Guest Blogger..

Guest Blogger.. My Jazzy girl wrote this in Writing Class, and I figured how perfect to share for the month of November..


Ten Things I am Thankful For… By Jasmine

1. I am thankful for my parents. They are always there for me. They love me very much. Also, when I am sad they cheer me up. Last, but not least they gave me life..

 2. I am thankful for my cousins.

 When I am sad they know how to cheer me up! Also, they make funny noises when I get a boyfriend or I tell them who I like. My baby cousin is the cutest. I was there for his birth and he smiles when I hold him.

3. I am thankful for my teachers.
That is the most awkward thing to say. The reason why I said that is because they take time out of their day to teach us. Even when we can be not so respectful some days.!

4. I am thankful for brothers!
That is also hard to say. They can be over protective of me at some point. But, I still love them. They are always there for me. Plus they take up for me. Last but not least they make me smile.

5. I am thankful for my sister.
 That girl is one the best things in my life. She makes me smile and she loves me. Also, she is protective over me. Even though sometimes she is annoying, I could not live without her.

6. I am thankful for my granny.
My Granny is awesome. I love going shopping with her. I get to go to her house almost every other weekend. She has done a lot for me in my life. She is always there for me. I love her so much.
7. I am thankful for my grandpa.
He is the best grandpa ever. When I stay with them, he takes me to the flea market. It is awesome. Before we start looking at stuff we go get food. I get nachos with jalapeño’s and he gets fruit. We share them with each other. Also, we love to play with his dog.

8. I am thankful for my Great Grandma.
She is awesome and she has gone thru a lot. She lost her husband (my great grandpa) last year in December. Ever since then we have been able to get really close. Some days we go to eat together. I go to the doctor with her so she doesn’t go alone. She has taught me how to cook tortillas. And even though she lives with my granny now, I get to spend the night with her.

9. I am thankful for my Nanaw.
She is my dad’s mom and she is awesome. She lets me hang out with her some times.  I go with her to get her hair done. Plus, she also lost her husband. I was only 2 when he died. She always talks about him and I just listen. So my daddy and brothers and I get to help take care of her land. We mow and fix things when it breaks.

10. I am thankful for my life. I love my life. I have the best life. I have people who care for me and love me. I have a roof over my head. I have people to  love.. I have friends and
Last but certainly not least I have God in my life.



Just a Random Kind of Post...

I Apologize for such a Random Thought type of blog entry today..


First, I wanted to let everyone know that the Fellas did not make it to State Meet in Cross Country. They competed at Regional’s with 180 other fellas and against 24 other teams. And Aaron got 52nd place and the team got 8th place out of 24. I am still super proud of how well they finished and looking forward to next year to see how well they do.


Cross Country Team at Regional's

Second, I have to admit that the last 3 months I have been being a big ole pouting brat. I have been praying for God to help me in a certain area concerning some relationships. And over the last 3 months a few sweet ladies have reached out to me, invited me to lunch or dinner or to just talk or just a huge hug. And because it was not the ones I wanted them to be, I turned them down. (Not a proud moment of course) The other day I was listening to someone talk about the things they were struggling with, and I found myself relating to what she was feeling. Because it was not long ago that my family was enduring the same kind of thing. And I found myself enjoying her company, just talking, and listening and laughing. After I dropped her off I had a convo with God. I finally got a visual of what he was doing in my life, while I was too busy building that wall up around me, and questioning so many things, HE always knows what I need, and he always sends the right people my way. It is time for me to be confident in the person I am. To appreciate what and who I have NOW, and let go of all the rest.. Most of ALL, to know that God loves me and watches out for me, even when I take the bad roads in life from my horrible decisions.. He did not give up on me, he just waited for me to come to my senses and come running back to him. He embraced me in his wide open arms. I am ever so grateful for that..And thank you to those ladies who did reach out to me and minister love to me. It did not go un-noticed. 

Third, a certain fella taught me something over the last few months. About Faith.. He has a hat rack, and at the beginning of cross country season he removed all his hats from the rack, and he said that he was making room for all the medals he was going to win this year. At the end of the season his rack was full of medals. He stood strong on his Faith, and it paid off for him. I want to stand strong on my Faith and see many things come to pass in my life..I think we forget how amazing and loving the God we serve is,. Nothing is impossible for him, We just need to get out of the way, and let him do his thing..

