For quite some time now, it’s been on my mind and in my heart to revamp my website and really, truly make something out of it. I decided a blog style is best to share my life with others. I know God has plans for me, bigger than my own, and I am following just that. I pray that God shows me the way to help others, inspire others, and to encourage others to live happy and healthy.

Now with that said, I want to encourage you to think about what it is in your life that has been on your mind to do. Pray to God to guide you in those endeavors and wait patiently for Him to answer. Trust me I know waiting is a hard thing to do, but remember God’s timing is perfect. So, where are you going to start with this idea of yours?…

PRAY

Simple as that my friends. Start praying about things and people in your life. It is the one sure thing we can always do and it never fails. XO

Welcome!

Even though I know you are not thinking happy welcoming thoughts nor even being happy at this time, I still welcome you to this journey with me and everyone else fighting this disease.

Let me start off by saying…it sucks. It sucks that you are going through this, it sucks you were diagnosed, it sucks to hear those words, it sucks how bad you feel, it sucks the cost of medication and health care, it sucks your life has been altered, it sucks you have a disease. It flat out sucks.

Then I will say…you can do this. You can fight this disease. You will fight this disease. We are so fortunate to have all the resources and medications out there today. Research is being done each day to help improve the lives of those living with MS and one day a cure. Your fight in this disease is not just in taking a treatment but in your attitude in your fight as well. You have to go through all the emotions necessary to get the positive attitude in you that will make you do everything you can to live an able, healthy life. Positivity goes a long way and lifts you up to greater possibilities in life.

Don’t give up. There are going to be days and times when you do not want to do what is best for your health. But I am here to tell you, don’t give up. Your health, your life, you, you deserve it. You owe it to all those who love and support you in this fight to be the best you cab be. Most importantly, you owe it to yourself because you are amazing. You were given this disease because you were strong enough to handle it. After all, God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. Don’t forget that and don’t give up.

Continue to do your homework and research in MS. You are your own advocate. You are the only one who knows how you feel. Every person with MS has their own MS. Meaning, you may experience things other MS patients may not. So it is your own MS. Stay on top of your health. It is overwhelming at times but so very important to do.

I tear up writing this remembering what it was like to be first diagnosed. I think of how far I have come since being diagnosed and know I am the person I am today because of this stupid disease. I have MS and I will forever give it one hell of a fight as long as I can. My three blessings that I am so lucky to be their mommy deserve it.

Hope this helps those who are being diagnosed each day! Blessings and hugs to you all!

I often get asked this question when at my speaking engagements.

” What is something someone can do for their family member or friend who has MS?”

So I wanted to share what you can do and/or say to them.

1. Do not assume that everything is fine if they look fine on the outside. Remember with MS, a lot of the problem is happening on the inside where you can not see all the time. Does not mean someone is not in pain, not feeling well, can’t feel some part of body, etc.
2. Don’t feel like a bother and avoid the “elephant” in the room. MS being the elephant if you know what I mean. Sometimes people tend to feel like they are bothering someone with MS if they ask how they are feeling. In my opinion it is just the opposite. A lot of times people forget what MS-ers go through day in and day out. So asking someone how they are just shows you care.
3. Tell those fighting this disease or any illness for that matter that they are doing a good job. Encouragement always helps and helps anyone. It makes the fight of getting better stronger when you know you are supported.
4. Pray for those you love. I feel the answer to everything when you do not know what is best to do. Pray. Simple, powerful, and everyone can do it.
5. Support events that help find a cure and make a difference. Having support and people who have your back means the world to that person. And probably in more ways than you will ever know.

Hope this helps those who may have been wondering the same question often asked!

You Are What You Choose

So many thoughts run through our heads all day every day. What kind of thoughts do you have that consume your day and your head? Are they negative or are they positive? Are they mad or happy? Are they a little bit of both good and bad?

Either way, YOU ARE WHAT YOU CHOOSE to be.

So what are you going to choose?

You have the power to change your thoughts for the better and for your own good. Think about it. Think about how more productive and happy you and your days can be if you are choosing the happy, positive, and uplifting thoughts to live by than the negative, angry, and sad ones. Go for the thoughts that will make you a better person and a person who can make a difference in the lives of others.

My Challenge for you this month:

When you start to have those not so good thoughts or attitudes come your way, recognize that they suck and change your thought process. The key is to recognize when these thoughts are there and change them. Recognize what the situation may be and try to avoid it or find a way to make it better for you.

Happy New Year!!!

