Do Not Continue This Course of Conduct!

OK, So anyone else reading that title will not "get it"...but I know you will! And just to make it perfectly clear...Santa bags..."IN"...Course of Conduct..."OUT"!! I am getting excited...how about you??? Have you been a good boy and girls????? XXOO Mom, Ma, Mother, Mommy

What a blessing....

I was just sitting and thinking about what a blessing it is that we have 4 generations living under one roof!! I wish all of you...my littlebirds...could be here living under the roof of the BlessInn.

So little Cailyn is growing up with her Mommy, her Grandy, and her great Namby...her GP, and her great D'daddy...all under the same roof. What a wonderful experience!! Every day is an adventure.

I hope that she grows up knowing that she is well loved.

I hope that she grows up knowing that at any time any one of her Aunties, or her Uncle will be there for her.

I hope that she grows up knowing this is what it means to be a "family".

I hope that she grows up to be as respectful and caring, loving and giving as all of you.

I love you littlebirds, and I am so thankful that I have you in my life...maybe not under the same roof...but always in my heart.

And that is the biggest blessing of all! XXOO

Four Little Birds...all grown up!

Little Birds,

I just wanted to say thank you for being such wonderful children. You fill my life with such joy, love, and excitement for the future! I can not wait to see you all achieve your dreams.

Tomorrow I will celebrate what a privilege it is to be called your mother. I am so blessed because God chose you to be my children. I am so proud of each of you!

My heart is yours...forever.

Love, hugs and kisses,
Mom, Mama, Mother, Mommy

Things I Cannot Do

This is an oldie but goodie. It is especially good advice for parents to give their teenage children. I did not create it...but it is worth posting here for you to read. I love you all more than I can ever say in words. I hope that you know that. As a mom, the only things that I want for you are to be happy, healthy, and to know the Lord. I can not give you any of those things. They are all results of choices that you will make. Choose wisely! XXOO

I can share your life...but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things...but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions...but I cannot always lead you.

I can allow you freedom...but I cannot account for you.
I can take you to church...but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong...but I cannot decide for you.

I can give you love...but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend...but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share...but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect...but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can tell you the facts of life...but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about lofty goals...but I cannot achieve them for you.

I can teach you to obey...but I cannot answer for your actions.
I can warn you about sins...but I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as my child...but I cannot place you in God's family.

I can pray for you...but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus...but I cannot make him your Savior.
I can teach you about prayer...but I cannot make you pray.

I can tell you how to live...but I cannot give you eternal life.

The Six "B's"

I was working on giving "anemptynesthappens" a facelift whenI came across a cute little "blinkie". (It was entitled The Six "B's" and was posted at the top of the page when I wrote this...but have since changed it to another cute "blinkie".)

BE TRUE - I have been over this one with you already...no need for redundancy!

BE HUMBLE - There is nothing worse than someone who is "so full of themsleves". You know the type...I am certain you have crossed paths with one or two of these individuals in your lifetime...and believe me when I say you will run into a million more in the years to come! No one likes a "show-off". It is okay to know your strengths...and to be confident. But do not "toot your own horn".

BE PRAYERFUL - You will often hear people say "well, there's nothing else I can do but pray". I may have even been guilty of saying that myself. But here's the truth...praying should never be a last resort. Praying should be a constant in your life. Pray for anything...and everything...anyone...and everyone...any day...and every day!

BE GRATEFUL - Yep, I think I covered this too!

BE SMART - God gave each of you free will. That means that you will have the opportunity to make many choices throughout life. ALWAYS think before you speak...and think before you act. Take other people's feelings and the consequences of your actions into consideration.

BE CLEAN - This one I found funny...until I gave it some thought. I don't really think it means to make sure you have on clean underwear before you go out in case you are in an accident...although that is what your grandmother always told me! But how about this...keep your thoughts, words, and actions "clean". That way you will be sure to know that you ARE being the BEST person that you can be! XXOO

Don't Drink The Koolaid...

So, I was watching Oprah again...I know...I need a life...but I really enjoy her shows! :) Anyway...she mentioned the old saying "don't drink the koolaid". I am certain I never used that one when you were growing up.

It means..."don't do something just because everyone else is doing it"..."don't follow the crowd"..."don't buckle under to peer pressure"..."DON'T compromise who you are so that you can fit in".

In other words...ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF regardless of the circumstances you may find yourself in. After all, you will live your entire life either regretting or embracing the consequences of your actions.

My hope is that there are never any regrets...but if there are...you learned a valuable lesson along the way. XXOO

Gratitude Attitide

I have been reminded more often than I care to remember just how important it is to be grateful. You should not only be grateful, but learn to express that gratitude!

