Monday, December 31, 2012

True Meaning of Happiness

My baby girl EriRose
My Sweet,Sweet Sydney lou..

My little Ty-Man...

Ty
Eri
After playtime at Mimi's
The true meaning of HAPPINESS is taught to me by my grandchildren.I think the reason I Love my grandchildren and cherish the relationship I have with them is because they bring a sense of innocence into my life...Most of the time I run around and seem to never take the time to grasp hold of the simple things.The old saying" never taking time to smell the roses" but when I get those babies for a day or for a overnight Mimi sleepover they have a way of making me drop everything and realize how fast they grow up.And how they have this pure innocence about them that is so heart stirring and really puts things into perspective.I have found out that it is not always about working and letting all the stress of everyday life get to you.To take your focus off of what is really important in life.Who cares if they crash your house and you can't take a step across the floor without tripping over the toys.It is about the simple things the simple pleasures they bring into your life the way they see things for the first time.The way they feel things and especially the way they can say things that can really put you in your place and it's a place that I sometimes need to be to make me realize that this world does not revolve around me, that it revolves around a sense of being a sense of belonging of giving and sense of growing.The unconditional LOVE they give.I have found that I take all of this for granted.To take ME out of the picture.And I believe with all my heart that these things I have mentioned are a true sense of happiness that we all need in our life.To take hold of the innocence they bring to us and the unconditional LOVE they so freely give..Thank you for showing Mimi the true meaning of HAPPINESS....I Love you my sweet babies and forever in my heart you will be...
Sydney






"~TO YOU WHO ARE MY "HEART":

THIS {"MY PLACE", AND ALL OF THE CONTENTS HERE WITHIN-THE PHOTOS, JOURNALING, ALL OF IT}IS DEDICATED TO "YOU", THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. ~"YOU ARE MY HEART!" ~LOVE MOM & GRAND-MA"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Sunday, December 30, 2012

Glorious Messes...

I ran across this quote and it really hit home for me, for all those who know me, know that I am somewhat of a clean freak.I for one have always jumped right in to clean up the mess that was made on Christmas Day.The never ending shreds of wrapping paper and the boxes and bows scattered about,but for some reason this year I woke up the day after Christmas and found things pretty much how we had left it after our family Christmas Day celebration.I think this is all part of the magic of Christmas.You only have so many years of your life left to enjoy the simple moments that take place during Christmas.The surprises found that morning left by Santa, gathering around the table for a home cooked breakfast with those you love..And then the shaking of gifts trying to guess what is inside a beautifully wrapped package.The Ohs and Awe's, the little ones surprised look when they finally get to see what their gift was after pulling one little piece of paper off at a time.The smiles and laughter...And for one split second adults who become childlike once again.So for the first time in a while I DECIDED TO HOLD OFF ON THE PROCESS OF JUMPING RIGHT IN AND CLEANING UP, TO LET THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS LINGER AWHILE LONGER..To enjoy family and friends filling us with LOVE and JOY..Yep, I am so Blessed to have had that GLORIOUS MESS!!! 

Our Christmas Tree and the gifts just waiting to be opened...

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thankful Thursday/ Happy Birthday

Day by day another year has slipped away.I know despite the fact that I am thankful for my family and friends.Sometimes I tend to overlook the little things in life,and take for granted the presence of people family and friends,who if they were gone ,would be truly MISSED.And by knowing this I never want to forget how precious life, love and family are.They make us see who we really are at times.Celebrating a birthday does not mean to celebrate another year that I'm alive but with who I celebrate my life with and that I am Happy with my life.Each person who has had a part in my life whether it has been a family member,friend,or anyone that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the past fifty two years thus for has played an important role in my life.You have in some way provided important life lessons some good and some bad.This past year has had it's ups and downs and quite a bit of turmoil. Circumstances some not of my choosing but through it all,I am thankful for family and friends who have been there for me,praying for me when I needed it the most! Making me laugh when I thought it was impossible.Helping me to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.I am thankful for a husband who has loved me unconditionally,stood by me even when words we exchanged in our most stressed moments have not been so nice,and believe me they have been many..but I know he loves me dearly.I am thankful for Christ and his love for me even when I have not been so lovable.My turning 52 has been bitter /sweet.I look at the past and wonder like most where did the time go.I miss the younger days that carried me up to this point in my life and I am some what anxious about the uncertain events that will unfold with the up coming years.You know the things that life throws at you and catches you off guard,to make sure you are alive and still kicking.But the one thing I do know with the love and support of family and friends and my faith, it's enough to see me through what lies ahead.I pray for God's Grace to fall upon me over the up coming years.So I will enjoy the Present and look forward to the future and be Thankful....I found this poem and thought it said it best...We sometimes struggle with birthdays,especially as we grow older..