 

” And suddenly you know…It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Author Unknown

Three thoughts for you to think about as your start your New Year…

1. What one thing do you want to see happen in 2016? And plan how you are going to make this thing happen.
2. How can you make your life and the lives of others better? Then make it happen.
3. What makes you live the best life you can live? Keep doing it or make it happen.

 

Do you notice the common statement in the three thoughts?

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

I encourage you to instill this motto into your 2016 year. Let’s make it a good one together!

Blessings and laughter,

Marci

Hi all!

Wanted to share with you our new addition to our family.

We were blessed with our baby boy,

Lance Joseph Tillman Viland

on August 18th, 2015.

We are so in love with him and he completes our family. The girls are such good BIG SISTERS who just adore their baby brother.

 Since I am nursing Lance, the MS is still at bay. Thank goodness. Just was told I can do this until I start back on my treatment in December. I am capturing every moment of this time being able to do this and thankful I can at all for him.

Maybe one day they will figure out which hormones while pregnant make MS patients feel  better. Wouldn’t that be great?!?

Hope you all are well and enjoy this fall weather!!

Stay healthy, happy, and strong!

xoxo

Here are my last Acts of Kindness.

22nd- A member of our Church was diagnosed with ALS. She is a young women with a two year old daughter. I gave her a journal to write in all her thoughts, prayers, and anything to get through this time. The journal cover says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I love that quote.

23rd- A client of mine is battling colon cancer and is in treatment for it which has left her hair thinning and falling out. I gave her a haircut on me to help make the transition of hair changes easier on her.

24th- Donated children’s books to our pediatrician’s office. The ones they had were outdated and worn so thought a refresher of books was a good idea.

25th- Left a gift certificate for lunch to two special guys who do so much work for my MS Walk and my book advertising materials. They deserve lunch on me!

26th-Client and kind of little sister to me needed some cheering up after a stinky situation at her work. I wanted her to know how great she is and not to give up, so I got her some flowers to do just that.

27th-I left a free car wash at the car wash booth so the next person who came through got a wash on me.

28th-Sent a book of mine to a woman I just met over email who has MS as well. She has thought about writing one but didn’t know how so I sent her one of mine to encourage her to share her story too.

29th- Ever since I turned 30 last year, when I would go grocery shopping at Aldi every week, I left my quarter in the cart so the next person got a free cart use on me.

30th- I volunteered at Feed My Starving Children preparing food to send over to children in need. It was such an amazing experience to know that in the two short hours the group I was with was able to package 85 boxes of food which will feed 51 children for an entire year! So amazing! Thanks to my friend Lindsay who came with making it fun too!

For all of you with MS and the heat affects your MS like it does mine, know the heat can be not fun. So here are tips for dealing with the heat to feel your best.

Beat the Heat Tips 

1. Drink plenty of cold water and have available at all times.

2. Keep your home, workplace, car, etc cool with fans and air conditioners circulating the air to always keep cool. Add additional fans or air units where needed.

3. Cooling products such as cooling vests, head wraps, and more.

http://www.mscooling.com/

http://ms.about.com/od/resources/tp/ms_cooling.htm

4. Know your limits of what you can and can not do in the heat. Plan your day or event around what would make you feel the most comfortable in the heat.

5. Don’t let the heat get in your way of enjoying life. You just have to be prepared. But most of all HAVE FUN!

Update on Acts of Kindness. I have to share with you how amazing this experience has been. I truly encourage you to do something like this sometime. They way it makes others feel and yourself is so fantastic. Things come back around too, to those who do good. I promise!

17th Act of Kindess: Gave a shirt to a Special young lady who I know would love it. When I saw it, I thought of her right away and had to get it for her. She always helps out with our girls in the nursery at Church so we can partake in the service.

18th Act of Kindness: Donated a box full of dog and cat food to the local animal shelter, Tails in Dekalb.  I brought the girls with to see all the puppies and kittens, let’s just say they don’t want an animal anytime soon how loud it was haha but a great thing to donate too. The animals need it for sure!

19th Act of Kindness: While at Dunkin Donuts one morning getting coffee for Nathan and I, I looked behind me and there was a car that has seen better days for sure. I decided that I would buy his coffee and whatever else he ordered for him. So, that man was treated to breakfast that morning.

20th Act of Kindness: Made strawberry/rhubarb crisp for our neighbors who love our girls so much. They are always spoiling them and the girls just love them! It was my way little way of thanking them for loving our children and caring about us.

21st Act of Kindness: Client of mine’s children were officially adopted by her and her husband after years of foster care. To celebrate in their day which included pictures, I did the hair for the girls to feel special on their special day

It is crazy to think my Acts are coming to an end. A year of them have been great! More to come though!!

Stay healthy, happy, and strong!

xoxo