Sister

I have a really awesome sister. I am blessed beyond what I deserve in a best friend and sibling. She knows me better than probably anyone besides my hubby, and she still loves me. I started a part time job, and I work with a beautiful young woman that also has a sister. I have noticed that they are very close, and I can't help but think of my girls, and hope that they too will develop a relationship that is wonderful. I thank God for my sister, and I thank God he put Morgan & Malory together. I love you sis, and thank you for loving me. I also have close friends too that are like sisters, but we all know that friends may come and go - family is forever. I am truly greatful for my dear friends who are too like sisters. I do have to add also that cousins are great sisters too, and I am blessed too with two that I would do anything for, and love as much as my sis. You know who you are. :)

God blessed the broken road that led me to you, Jeanna.



Sisters are great, but not everyone is blessed by a sibling or a close relationship with theirs. So, find a sister if your heart desires - friends & cousins are good sisters too.
Include your sister in big decisions - they will be honest - maybe even too honest, but just cause they love you.
Share a smile with your sister across the room - she will know what you are thinking.
Tell your sister, friend, or sibling how much you love them. My dad's brother died before him, and he was younger. That was so hard to see how hard it was for my daddy, and I learned then to tell the ones you love now that way you have no regrets.
Everyone needs a friend - be kind, and remember your blessings.
Remember that you are not perfect, and neither is she.
Sometimes we just have a bad day - forgive her if she upsets you b/c I promise she will also have to forgive you too.

Husband

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday, and I wanted to write about him. I am blessed beyond what I deserve when it comes to the love of my life. Dean or my "Deano" is awesome - not perfect, but who is? He loves me more than I know, and I cannot understand all the time why, because I am not always easy to live with. I think in every relationship, there is one that is more patient, kind, and laid back. Dean is that person in our marriage. The thing that I love most about Dean is that he makes me laugh, and I love to hear him laughing. We have fun together, and I do enjoy spending time with him. We do have our moments, but for the most part in our marriage - we have been very fortunate to like each other as much as we do everyday. We work together too in our business, and sometimes that is the hardest challenge that we have in our relationship, but I am proud of how much we have improved in that area. He works very hard to support our family, and truly loves his girls very much (he has even come to like the two female dogs too in our family). I hope he knows how much I love him, and I wish him many more birthdays. I will come back and read this again on the not too fond of my husband moments. he he. :)



He will make mistakes, and if you want him to forgive you - forgive him too.
Understand that men are just flat out different than women.
Spending time alone with your husband is absolutely necessary in a marriage.
Best friends are hard to find - let him be your best friend.
Allowing each other to have time on your own is important.
Never under estimate the temptations out there that can destroy a relationship - keep your eyes and ears open.
Do things together that you both enjoy - life is short.

Job

I often wonder about my current job, and I may have already written about this, but it is still on my mind. I am currently a mom, wife, secretary for our business, and gopher. I miss my paycheck from teaching to be honest, and have had thoughts of returning to the "real world". Although, is money all that worth it? What would the business do if I was gone? Will I miss my wonderful boss? Which is just to clerify is my husband and myself. Who will my parents, family members, and friends rely on when needing someone without a "real job"?
I read today to a group of children in my daughter's class, and I do miss the kids very much. I don't miss the political side of teaching, the stubborn or clueless parents, and the teaching of the "test". So, I am trying to focus on this. Whatever you do - do it all for the glory of God. End of story, and I will just keep on praying.


Just give you worries to God and pray.
Only the lonely will tell you that they put work first and family second.
Be as positive as you can in whatever you do - attitude is a choice - choose a positive one.