Each year our birthday forces us to grow
Into the person whom we have yet to know
With circumstances that hopefully have made us wise
When we learn from our multitude of mistakes and tries.

To take a long look at these years gone past
To really reflect on how time travels fast
To know that every day that each of us lives
Is a great gift from God that He lovingly gives.

So as you celebrate another passing year again
On this day that marks the beginning of the moment when
You entered this world for a purposeful plan
Just remember your worth doesn't come from man.

Your worth comes from our Creator who made you unique
Who gave you knowledge and words to speak
Who doesn't care about a past success or failure
But only cares about your heart that His presence makes pure.

False paths, lost dreams, wrong choices, it’s true
Fills your past as well as everyone else’s, too
There may be those lost memories that hinder your day
But with God in your mind the regrets soon melt away.

Cherish this day and who you’re growing to be
This special person that all of us already see
Embrace this coming year and live each day anew
By becoming the excellent one God created in you. 












Wednesday, November 7, 2012

CHANGE..Not a big fan.....


O.k I am the first one to admit I do not like change.I like things to stay the same. I wish that I had a  button to slow down the changes that take place in life.Now, with this being said the day after election day scares me.It scares me a lot.I could not watch it on t.v. and I know that for the next couple of months we will be watching what I call fun stuff.No, really I can't explain it.I know that the same president we have had for the past four years was just  re-elected back in office so, I should not worry so much right? I know maybe what to expect,right?I believe I pretty much know the direction that our nation is taken,but I must say I am a little Optimistic and apprehensive all rolled into one.I know who holds this nation in his hands and I know he will never forsake us and my GOD will forever be with us, but I am human and there is always a but at this moment in time, this day,this week I am scared.So why should this scare me? I know that I would have felt the same way no matter who was voted in as our president,Right? I guess because things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track in this nation,I'm scared for my children and their children.I'm scared about the changes that this world is fixing to make.I know we need change to make this nation the nation it has become.I know this nation is going to make changes for the good as well as the bad. This scares me in the fact that I'm not sure what lies ahead for my children and their children and their children to come.I just pray for God's grace to be upon us as a nation and forever keep us in his safe, loving arms.I know he holds the future and knowing this I am going to have to remind myself of this often! I will cling to this verse as a wife, mom,mimi and friend and a follower of Christ .Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you?Be strong and courageous.Do not be discouraged,for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Blogs From the Past...“There were some memories, though, that never faded.”


I found old blogs that I had wrote on my old Myspace..When reading them memories were brought back to mind ..“The worst part of holding the memories  is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”― Lois Lowry,The Giver.       'So I Am Sharing...."


current mood:sleepy
IT'S LATE AND I'M TIRED BUT HAD A GREAT DAY..SPENT THE DAY WITH MY MOM AND DAD...HAD A BIG FISH FRY..LIFE SEEM'S TO LOOK A LITTLE BETTER..NEED REST...WILL WRITE MORE LATER... LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS SO MUCH.... Jul 27, 2007


