Thursday, December 31, 2015
A New Journey
I am On Colorado Drive. New beginnings and hopes for the transitions in my latest journey in life. I am thankful to God for all his blessings.
Happy New Year 2016!
Hope to see you there!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Christmas Cheer
Another event that I was fortunate to participate in last year and again this year was the Shop with a Cop event. The police union sponsors this event. Children were taken to a Walmart where they get to shop with a cop. It was a fun and exciting event! We were able to bring about 6 students. The teachers came out to help the students too. My son is seen here helping out one of the kids. My son was quite impressed that the young boy wanted to make sure and get something for his little brother. These types of things warm my heart.
Lastly, but certainly not the least. For the past 6 years our school has taken part in a local toy drive lead by a local Tejano band-Negami. Unwrapped toys and cash donations are given by teachers and staff members in the district. Other donations come from local businesses. The toy drive essentially helps out a great number of needy families at every school in the district. Bags of toys are delivered to the schools to help out those families. The remainder of the toys are given out on a given Saturday morning in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is usually the one where my students live. Each year it is a blessing to get to participate in the delivery of the toys. It is my favorite part! It is such a joy every year to get to do this! It is an emotional and rewarding time! The kids are so excited! The parents are so thankful. Let me tell you-tears are certainly shed.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
My Daughter the Hairstylist
See, at the time I knew she had a passion for doing hair. She has had that interest since she was young. Geez she cut her own hair when she was 4 years old! It wasn't the best style might I add and it was the day before her PK pictures. She cut her bangs into a zig zag cut! (Enter wide open eye smiley face here). Nonetheless, she had an interest. She tried to take cosmetology classes in high school, but her high school only accepted a certain number of students. She didn't even get a chance. Since she was younger she would be the one called on to do everyone's updos. She would trim her own hair. She had a true gift for it, but I was still adamant that she attend college and work towards a degree.
Around this time (she was asking about cosmetology school) she also met a friend who attended Aveda and did hair. So, naturally I began to think she is only excited about it because her friend does it. It looks exciting for her-of course it did! I started to think is this going to be a phase? I was wrong.
It was not a phase. She continued to ask about attending. It wasn't until last Christmas when it hit me. I've always wanted my children to make a life that would make them happy. Do something not for the amount of money it brings in, but for what it does for you to make you happy. If it helps you make a comfortable living-then great! We then gave her our blessings. Boy was I impressed with my daughter's ambition and determination she gave to her new choice of school.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Forty
This birthday card message said it simply what 40 means...
"40 is the beginning of everything that matters. It's when you start to be respected in the world, make an impact, and get listened to. It's when you let go of everything fake and pursue what's important to you for real. It's when you realize that knowing what you know, you wouldn't go back. 40 is when you deserve to celebrate yourself and take pride in your strengths without apologizing. So celebrate you today--where you are right now--you deserve it."
I read this card given by my aunt and uncle on my 40th birthday and it hit my heart. Yes, 40 is amazingly beautiful! It's when you discover what matters. You cherish those around you that add beauty to your life and know it's okay for those things that don't ...you leave them behind. Cheers to 40 beautiful blessed years of my life! Thank you God for all my blessings. Cheers to 40 plus more!
A few of my beach birthday weekend memories in pictures.
Friday, July 4, 2014
A Graduate and a Dream
It's a beautiful feeling when a high school senior graduates. It's a bittersweet moment when they have a dream to fulfill and it is one that takes them further away than you want.
Now it's 2014. He's a graduate and is so hungry for his next step. He wants to enlist in the U.S. Navy. Although I still see him as that little boy I baptized and carried in my arms. That little boy I cared for when he was a baby-changing his pampers and feeding him his bottle. Somewhere between then and now he's grown up. He's not my son, but being my brother's son makes him like a son to me.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Hurricane Season is here!
He says "well remember when the last hurricane hit us and we didn't have electricity? We were outside every day. We BBQ'd every day. We played football and just hung out. Our family and friends who had light even came over to visit us?! That was fun mom!"
We do need more times like that. I responded by telling him, we don't need a hurricane to do all those things. Ha!