Needs

Christmas is always the time of year for giving and reflection. I am always amazed at the amount of advertisement, money, and time that once a year can take. Every year - I do the same thing too. I end up thinking to myself how much money we spend, and tend to become my Grandpa - God bless him. I remember him saying many times at Christmas - "We should not be giving gifts, but just be getting together and enjoying the time." I would think to myself as he opened a gift that we gave him that he was a scrooge. Ironically, too Grandpa was probably one of the most generous men that I have ever known. Now, look at me - not only did I get the gift of "gab" from him, but also the grumpiness at Christmas. I have done some heavy thinking lately, and have to say that part of my grumpiness does have a point. I think of so many people that don't have a choice in what gifts to give each other, and the hungry. Maybe I myself needs to focus more on them, because that kind of giving is so much more fun. I had a lady tell me the other day about a family that she adopted for Christmas. The child about ten said he wanted a jacket and socks. His mother would love a Wal Mart gift card, but what she really needed was laundry detergent. I about fell over with guilt. This has been the hardest year financially that we have had in a long time, and I still have absolutely no shortage of socks or detergent in my house! My own little selfish rear end was worrying how I was going to buy my girls a bracelet (one that would buy a lot of socks!). Oh, how does it all go hay wire? I guess I just want to remind myself of the many blessings that I have, and want to sit down tonight at dinner and talk about how we can help someone else out this year that truly has NEEDS and not just "wants". I too remind myself that the best gift of all is that I was taught about God, Jesus, and grace. It puts a whole new meaning to Merry Christmas......


Never assume that you are the only one with hard times.
Enjoying each other is truly one of the best gifts at Christmas.
Every year for Christmas - listen and I promise you will hear of somebody that is truly in need - help them, and sit back to feel the joy.
Do your best to teach your children or children in your life about the gift of giving.
Sharing your giving is not necessary - giving secretly is much better - try it and see.

Cows

Yesterday, I loaded up most of my parents herd of cows to haul to the auction. Dean and I have been helping my mom and dad for awhile now, and bought half of the herd from them awhile back. To make a long story short - we cannot keep up with the herd, fences, feeding, etc. My parents ranched all their life together - ranched only - no other job on the side, and I just don't know how they did it. Well, I do, but it is not the life that I could live. I want more things, and I have a hard time admitting that. They lived a simple, quiet, resourceful life that sounds wonderful to me now, but we "wanted" too much. It may sound weird, but those cows are going to teach me something - I know it. They already did, but I need to learn more. It really was hard to close the door to my parents livelihood - not all the way, but downsize and I hope that they are OK with it. They are now getting social security, and it is the first time in their lives that they have a guaranteed check every month! They love it. I have noticed that there are so few anymore that are truly living off the land, and ranching/farming is a trade that is slowly becoming endangered. I mean the true ones that work only off the land and depend on it. Thank a rancher or farmer next time - they are amazing people. Why did it take me so long to respect, and appreciate my parents more in how they made a living?


Cows can be mean - only because they feel threatened usually - MOVE when they are come to close.
Only experienced persons should work cattle or help work cattle - otherwise stay in the truck.
Watch a cow - they eat, take naps often, have no modesty, and protect their young - what a life!
Share with your parents if you can that you appreciate what did to raise you - it was hard work to them, and so often we feel unappreciated.

Bike

I bought a bike this week. Boy, has it been a long time since bike days. I gave my Wal mart bike to Morgan, and she thinks that she is big stuff. I don't have the heart to tell her that my bike is even better, and who knew??? I never realized on what a difference tires can make, and all that jazz. Wow! Needless, to say - I love my new bike, and I feel free like a kid again when I ride it - especially with the girls. Go for it if you have a bike and get back on, because the ride is fun!


Better late than never to get on a bike and ride.
I never knew going down hill could be that much fun again.
Knowledge about bikes is helpful, but the sales people do know their stuff!
Every child should have the chance to own a bike - look around, and make sure the kids in your neighborhood/church/or friends of friends around you have one.

Help

I found out last Saturday that God puts people in your life as you need them. Our help arrived soon after we got home to find a water leak from a busted pipe in our home. We were gone only four hours, and our house was completely flooded with water. You know it is bad when you drive up to notice water coming out of the garage and front door! We made some phone calls, and were amazed with our friends, family, and neighbors that dropped everything to come to our rescue. Even the Servpro company (clean up crew) was very impressed in how fast we got everything out. The tile floors were saved by the many fans that dried out the whole block (i mean house), but our bedroom floors were torn out along with baseboards in every room. I felt sorry for myself a couple of times, but realize now that it could have been way worse, and are grateful that we have a home to come back to with each other. I thank God we have wonderful people in our lives, and it reminds me that it is very important to help others every chance you get!



Help someone in need, because your turn will come when you need it too.
Enjoy the help when you can get it, and be sure to be thankful.
Love one another - that goes a long way!
People can be your angels on earth, and watch closely to see how blessed your are in life.