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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Self-Defense

The last post I did is still on my mind so I just want to give a few tips for personal safety! Some may already know these things, but it was a good reminder for me. After doing some research, I think I was very un-prepared for an attack.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Too often women are preoccupied and not being observant, this can lead to trouble.
2. Remember to keep your body language strong. Avoid looking like a victim or an easy target.

3. When you are out and about town, never wear flashy jewelry.
4. Never ever hitchhike!
5. Trust your instincts, if you feel danger approaching, get out of the situation as fast as possible.
6. If you feel someone is following you, turn and look them straight in the eye. This gives the impression that you aren't fearful and will help you have a description of who they are.
7. If grabbed by a stranger, remember the four most sensitive areas on a man's body are the eyes, knees, groin, and throat. On a woman, there are three: eyes, throat, and knees. Women
8. Don't yell police, people don't respond to cries for help. Instead, be specific, call out to a passerby, "Hey you, call 911 immediately!" This is more effective then yelling, "Help, police!"
9. Have a plan of attack ready in your mind. Practice how you will defend yourself and then if the situation arises, you won't be mentally unprepared for what you may have to do to defend yourself.

10. Anything is a weapon in times of self-defense. Search your surrounding environment, if you are attacked there are no holds barred, your very life will depend on your ingenuity for your survival. In a parking lot,

objects such as bottles, rocks, stones, even sticks can become weapons. Items in your purse can be handy as well, metal nail files can serve as a weapon, hairspray can double as mace; your cell phone can be used to hit an attacker after dialing 911. The more you prepare and plan and keep in mind the sensitive areas of the human body, you will realize that you don't have to get a gun to be safe. Any object applied to the attacker's eyes, throat, groin, or knees will be sufficient to give you time to escape and get to safety. Just remember the importance of planning and thinking these strategies ahead of time. You don't want to be overtaken by fear and panic and not use the weapons which you have readily available to you.

You can see that with a little preparation, common sense, and quick thinking you can effectively defend yourself if attacked. You may also want to take a self-defense class to further your safety and protection.

This information came from here.

There is a lot more information out there such as actual self-defense moves and other great tips.
Here are some more great sites:
* www.safetyforwomen.com/
* http://www.womentraveltips.com/tips1.shtml
* http://www.7most.com/


I hope this was informative, I know its not fun, but I think we should all be more aware. I also think sometimes we think it won't happen to us, but that is just not the case anymore.


Saturday, May 22, 2010

wake-up call(s)

Earlier this week something terrible happened. Something so scary and sad. Scary that it happened to someone I know and sad that there are such terrible people in this world that enjoy preying on girls.
A friend of mine and pi phi sister that lives in Little Rock was attcked, beaten and almost kidnapped last Sunday. I don't want to say any names for their sake of protection, but it was horrible.
When I heard of this news last Monday, I could not believe it. It consumed my mind and thoughts all day long. I was relieved that she was not taken and that the Lord spared her life. I know she will use this awful experience to glorify God through it someday. I'm so proud of her for being strong.

This whole situation has been a true eye opener. It has made me aware of severeal things, such as being thankful to have life everyday and to not take things for granted.  Also that I need to be more aware of my surroundings and never be trusting. I feel like living in NWA it is safe, and I think it is for the most part, but seriosuly you just never know. I'm kind of a skeptic of people that I don't know anyways, so I will keep doing that even if that means that I come across snobby.

The good news is that they did catch the monster that did this to her. He is in fact behind bars which is such a praise. The LRPD acted fast and did a great job.

You can read the 2 news stories HERE and HERE if you would like.

My friend is doing well and recovering. Please pray for her and her sweet family. Pray for an overwhelming peace and protection to surround them and praise our Maker that he saved her life!

Now go take a self-defense class. Seriously!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

"If Guys Were Like Girls"

At work, we have been laughing all week at this video. Maybe because it is so true for some.