Time to BRAG...

I really feel the need to share and to brag about my kiddos..

I may have mentioned before how my twin fellas have been doing cross country since their 7th grade year. 

7th Grade year





10th grade year

 I have to admit I disliked this “sport” because it was boring and it consisted of lots of early morning rides to school for practice. But, Trav and I sucked it up and as long as they were willing to give it their all, we supported them. Who would of thought that by their sophomore year in high school they would be doing so well and actually getting medals at these cross country meets.!?

Heck who would of thought that Trav and I would be THOSE crazy parents that are hard core on the side lines and mile markers screaming and yelling and cheering them on with our stop watches.. We love it! And we are so proud to say that our twins fellas made regional’s! This year they went to district and the top 10 runners qualify to go to Regionals. So Aaron and another team mate made top ten.


Aaron got 9th place with a 19.10 3 mile run

  But, because we actually have a good group of dedicated guys that make a team, they got 3rd place and get to go as a team also to the Regional Meet this Saturday in Arlington. Now, I am not going to be negative and say I am sure the road ends here for them. Because they will be competing with the best from here on out. But I will say either way, I am so super proud of these fellas for making it this far.. It is nothing but pure heart and dedication that each of them have, that has brought them to this point! Good Luck Guys! And Congratulations!!

One more picture just to say a big thank you to My Sis in law and her family for stopping by to show their support and let the boys know they are so proud of them..



Teresa & Russel and our nephew Brandon

Also a big shout out to my sugar bear.. Who after a rough tourney last summer.. Had lost her joy for pitching.. But this Fall ball season she had to pitch for her team as the regular pitcher was out sick. And my jazzy girl did an amazing job. She did not let her team down, and by the end of the season she found her Joy again. 

My Sugar bear when she was little..




Our little Grunt is a not so little anymore

And I have to brag and say that a parent from one of the teams we played wanted let me know that they love it when they play against Jasmine, because of her good attitude and because she is just so darn cute.. =0) Also a big shout out to Coach Ben, we look forward to playing with them every other year. Great coach who the girls respond to, and he knows how to build them up and make them feel they can take on the world.. His wife is pretty amazing too..
Now on to Basketball Season!!!

So It Continues....

So, I am behind on my blogging and my reading. I have to tell on myself and admit I have not been to the last Bible Studies, but I have not quit.. I am still reading and going strong!
I will see you there Chella, I promise!

The next couple of chapters cover a variety of topics.. After we discovered what the Root of our insecurities have been. We move on to the next topics..

Like our EGO and PRIDE..

The following things are what Beth Moore shared on these Topics..

She talks about how we set ourselves up for failure. We need to learn what we can handle and what we can’t. There is a volume of wisdom in knowing the difference.


She also says that sometimes people and situations make us feel insecure because they nick our pride, plain and simple. Just because pride fills a heart doesn’t keep it from breaking. It just keeps it from healing. AND Some need to come to the conclusion that we have no greater burden in all of life than our own inflated egos. No outside force has the power to betray and mislead us the way our own egos do. That Pride talks us out of forgiving and steers us away from risking. Pride cheats us of intimacy, because intimacy requires transparency. Pride is a slave driver like no other, and if it can’t drive us to destruction, it will drive us to distraction.

Than she talks about how insecurities can makes us act like total fools..

Not only can insecurity talk us into disastrous relationships, it can talk us out of great ones. And it can make us panic and act like freaks..

Heard another good message the other day.. One of the things that was said and stuck out to me is “We” put so much time, thought and work into how to treat our enemies.
Like avoiding them when we know they are going to be at the same place. So we don’t talk to them and we do Not making eye contact, and than (I) WE stay up all night upset because of it all. When how much easier would it be if we were just kind to them and just decided to love them anyways..? Swallowing your pride, and just know they are human and make mistakes, but God created them too, and loves them just like he loves us. You don’t have to be BFF, but you don’t have to act like a donkey either..
We talk about how horrible it is for young kids and teens to deal with being bullied, yet, we see grown adults do it, and we don’t say a thing about it. Seriously!

I grew up seeing pride tear relationships up.
Just because one person that we loved was mad at someone, than we all had to be mad at that person. I was taught that if a person did not come up and talk to me, than that person was rude. But yet I am not rude for not going up and talking to that person? Oh it gets better, how about the person who is skinny and confident,? I was taught that person was just a hooch or that they think their poop does not stink.. I grew up seeing that when someone hurt your feelings, you picked up the phone for a “woe is me party” and talked about that person to someone else. And you never even tell the person what they did and give them the chance to make it better or at least let them know you are mad at them.

