School

This past Monday was our first day of school for the girls - third grade and sixth. I did not cry at Kindergarten at all, but after dropping off my oldest at Middle School - I cried. It is a hard time for both girls and boys during this time in their life. It was a weird feeling, because it is the same middle school where I went, and way scarier when it is your child. Lots of prayers and listening is what my goal will be this year, and I thank God that I am able to pick both of them up and be with them after school. I hope everyone enjoys their education, because it really is a privelege. These are some of my thoughts when it comes to kids going to school, but I guess they can even apply eslewhere. No, I don't do them all as much as I should, but will try harder.



Sit down and have supper or one meal a day with your children, and ask questions.
Cool parents establish rules, and stick to them as much as possible (admitting mistakes).
Hope for the best, and say a lot of prayers for your kiddos.
Old people (as in parents are not always cool) so just deal with it.
Optimism is your best tool when teaching a child from experience, because modeling a positive attitude can help them learn a great outlook on life.
Listen as much as you can to children - really listen - even if you don't have kids, you can help - look them in the eye and give them your full attention.

Faith

This past year has been tough. I know it could be way worse, but it seems like my heart has been heavy. My parents are having a hard time with health, and I am thankful they are still with us, but just so hard to see their bodies and lifestyles change. Our darn truck got stolen, and that was a real pain in the wazoo. Yes, Dean got a new one, but just seems like we have to start all over since the last one was finally paid off. Our business is struggling more than ever, and it is our ten year anniversary for having a business. We had to tell one of our employees that we did not have enough work, and all worked out fine with that, but it was very hard. I need to get a job, but do not want to leave Dean without help on our business end. A very close friend just found out his cancer is back. So many men and women are away from their families defending our country. I am tired of hearing nothing but fuss when you turn on the news. It just seems like things are so hard for so many, and it hurts to see your loved ones and even strangers struggle. Saying all that - I have to confess that I have lashed out at God. Asking him why does it have to be so hard? I have not done that in years, and really not sure if I ever have before. It hit me this morning the word that I wanted to post about is Faith. Why haven't I thought of that before - I guess I have, but was just not ready to give it all to God. I hope so much that I learn from these struggles to not just have faith in God when things seem harder, but all the time - even during the good times. I'm sorry God - I will have faith again....



Free yourself from worry, and give it all to God.
Always know that God and Jesus love you more than you can even imagine.
It hurts to see the ones you love struggle - God feels the same way about his children (you).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Hope is what we all lean on to survive and faith holds our hope. Keep your heart full of hope.

Dad

I have a wonderful father and mother. I never realized how much my parents loved me until I had my own children. Most of all - I feel very blessed that I was taught that God, our heavenly father, loves all of us very much, and that is just awesome. I really believe that dads have such a huge impact on their child's life, and it is important for them to be there for their kiddos. Even the men that don't have children - you too have neices, nephews, or even friend's children that you can be a mentor for them. After all - it does take a village to raise a child. I hope my girls know how blessed they are to have wonderful men in their lives.


Do not take for granted that your child knows that you love them - tell it to them often.
Allow your child or a child to see or hear you pray.
Dare to be a mentor or a good role model for a child. You just never know how much it may do for them down the road, and always look them in the eye when you are suppose to be really listening.

Family

I really do think that I am very blessed with my family. Now, that is not just my husband, my daughters, and my pets, but I mean the whole family. I mean my sister, dean's siblings, grandparents, and cousins - extended family too. We really do have a pretty close family, and it amazes me when I hear of those that do not have anything to do with their family or a member. It makes me sad for them. I lost an uncle over ten years ago, and still to this day, I miss him so much. I learned from him that you tell each other that you love them or make sure that they know. I don't think I ever told him how much he meant to me, or thanked him for all that he did for me and others. Life is too short, and I wish so much we would not waste time being angry or not speaking to someone. How would you feel if they were gone tomorrow? I do know that there are situations and times that we get on each other's nerves, get annoyed, angry, fed up, or grumpy. I think that is the beauty of family, because they see us the way we are all the time, and they still love us. Let's face it - when it is really bad and we need help - who do we call? Yes, I have some awesome friends that would come immediately, but most of the time you start out with that very first phone call to a family member. I do love my family very much - the whole crew. I know they love me even at my very worst - how awesome is that?


Friends can come and go - family is forever.
Always remember that you get on their nerves probably as much as they do yours.
Make it a habit to tell them that you love them as much as possible - when you hang up the phone is a great place to start or with a card - especially with those that have a hard time sharing emotion.
Ignore the little things, and don't sweat the small stuff - we are all human.
Listen to each other, and don't try to fix it - and give support.
Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is never promised to anyone - love your family today.