GOING BACK TO MISSISSIPPI

Current mood:busy
WE ARE GOING TO BE SO BUSY THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAY'S.MY FAMILY AND I ARE GOING BACK TO MISSISSIPPI TO HELP WORK AND GET A LITTLE VACATION TIME IN....I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR GOOD FRIENDS RICK AND NANCY....WE HAVE BEEN HELPING THEM TO REBUILD THEIR HOUSE..AND HAVE BECAME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS..WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO TO GET READY TO GO DOWN...FOR AN UP DATE ON MY MOM.. SHE HAD A TREATMENT FOR PAIN HOPE THIS WILL WORK IF IT DOES SHE SHOULD FEEL A LITTLE BETTER AND WILL BE ABLE TO DO A LITTLE MORE...KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS AS WE TRAVEL AND KEEP MY MOM IN YOUR PRAYERS DAILY.....I SEE A RAY OF SUNSHINE.............Aug 2, 2007


THEY SAY THEY DON'T

Current mood:angry

THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE A CURE FOR THIS THING WE CALL CANCER..WE ALL KNOW BETTER..WE HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE NOW THAN WE DID IN THE MIDDLE AGES WHEN THE BLACK DEATH ,THE BUBONIC PLAGUE KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE..THIS DEADLY DISEASE THAT SPREAD RAPIDLY WAS CAUSED BY FLEAS AND RATS....SO WHY  WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE TODAY IS IT THAT WE CAN'T  FIND A CURE. DOES IT MAKE US DUMBER??..YOU TELL ME, LOOK AT ALL THE MONEY THAT WOULD BE LOST IF WE HAD  A CURE..THEY SPEND MORE TIME ON FINDING WAYS TO TREAT THIS DISEASE THAN A CURE..WHO DO WE BLAME FOR THIS...WAKE UP AMERICA..I GUESS WHEN YOU HAVE A LOVE ONE WHO SUFFER'S FROM THIS THING CALLED CANCER AND SEE THEIR LIFE SLOWLY TAKEN AWAY YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO GET MAD AS HECK(????)... Aug 2, 2007



Current mood:guilty
WE ARE LEAVING TO GO ON OUR TRIP.I HAVE SUCH MIXED FEELING'S I'M LEAVING MY FAMILY AND LEAVING MY MOM WHO IS IN THE HOSPITAL..BLESS HER HEART SHE TOLD US TO KEEP OUR PLANS AND GO AHEAD WITH OUR TRIP BUT I HATE TO LEAVE KNOWING SHE IS SO SICK..DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER SHE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THIS THING WE CALL CANCER .WE DID NOT GET A GOOD REPORT TODAY..I KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN.I'LL JUST HOLD ON TIGHTER TO A HAND THAT IS STRONGER HOLD ON TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER..TO ALL OUR FRIENDS KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYER'S WHILE WE ARE GONE..WE ARE EXCITED TO HELP OUR FRIENDS IN MISSISSIPPI AND SPEND A LITTLE OVER DUE FAMILY TIME..BUT STILL OUR HEART'S ARE HEAVY IN LEAVING..DANA AND DAVID I LOVE YOU GUY'S SO MUCH... LIFE IS SO VERY  VERY  SHORT CHERISH IT......LOVE YOU GUY'S
Aug 14, 2007

WE ARE HOME

Current mood:happy
TO EVERYONE WHO NEW WE WERE GONE,WELL WE ARE BACK . GOT IN SAT.NIGHT AROUND 11:00p.m.WE HAD A GREAT TRIP.WORKED HARD AND PLAYED HARD..THE BEACH AS ALWAYS WAS BEAUTIFUL..VERY HOT THOUGH.IT WAS SO GOOD TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR FRIENDS.THEY SEEM TO BE DOING GOOD JUST WANTING TO GET INTO THEIR HOUSE..I KNOW THEY CAN'T WAIT  AFTER BEING IN A FEMA CAMPER FOR TWO YEARS...WE LOVE YOU GUY'S.MISSED HOME BUT HATED TO COME BACK AND FACE ALL THAT I HAVE TO FACE WITH MY MOM.SHE SEEM'S TO BE DOING SOMEWHAT BETTER..WE HAD A GOOD VISIT SUN. IT'S SO SAD AND HURT'S SO BAD TO SEE SOME ONE YOU LOVE DEARLY SO SICK..JUST KEEP HER AND ALL MY FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYER'S..