And how about the times when we over react because we think we are being ignored by our spouse? Have you ever sent ugly texts, and nasty voicemails and blew some one’s phone up because you thought you were being ignored on purpose.? Only to find out they left their phone in the car or were in a meeting. And how about when you think your significant other was checking another lovely lady out. Oh my I have seen and done some doozies when it came to stuff like that....
I am ashamed to admit that I behaved that way, and that I thought it was ok. I was judgmental, and rude and ugly to people for no reason but my own ego and pride.

 I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted.. I know I cannot change over night, and it won’t be easy.. But, if we would just give it all to God.. If we would repent, and ask God to change our heart and show you where you need to change. Life could be so much more enjoyable..

We need to let God shovel us out of Insecurity, because without Him, we’re stuck..

The ROOT of it all...

Rooting It Out is the name of this chapter..
It covered so much information, and it took me a couple of times of reading and re-reading it so that I could let it sink in..
It talks about the root to our insecurity. The things that we have experienced in our up bringing and daily lives that makes us feel the way we do..
Points she shared..
Life is rough. It’s also beautiful but if we can’t get some respite from its cruelty, we will never have the healthy vision to savor its tender beauty.
Than she shares a scripture in Proverbs..
“Each heart knows its own bitterness” The more intense the pain the more it feels like nobody fully understands. Try as I might I can’t fully comprehend how a particular event affected your life, even if we both shared the same experience. Your personality and history shapes your response, just as my own unique background affects mine. We’d go only so far in one another’s shoes before laces came loose.
During particularly lonely or frustrating times, perhaps you, like me, have felt that nobody else gets it. But HE gets it better than we do..
She list the different things that we could of experienced like:
Instability in the home...

Significant Loss...

Rejection...

Dramatic Change...

Personal Disposition...
I dont know about you, but I for one can say yes to about half of those.
Here is a journey into my little mind and life..
My real dad was an alcoholic, and so he and my mom divorced when I was about 3 years old. He slowly stopped being a part of my life, and when I was finally old enough to use the phone and write him. I was always the one to chase after him, and just hope that he would take the time to talk to me on the phone and or respond to my letters. At such a young age I just wanted to be convinced that he still cared and loved me. I grew up doing this, even though he really did not show interest in being a part of my life. I really believed for years, that I was just not good enough for him to love me like he should of loved me. Now, as an adult and a mother, and many great sermons that I have heard, and a mighty God we serve, I have forgiven him for this, I now have a some what good relationship with my real dad, and don’t hold a grudge against him anymore.

But, I have learned that because of how he made me feel, that in my other relationships, I am the one feeling the need to chase after them, and constantly looking for any attention they will throw my way.. And why I take it so personal when I think or know when someone is ignoring me or upset with me. I know it sounds horrible but, basically I want all the attention, when realistically it cannot be just about me. Darn that sharing!!

Beth Moore says that all the things she listed are in many ways, scars on the soul left by hardships,. Insecurity that results from the way we’ve coped rather than healed.

The good news is readers, is God knows! Beth shares this last thing..

He does not take lightly that some of us were raised in a veritable madhouse. He does not take lightly that some of us have been mentally berated or physically beaten or sexually abused or simply abandoned.

God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of those who trust Him, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will pass away and all our hardships will be finished..

Again, “Now that is Refreshing”…
So be kind people, you really have no idea what a person has or is going thru in life..

My Favorite Topic..

Hi Readers, I am still in my Bible Study, but not quite ready to share what I have read and thought of lately. Still meditating and digesting it all..

So I figured, I would bring it down a notch and blog about one of my most favorite things.. My CHILDREN!

Jazzy at Homecoming Game

My sweet baby girl is not a baby anymore.. Busy little girl.. She is in full Fall Ball mode. She gets to pitch some, and last night’s game was cold but she pitched so good. We really enjoy playing ball with these girls, coaches and parents. We are all very passionate about softball.. lol She is also doing gymnastics so she can perfect her back flips for cheerleading tryouts at the end of this year,. She is loving school this year, and is making straight A’s. and LAST but not least She also is going to youth group now, and tried out for the Youth’s Group Worship team “Breakthru”.. And guess what, she made the team.. She was beaming with excitement. SO proud of my mini me..
Our Jazzy girl is a big ball of emotions, but her smile is still there, and her little feisty fun size spirit goes a long ways. 

