Something To Think About Today....

RIP Clay Barnes

Clay Barnes has tragically passed away at the age of 29.  He was a very close friend to me back in high school.  Some of my favorite memories of Clay are the first time that he got his green Mustang we took a long road trip in it, he once stayed up all night and sat beside my bed because I wasn't feeling well and he didn't want to leave me alone, and he always had something corny to say about everything in life.  He is one of many who have had motorcycle accidents and I encourage all of my readers to know or learn the everyday safety of driving a motorcycle or watching for them on a road while driving your vehicle.

Clay, you will be missed dearly.  I really wish that I could have told you good-bye or how much I cared about you while you were still here.  I will see you again someday, buddy!

10 Blessings In 2012!

Since I haven't blogged in awhile, I wanted to share 10 positive things that have happened in 2012!

1.) My dad met and started dating a wonderful woman named Wendy.  The whole family has actually known her for years and the kids really seem to enjoy having her around plus it's great to see my dad so happy after all these years!

 2.)  Blaze got glasses! Now he is amazed at all the things he is able to see :)

3.) My beautiful God-daughter, Karissa Cheri was born!  I feel so blessed to be a Godmother to such wonderful children.. and DJ really enjoys spoiling kids that he can send home after!



4.)  Ace man graduated from Kindergarten!  He worked really hard to learns his letters, his address, his words, and some even some songs and a few lines for the graduation program!  He stood up and said proudly that he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up.  I am so very proud of him!

5.)  I turned 28!!  I cannot believe that I am 2 years from 30, but I feel better than ever!  I had a great low key birthday and got to celebrate with all my favorite people including my sweet granny. 

6.)  DJ and I celebrated NINE years of wedded bliss and a DECADE together as a couple.  I cannot believe we have already been married that long.  It seems like yesterday that I stood up there and said my vows.  I feel so blessed to have my best friend as my husband. 

7.)  I finally got to make my dream of moving back home come true!  We live just five doors down from my dad and less than a mile from my Papaw.  We can be at the lake in less than two minutes and the boys get go to KES just like I did when I was a little girl. 

8.)  DJ got a great job opportunity offered to him at Oak Ridge Nissan where he is the new Manager of the Internet Sales Department.  I could't be more proud of him and all the hard work and dedication he put into making this dream come true for himself. 

9.)  The boys had a blast going to not one but three churches for VBS.  Each time they learned about Christ and his love for us.  It has opened up their eyes to what Salvation is and now Blaze says he thinks he would like to be a Missionary!

10.)  Blaze celebrated turning 8 back in Jan. with a bright neon themed party at our old home in Pikeville.  Some of his closest friends and family were there and he got a guitar as his big present from mommy and daddy.  Then, Ace celebrated turning 6 with a Battleship themed party at Roane County Park in Kingston.  Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud of the young men they are becoming!

So, there you have it, there have been some really exciting events going on in our lives lately and we are so very thankful to all the friends and family that have made this transition possible.  I can't wait to see what wonderful things the rest of 2012 brings us so stay tuned... :) 

The Greatest Woman I've Ever Known I Was Blessed To Call My Granny.

On March 30, 2011, my grandmother got to go home after her long, hard battle with Multiple Myeloma.  I have posted before about how close I have always been to my granny, but I never really said how I really felt - this woman was my mother. 

She was the person that took me to ballet, that drove me to school, and that taught me how to be a lady.  She helped me get through puberty, through the heartbreak of my first breakup, and the ups and downs of life as a teenager. 

I feel blessed that I got to spend 28 years of my life with her.  I actually spent her last birthday and mine by her side.  We got one last Christmas that we thought we would never get.  She was in high spirits until the very end.  I want to focus on all the good times and not the last few years of her life.  We miss her so very much.  Now I understand why people say that they cannot wait to get to Heaven.  This life just will never be the same without my granny here with me.  I have never experienced a deeper loss than this....

Granny had a huge heart and she was a woman of CHRIST.  She was concerned with her family and friends and their salvation.  She liked to share her faith with everyone that she could and she is the reason that I started going to church and got saved as well.  She made me want to seek Christ in my life and I am so glad that she did! 

Granny, no blog post or photo or anything else will ever say all the things I could say about what a wonderful person you were and how lucky I was to be your granddaughter.  You were the only mother I ever really had and that is just fine with me because you were the best.  You were the glue that held this family together and not a day goes by that we don't think about you or share stories of all the good times we had while you were here.  I can't wait to be reunited again someday.  Please tell my babies hello and that mommy misses and loves them very much and tell my Nana that we all miss her as well. 

Rest In Peace Sweet Granny.  We feel your love around us every single day. 

Alive And Well!

Well, hello blogging world!  I bet you thought you would never see me again!  I took a few months off of blogging while my family went through major changes... but I am back - and better than ever!  I have started another blog to just share some stories, prayer chains, mommy frustrations, etc.  that is just a place for me to write my thoughts, but after alot of thought and prayer I decided to come back here and start blogging for my family again.

To fill you all in quickly, since the last time I blogged, my husband was let go from the job that we up and moved for after spending over 7 years with the company, we had to quickly get rid of our Pikeville home, move to Kingston and stay with my dad for a short time, then try to find ourselves a house.  We got pregnant again and tragically lost our baby almost a year to the day of losing Allie last year.  My grandmother passed away after her long, hard battle with Myeloma.  I lost two dear friends to accidents and I saw alot more heartbreak as well.  DJ found a new job and I was diagnosed with a new blood clotting disorder.  We went searching for a church and our oldest son found his love for Christ.  We have made alot of new memories, had to get rid of our beloved dog, and went through a bitter dispute with former employers.  I know it's alot so I promise to write more as i'm able!  I love you guys and I appreciate you all so much for sticking by me through the thick and thin of life.  We must all remember that these trials are temporary but our salvation is forever!