and tend my plants from Texas heat
Leaves that wither from the vine
don't appreciate this humid clime.

When fall arrives far too soon
filled canning jars will be my boon.
Thankful for their smell and taste
preserving means there'll be no waste

With bright red fruit on the platter laid

I’ll let you know when salad’s made

And call my family to gather near,
Sharing the stories they'll want to hear.

Like Jered wanting to water the plants
And always managing to soak his pants.
Wanting drinks from spraying hose,
giggles of laughter, and water up nose.

I pray we’re blessed with bumper crops

Then over to neighbors my veggies I’ll drop.

When growing season has come to end

Next years garden I’ll plan again.

by- ~Sandi Dodge~

Race for the Cure- It's about LOVE! Mothers Day (poem)

Today was the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure in Salt Lake City, Utah. I hope you all find a way to participate in one way or another. So many are effected every year by this dreadful disease. I am posting this blog today to honor many of our family members who have suffered from the ravages of this disease. And it has touched so many in our family including my Aunts, and Jerry's sister Patty. But since it is Mothers Day tomorrow I especially have my Mom close to my thoughts, and in my heart today. So this is dedicated to her:

For the record....My Mom didn't 'lose' her battle with Breast Cancer! My Mom fought hard, really hard! To say she 'lost' is to diminish the valiance of her fight. She had 4th stage metetastic breast cancer with 14+ masses in her liver when it was discovered. This is a smart woman who got her mammograms every year. In Oct, 2005 the Dr's told her to have a really good Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas. Hah! Those cancer cells didn't know my Mom. Those trashy little blood sucking deamons didn't know how much she loved us all and how much she wanted to LIVE. She fought a great fight. No-one, and nothing BEAT our Mom. You see...we get the last laugh, don't we? We will see her again, healthy...never to be parted again. We can thank Heavenly Father for His great plan of Happiness for His Children, and that He provided a way for families to be together for-ever. FOR-EVER! No- My Mom didn't lose anything to this stinkin disease. We'll see her, and hold each other again. So STOP saying she lost her battle....she WINS! The victory is ultimately ours...together.

For this reason it has become a wonderful tradition led by our Dad to Race for the Cure each year. He realizes that for us to stay united in hope for a cure, that collectively we should use our positive energy towards something, unstead of sitting idle as victims in unrelenting dispair. Happiness is a choice.

Grandpa arranged for Cassi to come down

from BYUI for the weekend to race with the family.

Here she is pre-race with cousin Lindsay.

Here is our family...'Team Beaujeu'

I LOVE these guys. This picture makes me

VERKLEMPT!

Cassi said how much this race has changed her

and her perspective. It's about real people who

are fighting, with their families and friends for LIFE!

Kinda poetic that this is Cassi's 1st 5k ever.

It is about LOVE!

It is about REAL people who are currently

waging war with the 'C' word. Though surrounded by

care-givers this can be a lonesome disease with

sufferers wondering if anyone really knows how they feel.

How amazing to be in the midst of an event like this....

and a little overwhelming.

It's about making cancer soldiers laugh, but at the

same time walking the walk...and racing the RACE!

Or in other words...don't SAY something...DO something!

It's theraputic for Survivors

to rub shoulders with the fighters

and their families! Someone hug

this woman for me!

This picture was taken outside of Dodger Stadium

this year-  May 2011. Just LOOK at the people effected

by Breast Cancer! Incredible people who CARE!

This was on the back of one of the runners.

Wow...speaks volumes doesn't it?

Team Beaujeu had "In loving memory of

Marlene Beaujeu" on their backs.

This is.....kinda scary...not gunna lie! LOL!

Like I say...this is about positive energy, moving forward,

togetherness, unity, and above all LOVE.

Do yourself a favor...and for those

you love and who love YOU...

We were taught by the BEST! Here is our Champion...the winner of the ultimate race. This blog is dedicated to you Mom. I could not be there to run...but I can write, blog, and fight on in what-ever way I can. I can be what you taught me to be...a Do-er.

Marlene Beaujeu

July 1939- September 2007

For Mom:

Our dear Marlene Heaven did take.

gladsome memories left in her wake

From young to old her life did touch

in special ways we miss so much.

Her voice is often heard so near

it's like a whisper in your ear.

Reminding you of days gone by

and that our love will never die.

We all remember when she was here

fits of laughter when Vern was near.

Britney's Urkel with pants up high

She laughed so hard sometimes she'd cry.

Grandchildren could  never do a wrong

especially when they'd sing a song.

Tell a story, or shoot a hoop,

and every time someone would toot.

She worried where each one would sleep

and fussed until we all did eat.

With sights, and sounds, and yummy smells

her love of us will never quell.

So happy when our Dad came home

to earn a living he had to roam.

He loved to take Mom far and near,

when kids could go we'd give a cheer

The best Mom ever, we knew we had

she often forgot when we were bad.

She stayed awake till 1am

making sure we entered in.

She camped and rode an ATV

and kept things neat as they could be.

We miss her lovely skin so soft,

goodnight smooches were given oft.

This time of year when spring had sprung

a list of chores she needed done.

Right beside us she'd help us work

She raised us never our duty to shirk.

I can't compose with melodic cords

I write instead with heartfelt words

One more time I'd love to say
"Mom, have a Happy Mothers Day."

I love you Mom...more than words

~Sandi