Just Show Up!

 

Here it is, Sunday late at night after celebrating my Birthday all weekend. It was a fun filled weekend surrounded by my favorite people. They loved me so well and it is what my heart needed.

 My mind is racing now, because my baby goes back to college in the morning and will not be back home for a while. I have said it before and will say it again, it just does not get easier.

My sweetest hello and my hardest good-bye.

But I am so stinking proud of her.

 

So here I am, my forties sailing by quickly it seems. And with age comes lots of wisdom. (I hope)..

I think if I have learned anything in life so far. That one of the most important things you can do for yourself and the ones you do life with is “SHOW UP”.. And it is hard, I get it. Life is busy and it seems like there is always something going on. I have tried my best to teach my children, that your word is very important. When you say you are going to do something, then do it.

 Don’t cancel...

 Don’t back out...

Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you that you cancel at the last minute. 

Don’t let your laziness make you look bad. 

Because it will, it will make you look bad and it will hurt people. Even if that is not your intentions.

 Trust me, I would rather stay home and cuddle with my hubby on the couch and binge watch our shows. But, because we love people and cherish our relationships, we show up.

 And we are not perfect, we have missed some things. But we are living and learning. 

If I look back, I remember who all has been there...

I remember who was there for my kids B-days, games, graduations. 

I remember who attended my grandparents funerals, who sat with me in my darkest days.

 I realize who text and checks on me, who prays for me and loves me. 

I see who is cheering me on and clapping for me and my family. 

I have people who are back in my life, after seasons changed. And I am so excited about that.

So please oh please let this be an encouragement...

When you say you are going to go to something, Go! 

If you volunteer at church and say you are going to teach or serve, Go!

If your friend is having Bunco, or B-Day ,Coffee Courage, Baby shower, Wedding or a show because she is crafty, and you said you would attend. GO! 

If you made plans to go to the movies or to dinner, GO! 

Sit with them at the funerals, cook them a meal when they have surgery..

 Just be there.

You just don’t realize how we all need that support, you don’t realize how encouraging it is to see your people show up for you over and over again.

Now please hear my heart, I know that things come up. And no one is perfect. That life does happen.

If you are having any kind of symptoms, stay home. These days, what we thought was allergies or head cold can be the rona. So please stay home.

One of my best friends does not do large gatherings because she has a brand new grandbaby, I get it. I would do anything to protect my babies too.

Some family and friends have an autoimmune disease that can cause havoc if they are exposed to anything, so I get it.

But, with that…

 Let me also encourage you not to live in fear. Plead the blood of Jesus over you and your babies, do  not allow the fear mongers or social media to cause you to live in constant fear. Take care of your body, take your supplements and go out there and live life. Go to church and get your faith tank re-filled.

But please use common sense.

For me, I know that we will all be called to heaven one day. And no one knows when that will be. But I would rather live life to the fullest, celebrating my people, instead of staying home by myself living in fear and dying alone.

But that is me, and my personal opinion.

And I will be the first to admit that some days I miss it. But I never claimed to be perfect. 

I just wanna be known for how I love my people. I want people to say, Amanda loved me and she loved me well. I want to be a walking, talking, example of how to be like Jesus..

Grandma

 

Here it is 5:30 in the morning. 

And my mom just called me, waking me up from a good long sleep.

 A couple of weeks ago, I posted on Facebook and asked for prayers.

Many of my close friends from thru out the years reached out and checked on me.

 I appreciate that greatly.

I did not post to get attention or to be vague.

It was because my mom asked me to get people praying and because she was not ready to tell everyone what was going on.

You see, about 9 years ago we lost our Grandpa. And many of you were with our family along that journey.

Now, many of you know my grandma, and love her like your own.

That prayer was for my grandma.

Her health is declining and unfortunately going fast.

That is not a confession, or anything that shows our faith is weak.

She is tired and has missed my grandpa for years.

Her liver is failing her, and is causing all kinds of issues with her body.

 My prayer has been that she not suffer, she don’t deserve to experience any kind of pain.

But Today my prayer is that my mom makes it in time to say goodbye.

My mom needs that closure and I believe my grandma is waiting to see her and my little brother who is like a son to her.

As for me..

Last week, my grandma came to me in a dream. Like she was sitting on my bed talking to me.

This is what she said..

Mija, I am so tired and I miss your grandpa so much. I am sorry and I love you. Please take care of your mom for me.

This dream brought me peace.

 

So, if you remember me in your prayers today. Please lift my mom and dad, both of my brothers and our families up. Pray for my uncles and their wives too.

Pray peace and comfort over my family. And for my grandma to hold on just a little longer, and when it is time that she goes peacefully.

 To be with Jesus and the love her life..

Those Twin Fellas Of Mine

 

So apparently, last week sometime I missed the opportunity to celebrate and brag on my fellas for National Sons Day.

They sent me some sarcastic messages and gave me a hard time. And even though I know they were kidding, I kind of felt bad that I missed it.

You see, these twin fellas of mine hold a very special place in my heart. When so many young mommas would of bailed out and “Taken Care” of getting pg so young. This young momma told the doctor that was not an option for me. Never even crossed my mind. I grew up with these guys, I have been there for every exciting accomplishment that they achieved. And trust me, there have been many (Toot Toot).

I am a proud momma, and so thankful they have been and continue to be so good to me.

We are in a different season now. As year 24 approaches us this month. Time is flying by so quickly for us. So any opportunity I get to celebrate and brag on them, I will take.

My Aaron a home owner, who volunteers his time as a coach for his niece’s basketball team and volunteers at church in the children’s ministry. He is kind and thoughtful, very responsible and successful in his Acct career. He loves his momma and he always makes sure that I know this. I am very thankful and blessed to call him my Son.

And then there is my Cameron, who is in a different season than his brother. But still oh so good to me. He calls me thru out the week just to check on me and takes me to lunch or meets me for dinner when he knows his dad is traveling.. He is dating a sweet girl who he spends his time with. It makes this momma’s heart so happy to see him get to experience young true love like that. And they include us for dinner double dates on occasion.  I am so excited for what the future holds for him. I love to see him thrive in life, in his career and every other area. He is so good to his siblings and always willing to help them out when needed. Double blessed in the son department for sure. 

I am told by many how blessed I am, and I don’t take that for granted.

I am thankful to see my many prayers answered, and to watch my beautiful grown babies living in the blessing.. For this is what this Momma has prayed for..

Happy Late National Sons Day!