John's Last Birthday gift to me!!!

Soooooooo about a month after my brother John had died in 2023... Liz, his wife gave me the birthday 🥳 present 🎁 from their family,  she said John had specifically picked this out for my 40th birthday present!!! when she showed it to me I screamed and laughed and wanted to cry all at the same time!!!! He definitely 💯 knew his big sister!!!! Lol 😂 it’s very much A MARY GIFT 🎁 🥰 😂

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WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS????

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Are you guessing???

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KEEP GUESSING!!!!

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My Pastor guessed a husband....

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BUUUUUUUUT IT wasn't quite that amaaaaaZing...

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buuuuuuuuuuut ALMOST!!! ;)

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IT'S A...

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WHO IS THAT???

Sooooooo I’ve added two new jobs to my life recently and one of them is at a kid's club for a brand-new gym and I was working for the Grand Opening Day.

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Well there was top executives and corporate people everywhere and amongst them i noticed a VERY PRESTIGIOUS looking man in a wheelchair. He was just really buff and muscular but more than anything he held himself in that wheelchair with such dignity- You almost had to question yourself if he really was physically disabled-he was like a king 👑 sitting on his throne. I turned to my supervisor and whispered to her, WHO IS THAT MAN??? She said, i don’t know buuuuuuuut he seems VERY IMPORTANT!!

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During the celebration speeches they called this man up and he began to speak and tell his story. He said he had been a pro athlete, involved in many sports including wrestling. One day he got a tumor on his spinal cord, he went into surgery to have the tumor removed and he woke up from the surgery paralyzed. 

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Thus began his life going from a pro athlete to learning to live his life as a paraplegic. He said he had been 6’6 and had been used to people always looking up to him to talk or for any kind of interaction and now EVERYONE was looking down at him to interact. And he talked about how hard this was on him.

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HOWEVER, he said he determined that if people were going to look down on him, THEY WERE going to look down with RESPECT!!! 

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Thus he got a determination that got him to begin all over again and he became a body builder. And let me tell you something, when you look at this man, YOU LOOK AT HIM WITH RESPECT!!! It wasn’t about his muscles 💪🏼 or a demanded arrogance because that wasn’t there, but he had a dignity about him that just exuded his circumstances. A dignity to excel, DESPITE HIS CIRCUMSTANCES!!!

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If this man has learned to live in dignity after all he has been through, how much more should WE, the people of God, be able to walk in dignity and grace despite whatever circumstance we are in??? 

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We are the children of God, we are heirs to the kingdom of God! We should stand with dignity. I’m not saying we don’t get sad or disappointed or broken hearted, but despite it all, WE HAVE BEEN WASHED BY THR BLOOD OF JESUS, we can go through it all with an heir of dignity. There’s no circumstance in life that could take away what Jesus did for you! Exude dignity!!!

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I’m not talking about snootiness, arrogance or conceit, but when people look down on us, despite our circumstances, they should think, WOW!!! Who are they??? There’s just something about them!!!

" Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

♥Mary Frances :)

42 things about ME!

Soooooo basically every year i add one new thing to this list…

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1. What's my favorite thing about myself?

My personality!!!

I really, truly, just LOVE, love, LOOOOOVE, being ME!!!

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2. What's my least favorite thing about myself? Ummmm... Idk...maybe being scatter-brained! Getting lost in my imagination and...like crying over a nonexistent death...lol...over thinking stuff!!! 

3. What's my favorite physical feature? My eyes or smile or my hair- Ok pick one, MY EYES! 

4. What's my least favorite  physical feature? Probably my teeth

5. What stresses me out the most? People's emotions...I'm a very happy-fun-loving-easy-going kind of person. But I'm also a pretty empathetic person so I tend to take on what others are feeling- If someone has bad self-esteem I want to change that because it bothers me so much that they would feel bad about themselves or like if someone is sad or depressed or in a bad mood it makes my emotions all uh emotional...if that makes sense!!! LOL Buuuuut only if it's someone that I'm really close too!!! Otherwise, I really don't get stressed to much...kinda weird that people's stress, stresses me! LOL  

6. Am I introvert or extrovert? I am ambiviant! That means I'm both! I love people and am outgoing, buuuut I also enjoy being by myself, I never really get lonely and actually need to get away and just be with me sometimes too. I mean, that's how writers are...we kinda got be in our own little world...Hee, hee!!!