     Aug 16, 2007
    BEGINNING'S  ARE  USUALLY THE  SCARIEST AND THE END IS USUALLY THE SADDEST.BUT IT IS THE IN BETWEEN WHERE HAPPINESS IS FOUND..        
                                   MY CUP RUN'S

                                       OVER    

                                                         
                       


    • WELL WE ARE BACK AT THE HOSPITAL.MY MOM IS FIGHTING SO HARD TO STAY ALIVE..I LOVE HER SO MUCH.I KNOW THAT SHE KNOW'S THAT.SHE TELL'S ME THAT WITH A SOFT WHISPER OR JUST WITH THE MOVE OF THE MOUTH..AS LONG AS THERE IS BREATH THERE IS LIFE.SO MOM KEEP ON BREATHING I'M NOT READY TO LET YOU GO JUST YET..SO KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYER'S AND KNOWING THAT MEANS SO MUCH..                                                          
      10:36 PM Aug.29,2007              




      THE END OF LIFE AS WE KNOW ITAug 30, 2007

      MY MOM PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING.. SHE FOUGHT SO HARD AND WANTED TO BEAT THIS FOR HER FAMILY...I'M SO GLAD SHE HAD FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO CARED ABOUT HER..I KNOW SHE MUST BE HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE AS I'M TYPING THIS(SHE ALWAYS DID  LOVED TRIP'S) AND I KNOW SHE IS WITH FAMILY AND FRIEND'S WHO HAVE GONE ON TO HEAVEN AND I KNOW SEEING JESUS WAS WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO MOST OF ALL..SO I GUESS IN A SENSE SHE WILL BE ATTENDING A FAMILY REUNION AND KNOWING WE WILL SOON BE THERE WITH HER..I LOVE YOU MOM !!!YOU LOVED ME CARED FOR ME AND YOU AND DAD GAVE ME THE BEST OF LIFE.I HOPE TO DO THE SAME FOR MY CHILDREN..AND THANK YOU TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO WILL HELP US GET THROUGH THIS IT MEANS SO MUCH..PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYER'S FOR WE HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD....MOM YOU FINALLY GOT TO SEE THOSE ANGLES... 


      THANK-YOU

      Current mood:touched
      I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO KEPT US IN THEIR PRAYERS AND WHO MADE CALL'S AND SENT CARD'S..YOU ALL HAVE BEEN SO KIND.AND IT MEANT ALOT TO KNOW THAT YOU ALL CARED DURING THE PASSING OF MY MOM..I MISS HER SO MUCH.I STILL WANT TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND GIVE HER A CALL ABOUT THING'S THAT HAVE GONE ON THIS WEEK.(TO TELL HER TRACY GOT HER VOLLEYBALL OUTFIT )OR HOW CHURCH WENT SUNDAY OR JUST TO FILL HER IN ON DAILY ACTIVITIES.PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS..THEY SAY TIME WILL HEAL..MY LOVE TO YOU ALL
      12:49 PMSep 10, 2007



      May 14, 2008

      MOM

       WELL I MADE IT THROUGH MY FIRST MOTHERS DAY WITHOUT A MOM..IT WAS HARD BUT THANKS TO MY WONDERFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS THEY BROUGHT JOY FOR THE DAY THAT WOULD HAVE OTHER WISE BEEN VERY SAD...I KNOW MY MOM IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE,JUST THINK OF ALL THE WONDERFUL MOMS IN THE BIBLE WHO HAVE GONE ON TO HEAVEN THAT SHE SPENT MOTHERS DAY WITH..I CAN ONLY IMAGINE...........I LOVE YOU ALL 



      “Sharing tales of those we've lost is how we keep from really losing them.” 
      ― Mitch AlbomFor One More Day

Monday, October 1, 2012

My Love for the Rain....