Summer

I love summer. Well, not the heat so much, but enjoying time with the girls being out of school is my favorite time of year. Yes, they fight often, but we usually swim, play, and sleep late. I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with Morgan and Malory during the summer, and even though we get a little grumpy some days - it is worth it. I hope you are enjoying your summer.


Sit down, slow down, and sip something cold to drink!
Understand that it is going to be hot - very hot some days - just part of it.
Make time to read a good book or two.
Move it, move it, move it - go play with your kids, pets, or yourself by walking, swimming, or biking.
Enjoy a sunrise and a sunset at least once during the summer - they are beautiful.
Remember that summer was the best time of your life when you were young - have some fun.

Lessons

I think we all have lessons learned many times in our lives, and so often we miss the really important ones that help us truly learn. I always try to remind myself in any situation the fine words of my mother - "It can always be worse." Now, I do say that sometimes we have to feel sorry for ourselves, because noone else will, but I think that I try my best not to let it dwell. I am so grateful for my family, friends, and for having the good Lord in my life. I will always believe that Life is Good with God.

So, here comes the yucky news that happened to us last week on Friday. We went to Pflugerville (near Austin) to see my sister and her family for my neice's graduation party. The party was Saturday, but we decided to go up a day early to help and spend some time with them, because we have not been up there in a very long time. My family and I are not travelers, and we do not go very much at all. Well, when we do - we usually have a story. The last trip was losing our travel trailer off the truck on the Main bridge from Corpus to Mustang Island. That was a year ago, and praise God it all turned out fine, but we almost gave up trips completely. This time - in Austin at our hotel room, the morning of the party - we discovered that our truck was stolen. Talk about a weird feeling, and a big bummer, but we did try very hard not to let it ruin the party. We told the girls that it could have been way worse, and we never know why things happen in life, but surely there is a reason - maybe we were not suppose to drive it home for our safety or whatever. We fell apart later (me and Dean). The economy has really made finances harder in our life, and we realized that since our truck was paid off - just what would we do now - start over and how do we continue our business without something to haul our equipment with, etc.? Yes, we had insurance, but really will they pull through? Honestly, I have not really ever had too much luck with insurance companies, and although you are glad that you have them at the time of need - it feels like you are pulling teeth when you got to get something in return. Sorry - I feel bad for anyone that works in insurance companies, owns them, or anyone that has to use them constantly for medical or whatever. It has to be hard to tell someone those common words - "sorry you are not covered for that". My mind just wondered a whole lot while we were waiting for a phone call. I kept saying to myself over and over - I have been through both, and would rather have a stolen vehicle over a car wreck anyday, but did need a day or two to get my mind together. Dean did too, and I have to say that it is amazing how much a truck can mean to a man. We are better now, and have faith that all will be fine, but it sure does help to chat about it, and I do think there is always a lesson to be learned. I have learned a lot so far, and I have a feeling a lot more will come from this experience along with many more.


Listen to others and ask questions when they are going through a situation in their life - you never know if you may have the same experience one day.
Enter life at your own risk, and always have God on your side. Keep in mind that safety comes first, and always be aware of your surroundings.
Sit down and make sure you understand your insurance policies - ask a lot of questions and do not expect your agent to think about "what would happen if" - you think about it and ask.
Some people may not seem to care about your situation, but I don't think anyone gets it until they have to cross the same bridge - so don't judge others by their lack of compassion.
One picture of your vehicle can show that you are not making up that it truly was a good vehicle, and proves a lot of things. That goes for the items in your house, tools (get seriel numbers), and anything else that can be stolen, burned, or lost.
Never take for granted what you work so hard for, and make sure you make wise choices to protect yourself and your family.
Slow down and pay attention to the blessings that you have, and you will realize just how fortunate you are in life. Also, sharing with others can make you feel a lot better especially if they have been through something similiar themselves or know someone who has, because it reminds you that we all have "crud" happen in our lives, and big or small it is still crud!

Friends

I have been so blessed with friends. Not only do I have a wonderful family, but also friends that I know would do whatever they could to help me. It just does not get any better than that. I hope my girls also will be blessed with a wealth of friendships. I know school can be hard for them, and it is tough figuring our friends, but I always try to remember what mom always said to me when I was in school - be nice to them and they will be nice to you. How simple is that? Not always that simple, but it does usually work. I just need to remember, and do that even to strangers or people that I come across daily. A smile, a compliment, or just listening can truly make someone's day.



Feel free to tell a friend that they are wonderful - many times.
Remember that your friends are the family that you pick.
Invite a new friend to church, coffee, or something - it may be hard for them to meet people.
Enjoy the time you have with friends, because time is precious.
Never put off helping a friend - you may need it too one day.
Don't let friends drink and drive.
Share your blessings with your friends, and they will share too.