Homecoming

Saturday night I was thrilled that I got asked to go with Deyanira to take pictures of Sam and his friends! They were on their way to their last high school homecoming dance. I still can not believe he's a senior!Now Sam is pretty tall but, so is his momma, so I'm pretty sure he was standing on a rock! Aren't they a great looking mother and son!Sam, so handsome and his date so cute!What a fabulous looking and fun group!

Homecoming Pep Rally

This Friday was our high school's homecoming. I went to the pep rally. I didn't go because I had a son/daughter in the band, a son on the team, a daughter a cheerleader or on the drill team. I went because it was Austin's school and his first time to see a pep rally! Most parents wouldn't go or even think twice about. But when you have a special needs child, you appreciate those kinds of things. He's been talking about it forever and he couldn't wait to go! Let me tell you, I was excited to go too! I loved watching him watching it all! He had so much fun!Austin and Jennifer.Austin and Sam, who's on the Blue Crew this year, his SENIOR year! SENIOR!?!GRANGER SMITH! He was there for his "Drive Now, Text Later" campaign and then later that night had a concert in town. Such a good singer...and a cute one too!Austin and me! Great to be in my old high school gym again. It's been 19 YEARS!

Cross town show down

We are in full football season around here and it's a lot of fun!

When all of the kids started school here, we didn't realize that while in junior high, Tyler and Christian would play against each other since they go to different schools.Well, that time came last Tuesday for these God brothers.Our #4, TYLER!!!!Our #20, CHRISTIAN!

Now, it really wasn't a "show down", BUT Christian's school did win. Congrats to them. It was neat having our two families together, even if they were playing each other.Oh, and Carli loves the games too...the cheerleaders and now, the MASCOT!

Thank you Deyanira for sending me these pictures!

Happy Birthday to the "J's"

This hubby and wife, Jason and Joy are both celebrating their birthday...TODAY! Yep, same day. Same year. Born at the same hospital!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSINS!

Happy Birthday Aunt Sally

Happy Birthday Aunt Sally! We love you!(Aunt Rachel, Grandma, Aunt Terry, cousin Melissa, and AUNT SALLY!)

Me and my girl

Grandparents' Day Lunch

Last Friday was Grandparents' Day lunch at Carli's school. She brought her Great Grandmother Mimi. We brought Carli Taco Bell, while Mimi and I bought our spaghetti lunch tray. Carli was quite the show off. It was quite special having lunch in my old elementary school which Carli now uses, and my grandmother eating with us!!! Something she did a thousand times there with me and now with Carli!!!

Happy Birthday Joel

1998- Jestin, Tyler, JOEL, and Austin.
Babies really do grow up and that little one, JOEL, is turning 18 today!
Happy Birthday cousin! We love you!

My three kids!!!

I had to post pictures of these three kiddos, 'cause not only are they CUTE, they just make everything BETTER!!! Especially after a long, emotionally charged week! Parts of the week included two funerals (one of my friend, Allison, 37 and our best friend's 90 year old grandfather) and my other friend is in ICU (she is doing better). So prayers are welcome for all of the families involved.Thankful to God for these precious babes!

Honoring Allison

Allison, always smiling! Such grace!
Raymond and I.
Jenny, Zhanna, Me, and Jill...I see Toni in the background.Holly and I.Jenny amd Lisa.Tanya and I.

Last year, at this time, I asked you to pray for my friend Allison.
We grew up one street apart. Went to the same schools. Went to the same church. Although we haven't seen each other in years, there was still the internet, where we could catch up.
At age 30, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Went through a year of treatments. Given a clean bill of health. Five years later, turns out she was only in remission. Cancer had came back with a vengeance. She was 36 years old, married, two baby boys, and a year of hard fighting was ahead! I began to read her journal entries on her Caring Bridge site, to keep up with her journey. I always knew she was a beautiful, human. So poised. So sweet. Loved Our God! But wow was I blown away by her faith! All of us are. She truly, truly gave it all to God. Praised him in the midst of this storm. Totally lived for Him! I felt that she was helping us grow closer to God. She was His witness. I could go on for miles, but to really know what I'm talking about, you can click on her Caring Bridge Site and start from the beginning. You will be inspired!

One of our precious friends, Raymond, came up with the most brilliant idea back in July. A concert in Ali's hometown, in the church she grew up and later wed in, honoring her. It would be called, "The Gospel According to Allison". The title is meant to show how Allison lived her life and applied everything she did/happen to her, to the Gospel. We would all gather around her and her family. She picked out every song/hymn. Every scripture. Her journal entries would be read, by friends. Special performances from loved ones. We would take a love offering. We would honor other cancer survivors. Pray over Ali and her family. PRAY for that miracle Ali believed whole hearted she would get. Afterwards we we gather in the Fellowship Hall and eat her favorites; ice cream and cheesecakes.

