One Mistake at a Time

Wow...if I had a nickle for every mistake I've made in my life I could buy that house at the beach! Geesh...and that would just be from the little mistakes. I'd have that beach house AND one for each of you, too, if the big mistakes paid a quarter!

Here's the thing about mistakes. We "make" them...and therefore are "made" by them. Mom, you say, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? With every mistake we learn something about ourselves...whether it was 'boy that was really stupid, I won't do that again'...or 'I got through that one so I am stronger than I thought"...or 'I'm worth more than I allow myself to believe'...or 'I know that doesn't work so I won't spend my precious time trying to figure it out'.

When we fall we get up...take a moment to look around and see who may have witnessed our embarrassing moment...brush ourselves off...stand tall...and start moving forward again. And each time we do that we get up faster...look around less...stand taller and start moving ahead more quickly. We get stronger with each mistake which builds our character. We become who we are because of those mistakes and the lessons learned by them.

As long as we live we will continue to make mistakes. Hopefully, not the same ones twice! And by doing this we will continue to build our characters...one mistake at a time.

I LOVE EACH OF YOU...ALWAYS AND FOREVER!
XXOO Mom, Mommy, Momma, Mother

Goals for the New Year

Work hard

Love all

Show kindness

Set your priorities

Reach high to achieve your goals

NEVER GIVE UP!

Know that I am always here for you...ALWAYS.

XXOO

Perfect Christmas

Thank you for a perfect Christmas! The only thing that could have possibly made it more perfect would have been having Carter with us. :(

It was so much fun having you all here and celebrating in a big way! I wish we had more opportunities to do that. Hopefully in June we can get together to celebrate Leigh's birthday. Let's work towards that, ok?

Love you all so much!!! Hope that in 2011 all your dreams are fulfilled! If they are, than mine will be for sure!

XXOO Mom, Momma, Mother, Ma, Mommy

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.