7. What's my least favorite school subject? Math!!!

8. What's my biggest weakness? SHOPPING...If you consider that a BAD THING...otherwise...it could be a STRENGTH!!! ;))))

9. What is my talent? Writing!!! and Probably storytelling and speaking...which are actually all forms of writing, they just come forth in different ways!

10. How do I show someone that I love them? Hmmm either through gifts or spending time with them! No probably by spending time! Quality time! IF I want to hang out with you instead of myself, I probably love you!!! Hee, hee!!!!

11. Is it a bigger deal for me to say I love you or for me to say I miss you? I Miss you!!! you see, I'm a very loving person, and I could just about tell anyone that I love them and truly mean it...I DO!!! Buuuuuut I don't like to say anything that's NOT true, like fake sayings, sooooooo to say I miss you to someone, I mean, I could love you buuuuuuut, that doesn't mean I actually mind being away from you, buuuuut IF I miss you, well, that means I ACTUALLY MISS being with you...make sense??? Buuuuuut I can't just go around continuously telling everyone male or female that I love them AHAHAHA!!! It's not always appropriate to say I love you, yet, I can't say the more acceptable thing UNLESS I actually feel it...otherwise I'd be lying!!! LOL 

12. Do I make my bed in the morning? YES!!! I really do!!!! 99.9% of the time I make my bed!!!

13. Is my car clean? Depends...buuuut I keep it cleaner that I used too!!!

14. My first word was? FLOWER (According to my mom, I don't actually remember!!!;)

15. What are my two favorite scents? Roses and orange blossoms

16.Favorite scripture? 

To live by: John 13:35

God's awesomeness: John 21:25  

When doubts creep in: Psalm 18:30

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Man Crush Monday!!!

When my little brother died and I sent out his funeral announcement to my friends, I don’t know how many friends were like, WOW, your brother is really handsome!!! I’m like, yes, YES!!! Buuuuuuut what do you expect, he’s related to ME!!!! 😘😇

Okaaaaaaaay I knoooooow we look NOTHING alike, he loved letting me know that he looked MORE ITALIAN than me 🙄🙄🙄🙄 buuuuuut still, he only got even better looking after gettin my MY DNA!!! Lol 

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Even at 450 the ladies would gush over him!!! He was like an old lady magnet!!! At his wedding 💒 a 70 year old lady told me that if she was 10 years younger this would’ve been HER WEDDING DAY!!! I was liiiiiike, UH, try at least 40ish years younger!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😇

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THIS WAS A FUNNY MOMENT!!!

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He is VERY HANDSOME THOUGH!!! This is hard for me to say, and I’m ONLY SAYING IT CUZ HE’s in heaven, buuuuuuut I actually think he MAY be better looking than me…buuuuuuuut idk… maaaaaaybe!!!

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I love you John!!! You knoooooow I do if I said that you may be better looking than ME!!!(Emphasis on MAY- it's only a possibility that you are, I'm not saying you ACTUALLY are!!!;)

                          I love and miss you so much!!! 🥰 💕 

♥Mary Frances :)

Happy Sunday!!!

Let God rewrite your story!!!!

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." (Psalm 122:1)

♥Mary Frances :)

Single Saturday!!!

Bahahahahahahahahahaaa!!! 

True story people, TRUE STORY!!!

San Diego Summer getaway 2025!!!!

I have to share with you guys about my one night trip to San Diego last week!!! i’m still basking the after glow of fuuuunn!!

