Thankful Post "Crystil"

Meet my drop dead gorgeous friend Crystil..

As I have mentioned before, my family has been attending the same church for over 6 years now. Being the amazingly outgoing person that I am, (yes, that was sarcasm) I did not make friends right away. I like to say, I am more a people watcher, which in translation means, I thought I was too good to greet people, they were supposed to greet me. I am growing; I am growing outside my safety bubble..lol
Back to my friend Crystil. She always has a lovely smile on her face. When she would see me, she always smiled, and I would look at her, and think, “I can not like you sweetie, you are too pretty!” I am being so serious with my thoughts. Yes, I was a mess.! Anyways, year after year, Crystil would always smile and say hello to me. I would smile back, but that was as far as it would go. Than, God stepped in, and one day I was working in the nursery, and guess who I get to work with?! Yep that hottie Crystil, smile and all.


She was even nicer in person,!! I was doomed! I had no choice but to really like her! We got to talking, and her kindness just ministered so much to me. Crystil was the first official friend that I made at church. We do dinner dates now, and we talk and smile at each other at church, and I am so thrilled that I can call her my friend.

Crystil, is so down to earth, transparent, and she loves to share her life lessons. She is a wonderful mommy of two handsome fellas, and she has quite the hottie for a husband too. I have had the honor of meeting and working with her parents and sisters, and I have already asked them if they could adopt me, because they have so much love for each other and so much fun!

So Crystil, I am very thankful that you were so kind to me from the beginning. Because of you, I have let my guard down, and am meeting new people at church. Your kindness, and the stories you have shared during announcements, ministered to me, more than you will ever know. Thank you for being a sweet friend to me, and I look forward to many dinners, and laughs with you!

Thankful Post "Briana"

My Friend/Sister-in-love Briana

Goodness, where do I start with this person. For those that don't know me personally. Bri is married to my baby brother Jess. Growing up in "Wise County" my baby brother, being the hottie he is, never really had steady girl friends. Now, don't get me wrong, girls liked him, but he just enjoyed the attention. =0)

It was a couple of years after I got married, that Jessie and Briana started dating. At first, I was not too fond of her, cause of course no one was good enough for my baby brother, but she was so darn cute, and sweet. And my brother fell madly in love with her, and she made him so very happy. So she won my heart too!

Thru out the years, we have been really close, and than some years not so much. Just different interest and people that we hang with. She actually worked with me for many years, and I really enjoyed knowing she was down the road and an email away. She was my lunch buddy, and work out buddy for a while. I do miss having her here for sure.

If you know Bri, she is that person who loves to laugh, and have fun! My kids think she is the funnest aunt out there, cause she don't care what people think, she will do what ever she wants to have a good time. That and I figure since all the kids are taller than her, she fits right in! lol Bri is one of the few family members that actually values and respects my opinion. LOL She is the one to call me, when she has a question about one of the kids being sick, or when she needs prayer for something she is struggling with. She knows and has accepted that she can depend on me to be truthful, and not worry about me giving her any BS. And she knows, that I would be willing to do anything to help her out. That I always have her back!

Not only am I fond of her for being a good wife, aunt, sister in love, but she is an amazing mommy. She has blessed me with one niece and one nephew, and another nephew on the way. I have no doubts that these precious babies will be loved and cared for no matter what, and I thank God for sending my little brother such an amazing wife and my nephews and niece a loving mother.

So, Briana! I am very thankful that you are a part of my life, and such a sweet sister and friend to me. A huge thank you, for growing that precious baby in your tummy, even though he is kicking your butt!

Love ya mucho!

Thankful Post "My MOMMA"..

My momma!

If you know my mom, than you know she is the one to not put up with much crap!

Unless it is from her precious boys! hee.hee

Most kids grow up with those sweet and loving mothers, who gave lots of hugs and kisses. But, I have learned, that if no one taught you how to be loving, than you sometimes don't know how to show it to the ones you love. My mom is the oldest of four children.She may only be 5ft 1in, but she is one of the toughest, hard working woman I know. I am 32, and I don't remember her ever being without a job.

She got married and pregnant early in her life. Unfortunately, the man she married, loved alcohol and other women, more than his family. So, my mom wanted what was best for her 3 young children, and she left him. Well after she beat him up, while she was pg! Told you not to mess with her!