What do you think? True or not true about girls?
I think its hilarious!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Girls Weekend

This past weekend I headed to OKC to throw a lingerie/bachelorette party for one of my best friends. Liz is getting married in June, so we thankfully found a weekend to all meet there and celebrate her. We were staying at a hotel, and obviously the room was too small, so we reserved a boardroom at the hotel and made do. I think it worked out okay.




some of the hostesses

the bride in her get-up

cute ricks cookies



It was a great time and fun to see some friends that I haven't seen in awhile. We are so excited for Liz and this next chapter in her life. We are thankful to be able to celerate with her!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Pictures for Mom

So remember how I said my sis and I took some pics for my mom for mothers day? Well we had the lovely Kristin Hartness do a mini-session with us. We headed to the U of A at Old Main for some pics. I'm so glad we chose this location, because I graduated from there and my sis will be a freshmen there this year. I just can't even believe it. We are 8 years apart, so I have waited a long 8 years for her to come join me in Fayetteville, and I couldn't be happier she chose the U of A. I'm sure I had nothing to do with this decision! Ha. Sorry mom.

Anyways, here are some shots we chose from our session!












Thanks Kristin for a fun session and doing great job. My mom was so thrilled when she received these for her mothers day present! Check out Kristin's website: http://kristin-j.com/

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Happy Mothers Day

I know I'm a couple days late, but still wanted to give our amazing moms a shout out!
I thankfully was able was able to spend mothers day with my mom. It was great. All four of us got to spend time on the lake on Saturday, then went to church together Sunday.
I'm so thankful for my my mom. She inspires me all of the time. The many different hats she wears are incredible. I'm not sure how she does it. All I know is that she is one strong woman. I can't imagine not having her in my life. She is the best, she has always made birthdays and holidays so special for all of us. We wanted to make this one special for her! My sister and I secretely took some pictures for her from a local photographer (more on this later). She has begged us since I was a senior in high school to take some for her. So we did, and we did it at the U of A since we will have both attended there. It was so great watching her open the framed pictures to add to her collection!






adding to the wall of me and megan

aww

isnt she so cute?




Last weekend we were able to cook dinner for Marc's mom, Brenda. Although it was for her birthday, it was still a blast to have them over and spend some time with her and keith. We are so thankful to have them in Fayetteville with us. They feed us a ton, so it was well overdue for us to have them over.

Don't worry, Marc took her to church and out to lunch this past sunday!
I just wan't there to capture the moment. Ha!



Unfortunately, we were not able to spend time with Deanne (marc's stepmom) on this Mothers day, but we did send a card! And this is lame, but this is the only pic of her that I could find.
She is at her daughters wedding.



We are so blessed to have 3 amazing mothers in our lives. Each of them are unique in their own ways and we love them for who they are. Thanks moms for raising us and helping us be the best we can be! We love you!

Love,
Marc and Michelle

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

lemon eating

Friday we had a lovely lunch date with Sawyer and Katie. As we all know, I'm slightly obsessed with S along with my sister, who will soon be his favorite babysitter when she gets up here in the fall!
We went to chick-fil-a and had pure entertainment from this little cutie.





Later that night we went to Shoguns to celebrate Andrew getting a job. Sawyer loves that place because of all the entertainment and food for him. (As do i!)


Meg and S man

Love and Happy Tuesday!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Happy Birthday Dad!

Last Wednesday my dad turned the big 5-0! Although we have been celebrating for what feels like a month, the actual day is always the most important in our family.
So what does the best daughter in the world do?... I go down to Little Rock and pull off a spectacular surprise!!! He had no clue and didn't see it coming at all. I had sent him a card a few days before that arrived the morning of and when I talked to him, I said "I'm so sorry I can't be there to celebrate with you!" Thankfully, he bought all of that. I left immediately from work, and then went straight to Bonefish grill where they were about to sit down for dinner! I walked in and said "SURPRISE!" The look on his face was priceless. Unfortunately, we did not get a picture of that because it happened so fast.

Here are some other pics from the night!

Love him tons, even if he is old!

Viagra as a joke!

Mom loves giving presents and making birthdays special!

Ooh a new tennis racket that would soon come in handy to beat me with!

Ahh, I wrote him a letter. What else do you get a guy that has everything?

dad and his #1 daughters.

My amazing family.

I seriously feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. My mom and dad always go out of their ways to make birthdays special, so I tried to do the same for him for his big one! Mom, you are next! I'm already planning stuff. Its wonderful to have such young parents. They are always a blast.


On Thursday, we decided to test out dad's new tennis racket....
5-0

And I got skunked!!! That new racket really helped him out.
Next time I will get him!

It was great going down and having quality family time. We never get to do that.
Then thursday night my sister and I headed back to Fayetteville. She spent the weekend with me which was also a blast!

Dad, I hope you had a fabulous 50th birthday! Thanks for being born and having me so you could be my dad! I'm truly thankful for you!