Somedays it seems like yesterday and others a lifetime ago - I was 4 and crying as Mom and Dad left me with the neighbors to venture off to the hospital so that Sam could make his grand appearance. It was different back then, we were 3000 miles from home and just the 3 (and then 4) of us. WOW....
So much has happened over the last 37 years. Yep, Mom's baby is 37 today. It's hard to believe. He's all grown up and a Dad himself. An awesome one if I must say so myself.
All of you know I think the world of this boy. Now, that wasn't always the case, I am sure, but to look at him today and see the son, brother, husband and father he has become makes me feel so blessed that he (in a small way) is mine.
Don't get me started on the friend Sam can be. It's hard to find a friend as loyal and giving and trusting as him. (almost makes him sound like a puppy) but see, that's it. Sam's friendship is totally unconditional, he will be a friend "just because" - and never ask for a thing in return.
Most people look up to their older siblings, I look up to "the Baby." If I can live my life and be half the person my brother is - then I am successful.
Mom and Dad did an awesome job raising him and I have no doubts, he's doing an awesome job raising his little ones.
Happy Birthday Little Brother! I love you!
shelly
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
It's not the Dewberry Festival without a tornado warning
What an awesome weekend. We were blessed to be with old and new friends as we cooked at the Dewberry Festival.
Friday, was typical. About 5:30 the tornado sirens went off around the area. The TV and radio were interrupting with that lovely severe weather beep... Now, for those of you who know me, you're thinking - "Shelly was freaking out." Well, you WRONG! For the first time ever, I was very calm and collective, and I realized what I've put all of you through over the years. I found on Friday that my beautiful little niece has one of my traits... She is TERRIFIED of bad weather. So, the maternal instinct in me kicked in and I had to keep her calm.
We were cooking the chili and when that weather bulletin came on the TV, I saw a tiny little me in the room. As I was trying to explain to her that it was all okay, Mom called. Thank goodness, because I was running out of things to say that could make it better. She went in to the bedroom and talked to mom just as her little friends runs in the camper door yelling that there was a tornado in Buckholts (a town about 12 miles away). I did ask them not to use that word, since Presley was worried about the tornado coming to us. So, mom has her calmed down and she goes outside to play as child #2, the nephew, comes running in and asking me if the tornado was going to come get us... I told him "no" and we looked at the TV screen as I was showing him that it was going around us, not coming to us. He smiled and said "Good, cuz I don't want to get blowed away." Now, how cute is that???
We ended up missing all of the bad weather and Saturday morning was BEAUTIFUL!
My oldest and dearest friend, Diana, and her family joined us this year. We had a great time. You know, we would spend every waking minute together back in the day. We don't get to see each other often, but being together this weekend was as if no time had passed. It was awesome! I am hoping to make this an annual thing.
Our good friends Ricky and Linda drove up from Bryan, so we were able to visit with them too! Now, sad thing is they had to drive 50 miles to see us when we live in the same town... We need to work on that!
So, the cookoff - we didn't win, but we were in the top 20 with our beans and brisket. That is great considering there were 65 teams!
I took today off work in order to clean everything up from the weekend. It is by far the most fun cookoff, but it's exhausting. We thought about coming home Saturday night, but there was no way I was coming home to unload that truck! We stayed with Dad and then came home after breakfast.
I realized that I didn't even get to go look at all of the arts and crafts booths. I also forgot to go get my free frisbee from Sondra! Which reminds me, I need to go see the JP today about that ticket... Lovely....
Friday, was typical. About 5:30 the tornado sirens went off around the area. The TV and radio were interrupting with that lovely severe weather beep... Now, for those of you who know me, you're thinking - "Shelly was freaking out." Well, you WRONG! For the first time ever, I was very calm and collective, and I realized what I've put all of you through over the years. I found on Friday that my beautiful little niece has one of my traits... She is TERRIFIED of bad weather. So, the maternal instinct in me kicked in and I had to keep her calm.
We were cooking the chili and when that weather bulletin came on the TV, I saw a tiny little me in the room. As I was trying to explain to her that it was all okay, Mom called. Thank goodness, because I was running out of things to say that could make it better. She went in to the bedroom and talked to mom just as her little friends runs in the camper door yelling that there was a tornado in Buckholts (a town about 12 miles away). I did ask them not to use that word, since Presley was worried about the tornado coming to us. So, mom has her calmed down and she goes outside to play as child #2, the nephew, comes running in and asking me if the tornado was going to come get us... I told him "no" and we looked at the TV screen as I was showing him that it was going around us, not coming to us. He smiled and said "Good, cuz I don't want to get blowed away." Now, how cute is that???
We ended up missing all of the bad weather and Saturday morning was BEAUTIFUL!
My oldest and dearest friend, Diana, and her family joined us this year. We had a great time. You know, we would spend every waking minute together back in the day. We don't get to see each other often, but being together this weekend was as if no time had passed. It was awesome! I am hoping to make this an annual thing.
Our good friends Ricky and Linda drove up from Bryan, so we were able to visit with them too! Now, sad thing is they had to drive 50 miles to see us when we live in the same town... We need to work on that!
So, the cookoff - we didn't win, but we were in the top 20 with our beans and brisket. That is great considering there were 65 teams!
