Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Heart of a Home
I am headed West in the morning. Home as you call it. But, it isn't the "home" I plan to dedicate this blog to at the time... There are different definitions according to the song in my slideshow. Anyway... before I get to that... My stepmommy is turning 50 so her daughter has come in from North Dakota with her three kids and my stepbrother and his wife are coming in with their two girls from Oklahoma. We are going to have an amazing family weekend! Before I get there I am making a detour through Snyder to go through Grandmommy's house. Being the only grandchild when your mother has passed does not have perks. Yes, I get half of everything... but, I do not like the business side of things. I do not like going through one's things. I just want to honor her memory forever so I want to have things of hers that will remain timeless and be given to my own grandchildren. It doesn't help that being in her home where "she" always was and always greeted me at the door is quite strange.
The word "home" is once again used.
I began piecing together a slideshow of "The House That Built Me." When I say I am going "home" I am now going to Midland, Texas. My Dad and Brenda live there now, but it is not my hometown. I consider it home now as they are my heart and my blood and they are there in their existence. In my heart the home that built me is in Big Spring, Texas. After Mom passed we all moved on with our lives because we must... that home then became more of just a house. The essence of our small three person family was forever changed. Once Dad and Brenda united we all knew they had to build their own home together. Of course, they could have stayed in the Cecilia Street home forever and built it in their hearts, but there would always be a tiny piece of their own missing. We all have to move on and build our own heart of a home. A home is place where you make your life with your family. I told a friend the other day how much I respected her now looking back. Her house was tiny and in it lived five people. She and her brother shared a room while her mother and other brother slept in the other room while the father was usually away on business. They never thought twice about it. They are the closest family I have ever known. I had friends living in mansions with many rooms. I wonder if it was a true home in their heart?
I get upset when people from West Texas forget our roots. We are raised to be "downhome good folk." Some move to the Metroplex and get sucked into the Northpark life of millionaires and mansions. Drive this car. Look this way. Have this house in that neighborhood. Sometimes I will lose myself telling Nick what all he needs do to do his house. I start talking about flooring and columns being ripped out and painting certain colors. I forget that growing up I never once thought about it. I grew up in an amazing house with large rooms and wonderful color. It wasn't a mansion and I never thought about it. Dad and Mom had a new living area built, a huge dream bathroom... always building and changing it as the times flew by... It was perfect to us. The times I remember in that house were filled with happiness. Crazy memories. Funny memories. Lovely memories. Did you know I cut a huge gash in my leg while making my parents' bed because I was standing on the bed and rammed into the light? Did you know I was so excited to put a handprint in the basketball court cement in the backyard, but I scratched the inside of my eye and by the time I got home from the doctor could only scratch my name with a nail in the cement and that is why there is no handprint? Did you know my parents said in order for me to be in a sorority I had to paint the exterior of the house before college so I spent the summer in my bikini getting a tan and painting that house? Oh boy... Did you know...
Cecilia Street is a memory embedded in my mind. The house that built me was built with help by our amazing neighbors whom I still enjoy visiting... and my next door neighbor, Cody is my best guy friend and lives right here in Dallas with me. I pray one day to have a neighborhood such as this where my children can run and play and enjoy the day. I pray I can give them the same childhood my parents gave me. No, it wouldn't have mattered if we lived in a box or a huge house on a hill... anywhere I was with them would have been the same home. Mom pulling up in the driveway honking numerous times as I ran out to help her with the groceries. Dad climbing in the tree looking down at me in amazement at her heroic tree climbing pops. Mom yelling at the end of the hall as I was in a totally different room for me to get back and turn out that light. Yes... all in a home.
There are many different types of homes. Since I moved away from Cecilia Street I made a few my own. Living in the dorms in a tiny room among amazing friends at Texas Tech. Moving to the apartments and then a little house with sorority sisters enjoying our days together. Moving off on my own to Abilene, Tyler and then Dallas. All making homes my own. And one day... building a heart of a home with my loved ones.
The word "home" is once again used.
I began piecing together a slideshow of "The House That Built Me." When I say I am going "home" I am now going to Midland, Texas. My Dad and Brenda live there now, but it is not my hometown. I consider it home now as they are my heart and my blood and they are there in their existence. In my heart the home that built me is in Big Spring, Texas. After Mom passed we all moved on with our lives because we must... that home then became more of just a house. The essence of our small three person family was forever changed. Once Dad and Brenda united we all knew they had to build their own home together. Of course, they could have stayed in the Cecilia Street home forever and built it in their hearts, but there would always be a tiny piece of their own missing. We all have to move on and build our own heart of a home. A home is place where you make your life with your family. I told a friend the other day how much I respected her now looking back. Her house was tiny and in it lived five people. She and her brother shared a room while her mother and other brother slept in the other room while the father was usually away on business. They never thought twice about it. They are the closest family I have ever known. I had friends living in mansions with many rooms. I wonder if it was a true home in their heart?