O.k since it is raining ,what better subject to blog.about yep, the rain and my love for it.There are some things that I love about the rain.I have always loved the rain and how it makes me feel . I love the smell of it.I love the way you can smell it in the air even before it's arrival.I love after a good rain the crispness that it brings to the air and how much brighter the trees and grass seem to be..I love the sound of it tat,tat on the roof or the sound of it falling through the trees or how it sounds when your car drives through it. I love the sound it makes when you are driving in it and just for a brief second it stops when you go under a bridge.I love the fact of holding an umbrella and running to get from one place to another and trying not to get wet but no matter how hard you try it happens..lol..and the laughing as you stomp through the little puddles that it has made.And I find it a little bit romantic to share an umbrella with the one you love.  But most of all I love it's calmness that it brings into my home.I love being trapped indoors because of it.I love the warmth it brings and the desire to crawl back in the bed and snuggle.The warmth of a soft glow from a lamp with the soothing sounds of jazz playing with the rain in the background or the fact that it makes me want a cup of coffee and I am not even a big fan of the stuff, lol. I love the desire it brings to want to cook something on the stove most of the day because of it's cool dampness.For me I think the rain is God's way of saying slow down and enjoy some of the simple things I give you in life and the rain is one of them..Some people walk in the rain,others just get wet.Rain showers my spirit, and waters my soul. ~ Emily Logan Decens

Shower my Spirit





A little bit of romance.. 











Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE CITY BOX....

Growing up as a kid we had what I called a city mailbox that made it's home on the corner of our street for years during  the 1960's and 1970's. That mailbox no longer stands proudly on that corner like all things simple, mailboxes have vanished into the unknown,a thing in the past it marked the era of a simpler time.  It held the world's most important and earliest form of communication...the letter.Without the invention of the mailboxes our civilization would have been different.Growing up as a kid I found this box that sat on the corner fascinating and some what of a mystery.I would sit on the front porch and watch people of all ages drop their mail in this box wondering what news the letter was bringing to the recipient,good news, dreaded news and where was it's destination and how long would it take to make the trip.Often times I would feel the need to pull back the door/slot to the mail box and yell inside "lol" never getting a reply.."HELLO IS ANYONE IN THERE." I am not sure what I would have done if I had gotten a answer..And for some reason I felt the  need to give it a good shake knowing I could never shake it off it's concert foundation.And it goes without saying every once in a while I would have the need to drop little things in there just because I was a kid.. I became so excited and loved when my mom would give the  mail to me that actually was to be mailed some 30 steps from our front door.She entrusted me with this very important task.And I took it very seriously.I remember dropping it in shutting the little door and waiting a few seconds and opening it back up just looking down as far as I could  to  make sure it had dropped in, way down in the belly of that box."Nothing echoes like an empty mail box..." Charles M. Schultz.. Who would think that such a simple thing as a mail box would be part of your childhood memory.Sometimes it's just one of those things you feel the need to look back on and smile at all of those childish,silly moments that just so happen to define who you are and the memory of a more simple life that for one second you would give anything to relive...TRUE LOVE IS HOME GROWN1!


Just wondering who received this letter?? 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Yep!!! One of those Days..........


How did I know today was going to be one of those days?Emotions running high...My heart feels heavy,today's been a grumpy day it's been short tempered, grumbly, and easily frustrated.The sort of day that makes you wish for a 'restart' button...You know the ones? Where you are kind of just in a funk. And you just don’t feel right in your own skin.Looking at me wrong will make me cry. Hugging me to make it better will make me cry.
I know I will feel better tomorrow, at least I hope I do.I think I am just having one of those days where the uncertainty you feel about things takes over and doesn’t let the good stuff shine on through.Yep,that is how I feel today.Thank-You God for good friends and family who put up with me..Some days should come with a warning label.....So, I think I am going to put on a Happy face shake these feelings off and start over as though it were a brand new day...

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Love the making of a Memory

My Beautiful MoM...



My mom and I
Awesome Christian Lady
On my wedding day..