This is the cuuuuuutest place to stay! Everything is so bright and sunshiny and it’s literally In front of the ocean- you just walk out and there it is!!!
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There’s also boba shops, coffee shops, taco spots, pizza parlors, ice cream places, Asian food and shopping 🛍️ all there around you as well as excercise paths a long a beautiful scenic view and the small of the salty ocean 🌊 air- it’s all my favorites together- the only that could make it better would be a mountain to hike on looking down on the ocean buuuuuut i guess you can’t have EVERYTHING!!! 😝 

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The trip was with my sister, MJ, Odin and my sister in law Grace, and her kids, Kyle, Chelsea and Lucas

We left early Wednesday morning and got there about noon, i went straight to the ocean and went all the way out in the ocean, and did wave jumping and diving under we the waves and stayed out until i could hardly keep my eyes open from the salt water burn and i started getting leg cramps then i was like ok it’s time to go back!!!! You guys it was literally soooo much fun!!! God really out did Himself when he made the ocean 🌊!!!

I got in an evening stroll along the beach watching the sunset 🌅 and just enjoying the view!!!

Never doubt that God is able to outdo His own awesomeness!!! He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think!!!

Thursday morning we got up pretty early but unfortunately i was too tired to get up at 5 to watch the sunrise but my sister and i were up by 6 and guess what??? She was actually able to do a 2.5 mile walk with me!!!! I was liiiiiike duuuuuude you weren’t able to do this last summer when we came!!!! See weight loss makes a difference people!!! It was niiiiiice and enjoyable walking in the lovely view and gorgeous weather!!!

Duuuuuuuuuuude i only gained 3 pounds the whole trip and burbank home and they were worth EVERY CALORIE!!!! I also already got the three pounds back off!! 🙌🏽 

Best boba!!! The bobas just melt like caramel in your mouth

I could be wrong buuuuuuuut i think maybe i haven't figured out HOW to fold up my beach chair yet!!!! Did get the straps on my back though!!!! 🙌🏽 

So got my Bible at the beach moment!!!
Can’t wait for next time!!!

Read last year's SD TRIP HERE!!!!

 (I can tell I've lost weight in the last year!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!)

♥Mary Frances :)

Happy Monday!!!

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” 

(Psalm 118:24)

♥Mary Frances :)

My 42nd Birthday 🥳

It was a really fun day!!! We did A LOT!!!! Coffee/Breakfast, shopping 🛍️, pizza 🍕 for dinner ice cream and then Charlie and the Chocolate Factory play at Hale theatre!!!

And when i say shopping i pretty much did everything possible, thrifting, the mall and online!!! My supervisor said she gave me the day after my birthday 🥳 off as well in case i had a birthday hangover and i was like oh i don’t drink, THE ONLY thing that will need to be recovering ❤️‍🩹 after my birthday is the scale and MY BANK ACCOUNT!!!Hahahahaha!!! Buuuuuuuut my birthday is over vacay trip is over and it’s back to reality!!!! No more shopping and back healthyISH eating!!!

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Basically i did my two favorite things on my birthday 🥳 EAT AND SHOP!! 

Well I like outdoorsy adventures as well buuuuuut that’s not happening right now in AZ!!! Buuuuuut i got that in on the two days before my birthday 🥳 which i’ll be posting about soon with my SAN DIEGO TRIP!!!

♥Mary Frances :)

Happy Two Years in heaven!!!

Two years ago today, a part of me went to heaven!!! 

I looooooove and miss you John!!! Till we join you…

Party on up there!!! 🥳 

♥Mary Frances :)

Hey John!

Rememering my brother…

Hey John!!! It's me, Mary, Mar Bear, you know, you’re older, BUT less mature big sister!!!

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For the first 6 years of my life, I was the baby of the family and then you came a long and made me a big sister. One of my happiest moments as a child was when mom told us she was having a baby and that baby was you! Even though I was the big sister, it's like you were somehow never notified on the matter, as soon as you could fend for yourself, you started telling me what to do. 

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If you’re wondering….