I get upset when people from West Texas forget our roots. We are raised to be "downhome good folk." Some move to the Metroplex and get sucked into the Northpark life of millionaires and mansions. Drive this car. Look this way. Have this house in that neighborhood. Sometimes I will lose myself telling Nick what all he needs do to do his house. I start talking about flooring and columns being ripped out and painting certain colors. I forget that growing up I never once thought about it. I grew up in an amazing house with large rooms and wonderful color. It wasn't a mansion and I never thought about it. Dad and Mom had a new living area built, a huge dream bathroom... always building and changing it as the times flew by... It was perfect to us. The times I remember in that house were filled with happiness. Crazy memories. Funny memories. Lovely memories. Did you know I cut a huge gash in my leg while making my parents' bed because I was standing on the bed and rammed into the light? Did you know I was so excited to put a handprint in the basketball court cement in the backyard, but I scratched the inside of my eye and by the time I got home from the doctor could only scratch my name with a nail in the cement and that is why there is no handprint? Did you know my parents said in order for me to be in a sorority I had to paint the exterior of the house before college so I spent the summer in my bikini getting a tan and painting that house? Oh boy... Did you know...
Cecilia Street is a memory embedded in my mind. The house that built me was built with help by our amazing neighbors whom I still enjoy visiting... and my next door neighbor, Cody is my best guy friend and lives right here in Dallas with me. I pray one day to have a neighborhood such as this where my children can run and play and enjoy the day. I pray I can give them the same childhood my parents gave me. No, it wouldn't have mattered if we lived in a box or a huge house on a hill... anywhere I was with them would have been the same home. Mom pulling up in the driveway honking numerous times as I ran out to help her with the groceries. Dad climbing in the tree looking down at me in amazement at her heroic tree climbing pops. Mom yelling at the end of the hall as I was in a totally different room for me to get back and turn out that light. Yes... all in a home.
There are many different types of homes. Since I moved away from Cecilia Street I made a few my own. Living in the dorms in a tiny room among amazing friends at Texas Tech. Moving to the apartments and then a little house with sorority sisters enjoying our days together. Moving off on my own to Abilene, Tyler and then Dallas. All making homes my own. And one day... building a heart of a home with my loved ones.
Blair's Surprise 30th Birthday
Pictures weren't posted from this shindig until tonight so I had to wait a bit... Lauren threw a 30th surprise party for Blair last weekend... All of her family and all of our friends came... Many of us grew up together. It was so fun to just hang out and enjoy the night!!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Media Diva Productions
WWWW.MEDIADIVAPRODUCTIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM
I launched a blog for my slideshow productions. Yes, launched. I feel so professional. You see, for the past few months my friends have been bugging me to do slideshows for others because I did it for fun. I would spend hours and hours on slideshows with video and photos for my loved ones just to put online. Anna, my friend who is a wedding planner told me she has clients paying like $400 for this type of thing... What??!! I feel horrible charging that much when it is so easy for me. So I decided I'd charge about $50 - $200 depending on the work. I did one for a friend of his kid's sports highlights with all video. It took me a few days, but it was a test so I did it for $10! Then it was too large to email the file so I cannot show it off!!! He says Jaxon shows it to everyone and he watched it over and over. That is why I do it.
Why did I call it Media Diva Productions? Well, forever the name J. Gray Productions rang. NO, I am not married, but I liked it! Nick laughed and I told him I could tell people he was my business partner. It rhymed! Then J.A. Productions... boring... so I have named my normal blog after "diva" and it is just a joke with me all of the time so I decided to keep the theme going. And it's catchy!
I started this a looong time ago... When my mom turned 43 I was in eighth grade and I placed all of these photos up and filmed them with our little camcorder. I had music going in the background. She cried and cried. I was excited! So after that I figured out how to piece together video and music for my basketball highlights. I even got to where I would make slideshows for friends for graduation and birthdays. Then when I was a news reporter we edited our own stories. I got to use high level technology to piece together my news stories. If you want to know how old I am when I first went into news we did tape to tape editing... it was difficult! Then we went into non linear editing with all of the computer software.
