Fear Not....

This truth changes EVERYTHING!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, no matter what your relationship status, know this:

There is a God that loves you. It's a constant love, a patient love, a deep love, an adoring love.....And He loves you JUST AS YOU ARE!

"I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3.

Rest in His Love for you today! Happy Valentine's Day!

2011: A Look Back

With 2012 just hours away, allow me to look back at a few highs and lows of 2011...

All of the family was healthy!
• Lexi and her Knockout softball tournament team played in several tournaments (and placed first in a few of them!)
• Austin began playing baseball....SO much fun to watch HIM have a blast!
• Lexi (finally) lost her two front teeth....Right before Christmas!
• Michael W. Smith's latest album "Glory" hit shelves....And it's incredible!
• I met another person that'll be one of my BFF's for life....Jamie, you rock!
• Keith Caldwell went Home...Miss him so much, but look forward to our reunion one day!
• The movie "Courageous" hit theatres and is still one of the best movies I've ever seen!
• Read the book "Heaven is Real" in (almost) one sitting....INCREDIBLE book!
• Randy Turner came to our church as our new Minister of Music- Love him! One of these days he's gonna get an entry all his own here-- you need to hear more about him!
• Liz and DK welcomed their baby girl Jordan Leigh into the world!
• My childhood best friend, Sally and her husband welcomed their second child, Jackson Wade into the world!
• Raised money for March of Dimes and "Team Kyle" for the second year in a row!
• I got up at 3:00 in the morning to watch the Royal wedding!!! STILL addicted to ANYTHING having to do with Kate and William!
• Rookie Blue!!!!! Good gracious, I LOOOVE that show. Click on the "Rookie Blue" tab to the right of this blog to read those entries...Can't WAIT until June and for season three to begin!
• Texting dates with Diana as we watched Rookie Blue together every Thursday and squealed over the Sam/Andy scenes!
• Going to a MercyMe concert with the Neville's!
• Ricki Lake and Derek Hough on Dancing with the Stars....LOVED THEM!!!
• Galveston vacation!
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2....WOW!
• Kyle Chandler FINALLY got his Emmy for Friday Night Lights!
• Friday Night Lights—One of the few quality shows left on television ends, but it ends well and ends on top!
• Flashpoint continues to WOW me every week and is second, only behind Rookie Blue in being my favorite shows!
• SHSU Football goes to the championship….Jan 7th. Eat ‘em up, Kats!
• Got to see the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time!

I have no idea what 2012 holds, but I move forward in confidence knowing that WHATEVER the coming year has in store, God's got it covered!

I wish all of you all of God's best in 2012....Let your light SHINE!

Belated Christmas Wishes

I know it's late, but.....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year....

From Our Family, To Yours!

Love!!!!!

I may be single, but I have a relentless Lover. He created the Heavens and the Earth and everything on it. And before and after all of that, the Creator of the Universe....Is madly and deeply in love.... With me. Wow.

Wanna know something else? He's madly in love with YOU as well!

"I have loved YOU with an everlasting love!" Jeremiah 31:3

Incredible feeling, isn't it! Soak it up....You are LOVED today and forever!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Remembering 2010

2010....What an amazing year:

*I got to see my favorite church youth minister and his family for the first time in ten plus years in February.
*Being part of "Team Kyle" and raising money for March of Dimes/March For Babies.
* Lexi lost her first tooth (and a second a month and a half later).
*We took an amazing family vacation to moody gardens in Galveston.
*Austin began going to "Big Church" with the rest of the family (and handles it very well every time).
*My first Casting Crowns concert.
*Raising money and participating as a "virtual rider" in the Dempsey Challenge for the second year in a row.
*Being active in KSBJ'S sharathon,
*Lexi's softball team placed fourth in the state tournament.
*VBS was a hit with our church (again).
*Our church (FINALLY....Praise God) got a new pastor.
*Austin got to ride a "buckin' bull" (no, not a real one).
*Lexi got her ears pierced.

...I could go on....It's been a year full of moments that made memories.


When I I look back years from now however, and someone mentions the year 2010, I think two memories will come instantly to mind for me:


**Liz Jordan's wedding. I've constantly said in this blog how highly I think of her and how much she inspires me. To be asked to be there on one of the most important days of her life meant so much. For once not to feel like just another listener to her radio station, but to feel as though she actually wanted me to be a part of her life, was an honor and moment I'll never forget. Please be in prayer for her and DK...They recently announced they are expecting their first child!


**Meeting Michael W. Smith. What can I say? This was a dream come true! A moment I had prayed YEARS for...And it exceeded ALL expectations! Never will I EVER forget that day!


I don't know what 2011 holds for me, or for you...But I do know that God's got it covered. So no matter what it holds, I'll trust Him. And I hope you will too....Because His best is ahead....For ALL of us!


Stay safe and God bless! Happy New Year!

Christmas 2010

Hello there blog readers! That is, if there is still anyone that reads this thing!

