The Graduate.....

                                                Kayla, May the good Lord be with you
                                                  Down every road that you roam
                                                 And may sunshine and happiness
                                              Surround you when you're far from home
                                         And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true
                                        And do unto others as you'd have done to you
                                                       Be courageous and be brave
                                                   And in my heart you'll always stay
                                                     Forever young, forever young.......

And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young

(That Rod Stewart is a wise man ; ) )

I love you with all my heart my sweet graduate.....and am SOOOO very proud of you!!!

Congrats 2011 Seniors!!

Congrats to the 2011 Seniors! I am so proud of you guys!!! You are the "Alien Youth".... the "Chosen Generation"! I know you will make the world a better place........ so go rock the world with your awesomeness!!!

Thank you for allowing me to photograph this special time in your life!

God Bless!

          

                      

Known around the world...

Oh, my son is going to be so mad at me for this one!!!!..... Ha Ha Ha!

Mom

I made this video for my mom last mother's day. I came across it on youtube the other day and I had to resend it over to her.
This video means so much to us cause it is compiled of video footage from our favorite movies (each clip reminds me of my mom) , favorite song and pictures of me and my brothers. My mom and I laughed over the phone about how others who may watch this video might not "get it"....and think my mom is a screamer! Ha! Well, maybe she was from time to time.... but you see... my mom has bi-polar and if you messed with her kids, you were going to hear it!

Mom, I know having bi-polar disorder has been a struggle, but I wouldn't want you any different than the way you are. To me you are perfect! I love everything about you and am so blessed to call you Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

A Mother's love

God gave mother's the most amazing gift...... the ability to experience unconditional love.

Would a mother not sacrifce her own life to save the life of her child? Does a mother not forgive her little one when they say "I'm sorry"  (she even forgives when they don't apologize)? Do you think a Mother stops loving her children just because they make a bad choice? The answer is "No" to these questions.

Hmmm... does this not sound a lot like the way Jesus love us?

The Reason

Jesus, thank you for dying for me..... for forving me for all the bad choices I have made.... for all the people I have hurt.. for taking away my shame.. and washing away my sins (which you have to wash away daily). Thank you for teaching me love... compassion and forgivness.

I will NEVER be a perfect person.... but the ONLY reason I am who I am today.... is because of you.

"The Reason"

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you       
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

and the reason is You

Get the ugly girl to marry you.

 This is my deep in thought, editing face......Cute, huh? Ha Ha Ha!

Letters Home from the Garden of Stone

As I looked up at the "so called" super moon we had the other night. It reminded me of  the times when I used to gaze at that same moon  and wonder where exactly my brother was at that moment. Was he in the mountains of Afghanistan...... in a tank.... on a mission...... gaurding the base.... in combat? As I would admire the beautiful twinkling stars, I would picture him looking up at them too. My heart would fill with worry. Was he scared.... lonely...... did he have any regrets...did he agree with his mission..... what all did he see? I know I will always wonder.... but I know I'll never ask.


"Letters from the Garden of Stone" by Everlast will always make me think of my brother.

One Love!

If the world was filled with a little more love and a little less hate......oh, what a world that would be!

Love on a soldier today!!!

Almost two years ago to the date, my sister-n-law and I waved goodbye to my brother as his deployment bus passed us by. I can't tell you how many tears were shed that day....not just by me and my sis-n-law ...... but by all the families that were standing alongside of us.

I think I listened to the song "Angel" by Sarah Mclachlan a hundred times that day!

Please love on a soldier today and tell them "Thank you" when you see them. It's the least we can do to honor them as they sacrafice so much for our freedom!  They deserve it.....and so do the families that anxiously await their return!

Hazy shade of winter

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. ~Pietro Aretino

My Best Friend

So, I go check the mail and there was a "Mother's Day" card from my best friend, "B".

It was the sweetest card ever! Really made my day! I thought this was a perfect time to say a few things about how much my best friend means to me!

Well, we have been BFF's for 18 years. Wow... I didn't even realize it was that long.. man, I am getting old!! lol

A best friend is someone you can turn to for anything. They always tell you that your right... even when you are totally wrong! They lift you up when you are down. They are ALWAYS there when you need them. They praise you during the best times of your life and hold your hand during the worst. They always have your back no matter what!

A best true best friend is a real treasure and I have that will "B"

Love you "B"... I couldn't imagine my life without ya!!! : )




Oh, and a best friend loves ya even when you have stupid bangs and a horrible haircut!! lol

Me and "B" 17 years ago!

"Forever Young"

Yesterday my daughter went to prom. She was so beautiful! I literally cried...and I believe I saw my husband get a little teary eyed himself.

I want my daughter to be "Forever Young"....and forever in this wonderful moment.

P.S. Hair and makeup... done by me!!! : )

The Reason

I found a reason to change who I used to be...and the reason is JESUS!!

Happy Easter to everyone! May we all remember the REAL reason we celebrate this holiday!

Members Only!

When my grandpa (aka "Daddy Billy") passed away last Oct. I asked my grandmother if I could have his "Members Only" jacket. My Daddy Billy, always wore this jacket..... always!! There was no way I was going to let this little windbreaker make it to the "good will" pile....... uh.... the thought of this jacket ending up in the hands of someone who would not appreciate it just crushed me........... so........I am now the official last "Member" and I am proud of it!!!!