So for my birthday Nick got me an editing software equivalent to what I used in Tyler and Abilene and Dad and Brenda got to me equipment to change old VCR tapes into DVDs. I have had the best time working on home videos and slideshows for others. So it's just for fun for me. I made one yesterday that for a woman's husband and she said she cried and cried. Victory!!! My best friend wants me to do one of her baby's first year of life... I shall tackle that next, but that will take a while! Choosing music... finding photos... all that jazz! I love it!!! It's so worth it in the end.
Anyway... so I'm becoming a shameless plug of my passion. If anyone you know needs some crying in their life... of happiness... here I am... I would love to charge $400... ha... I'm wondering if they do all of the actual photos and videos and give you lots and lots of extras because that might be insane to me. If it's straight photos I charge $50. If it's a lot of videos and photos and music and mixtures I charge $100 to $150. I hate talking money. I'll put my newest one on here. I pieced it together to show a sample for Father's Day. Not sure Dad has watched it yet! He has seen me make him a thousand things with photos and he deserves it. Maybe soon I'll have business cards. Anna wants to pass them out to clients. I guess they are used to paying $500 for this so boo ya!!! Haha... I'm learning to follow my passions in life. God gives us gifts for a reason. I guess one of my gifts is making people cry. And that's a pretty good gift!!!
I launched a blog for my slideshow productions. Yes, launched. I feel so professional. You see, for the past few months my friends have been bugging me to do slideshows for others because I did it for fun. I would spend hours and hours on slideshows with video and photos for my loved ones just to put online. Anna, my friend who is a wedding planner told me she has clients paying like $400 for this type of thing... What??!! I feel horrible charging that much when it is so easy for me. So I decided I'd charge about $50 - $200 depending on the work. I did one for a friend of his kid's sports highlights with all video. It took me a few days, but it was a test so I did it for $10! Then it was too large to email the file so I cannot show it off!!! He says Jaxon shows it to everyone and he watched it over and over. That is why I do it.
Why did I call it Media Diva Productions? Well, forever the name J. Gray Productions rang. NO, I am not married, but I liked it! Nick laughed and I told him I could tell people he was my business partner. It rhymed! Then J.A. Productions... boring... so I have named my normal blog after "diva" and it is just a joke with me all of the time so I decided to keep the theme going. And it's catchy!
I started this a looong time ago... When my mom turned 43 I was in eighth grade and I placed all of these photos up and filmed them with our little camcorder. I had music going in the background. She cried and cried. I was excited! So after that I figured out how to piece together video and music for my basketball highlights. I even got to where I would make slideshows for friends for graduation and birthdays. Then when I was a news reporter we edited our own stories. I got to use high level technology to piece together my news stories. If you want to know how old I am when I first went into news we did tape to tape editing... it was difficult! Then we went into non linear editing with all of the computer software.
So for my birthday Nick got me an editing software equivalent to what I used in Tyler and Abilene and Dad and Brenda got to me equipment to change old VCR tapes into DVDs. I have had the best time working on home videos and slideshows for others. So it's just for fun for me. I made one yesterday that for a woman's husband and she said she cried and cried. Victory!!! My best friend wants me to do one of her baby's first year of life... I shall tackle that next, but that will take a while! Choosing music... finding photos... all that jazz! I love it!!! It's so worth it in the end.
Anyway... so I'm becoming a shameless plug of my passion. If anyone you know needs some crying in their life... of happiness... here I am... I would love to charge $400... ha... I'm wondering if they do all of the actual photos and videos and give you lots and lots of extras because that might be insane to me. If it's straight photos I charge $50. If it's a lot of videos and photos and music and mixtures I charge $100 to $150. I hate talking money. I'll put my newest one on here. I pieced it together to show a sample for Father's Day. Not sure Dad has watched it yet! He has seen me make him a thousand things with photos and he deserves it. Maybe soon I'll have business cards. Anna wants to pass them out to clients. I guess they are used to paying $500 for this so boo ya!!! Haha... I'm learning to follow my passions in life. God gives us gifts for a reason. I guess one of my gifts is making people cry. And that's a pretty good gift!!!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Graham Harrell Roadshow
Do you know who this is?
Don't worry if you don't because I don't know too many football players either. I got the chance to interview some Texas Tech coaches and this very special man who is a former Texas Tech quarterback and now plays for the Green Bay Packers, Mr. Graham Harrell. More about that day later.
