Wanted to take a moment and wish my grandson, Lil Chris a "Happy Birthday" shoutout!!  Hope you are having a great day so far.  Nana & Papa will see you a little later.  We Love you!

Happy 4TH Of July!

Human Nature....

Ever ask "Why" and then wondered why you even thought of asking "Why" when you already knew you weren't going to get an answer or at least not anything that would make any sense!

So again I am going to ask "Why!"

Why do you keep hurting me over and over again....."WHY!"

It's just a thought.....and if I ever need an answer for this I know you will respect me

enough to tell me...."WHY!"

Happy Father's Day!

To All the Dad's out there may you be having a "Happy Father's Day!

It's Friday!!!!





"Happy Birthday" Chris!

My wish for you Son:

Comfort on difficult days,

smiles when sadness intrudes,

rainbows to follow the clouds,

laughter to kiss your lips,

sunsets to warm your heart,

hugs when spirits sag,

beauty for your eyes to see,

friendships to brighten your being,

faith so you can believe,

confidence for when you doubt,

courage to know yourself,

patience to accept the truth,

Love to complete your life.

"Happy Memorial Day" weekend!

Hope everyone has a "Happy Memorial Day" weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

"Reflection of a Mother"

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.

I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.

I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.

I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.

I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.

I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.

I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's family.

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life...and I will!

You are where God wants you to be...

You are where God wants you to be
so don't give up.....trust in him and hang on!!!!!!!

Tolerance!

The Cold Within

Six humans trapped by happenstance
In bleak and bitter cold.
Each one possessed a stick of wood
Or so the story's told.

Their dying fire in need of logs
The first man held his back
For of the faces 'round the fire
He noticed one was black.

The next man looking cross the way
Saw one not of his church
And couldn't bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes.
He gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought
Of the wealth he had in store
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy, shiftess poor.

The black man's face bespoke revenge
As the fire passed from sight.
For all he saw in his stick of wood
Was a chance to spite the white.

The last man of this forlorn group
Did naught except for gain.
Giving only to those who gave
Was how he played the game.

Their logs held tight in death's still hands
Was proof of human sin.
They didn't die from the cold without,
They died from the cold within.

~ James Patrick Kinney ~

 As you think in your heart, so you are.
     ~ Proverbs 23:7 ~

Happy Easter Everyone!

Many of us grew up celebrating Easter as the holiday where a cute little bunny rabbit brought chocolate and other delicious treats for everyone to eat. All we had to do was look diligently for the eggs hidden around the house and eventually it would lead us to the only thing we cared about: that giant basket of goodies.

Many are still celebrating Easter in a similar fashion. It's become tradition - it's just what we do. This year I have a radical suggestion: start a new tradition. Something that goes much, much deeper than a furry rabbit & candy.

Now don't get me wrong - I'd be lying if I told you there was no chocolate involved in my Easter weekend. I'd also be lying if I told you there were no Peeps or other marshmallow-y related food products. Or jelly beans. Or Twizzlers. There's nothing wrong with having a little egg hunt & candy at Easter - it's fun. But there is something wrong when Easter becomes all about the bunnies and the eggs and the chocolate.

Easter is actually the greatest love story ever told - yet mankind has managed to water it down to an opportunity to devour a few extra M&M's and are actually 'offended' when they hear it. How could that be? What's offensive about this: The very first Easter weekend - three days that changed the world forever - took place over 2,000 years ago. Mankind was lost, floundering - headed for destruction. But because God so loved the world, He gave his one and only Son, so that whosoever believes in him will never die & have eternal life. And like the good Shepherd, Jesus laid down His life for the flock - and suffered greatly in doing so. He didn't have to - but He did. That is why we celebrate.

And that is why we need to start a new tradition this Easter - whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, still thinking about it (come on already!), etc - because the holiday has nothing to do with chocolate. It's about showing love. Instead of just pounding some creme eggs & jelly beans - reach out to a friend or neighbor or total stranger. Get to know them - and look for ways you can help them. Donate your time. Donate some food. Whatever it is, just find a way to help someone in need.

America's woes are easily solvable with that one, powerful, incredible word: love. That is why we are gathering this summer for Restoring Love in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium - to remind people of our greater purpose and stir us to action. It's also why I have great hope - because I know the American people & what we are capable of when we put our minds, and more importantly our hearts, to something.

I look forward to hearing about your new Easter tradition - one that I believe will save the country.

(Excerpt from email sent from Glenn Beck) 

My Mom's Birthday is Today!

I so wish I could have made the trip down to see you on your Birthday and Easter...but since I couldn't please know that I am there in spirit....I love you and send you my love and lots of hugs and kisses from us all.

Yesterday was your birthday:)

Ryan's 3rd Birthday!

We celebrated my grandson's 3rd birthday yesterday!  He is a St. Patty's Day baby...Kind of looks like a little leprechaun too I might add....adorable, sweet and cute!!!  

Please See Me...

An Old Lady's Poem

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?   
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?  
A crabby old woman, not very wise. 
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply. 
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"  
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....

Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will, 
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.... 
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten...with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet, 
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap, 
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
 
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own, 
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
 
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast, 
Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone, 
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.

At fifty once more, babies play round my knee, 
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead; 
I look at the future, I shudder with dread. 
For my young are all rearing young of their own, 
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old woman...and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool. 
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart, 
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells, 
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain, 
And I'm loving and living life over again.

I think of the years ....all gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes nurses, open and see ...
Not a crabby old woman; Please look closer..
and see ME!!

True Peace

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw the picture thought it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had her nest. There in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest.

The king chose the second picture as the winner. "Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

What has Life taught you?

~I've Learned~

I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do no matter how we feel.

I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there better be something else to takes it's place.

I've learned that hero's are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned that sometimes I'm angry and that I have a right to be, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance, Same goes for true love.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experience you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that your family won't always be there for you, It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.

I've learned no matter how good a friend is they're going to hurt you every once and a while, and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others, but sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that our backgrounds and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret, it could change your life forever.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that your life can change in a matter of minutes by people who don't even know you.

I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that credentials on the wall doesn't necessarily make you a decent human being.

I've learned that the people you love and care about the most in life are taken from you way too soon.

Happy Birthday Jenna!

Happy Birthday Jenna.....Hoping your day has been the greatest you have ever had!!!!  

When things get hard or too much to handle just remember what "God Says!"

You are doing good and I am proud of you!

Mom

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is a symbol of eternity. 

It wipes out all sense of time,

destroying all memory of a

beginning and all fear of an end. 

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flown.
How did it get so late so soon?
~Dr. Seuss~

Union With God....