I know so many women, who stay with men, who are drunks, and abusive, just cause they don't want to be alone, even though they see how their kids are being mistreated, and I have all the respect in the world that my mom chose the hard road, instead of just settling to leave us in that lifestyle. She chose her children!

So, there she went, young, single, 3 little ones, and having to start all over. Let's not forget the $36.00 a month for 3 children for child support! Ha!

Fast forward to 3 years later, after working as a cook to support us, she meets my daddy.
A good-looking, hard working, man who fell in love with her, and all 3 of her babies.
She knew she struck gold for sure. And the rest is history..

Twenty Six years later, and 10 almost 11 grandchildren later, my mom still works, and is enjoying the life of being loved and spoiled. I told you I get it honest!
I have had the honor to watch my mom have a huge heart, and bless people with money, furniture, shoes, clothes. She taught me how to be giving, and always willing to help those in need.

I am also thankful, to how much she loves all her grandbabies. Especially those girls! She is the granny, that can be loving but don't let them act up either. And she loves to spoil them, and let them spend the night, when they kick my dad out of the bed.

And it never fails, that when one of her babies calls her, she can tell right away, if there is something wrong. She tells you the brutal truth, gives you words of wisdom, and always lets you know, her door is always open!

I am so thankful for my momma's love. Her example of how to be a strong woman. How no matter how old your babies get, you will always worry and love them with all your heart..

Thankful Post "My Dad"

My daddy..

Yep, that is still what I call him today, even though I am 32 years old.
Most people, who don’t really know me, don’t know that my dad is actually my step dad. My mom divorced my real dad when I was about 3 years old,. And she married my step dad when I was 4 years old. I think my dad is the most amazing man in the world.

First of all he married my MOM! Lol
 Been married to her for over 25 years now!
Second, he married her with 3 young children.

From day one, he has always treated us like his very own children. I was and am a daddy’s girl. I am willing to admit that I am a little on the spoiled side. I will even admit that the first few years of my marriage, I compared Trav to my dad too much. It seems that all I said was “But, my daddy said” And I guess it did not go over too well for Trav!

One time at work, I passed out, and apparently when I came back to, I kept telling the first responders to “call my daddy” I kept saying over and over “I want my daddy”! How pathetic is that! I guess every girl who had or has a great dad, just knows they can depend on them. I know that my dad is always there for me, and with just one phone call, he will be there for me in a heart beat. When Trav is at work or traveling, and I would lock my keys in the car, or get a flat tire, or have to take my boys to the Emergency rm because they broke a bone or busted their head with a hammer, it was my dad that I would call, and he would meet me up there. He knew I hated to deal with these things alone, so he was my support.

He actually works with me, so I get to see him everyday. And it never fails that when I am struggling with something, he can come sit in here and he knows exactly what to ask, for me to break down and spill my guts to him. He is very quiet, a great listener, but he observes people, and usually is never wrong about them. But, he always has words of wisdom for me. But, let me tell you something. Don’t let his quietness fool you. Cause if you mess with his wife, kids, or grandbabies, you better watch out!

Oh, and what Joy it brings me to see him as a grandfather.. His love for each of these kiddos is just precious. My twins are 14 now, and they still crawl onto his recliner with him, and watch TV. He is the only one that calls my Jazzy by her middle name “Victoria”. Ohh, how she loves her grandpa, and ohh how she is spoiled by him, just like I was. I really think the relationship between a dad and daughter is very important. I think it sets the tone for the type of man our daughters will marry. I am very blessed, that I not only have a great daddy, but I married a man who is a wonderful father to his two girls. Two daddy’s girls for sure!

Not sure if my dad will read my blog, but if he does. I want to say, thank you daddy. For treating me and the boys like we are your very own. For loving us, and providing for us. But most of all, for allowing me to be a “Daddy’s Girl”



Thankful Post 7 "Yvette"

Today my post is about my sweet friend Yvette..

Again, I met her when she hired in here at work. From the beginning, she was always so sweet and kind to me. I personally think she is absolutely gorgeous! We were cubicle neighbors, and work out buddies, and we talked about EVERYTHING! Her and I got close over the years, and we would get a dinner on occasion with another friend of ours. We had what we called "Ladies Night", which usually consisted of Mexican food, and a lot of good laughs.