Last weekend was a whirlwind of summer activity. Friday night I met Jana and Jordan at Sambuca for a night of girl talk. We had such a great time chatting it up. We walked around the Shops at Legacy and enjoyed live music, too. Those girls always crack me up. Then Saturday a group of us went over to Anna's house to go out in Uptown. It's pretty hard to get me to go out to Uptown because it just isn't me. It's too loud and crowded... and... boy, I sound old! I love the atmosphere of everyone hanging out, but I'd much rather just chill out visiting on a patio! Nick played Twister with Ashton... quite entertaining to watch... and we enjoyed just hanging out at her house before we hit J Blacks and Barcadia. I could have stayed at her house all night!
We finally got to take the boat out Sunday! We took Nick's parents out for a bit. He wanted to try his new gear and his new wakeboard. Being on the lake reminds me of being a young teenager just lost in the world. It is as if all of the cares drift away into the water. Sunshine is my drug. That should be my motto in life because I love sunshine!!!
So yesterday I went to Tyler to host the "Red Raider Roadshow." I haven't been back to my stomping grounds in Tyler for two years! I missed parts of it as I rolled into town, but I also know when I was there I was so far from home that it just never satisfied me. I miss the news station and my church there... but, it was never my true home. So I joined the photographer, Andrews and the director, Mitchell at the Country Club for the fun filled day. I first met Coach Tuberville at the beverage stand. He was mixing lemonade and iced tea together which perplexed Mitchell. Mitchell introduced us and he asked where I was from and when I told him Big Spring I asked if he knew where that was. He laughed and said it was big because it is called "Big" Spring! He was really neat. Then we listened to a few of the coaches speak. It was neat to hear our Christian country roots as they spoke of God and dust... all rolled into one in a sort of way. I love being from West Texas. We all hit the golf course in the sweltering heat! We found Graham on the course and made him take photos with us and got an interview. I liked to make him laugh! He was a bit shy so it was funny. Mitchell somehow made my photo blurry so I tracked Graham down later and we took another photo! He was very humble and told us he is getting a ring for the Superbowl win! I hope the interview looks good as we had a lot of fun with him!
After shooting a few intros with Mitchell and flubbing our lines and melting in the heat I was ready to go! I met Rachel at Chilis and caught up a bit. So good to see old friends!
Summer is an awakening to our senses. It is as if the world comes out of hibernation into the sunlight. I'm just trying to enjoy each day and breathe in that sunlight. It's what it takes for us to survive each day. Awaken out of the darkness and open the shades.
Don't worry if you don't because I don't know too many football players either. I got the chance to interview some Texas Tech coaches and this very special man who is a former Texas Tech quarterback and now plays for the Green Bay Packers, Mr. Graham Harrell. More about that day later.
Last weekend was a whirlwind of summer activity. Friday night I met Jana and Jordan at Sambuca for a night of girl talk. We had such a great time chatting it up. We walked around the Shops at Legacy and enjoyed live music, too. Those girls always crack me up. Then Saturday a group of us went over to Anna's house to go out in Uptown. It's pretty hard to get me to go out to Uptown because it just isn't me. It's too loud and crowded... and... boy, I sound old! I love the atmosphere of everyone hanging out, but I'd much rather just chill out visiting on a patio! Nick played Twister with Ashton... quite entertaining to watch... and we enjoyed just hanging out at her house before we hit J Blacks and Barcadia. I could have stayed at her house all night!
We finally got to take the boat out Sunday! We took Nick's parents out for a bit. He wanted to try his new gear and his new wakeboard. Being on the lake reminds me of being a young teenager just lost in the world. It is as if all of the cares drift away into the water. Sunshine is my drug. That should be my motto in life because I love sunshine!!!
So yesterday I went to Tyler to host the "Red Raider Roadshow." I haven't been back to my stomping grounds in Tyler for two years! I missed parts of it as I rolled into town, but I also know when I was there I was so far from home that it just never satisfied me. I miss the news station and my church there... but, it was never my true home. So I joined the photographer, Andrews and the director, Mitchell at the Country Club for the fun filled day. I first met Coach Tuberville at the beverage stand. He was mixing lemonade and iced tea together which perplexed Mitchell. Mitchell introduced us and he asked where I was from and when I told him Big Spring I asked if he knew where that was. He laughed and said it was big because it is called "Big" Spring! He was really neat. Then we listened to a few of the coaches speak. It was neat to hear our Christian country roots as they spoke of God and dust... all rolled into one in a sort of way. I love being from West Texas. We all hit the golf course in the sweltering heat! We found Graham on the course and made him take photos with us and got an interview. I liked to make him laugh! He was a bit shy so it was funny. Mitchell somehow made my photo blurry so I tracked Graham down later and we took another photo! He was very humble and told us he is getting a ring for the Superbowl win! I hope the interview looks good as we had a lot of fun with him!