Ciera with two of our many precious babies

Now for our Ciera, I don’t get to blog about her much, because we don’t get to see her very often. But I am so happy that she has started helping in our church nursery again. She used to be the head teacher in our toddler class, but she got burnt out. So we are slowly getting her back, and this Saturday we had life kids. And she was my helper. She prefers the toddler age ones, but I could not resist this photo moment. Yes momma here with a camera in my hand 24/7 But notice that all my children smile on command when they see me with a camera..lol Love this grown up kid of mine, her and her passionate, spunky, attitude and all.. I would not change one single thing about her.

Cameron Decatur Cross Country Meet



Aaron Decatur Cross Country Meet

Now for my twin fellas. If you follow me on fb than you know what they are doing right now.. They have been in full blown cross country mode since before school started. Now if you have ever did any kind of running, than you know it takes dedication each and every day. They run any where from 3 to 5 miles a day. And have meets on Saturdays. I am so very proud of these guys and how well they are doing. They are placing at some meets, and bringing home medals. And at the last meet, even if they did not place in the top 10, they are beating their times, and are working so hard for the district meet. Also since their freshmen year they were asked to record all Varsity football games. So this is their 2nd year to do this, and they love it. Although Trav and I love football, and were bummed when they decided they did not want to play anymore. We are happy they are part of the team in some way. And of course they also attend the youth group at church, and they got baptized last month. All of my family was there to see this proud moment in their lives.
As you can tell I am a proud momma, and we stay super busy. But we love every minute of it.

Thank yall for taking the time to read my blog. You all make me very proud when I see how many views I get on here. I promise to blog soon about the last 6 chapters that I have read in my Bible Study.
Till Next Time!

Just Afraid?

Have you had those days, weeks, months, where you were recovering from some severe blows in life.. And starting to heal, than out of no where, you feel like someone literally punched you in the gut? Just takes your breath away.
Well this next chapter did that to me. It is called “Good Company”..

In this chapter Beth Moore talks about bible stories, tells about people in the bible who were pretty insecure and made mistakes, bad choices, and yet God still used them for his Kingdom.

First of all, I loved getting a bible lesson and realizing that they (The Bible People) were not perfect people, that they were human just like you and me.

This book has been so good for me, but it is stirring up things that I really wanted to leave alone. It is making me see “ME” for the person I was and had become. I have been so eaten up with insecurity, that it was controlling my life.
Here are some quotes from the book that I highlighted..

“Our bodies, souls, and spirits are far too intricately woven. Eventually hearts follow bodies, and bodies follow hearts”

“Studies have long since proven that much of what we fear is fueled by our imaginations, and in fact, most of what we fear never even happens”
“Jealousy is always the result of a perceived threat. And a threat always places a 911 call to insecurity”

“Insecurity lives in constant terror of loss. Insecure people are always afraid that something or somebody is going to be taken from them.
“The need to be considered the greatest is always rooted in the gnawing fear that we’re not.

She goes on to say “More often than not, if we are willing to make the connection, we can trace feelings of insecurity to a perceived threat, especially when it comes in a sudden rush.. She tells us to ask ourselves these questions..

What are we afraid of?
Who are we afraid of?
What are we afraid of losing ?
Why are we afraid of being displaced?
If I am being honest, I can answer each of those questions with the same answer..
My biggest fear is “Being Alone”..

What am I afraid of? Being Alone
Who am I afraid of? The ones I love leaving me, to be alone..
What am I afraid of losing? The ones who love me, and leaving me alone..
Why am I afraid of being displaced? Because in my warped mind, I have myself convinced that I don’t deserve to be loved, so someone better will come along, shove me out of the way, and guess what, I am alone..

But yet, the Bible tells us over and over how God will never leave us, how he is with us at all time. If we can be secure in HIM, than he will take care of all of our desires and get rid of all our fears. It sounds so easy, and I desire to be secure in him with all my heart. But I first have to pray that he shows me how to get rid of all the junk, all the unforgiveness, I have packed and carried with me all my life.
I encourage each of yall to ask your self those questions, and than pray and ask God to show how to get over those insecurities.