Hurricane season has approached down here in Texas. It lasts through November. Numerous hurricanes are predicted each year. Our weather people will tend to inform us on every storm that hits the Gulf of Mexico-tracking it's possible route and where it could possibly hit. We don't typically get one every year. They come in randomly. You just never know and they could cost lots! The only good thing is we get a heads up if they are coming so we can prepare in good time, unlike tornadoes. So, I suppose that would be a positive thing if there is a positive to hurricanes.
So here's to Hurricane Season! Really hoping for no major storms, but cheers to the "Hurricane type fun." If that makes sense to you? Welcome summer! No hurricanes please. Thank you.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Party of Five
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Power of Prayer
Monday night my sister got some unsettling news that one of her and her husband's friends was taken into the emergency room because during dinner that evening his speech began to slur. The only thing they determined that evening at the emergency room was that he had internal bleeding in his brain. My sister was naturally frightened. The friend was in a different city for work and they felt helpless being so far away.
By Tuesday morning, after a couple of emergency surgeries and procedures it was discovered he suffered a massive stroke. He was unresponsive and had to be placed on a breathing machine. My sister called me later Tuesday afternoon very upset and crying. Her husband drove to see the friend and with his perspective it didn't look good when he got to see him.
I began telling their friend's story to people at work. My secretary told her church people and they prayed for him at church that evening. I got on FB with my family group and asked for prayer. I truly believed that the more are gathered in prayer, God's good graces will follow.
Miraculously, this morning I got a text from my sister that he opened his eyes. He also was able to recognize his wife. He even had minimal ability to give a thumbs up. He was slowly beginning to respond. Slowly... but he was responding.
Later on Wednesday, my sister and brother in law went to visit with their friend at the hospital. When my brother in law began to talk to him, he opened his eyes and stared right at him. He squeezed my brother in law's hand when asked and even slowly nodded his head when asked whether he knew it was my brother in law.
Doctors are in shock by his rapid responses so soon after his traumatic ordeal.
I'm a testament that the power of prayer works miracles. Wow!
He still has a long road ahead to recover as at this time he continues to be on a breathing machine. So far all the signs point to a positive outcome. Continued prayer is definitely needed as that is what I'll do as well as encourage others to do. I lay here in my bed amazed at the power of prayer. I knew I was right all along. Never did I doubt, but it just became so crystal clear through this episode.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Texas Snow Day
Our news is on just about 24/7 showing us all the ice and sleet going around. It's continuous coverage. I don't think they realize sometimes we just want the weather forecast. Then let the regularly schedule programming continue. You can keep the little ticker at the bottom to update us with changes. It's really okay! If I'm home, I'd like to watch the regular scheduled day time shows. It's my only chance I get to watch them.
I did get a little excited about the "snow flurries" that came down for a brief 15 minutes and covered my car in snow....I mean ice! It makes for pretty pictures. Not enough came down to stick to the ground unfortunately. Everyone did make the best of it nonetheless.
I say if we get a day off to stay home safe and warm...I'll take it! I don't usually get random days such as these to do just that.
Happy Texas Winter! Oh and by the way...our temps are forcasted to be in the 70's by week's end! Take that for Texas weather! Gotta love it!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
What I love about January
January for me brings new hope, dreams, and chances.
Starting with New Years Eve/Day. New Years has to be my favorite holiday. Even though as each holiday throughout the year approaches, I think how I love them all. I carry a love for each holiday for its uniqueness. But New Years holds a special place in my heart. It brings new beginnings. I start new goals and reach for old ones trying to begin again and see what I can do to make it different this time.
My husband celebrates a new year older. His birthday is always a fun one. We get to spend time with our friends and family. There is always a dinner and night out.
The cook off season begins! Although cook offs can be all year long, January starts the cycle up again.
Rodeo line up announcements come in!
The Bachelor season begins!
Scarves and boots are a part of every day attire!
Campfires & S'mores!
There you go...all the things I love about January. My personal goals for the year are few and small, but I'm truly working on them....for real this year!
Continue to become closer to God.
Follow the 52 week money challenge.
Write everyday-document each day of 2014 in my Day One Journal.
Drink more water and no soda.
Find an exercise program that fits me and that I enjoy.
Purchase our new home.
And I leave with a little random something I came across that totally said a lot about me.... Happy New Year!