After shooting a few intros with Mitchell and flubbing our lines and melting in the heat I was ready to go! I met Rachel at Chilis and caught up a bit. So good to see old friends!
Summer is an awakening to our senses. It is as if the world comes out of hibernation into the sunlight. I'm just trying to enjoy each day and breathe in that sunlight. It's what it takes for us to survive each day. Awaken out of the darkness and open the shades.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day Madness
This weekend means the summer has officially started. The first glistening of red upon my shoulders that isn't spray tan must mean the sunshine means business! We had the best weekend and enjoyed every minute!
Friday Nick and his roommates had a barbecue to celebrate Tony's birthday. We all just hung out around the huge amount of food and chatted the night away.
Saturday Shyloh was in town so the gals went to Jana & Andrea's to lay by the pool. We had such a great time doing the girl chat thing. Nothing is better than a day full of girl gab! After we baked ourselves for a bit we got the dogs and took them to Mi Cocina on the patio. Shyloh lives in Lubbock and doesn't to get visit often so we love when she comes so we can entertain her with the "city life." After all of that action I was beat so Nick and I went to see the coolest movie of the year... Scream 4... at the dollar theatre. Ummm no... horrible movie!!! (Though I must admit I checked all of my closets last night before bed!)...
Sunday Anna had some tickets to the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament so Nick and I met Jana, Andrea, Jason, Shyloh and Anna for a day of socializing... errr golfing. While the girls did another gab session we sent the guys to watch golf. We hung out in the pavilion and enjoyed the sunshine.
Today on Memorial Day Nick's roommate from college, Brandon and his wife, Sara were in town so we went out to their parents' house in Wylie and played by the pool. They are a blast and it's always so much fun to hang out!
Dad and Brenda spent their weekend working on some yard projects. Every time I talked to Dad he sounded out of breath, but he was so very proud of his accomplishment! The only thing that would have made the weekend better was to hang out with family! One thing Dad taught me is how great it feels to stand back and admire something that you put hard work into. They worked so hard on removing this large planter in their backyard among other things this weekend. When it's all done you are covered in dirt and sweat.... but, you feel AMAZING!!!
I feel a bit like that right about now even though I haven't accomplished much this weekend. Being around good friends is the best dose of medicine. That laughter and love is pure addiction. God has always blessed me with angelic friends. After a day by the pool and playing games I am covered in sweat and dirt, but it's a peaceful feeling.
Memorial Day is not forgotten in the fun and games. I am thankful for all that the military men and women do for us on a daily basis. It is so easy to be so far away from it all in my mind. I do not know many military men and women on a close level so sometimes it is far from my understanding. But, to truly understand what they go through and what their wives go through is something unfathomable. The families as a unit are such true heroes. They protect us on a daily basis putting their lives on the line. Both of my grandfathers were amazing veterans. Grandaddy would tell many stories about his time in World War II. So young then I didn't understand the depth of his stories. Sometimes when I sit and think about it I am overwhelmed. These heroes go to another country leaving everything they know... to protect us. They know they might not come home, yet they know it is their calling from God. I remember covering many military stories in the news - their homecomings and when they got to first chat on the phone (Skype now)... I was always moved to tears with their emotion. We would cover deployments in Abilene and that about made me sick watching them hold so tightly to their husbands and wives before having to leave. Yes, we all fight our own battles, but their battle is one of a different caliber.
Friday Nick and his roommates had a barbecue to celebrate Tony's birthday. We all just hung out around the huge amount of food and chatted the night away.
Saturday Shyloh was in town so the gals went to Jana & Andrea's to lay by the pool. We had such a great time doing the girl chat thing. Nothing is better than a day full of girl gab! After we baked ourselves for a bit we got the dogs and took them to Mi Cocina on the patio. Shyloh lives in Lubbock and doesn't to get visit often so we love when she comes so we can entertain her with the "city life." After all of that action I was beat so Nick and I went to see the coolest movie of the year... Scream 4... at the dollar theatre. Ummm no... horrible movie!!! (Though I must admit I checked all of my closets last night before bed!)...
Sunday Anna had some tickets to the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament so Nick and I met Jana, Andrea, Jason, Shyloh and Anna for a day of socializing... errr golfing. While the girls did another gab session we sent the guys to watch golf. We hung out in the pavilion and enjoyed the sunshine.