Let me start by saying that I hope all of you had a WONDERFUL Christmas filled with countless God filled moments as we celebrated His birth!

Ours was wonderful! No white Christmas this year, but we had fun all the same! It still amazes me when I see the awe and wonder in Alexis and Austin's eyes as they race down the stairs of my Aunt's home on Christmas morning to see what Santa left. It's a beautiful sight and I'm SO grateful I get to be there to see it!

Santa was good to me as well this year....I now have all of the current Harry Potter movies that are out on DVD, Season Four of Brothers & Sisters (ya know, back when Rob Lowe was a cast member and I actually got excited about the show...) Season Four of Friday Night Lights and Seasons One and Two of Flashpoint.

Let me just sat this about Flashpoint: After finishing the first season last night, I'm totally addicted....Oh. My. Gosh....LOOOOVE it!!!! I started watching in the middle of the third season which aired this summer so I hadn't seen the earlier episodes....I can't get enough now. Fabulous, on all fronts. Acting, writing, directing, you name it....Superb.

I also got four books that I had asked for one of which, Whoopi Goldberg's new one entitled, "Is It Me Or Is It Nuts Out There?" I started at the office today and have laughed out loud several times already.

Yes, it was a great Christmas indeed filled with the Presence of my Lord in every moment, big or small that was had. And I'm SO grateful that it is all because of HIM we celebrate!

Shall post more soon....Right now, Season Two of Flashpoint is begging to be started! ;-)

2009: A Look Back

I thought I would jot down some memorable moments of the past year. These are in no particular order. Enjoy the trip down my memory lane.

* Alexis started Kindergarten.

* Austin began going to pre-school full time.

* I began volunteering up at the Church every Friday.

* Mom, Dad, Kimberly, Justin, Lexi, Austin, Tazzie, and I all went to Galveston for a weekend and had a BLAST! We're making it a tradition and will be going back in 2010.

* Mom, Dad, and I went to Colorado for a week and are still in awe of God's beauty when we look at pictures. AND...Dad FINALLY saw his Colorado bear!

* Taylor Crocker was born.

* I got the surprise of a lifetime the day after my birthday (don't ask, won't tell)

* Michael W. Smith's "A New Hallelujah" came out and I fell in love with "Deep in Love with You"

* KSBJ was able to put their Listen Live feature back online.

* I discovered "Enation" and "Eyes of Grace" is now my favorite song of ALL time. A band that seeks God first!

* Lexi made a Home run during an All Stars softball tournament!

* Meredith and Derek got engaged in an elevator and "married" via post-it note on "Grey's Anatomy."

* I began to start enjoying "Brothers & Sisters" MORE than "Grey's Anatomy." (and the whole world gasps...I know).

* I deleted my Myspace account and jumped into the Facebook world.

* I got a twitter account.

* Jonathan Jackson returned to the role of Lucky on "General Hospital" after a TEN YEAR absence...And he and Becky Herbst still have what made me fall in love with them. And JJ continues to be sold out for Christ!

* Scott Reeves joined GH as Steven Webber and he and his wife Melissa have become two of my biggest inspirations because of the way they live their lives and seek God in all they do.

* I got an IPhone.

* Liz Jordan got engaged....LIVE on KSBJ.

* I watched and prayed while Patrick Dempsey raced in the 24 Hours of LeMans (yep, stayed up ALL night & still made it to church the next morning).

* I said "See ya later" to my Great Granny after she went to be with Jesus Christmas Eve.

* Trent and Ginny brought Ruthie home from China.

* It snowed like crazy while Kimberly, Mom & I were shopping in early December.

* We got a White Christmas while in Coppell for the holidays.

* My best friend since Kindergarten found out she was expecting her third child!

* I came to appreciate and be more grateful for my older sister and the relationship we have because at the end of the day, we're always going to be the only sisters we have.

All of the above things makes me thank God for His plan and for the simple things He has done that fill my heart. I pray that in 2010 I continue to fall more in love with Him and that I may reflect Him in all that I do.

I know there are AMAZING things ahead in 2010 and I pray that each of you have a year filled with God's best. May you know that you are loved and adored by Him, and I pray you seek Him in every way and that He reveals Himself to each of you in incredible ways in the coming year.

Love and hugs to all of you. God bless!

Mother's Day

There are two holiday's that I never expect anything....Valentine's Day, because, well, I'm single and have never had a valentine, hence, the reason I never expect anything. And Mother's Day because, I'm not a Mom. So you can probably imagine how touched I was when for the last two years I've gotten a Mother's Day card from Alexis and Austin. And every year, I tear up at that simple gesture and the incredible love and adoration I have for those two incredible kids. I'm so honored that God chose ME to be THEIR Aunt!

Kimberly, thank you for the things you do to make the day special for me as well as everyone else.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's and future Mom's out there!

Happy Easter!

To all the blog readers out there: Those that comment, and those that don't, those that I know well, or just know through blogging...I pray you and your family are enjoying this Easter day! What a day full of hope! Hope for today, tomorrow, and all the days ahead! BECAUSE HE LIVES!!!!!!!!!