Live your life being truly grateful for what you do have, not dwelling on what you don't have. We recently have been through a most difficult time as a family...losing someone so precious and innocent. My heart still hurts every day. I cry more often than I care to admit. But in all of that pain, I am grateful for the times that I got to hold Carter. I am grateful that he touched my life in a way that no one else ever can....and that he was a part of me and filled my life with joy...even if for too short of a time. Although I can not begin to know how Carrie feels every day, the depth of her sadness, I pray that someday she can focus on the happy times with Carter and not the loss of him. XXOO

I am grateful for countless things in my life. When I focus on those things I am filled with a happiness that words can not express. In those times it takes a lot to make me sad or angry.

My great grandmother often said to me "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". Now while I did not understand why anyone would want to catch those pesky creatures, I did understand the underlying meaning. It is always better to deal with people in kindness and with a smile than to be unkind and a sourpuss. :) And if you are focusing on those things that you are grateful for it is easy to have a "gratitude attitude"...that can also be contagious. You will find that when you live with a happy, positive heart you will attract happy, positive energy from others.

And live longer, too! XXOO

Family

I was sitting here relaxing and watching some old Oprah shows from this past week and I started thinking about "family"...and what it means to be a part of a family.

We are VERY BLESSED to have such a large family with all the McCorkells and the Wilkinsons. I know that each of you understand that. Many children grow up never even getting to know a "great grandmother" or even a "grandmother", for that matter...let alone see them on a regular basis.

There isn't one bit of advice that I can give you about family...because you already "get it"! I am so extremely proud of each of you for your love, support and devotion to each member of our family...whether it is a sibling...a cousin...aunt...uncle...grandparent...or parent. I know that each of you knows that family comes first. You have shown me time and time again that you live with that uppermost in your minds at all times.

You have all grown up to be very special people with a great sense of "family" that just warms my heart. I love you all so much, and am so happy that God gave each of you to me to be my family. Thank you, God, for my four precious gifts!

XXOO

Friends

I have been blessed in my life with countless friends...those that I can go to at anytime, for anything...and they are there to support me, love me, set me straight or just give me a shoulder to cry on. I can not imagine going through life without a good friend...or two...or many!

Like most everything in life, it takes work to keep a friendship going. It is work that should be enjoyable and rewarding. If it is not, than that friendship is probably not the best of the best, but something more on the lines of being shallow. You can be "friendly" with many people, share enjoyable moments with many people, even consider them friends...but I do think that deep down inside you always KNOW which of them are your "true" friends, and which ones need or want something from you and therefore pose as a friend to get it.

To be a true friend you must be able to listen without interrupting when they have something they need to share with you...put your life on hold to help them in whatever way you can...be honest ALWAYS...be respectful...and most importantly DO NOT be judgemental. Believe me when I say that even your closest and dearest friend(s) will not agree with you on everything...and sometimes very little at all. If they are seeking advice or ask for your opinion...give it freely.

I have learned from my friends. I do not always agree with their viewpoints on things, but I have been able to learn from those differences. It is crucial to learn to "agree to disagree". After all, we are all individuals.

Do not ever lose your individuality in a friendship...or in any relationship, for that matter. Do not try to be someone you are not so that the friendship will work. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF!!! If you feel you need to change who you are...walk away from the friendship. It was not going to be long-lasting anyway...because they apparently were lacking in the friend qualities I listed above.

It is alright to take chances with friendships...and with your heart. Don't live in a bubble always being afraid to put your "true" self out there. We learn from all of our experiences...the good, the bad and the ugly!

Be a good friend....at all times.

As the saying goes..."Make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other gold". I have buckets full of silver and gold. My hope is that you all will one day also!

XXOO

There is never enough time

Littlebirds,
The one thing I have learned as I get older is that time moves more quickly. I really don't know why that is. I just know that when you were all small babybirds there were days that seemed to be neverending. Stressful days filled with tons of dirty diapers, runny noses, temper tantrums, booboos, tears....but always lots of hugs. Now the minutes, hours, days and years just fly by and I feel like I am missing out on so much. I miss your hugs! :(

Having three of you so far away from the "mothernest" is very hard for me. Yes, I want you to be strong independent individuals. And yes, I am VERY PROUD of how you have turned out, but I just wish I could be nearer to share in both your happy and sad moments.

I am hoping to use this blog to share a few of my thoughts with you. As I read Facebook, receive your texts and phone calls, and occasional emails I will add a few seeds of advice here for you to pick up when you are hungry.

I know, I am weird. :) But, I hope that you will land here once in a while just to see if I might just know a little bit about love and life...and that something that I say here gives your wings a little lift for the day.

I love you with all my heart...forever!
Mom, Momma, Mother, and sometimes still Mommy