Today on Memorial Day Nick's roommate from college, Brandon and his wife, Sara were in town so we went out to their parents' house in Wylie and played by the pool. They are a blast and it's always so much fun to hang out!
Dad and Brenda spent their weekend working on some yard projects. Every time I talked to Dad he sounded out of breath, but he was so very proud of his accomplishment! The only thing that would have made the weekend better was to hang out with family! One thing Dad taught me is how great it feels to stand back and admire something that you put hard work into. They worked so hard on removing this large planter in their backyard among other things this weekend. When it's all done you are covered in dirt and sweat.... but, you feel AMAZING!!!
I feel a bit like that right about now even though I haven't accomplished much this weekend. Being around good friends is the best dose of medicine. That laughter and love is pure addiction. God has always blessed me with angelic friends. After a day by the pool and playing games I am covered in sweat and dirt, but it's a peaceful feeling.
Memorial Day is not forgotten in the fun and games. I am thankful for all that the military men and women do for us on a daily basis. It is so easy to be so far away from it all in my mind. I do not know many military men and women on a close level so sometimes it is far from my understanding. But, to truly understand what they go through and what their wives go through is something unfathomable. The families as a unit are such true heroes. They protect us on a daily basis putting their lives on the line. Both of my grandfathers were amazing veterans. Grandaddy would tell many stories about his time in World War II. So young then I didn't understand the depth of his stories. Sometimes when I sit and think about it I am overwhelmed. These heroes go to another country leaving everything they know... to protect us. They know they might not come home, yet they know it is their calling from God. I remember covering many military stories in the news - their homecomings and when they got to first chat on the phone (Skype now)... I was always moved to tears with their emotion. We would cover deployments in Abilene and that about made me sick watching them hold so tightly to their husbands and wives before having to leave. Yes, we all fight our own battles, but their battle is one of a different caliber.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Embrace
As Mother's Day approached each year I usually just buried my head in something else. I wasn't annoyed at the day, but I chose not to look at it. This year for the first time since my mother passed ten years ago I decided it was time to get my head out of the sand. A part of me always felt as if I was doing her a disservice by celebrating the day with other mothers. As if I was cheating on her as my own mother. The problem with this philosophy is that it simply cannot be true. We are given one birth mother, but along this journey as I have written for year after year I have been blessed with amazing mothers all around me. Amazing how many people step in to take care of you when you still need a mother... which is practically any age. I do know deep down they have their own children and of course, those children come first... but, I also know love has no boundaries.
I've commented before how Mother's Day was our day. You must remember I was a teenager when Mom passed and therefore I was a bit of a brat to her. I was the typical teenager who didn't think Mom was "cool" and I believe I only started to realize she ruled the world when I went to college. We always got along and we were always close, yes, but I also looking back didn't take enough time to sit with her and just enjoy her. What teenager does? If I could tell my teenage self something I would sure tell her to absorb her parents more! My parents were always my heroes and I loved them deeply, but I just didn't show it enough at that time. On Mother's Day I recall Dad was usually working weekends back then so we would go to church and then we'd go out to eat at the Steakhouse in town. I would always make her fun little cards and gifts. It was just a special day always. So I must continue that tradition!
People that love us give so deeply of themselves. It is something that cannot be measured and no gift can ever be enough. I've always seemed to show a part of my affection with gifts. If I gave you 80 gifts then it must show my love... that sort of thing! I love to give people gifts to see their eyes light up with excitement. It seems that is the easiest way personally for me to show my love.
I still can honor my mother's legacy. She was amazing at parenting. She knew how to put me in my place, yet love on me at the same time. When I would pity myself she would make me laugh. I remember a lot of laughter in our household. Another fond memory is walking down the hall from my church classroom to hers where I would often find her playing the piano and singing along. Dad and I loved to tease her. She would fight back and blow us out of the water. I always felt loved and protected by my mother. The best thing I can say about her and even that I dream about her is that she is the best teacher I have ever seen. She changed lives on a daily basis. She loved to teach with all her heart. The kids loved her, too. She was once my cheerleading sponsor which didn't work out so well because I was just too cool for Mom to be my teacher... ha... but, I loved to watch her work her magic. She taught me how to love and by looking at my parent's relationship I knew what I wanted one day. They were perfect because they laughed and talked and just enjoyed life. I never heard her say one negative thing about my dad... even if they got in a fight playing Nintendo!!! It had to be hard to be the parent of an only child... to create that balance and teach me not to be selfish... they did so well. My mother never missed a basketball game, tennis match or theatre play. I had the best home experience growing up and I am so thankful to my parents for this.