I took today off work in order to clean everything up from the weekend. It is by far the most fun cookoff, but it's exhausting. We thought about coming home Saturday night, but there was no way I was coming home to unload that truck! We stayed with Dad and then came home after breakfast.
I realized that I didn't even get to go look at all of the arts and crafts booths. I also forgot to go get my free frisbee from Sondra! Which reminds me, I need to go see the JP today about that ticket... Lovely....
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Springtime...A new beginning
I love Spring. It's my favorite season of the year. The grass turns green, the trees start blossoming and the flowers start blooming. It's so appropriate that Easter happens in Spring. It's like a rebirth of everything beautiful.
I wanted to write this blog about happy stuff, but I just can't seem to get there. I recently read a blog posting that made me think of Tiffany and the boys. Kristin Cooper is a young widow in College Station whose husband was killed in an automobile accident on December 29. A driver crossed the middle of a country highway and hit them head on as they were traveling to Dallas for the birth of their new niece, luckily their 2 year old was not in the vehicle. The other driver was texting. I know I probably talk on the phone while driving and shouldn't, but I can't for a minute figure out how anyone thinks they can text and drive.
Kristin has a lot of faith in God, and as we have all said over the last few weeks, we know HE has a plan. What happened to Little David is part of that plan, and Kristen believes what happened to Chirs is part of that plan. As Sam pointed out, who are we to question HIS plan???
I've felt selfish lately. We are coming up on the 6 month aniversary (Sunday) of Dad's heart attack. Every morning I wake up and thank God for the new day and the opportunity to be able to call and talk to Dad if I need to do that. Every night I go to bed and thank God for keeping my family safe that day. I can't lie to any of you. I pray much more now than I did 6 months ago. I cannot imagine for one minute my life without that man. He is my world, and even my husband will tell you that. I love Dave, but a girl only has one Daddy.
So, why is Dad still here? God wasn't ready for him. He still has work to do here on Earth - you know, like fixing golf carts, working on BBQ pits, helping with catering jobs, keeping mom in line, spoiling those grandkids, oh this list could go on forever - but you get my drift. I overheard the "men" talking the morning of David's accident. They didn't know I was listening, but I was. One of them simply said "It would be easier if it had been one of us, we've lived our lives." Not really, death is never easy, but then again, why is it that a man who has lived a full life can have his spared, while one just beginning his journey is taken so suddenly? It really makes no sense, but it makes those of us left realize just how precious this life is.
If anyone is interested, Kristin's blog can be found at www.kristinwcooper.blogspot.com. It's truly inspirational and for those of you who think I can write, you haven't seen anything. This is a woman whose faith is guiding her through every day right now. She should be an inspiration to all of us.
With all of the tragedy lately, we should all step back ,take a look and count our numerous blessings. It's Springtime after all... We have so much to look forward to right now. There's finishing up Spring Break, The Jr. Livestock show for the kids, Easter, and let's not forget - BBQ Cook-off season is upon us.
I am already a little happier just thinking about it!
Shelly
I wanted to write this blog about happy stuff, but I just can't seem to get there. I recently read a blog posting that made me think of Tiffany and the boys. Kristin Cooper is a young widow in College Station whose husband was killed in an automobile accident on December 29. A driver crossed the middle of a country highway and hit them head on as they were traveling to Dallas for the birth of their new niece, luckily their 2 year old was not in the vehicle. The other driver was texting. I know I probably talk on the phone while driving and shouldn't, but I can't for a minute figure out how anyone thinks they can text and drive.
Kristin has a lot of faith in God, and as we have all said over the last few weeks, we know HE has a plan. What happened to Little David is part of that plan, and Kristen believes what happened to Chirs is part of that plan. As Sam pointed out, who are we to question HIS plan???
I've felt selfish lately. We are coming up on the 6 month aniversary (Sunday) of Dad's heart attack. Every morning I wake up and thank God for the new day and the opportunity to be able to call and talk to Dad if I need to do that. Every night I go to bed and thank God for keeping my family safe that day. I can't lie to any of you. I pray much more now than I did 6 months ago. I cannot imagine for one minute my life without that man. He is my world, and even my husband will tell you that. I love Dave, but a girl only has one Daddy.
So, why is Dad still here? God wasn't ready for him. He still has work to do here on Earth - you know, like fixing golf carts, working on BBQ pits, helping with catering jobs, keeping mom in line, spoiling those grandkids, oh this list could go on forever - but you get my drift. I overheard the "men" talking the morning of David's accident. They didn't know I was listening, but I was. One of them simply said "It would be easier if it had been one of us, we've lived our lives." Not really, death is never easy, but then again, why is it that a man who has lived a full life can have his spared, while one just beginning his journey is taken so suddenly? It really makes no sense, but it makes those of us left realize just how precious this life is.
If anyone is interested, Kristin's blog can be found at www.kristinwcooper.blogspot.com. It's truly inspirational and for those of you who think I can write, you haven't seen anything. This is a woman whose faith is guiding her through every day right now. She should be an inspiration to all of us.
With all of the tragedy lately, we should all step back ,take a look and count our numerous blessings. It's Springtime after all... We have so much to look forward to right now. There's finishing up Spring Break, The Jr. Livestock show for the kids, Easter, and let's not forget - BBQ Cook-off season is upon us.
I am already a little happier just thinking about it!
Shelly
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