Family Fun

Here are a few photos of me with my family as we get in the holiday spirit.





All the cousins together for a Thanksgiving Day photo.





Kimberly and I pause for a pose.



A few weeks ago we took a trip to Santa Wonderland in Bryan College Station (Taylor, I thought about you!). It was our second year to go and we all had a great time!





Picture perfect! Justin (my brother-in-law) snapped the picture at just the right time to catch us all looking at the camera and smiling!





Me with my brother-in-law Justin


Austin having a blast in the "snow."


Lexi was having a ball in the "snow" as well! The smiles on their faces are priceless!

Last weekend Alexis sang in the children's chior at the annual "Hanging of the Greens" at our church. She's the youngest one in the group and was a little nervous about singing in front of all those people. So, Mrs. Judy {the chior director) sat beside her and held her hand while she sang. Judy was also my teacher in fifth grade so she's very dear to me and my family. She ADORES Alexis (so much so that we have started calling her "Grandma Judy." and believe me, the feeling is mutual). Alexis did WONDERFUL!!! We were so proud of her and were grinning from ear to ear the entire time she sang!


Getting ready to sing.


Focussed on the assistant director.


She smiled the entire time she was singing! It was SO precious!


Alexis and Grandma Judy! Quite a pair!

Thanksgiving 2008

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone for another year. It's amazing to me that we spend so much time getting ready...Cooking, cleaning, etc and it's over with so quickly! However, I had SUCH a great time!

Thursday morning, my dad and I got up before daylight, got dressed and drove out and picked up Kimberly and Alexis. We then went to my dad's pasture and did what we call "hunting" but fear not, no animals are ever hurt...That's because we sit there and talk and laugh so much that no animal dare gets close. We don't even bring anything to "hunt with. Although, surprisingly enough, we did see a doe which thrilled Lexi. Once she had seen her deer, she was ready to come home. Kimberly and I have gone every year for as long as I can remember. The only year we didn't go was the year Lexi was born because she was so tiny so we chose to go out to breakfast instead. We just make sure we do something just to have some father/daughter time. Last year was Lexi's first year to join us and now it's tradition that she comes too.

Once our "hunt" was over, we all headed home to shower and get ready for the family to arrive. Once they did...It was nonstop action and tons of fun. I really can't help out a lot in the kitchen because so much is going on and me and my wheels can get in the way. I helped Kimberly set out the desserts and then sat in the kitchen and talked with everyone while lunch was getting ready. We really do have a lot of fun in the kitchen. Lunch was great! After lunch, most of us tend to float to different rooms chatting and telling stories, just catching up and then later in the afternoon we head outside for pictures....It's always entertaining trying to get Austin to stay still long enough to get his picture taken, but at least he was happy to be out there! Around dark the family headed home with the exception of my mom's younger brother, his wife and their two kids.

Friday morning, My mom, aunt, Kimberly, Lexi, (Austin stayed home with his Daddy this year...Believe me, he enjoyed it there much more than with us) Landon (my cousin) and I all piled in the van and headed for the woodlands (don't worry, we may be crazy enough to go shopping that particular day, but we're not up at 4 a.m. we headed out around 9:45 so we're only semi nuts). We had a productive day...Lots of Christmas shopping got done and we had a blast together! This was the first time in MANY years that Kimberly's been able to go with us, she previously worked at the Holiday House the Friday after Thanksgiving and now since it has closed she was free to come. It was so great to have her with us...I recently realized just how much I laugh when I'm around my sister. I laugh a lot anyway, but get us together and she cracks me up! She really is SO much fun and is so hysterical (I see things that probably only crack me up because I'm her sister). I think I enjoyed this year even more because she was with us.

On the way home we were already on the road when Kimberly thought about getting Lexi in her PJ's in case she fell asleep on the way home. She was already in what we like to call "the zone" where she's staring off into space right before falling asleep so we had to get creative so we could keep her awake long enough to get to a well lit parking lot so we could pull over and get her changed. So, my aunt Becca and Landon started singing Christmas songs until we could pull over. After that was done, instead of stopping, the singing just continued and included an absolutely hysterical version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Each one of us had a part and poor Mom NEVER got her part "six geese a'laying" right....What she came up with each time had us all laughing SO hard it was unbelievable. We were laughing so hard we were crying! And that was the thing we referred back to for the rest of the weekend and would laugh all over again every time. Needless to say, Lexi stayed awake the entire ride home and was totally wound up by the time we pulled in the driveway.

It was crazy around here but we love it. I realize I am one of the few who is blessed enough to have grown up being really close to my extended family. My aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even great grandmothers...Some of them are gone now but I realize how rare that is to have known BOTH of my great grandmothers and to have one that is still here to celebrate with us. I definitely don't take it for granted and am SO thankful! It's memories like the ones we made this year that will be talked about for years to come!

I hope YOUR Thanksgiving was just as wonderful!