Monday Memories

I was talking to my mother in law today about a new book that has recently been published by an author in my husband's hometown. A member of a well-respected and highly infulential family has written a tell all book about her family's dark secrets.

I ordered promptly....

I thought the kids would love to see some of the things since they were all born in that town. A little piece of trivia from their hometown.

It did get me to thinking though. What will my family members say? What will be the memories they will tell? Even better, what memories will I share about those I love from long ago and today?

It is so easy to focus on the negative (especially if you want to sell a few books.) While these things are easily recalled it is the moments we can never get back, the days we wish could have had just one more hour in them that are the real story. The day dreams come true, the day we were uplifted.

I thought a little memory from long ago was in order for today's post.

My older brother Shane is one of the most loving men I know. I imagine him as loving with his heart and soul. A love that has no judgement and love that has no end. I have likely never shared my thoughts with him on this. My memories of him often lead to the fact that he was typically a pain :-) I say that lovingly, but he and I butted heads a lot growing up. I was a baby 8 years his junior. He was the baby for many years before me and I think that just kinda rolled into a lot of issues between us.

Yet, it my brother Shane who:
1. Sent me card with carebear stickers when I was in junior high telling me that he loved me.
2. He sent me flowers every year of my high school life.
3. When I was at tryouts one year, he showed up with roses in head to wish me luck and to give me the flowers himself.
4. When I moved to Florida, he was the first family member to come visit me.
5. When I call he NEVER forgets to ask about my husband and kids.
6. When I was in rough spot, he was the first person to show up.
7. After he married he always took and interest in me coming around as a kid.
8. He has struggled but he is the one person I know that seems content with life.
9. He has given up things I never could.
10. He fought, He cried, He loved, He lost, but he NEVER gave up.

I doubt he will ever read these words but I can't help but think of him today. A ton of memories about him are very close to my heart and I hope he knows how dear they are to me. I love you Shane!

Gonna Go Make Some New Friends

We recently moved into a new neighborhood and have really just got "settled in". When we decided to move one of the largest factors was to get the kids in a better schools. Along with the timing of the move, we decided that if the kids had the summer to maybe get to know some of the other kids around they might feel better about moving into a new school.

Leave it to Kenadee to announce out of the blue "Gonna Go Make Some New Friends". She put on her bathinig suit, brushed her hair and went off to the water fountain thing in the middle of the park where kids play beside the pool. No worries, no intimidation.

I love her confidence in herself and her willingness to put herself out there.

I wish for her true friendships. Friendships that mirror a reflection of herself in a positive and uplifting way. Frienships that support, that comfort and that last a lifetime.

As an adult, I know that some frienships are only meant for a season. I am blessed by many of them. Those that hurt or injured me are less and less important because I saw they were not a true friendship at all.

So my daughter's wisdom is far beyond her years to know for herself that she has the ability to build life long friendships or maybe it is just for day in the park. None the less,she gonna make her some new friends today and wil worry about the details later.

Simply Put

Simply Put:
I love my husband because when I see myself in his eyes, I feel better about myself.
I adore my children becasue they are well rounded, loving, well behaved, amazing and talented children.
I am a child of God, who by only asking for His grace, has been blessed abundantly. From an earlier age, His presence is my life has achored me in turbalent times and given me the wings to fly in the wind.
I love my job - the challenge of not being expected to do what I do but proving I could has given me such trust in God to show himself in my daily task.
I respect my parents for being there for me unconditionally and by always standing behind me pressing me forward to be who I am.
I am challenged by friendship - The disappointment friends of the past & present does however make me feel extremely lucky for the true friendships I have.
I am connected to my family in my heart. The miles apart does not fade the love I have for my siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws, cousins.....and on and on. They are jewels - each and everyone of them.
I am inspired by people who I will never know and people I forget to tell everyday how inspiring they are.
I love the Word of God. It answers all questions and it makes me question all answers.
I enjoy life but I want to live it with less regret - some regret for things I have done but mostly for regret of things I have not yet.
Simply put.....

My Doggies

The one joy that I often forget to mention is my sweet puppies. They are such delightful pups that are just adorable.