My love will never die...
As most of you know today will be five years since the passing of my mom...I miss her every single day..The love I have for her will never die..She will live in my heart for as long as I live..This love I now share for her is called a memory..I always thought I would have more time.I thought I would have more phone conversations that took place every morning and ended in I love Yous..More Thanksgiving's,more Christmases together,more Birthdays just more time to love her here on this earth..My mom was a Awesome lady..No, she was not perfect,but then none of us are but her way of life was spent loving and caring for others..She was always busy helping others and giving was not something she did it was her way of life..She loved and gave her all to my dad and with no doubt  she loved her children, family and friends but most of all you knew where she stood with her relationship with her GOD..She is the one I turned to when I needed a shoulder to cry on.And here lately,that would have been a lot, because of now I'm going to take the month of August out of my calendar year..lol..Not a good month for me..She was the one I would call first to celebrate good news and the one I would call for advice..So you see my mom played a very   important part in my life.Even though she has left to go into the other room..I will take everything she has taught me and pass it down to my children and grandchildren so that her love will never die..because with out love there are no memories..I know that love never dies, that our loved ones are with us always, and that the memory of my mother will live in my heart forever. I also know that life is short and we never know when we’ll have our last opportunity to say the things we want to say, until the moment is gone.So, if you want to say, “I love you”, go say it now. If you need to say, “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you”, go say it now. Go do the things you want to do with those that you love- now. Don’t think that you’re too busy or that you can do it tomorrow, for tomorrow may never come.I love you mom and forever will............Till we meet again.....Your first born" Martha"

SWEET BABY GIRL.....HOMEWARD BOUND..




My Sweet Baby Girl...
“Coming home”…what phrase could sound sweeter?My baby girl is coming home for the week-end... Friday to be exact..I could not be any happier.. .My only fear is that my expectations of how this first vacation/ visit will far exceed the reality. Dreams of long talks, laughs,shopping, just hanging out together will probably end up with her hanging out with her friends, spending hours on her laptop, and sleeping LOT'S of sleeping! Doesn't matter that I will probably see more of her dirty laundry than her. No matter what happens, I am thrilled she will be home My Baby Is Coming Home! I Am So Excited!! She has already put in a order for a Chicken casserole. She is coming home for her first real visit since she headed off to college. I haven't seen her for about two weeks and for some strange reason that seems like an eternity I can't wait to hug her and kiss that sweet face. I am thrilled she will be home and I am counting down the hours.

Monday, August 27, 2012

They have my Heart.............

My little man...







My Little Miss Prissy..



My little Betty Lou....
Hugs and Kisses.....

Walking in papa's shoes... 
I am (in no particular order) a wife, a mom, a mimi and by that I realized I am living on borrowed time... sitting here thinking a word came to mind...RELISH-Relish the Moments and make them count....I relish the moments that I have with my grandchildren. Little moments, Regular moments,Precious moments. The moments when they play together Relishing the fun..Park and Zoo days.. Bedtime Stories and Bedtime Prayers ..Special Talks.. And the Can I fix your hair times??and the countless “I Love You's”.. The Special Hugs and kisses meant only for you ..This little piggy went to the market..Funny face Wide mouth frog..Peek a Boo ..Here's the church and here's the steeple.. Whistling and the non ending desire to be pushed in a swing.. The little hand prints on the glass doors..And those never ending sometimes funny questions and the funny faces they give when you give them sometimes a funny answer....and the very first time they call out your name(mimi)Oh and that will melt your heart...And the crazy nicknames we give them..And most of all just the little things they do for no reason at all..Relishing their childhood. They capture our hearts so quickly and hold on for ever.. I don't know how many more summers we will have of these adventures, so I am trying to savor everyone. We relish moments that become precious memories..I'm grateful for the time I do have. It never feels like enough..but it is. It's enough. What we're given from God is always enough...as long as we make it count..for every moment which passes by should be relished,for they will never return..Therefore I will forever relish the moments and make each one count........."The days are long but the years are short."   ~Mom’s wisdom~They have my HEART forever............