INSPIRATIONS Update March 14, 2008

To my Big sister Melissa we have had our fair share of ups and downs but she has stood by me through it all.  I kept telling her how to train and diet but she just would listen at first but it finally clicked in her.  She has dropped her weight and is now looking forward to doing her fist figure show in 2007.  I am so proud of her!!  Keep going Miss you can do it!

This page is dedicated to the people who push me and believe in me; no matter how bad I get (grouchy, sassy and unbearable) they stand behind me.  Also to those people that I look at and think “God let me just be half the person they are”   These are my true Heroes my inspirations to be a better person.  Thank all of you for being a part of my life.

First and foremost I need to give thanks and praise to my lord and savior Jesus Christ.  He brought bodybuilding in to my life when I was at my weakest.  The strength that I have is not just in my muscles.  Oh it started there but it runs much deeper now.  When I say to people that All power comes from within, it is his power, the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in me that I am speaking of.  Without this power in me I am Nothing. 
                                            
Psalm 18:32
It is God who arms me with strength,                                   
And makes my way perfect.                                    
                                                                                                   
Psalm 138:3
In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

I would like to acknowledge my sweet loving Pooh Bear.  My husband Collin Rhodes came into my life at a time when I had given up all hope on competing anymore; he believes in me 110%.  He never gives up on me even when I do.  He is the parent I inspire to be one day.  We have five kids and he manages to stay calm in every situation. He has a heart as big as that atlas stones that he is always picking up, LOL.  Being a world class power lifter he knows what it takes to train hard.  He has made me cry pushing me till I couldn’t train any harder and been there coaching me in the hospital through a headache that I though would kill me.  I am thankful and give praise every day to God for having honored me with being his wife.  Thank you baby for being my
Husband, I love you!!

 

 

My mom and dad have been through it all and they manage to still see that rainbow after the storm.  Seven kids (21 grandkids, 3greatgrandkids) and 50 years later and they are still together and full of love.  I love to spend time with them, and I miss them so much since I have moved to New Mexico.  You see (photos) the bodybuilding all started with my dad, LOL.  These pictures were taken in 1949 at age 16. 

                                 

 

 

                               

 

 

My brother Matt, who even over the phone (now that I have moved) can still push me to move that weight.  I miss hearing him in the audience yell and grunt (hight!) at me to tighten it up from the GROUND UP!!  “Don’t make me punch you in the gut”, he would tell me in practice. LOL He would tell me, after an hour of practice, me almost in tears, “Don’t get mad at me!  I know what you are feeling I’ve been there, I know you are hungry and tired but this is how we make a winner out of you, now do it again”.  I miss you little brother!!  Thanks for all your help and encouragement, even through the miles I know you are on my team.

Baby brother at 16 years old (he is now grown with a family)