 If you’re wondering….

IF I BOUGHT THIS DRINK BECAUSE IT MATCHES MY OUTFIT, the answer is…

LIIIIIIIKE DUH!!!!

♥Mary Frances :)

How well do you know ME???

Which house on this coloring page that i colored is my FAVORITE???

Okaaaaaaaay look at them all now and honestly guess in your head which one is the most MaryISH!!!!???

June 2025!!!

okaaaaaayyyyy sooooo June includes A LOT of things, Jr camp, Jenny visits, my family in the Philippines 🇵🇭 which i was not there buuuuuuut can’t resist posting photos!!!!

Antioch 2025!!!

Okaaaaaaayyyyy sooooo it’s that time of the year that everyone is texting me to ask for the Antioch details and i’m like, you guys realize that i go to THE ABBOTTS CHURCH soooooooo i ACTUALLY DONT KNOW EVERYTHING buuuuuuuut here’s THE FLIER and the. everyone says buuuuuut there’s no times in it and im like oh yeah buuuuuuuut IDK EITHER I JYST KNOW IF YOU WANT ASEAT GET THERE EARLY!!!! Not that i would know the time if it was at my church either buuuuut yeah!!!

♥Mary Frances :)

May 2025!!!

One of my FAVORITE SHIRTS!!!

i adore her!!!!

Made it!!!

New York egg roll from Jade Palace 

Kids choir 

Another funny 

jalapeño popper pizza not worth the calories 

My girlZ!!!

A Mary Fact!!!

Fact: One compliment changed my life!!!

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True story people!!! Once upon a time, in the end of 2007, before the birth of Classic Mary Moments had taken place, there was a broken-hearted Mary that had lost her merrieness MARYness!!! I had stopped writing! I didn't laugh, I hardly brushed my hair and lets be real, this may seem hard to believe, buuuuuuuut, I had started dressing like a FRUMP!!!

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One day, a really good looking young man paid me a simple compliment. It wasn't flirty or outlandish, it was just a simple but sincere compliment that turned me around. I stood taller and began to make big changes in my life to live up to the compliment...annnnnd yeah...

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I "Fell in love" with the guy for a while too...ahem...maybe a few years...buuuuuuut...heeeeeeyyyy...I really needed that compliment at that time.

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That guy, whom I thought was sooooooooo handsome, had the power to use his words to build me up or tear me down...or FURTHER down then I already felt at that time in my life!!! Sometimes we're scared to compliment someone because think they may get the wrong idea, buuuuuut you know what, I say its better to build someone up and they get the wrong idea, then to snub someone without reason and bring them down.

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After that compliment, I went home from that conference with a new mindset. I was going to start dressing cutesy again! I was going to do my hair everyday and every church service no matter what. It didn't matter if there were or weren't any single guys at my church, I was still going to look good. ANNNNNND that year I started writing again. 

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By the end of 2008, Classic Mary Moments had started and The Mary we all know and love, 

YES, including Mary…hee, hee, was reborn!!! 

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So you see my friends, we all have power with our words. We have the power to build up or tear down! 

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Now do I think that none of all that would have happened IF that guy had NOT paid me a compliment??? NAH!!! I mean, I'm still Mary and God is STILL GOD!!! I'm sure eventually I would have gotten out of my slump and God would have used some other situation or person buuuuuuut heeeeeey WHY not be the good-looking-tool God uses to build someone up???? 

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May as well right??? ;)  Hee, hee!!!

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If you’re around me for to long and I hear unkindness, you know I’ll be saying John 13:35 to you!!! “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

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God wants us to love each other!!! I'm not just talking about loving lost souls, I'm talking about loving our church family, loving our brothers and sister in the Lord!!! We are a witness TO LOST SOULS, by our love to one another within the church! God wants us to LOVE!!! My friends, don't be fake, don't be a flatterer, don't be a player, buuuuuut sincerely be NICE!

Be Kindhearted!!!

BE LOVING!!!