I come from a line of amazing women. I thought about this on Mother's Day. The apple just cannot fall from from the tree, can it? Grandmommy and Granny Jac were two of the strongest women I have ever known. Grandmommy followed Grandaddy Bill's coaching career throughout Texas and she was always in attendance at Mike & Mom's tennis matches. She was feisty and full of love. She was their biggest supporter and from what I hear she was the best cook on the block! Granny Jac was tough as nails, but had a soft heart. She fought her way through some things in her life and came out stronger on the other side. She loved my dad more than anything in the world. She was the cleanest neat freak I've ever known as she was often known to clean on a daily basis. To me she was the 1950s housewife with her hair perfect in place as she hung clothes on the line... except the housewife part because she worked hard and always told me how important it is to have your 401k in order! She knew what she wanted and you better get out of her way so she could get it!
My dad has pretty good taste in women... you would know by his wife! Brenda is an amazing mom! She is always thinking of us and sending us little gifts and Bible verses. She is just a very sweet person. She is quiet when you first meet her then as you begin to know her she is very open and just puts you in her heart. Don't let her seemingly shyness fool you though; she is a firecracker! As in she is tough. She was single many years before meeting Dad because she said she was not going to just marry anyone! She took this time to just enjoy herself and her children. She grew in Christ and loved life. I watch her now that I know she lost her father at the age of twelve and helped her mother raise her two younger brothers. I find amazement in her true character and strength. She is just such a neat lady. I thank God every day that He blessed Dad and Brenda with one another.
If my mother were alive I know she would fall in love with Dianne. They are both teachers at heart so they sure would have a lot to talk about, too. Brenda and Dianne get along so well and they just love one another. One thing I keep saying about these women is that they are strong. She is a feisty one, I tell ya. Dianne is the portrayal of a woman who can do it all. On her days off you can find her working in the yard pulling weeds by hand all day then whipping up a feast for her hubby and taking the dogs on a long walk after dinner. Before all of this she has probably taken a walk to the grocery store, shopped for the biggest bargains because this woman can find a bargain in a gold shop and, oh yeah, done some charity work in between. Her heart is beyond words. I watch Nick with his mom and just smile. They play with one another and joke around all in love. He is in love with his mama... no, he'd never admit it, but he doesn't have to! She is always finding things here and there for Nick, Justin and I. She showers us with kindness and it baffles me as I never knew I could deserve such a special lady in my life. She also puts us in our place and tells us the truth of life. She stands up for herself and if you mess with one of her boys you'd better watch out.
As I put together this slideshow below I found myself smiling. Not only did I not just do pictures of my mother, but I had to research and find pictures of five different women and their children! It was overwhelming and I LOVED IT. Life is such a journey. Love is around us every single day. We just have to embrace it and not hide from it.
Oh... and how did I celebrate the day? Dad and Brenda came through town so we went to breakfast at Dream Cafe... Ahhh soooo wonderful and good chat. Then Nick, Justin and I cooked dinner for Dianne and spent time with her! Priceless. I took a jog in the park and felt a tear trickle down as I laughed that it's pretty impossible to cry when you are sweating. Ah, yes, it's an amazing day to embrace love, but I don't have to lie that it's still just a little painful to see all of the amazing Facebook status updates directed to their moms and see all the pictures... hey, ya still gotta feel!!! Such a priceless day...
I've commented before how Mother's Day was our day. You must remember I was a teenager when Mom passed and therefore I was a bit of a brat to her. I was the typical teenager who didn't think Mom was "cool" and I believe I only started to realize she ruled the world when I went to college. We always got along and we were always close, yes, but I also looking back didn't take enough time to sit with her and just enjoy her. What teenager does? If I could tell my teenage self something I would sure tell her to absorb her parents more! My parents were always my heroes and I loved them deeply, but I just didn't show it enough at that time. On Mother's Day I recall Dad was usually working weekends back then so we would go to church and then we'd go out to eat at the Steakhouse in town. I would always make her fun little cards and gifts. It was just a special day always. So I must continue that tradition!
People that love us give so deeply of themselves. It is something that cannot be measured and no gift can ever be enough. I've always seemed to show a part of my affection with gifts. If I gave you 80 gifts then it must show my love... that sort of thing! I love to give people gifts to see their eyes light up with excitement. It seems that is the easiest way personally for me to show my love.