We did all of those things, on September 10th, except Allison was there only in spirit. She passed away two days before. The concert stayed true to it's purpose. Only this time, all of her friends would be comforting each other over her passing. It was the most beautiful thing I've been to. Sure there was sadness. But to know every bit of it was her. The church was full. People were even standing. How many people do you know that the mayor would have a proclamation for and half the town would turn out to honor for over two hours?! Raymond, you did a tremendous tribute! Everyone involved was amazing!
Seeing so many old friends was exciting! Funny actually, since we all felt that we still see each other everyday on Face*Book!

Monday came and we went to her funeral in Houston. It was no surprise it was as beautiful as her concert and her! Again, it was packed, with people from all over. Every scripture and song, all her favorites. Taken from her Caring Bridge site. Her quilt draped over her casket. Her personal touch everywhere.

It's so unreal to have a friend, the same age as you (37), pass away. I'm sad for her husband, her boys (4,2), and her parents (her little brother passed away when we were younger). But I know Allison is in Heaven with our Savior! SMILING hugely, like always!

When you pray for someone everyday, you feel very close to them. Recently, since it was hard for her to talk, I would drop a text to her every once in a while. On the last one, she said, "thank you for being one of my prayer warriors!" No Allison, thank you for teaching us. We are better for knowing you! You will be missed.

I take away from this, to enjoy and live in every moment. To praise Him all the time.

Allison's Caring Bridge Site, click here. Read from the beginning.
And a little bit of the concert,(pause my music on my blog and turn up the volume) click here.

Happy Birthday Rachel

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY RACHEL! WE LOVE YOU!

9/11

Today, we remember the horrific attacks made on us and thank again, everyone who helped that day.We will never forget that feeling! We'll never forget where we were and what we were doing.I was 27 years old. Austin was at school, he was 7. Tyler was 3. He was at home with me. I had a little daycare at the time. I had Myles (who was born the same day/year as Tyler), my Emily, and baby Sydney. We were all doing our thing, when I caught glimpse of the first tower that had just been hit. At that moment, my friend Francine called and said she was on her way to watch my tv. We sat in complete shock and stayed glued to the tv! Anthony had come home to grab a little tv, to take back to the bank for everyone there to watch. I remember crying . ALL of those innocent people dying! ALL the loved ones left behind! I also remember being so scared! Not knowing what all of this meant?!
I remember today, but am not sad. With the recent death of a friend and now today's 10 year anniversary of 9/11, I choose to LIVE! Enjoy this very moment! Never take anything or anyone for granted!

GO T-Y-L-E-R!

Tyler had his first football game of the season! It was different cheering for him in green and white, at mine and Anthony's old junior high, and where Anthony also played football! The team did really good, they WON!Sadly, this is the ONLY shot I got of the game! They were just too far! I didn't even get to a picture of Tyler after the game! They ran off the field to the locker room, which was totally opposite of where we were :(Carli loved the cheerleaders! She stood, clap, and danced during the game! SURELY, I'll get a chance to take his picture in his uniform! I just have too!!

Carli school days and another trip to the dentist

She's still LOVIN' school! So much, that every morning as we're walking out the door, she makes me take her picture!On September first she went to the dentist to have the little piece of gum/tissue removed that was hanging between her two top front teeth. Shegot three stitches and did absolutely wonderful!

Sunday Funday

When it was time for the big game in town, we were so happy because it meant our friends were driving in and we would get to see them. While Lindsay and Cesar went to the game, Olivia and Julia stayed with us. The girls had a blast! They sure are growing so fast! Carli and Olivia play so differently now. Such big SCHOOL girls!We sure were glad to spend time with them! We've missed them!!

Happy Birthday Emily!

OUR precious, sweet, smart, funny, and gorgeous Emily is turning 12 today! We love you so much Emmie! Have a terrific birthday!Last year I used one of Anthony's favorite pictures of you on your birthday post. This year, I used two of my favorites. I love this one of you as a baby. I feel so honored getting to keep you everyday when you were born. And then the most recent one. I love it because it's of just us girls! Mommas and daughters!
I just can't believe you're a pre-teen and taller than me! What a awesome young lady you're becoming! God Bless you girlie!

Lunch Date

I picked my best friend up on her lunch break and we went to eat. Always FUN!

Happy Birthday Iris

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY IRIS! We sure enjoyed getting dressed up and coming to your fancy tea party!