I think the reason I sometimes forget to "gush" over them is because that is one of the things that I absolutely adore about them. When they capture my attention during a day, they do it in such a non-selfish way. It is like even playing chase or tug-a-war is meant more for my satisfaction than their own.

Brownie, my cocker spaniel, loves to play. She is full of energy. When she gathers from my mood that she can play - she does. However, the best thing about her is when I am sad, down, moody or just tired she uses as much energy just to flop down beside me on the couch and cuddles. She doesn't demand to be petted or demand attention in any way. She just patiently and lovingly sits and waits with me. She gives me the "It's okay Mom" kinda love that just warms my heart.

Tink, our English Bulldog, is a little less energetic. She is more likely going read my mood and decide if I need a "bath" or if I need just her to lay at my feet. When she sees me move, she just looks at me with a look of "Are you okay?" or "If I could do something, I would" kinda puppy look.

I have had pets before but Tink and Brownie are just a special part of the family. Both of the are just loving, caring and sweet. Besides that - they are just fun!

Oh and I forgot to mention how much I just love to watch Kaleb play with them. He just loves them so much and they "get him" like no others.

Thanks pups for never requiring anything and giving everything to make any day a better day!

Gone With The Wind

I love Scarlet O'Hara. From young ages until now, I just wanted to be like her. I can just remember thinking of how much I would love to have her life when I was a young girl.

Gone With The Wind is still my favorite movie of all time but my "wish to be Scarlet" is all gone.

Scarlet's life was a tragedy. Loving the wrong man, Loving the right man for the wrong reasons, loosing her parents, living in times of hard strife and pain, and then bearing the pain of the loss of child.

Sure, I dream of the life Scarlet dreamed of when she was at Twelve Oaks. Before the war, before the devastation of her plan for life.

With all her beauty, all her upbringing, and all her "status", she was still not above what pain there was to endure. Yet, she is still admired because she kept going. She took many wrong roads but she never gave up living life.

I will always love the movie but I am very thankful I grew up when I did, with whom I have loved and lost, of loving the man of my dreams (and having him love me even more), and working on a life lived full.

Oh, but if God ever saw fit to give me one of Scarlet's traits, I would take that 16 1/2 inch waist she was so upset about. LOL

Undo It...

Carrie Underwood has a new song out that I like alot. I also love the fact that all my "undo it's" are done with --- thanks to having the love of my life now....


I should have known by the way you passed me by
There was something in your eyes and it wasn't right
I should have walked, but I never had the chance
Everything got out of hand and I let it slide

Now I only have myself to blame
For falling for your stupid games
I wish my life could be
The way it was before I saw your face

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it
You had my heart, now I want it back
I'm starting to see everything you lack
Boy you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

Na, na, na-na, na
Na, na, na-na, na
Na, na, na-na, na, na

Now your photos don't have a picture frame
And I never say your name and I never will
And all your things, well I threw them in the trash
And I'm not even sad

Now you only have yourself to blame
For playing all those stupid games
You're always gonna be the same
And, oh no, you'll never change

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it
You had my heart, now I want it back
I'm starting to see everything you lack
Boy you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

Na, na, na-na, na
Na, na, na-na, na
Na, na, na-na, na, na

You want my future, you can't have it
I'm still trying to erase you from my past
I need you gone so fast

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it
You had my heart, now I want it back
I'm starting to see everything you lack
Boy you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely and took me for a ride
Boy you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it

Much more than a job....

God has allowed me to have a wonderful job that I love. I get to work under two wonderful people, Darrin and Heather, who allow me to be me in the workplace. Why do I love it? Well, mainly because I get the have daily interaction with people who are stressed out and hopeless. It is not that I like that they are in this situation, but I get to share love with them in such simple ways.

I have a small little plaque on my desk that says "Believe, With God All Things Are Possible". From the moment people sit in front of my desk I see them glance at it. For some, it is as they reach for kleenex. For others,it is as they are cursing about their situation and it is a gentle reminder to not take it out on me.

I know God has put me RIGHT where I am so that I can hopefuly show people a little kindness and love when they are in my office. From praying for clients, from just being there -- it is a privledge to show Christian love in a business setting.

I pray that God always help me to shed His love and NEVER take the credit for myself. May they feel His love that moment and forever.