I still can honor my mother's legacy. She was amazing at parenting. She knew how to put me in my place, yet love on me at the same time. When I would pity myself she would make me laugh. I remember a lot of laughter in our household. Another fond memory is walking down the hall from my church classroom to hers where I would often find her playing the piano and singing along. Dad and I loved to tease her. She would fight back and blow us out of the water. I always felt loved and protected by my mother. The best thing I can say about her and even that I dream about her is that she is the best teacher I have ever seen. She changed lives on a daily basis. She loved to teach with all her heart. The kids loved her, too. She was once my cheerleading sponsor which didn't work out so well because I was just too cool for Mom to be my teacher... ha... but, I loved to watch her work her magic. She taught me how to love and by looking at my parent's relationship I knew what I wanted one day. They were perfect because they laughed and talked and just enjoyed life. I never heard her say one negative thing about my dad... even if they got in a fight playing Nintendo!!! It had to be hard to be the parent of an only child... to create that balance and teach me not to be selfish... they did so well. My mother never missed a basketball game, tennis match or theatre play. I had the best home experience growing up and I am so thankful to my parents for this.
I come from a line of amazing women. I thought about this on Mother's Day. The apple just cannot fall from from the tree, can it? Grandmommy and Granny Jac were two of the strongest women I have ever known. Grandmommy followed Grandaddy Bill's coaching career throughout Texas and she was always in attendance at Mike & Mom's tennis matches. She was feisty and full of love. She was their biggest supporter and from what I hear she was the best cook on the block! Granny Jac was tough as nails, but had a soft heart. She fought her way through some things in her life and came out stronger on the other side. She loved my dad more than anything in the world. She was the cleanest neat freak I've ever known as she was often known to clean on a daily basis. To me she was the 1950s housewife with her hair perfect in place as she hung clothes on the line... except the housewife part because she worked hard and always told me how important it is to have your 401k in order! She knew what she wanted and you better get out of her way so she could get it!
My dad has pretty good taste in women... you would know by his wife! Brenda is an amazing mom! She is always thinking of us and sending us little gifts and Bible verses. She is just a very sweet person. She is quiet when you first meet her then as you begin to know her she is very open and just puts you in her heart. Don't let her seemingly shyness fool you though; she is a firecracker! As in she is tough. She was single many years before meeting Dad because she said she was not going to just marry anyone! She took this time to just enjoy herself and her children. She grew in Christ and loved life. I watch her now that I know she lost her father at the age of twelve and helped her mother raise her two younger brothers. I find amazement in her true character and strength. She is just such a neat lady. I thank God every day that He blessed Dad and Brenda with one another.
If my mother were alive I know she would fall in love with Dianne. They are both teachers at heart so they sure would have a lot to talk about, too. Brenda and Dianne get along so well and they just love one another. One thing I keep saying about these women is that they are strong. She is a feisty one, I tell ya. Dianne is the portrayal of a woman who can do it all. On her days off you can find her working in the yard pulling weeds by hand all day then whipping up a feast for her hubby and taking the dogs on a long walk after dinner. Before all of this she has probably taken a walk to the grocery store, shopped for the biggest bargains because this woman can find a bargain in a gold shop and, oh yeah, done some charity work in between. Her heart is beyond words. I watch Nick with his mom and just smile. They play with one another and joke around all in love. He is in love with his mama... no, he'd never admit it, but he doesn't have to! She is always finding things here and there for Nick, Justin and I. She showers us with kindness and it baffles me as I never knew I could deserve such a special lady in my life. She also puts us in our place and tells us the truth of life. She stands up for herself and if you mess with one of her boys you'd better watch out.
As I put together this slideshow below I found myself smiling. Not only did I not just do pictures of my mother, but I had to research and find pictures of five different women and their children! It was overwhelming and I LOVED IT. Life is such a journey. Love is around us every single day. We just have to embrace it and not hide from it.
Oh... and how did I celebrate the day? Dad and Brenda came through town so we went to breakfast at Dream Cafe... Ahhh soooo wonderful and good chat. Then Nick, Justin and I cooked dinner for Dianne and spent time with her! Priceless. I took a jog in the park and felt a tear trickle down as I laughed that it's pretty impossible to cry when you are sweating. Ah, yes, it's an amazing day to embrace love, but I don't have to lie that it's still just a little painful to see all of the amazing Facebook status updates directed to their moms and see all the pictures... hey, ya still gotta feel!!! Such a priceless day...
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