The reason I want to blog about her is to talk about her kindness and her love for life. Shortly after we started our tradition of "Ladies Night" our sweet friend got cancer. The way Yvette was there for our friend ministered so much love to me. She would go to chemo treatments with our friend, and just became a big part of her life. Still is to this day, a huge blessing to our friend. Than of all things my sweet Yvette ended up with breast cancer!
What are the chances?! That 2 out 3 of us would end up with cancer?! Ohh but, Yvette did not let it bring her down. She is a very brave, strong woman of God, and she fought it. Yvette never lost her smile. She lost her hair, she had the surgery and got all those treatments,. I went to go visit her after her surgery, and I was expecting to see her laid up on the couch! But, nope, I walk in the door to see her making dinner with that huge smile on her face! AND,I am thrilled to say she beat it!
Can I get a Praise God!?
So Yvette, I wanted to say, that I am very thankful for God bringing you into my life. I know we don't get to see each other very often anymore. But you have ministered so much love into my life. And I think you are absolutely the bravest woman I know.

Thankful post day 5 "Bonnie"

Today, I am thankful for my friend Bonnie..

Everyone knows Bonnie!

She is loud, outgoing, the real deal of what you see is what you get.

No games! No drama! 

 If she knows you, she will go out of her way to acknowledge you. And boy, don’t you dare ignore her. It don’t matter if you are having a bad day, because she will call you out! Lol She is the one that will yell across the parking lot or grocery store, or even better, the restaurant just to say “hello”!

Ohh, and her laugh! Gotta love her laugh! My kids and husband get a kick out of her. They know, if we are out and about, and if they see Bonnie, that we will be there for a while, cause her and I are going to talk and act like we have not seen each other in years.! Did I mention she is a perfect match for my husband?! Hee Hee It is just an ongoing joke, because she has the same personality as Trav, and watches the same corny shows as him.

I met Bonnie the year our “now freshmen” started kindergarten. I was the room mom, and she was always so helpful to provide stuff for parties.

Bonnie is an amazing mom, wife, daughter and friend. She has a huge heart, and is so dependable. I chose to write about her today, because I have spent many years watching her. The way she treats people, always ministers to me. She shows no signs of fearing rejection. She will walk up to a complete stranger, and find something to compliment them about. Many times, when I have been in the middle of talking to her, she will stop me just to let me know I look pretty, or that my hair looks great, or how she loves my earrings. She inspires me to step outside my bubble, and to be a better person.

 So, thank you Bonnie. For being so good to me. For being there to answer the phone after midnight to listen to me cry, cause I got hurt or discouraged.

For always, knowing when it was the right time to be honest with me, or just being that shoulder to cry on. For always having something encouraging to say, and for being my cheerleader in life!

I thank God for sending me such a sweet friend..

Thankful Post 4 "Jessie"

Today I have the honor to blog about my baby brother Jessie.

For those of yall who know me personally. Know I am the only girl, and the middle child. Double whammy!

But, I have to admit, that I have the best baby brother a sister could ever ask for. Jessie and I have always been close. My mom worked nights, so basically I am the one that took care of him, and played momma bear . In his teen years, I was the one to get him out of trouble, or to hold his garter at homecoming and cheer him on when he was in a fight. This young man had/has a temper! One person you don’t ever want mess with. But he is also a sweet heart. And a very handsome fella. (He kinda looks like me)..lol

I am sure he is going to love me sharing this part, but he played dolls with me, even Barbie’s,. No worries, we took turns, and I would play hot wheels with him too. We were creative; we made roads with all of my dads duct tape, and built Barbie beds out of dominoes! Lol
 Even though Jess is my little brother, he was over protective of me, and did not like me to have boy friends over. Let’s just say, he would cause them physical harm and than run and lock himself in the bathroom! Yeah, my boyfriends usually would not come back over.

Now, we are all grown up and living this crazy thing called life. I even named one of my boys after him. I find it amazing to see my baby brother all grown, with a sweet little family. It just makes me so proud. He has two kiddos and one on the way. He is such an amazing daddy to his babies. He is a great husband to Bri. Jess has a big heart, very dependable and realistic. He is a hard worker, with good family values. He is easy going, and knows how to have a good time. I could call him up any time of the day, and he would be there for me in a heartbeat. My kids think he is the coolest uncle, and you always hear him telling my kids, that if they ever need anything to never hesitate to call him.

I love my baby brother, and I regret that we don’t get to see each other very often.

So, Jessie Lee, thank you for being a part of my life, even though you really had no choice.!

The day my baby brother became a daddy!

I am proud of the young father, husband you grew up to be. Know that I am here for you no matter what.