Scripture Shutdown!

Last night I found myself wishing things were different. More specifically, that everything about ME was different. And I'm not just talking about physically. I basically wanted a whole different PERSON to embody me last night. I was frustrated on a lot of different levels that I'll save for another post perhaps.

I prayed and found myself even frustrated there. I sent off a text to my TX brother (because sometimes you just need some brotherly love...And I hadn't talked to him in awhile) telling him in short concise sentences that I was frustrated and wished everything about me were different. I then threw my phone on the desk and stormed off to the kitchen, not really hungry, but thought the act of opening and slamming cabinet doors in search of food, might help the pent up emotion.

A few minutes later I returned to my room (with no food) and waiting for me was a text message full of encouragement backed up by bible verses that stopped me in my tracks and effectively shut down my pity party. You can't argue stuff the Creator says about you, or at least I didn't want to TRY in that moment.

These are the kind of people I have in my life....People that breathe God into me when I can't seem to find Him on my own. I not only found myself humbled and comforted, but really thankful! The last sentence of the text did me in:

"You are loved and you are perfect."

Perhaps we should ALL let that one sink in!

Time Flies......

The saying, "They grow up so fast" used to cause me to roll my eyes. Until eight years ago. Now, I get it. I totally get it.

Happy Birthday, Alexis!

It's an honor to be your Aunt, and I thank God every single day for that privilege! Words can't describe how much you mean to me. Love you to the moon and back, Ladybug!

Happy 4th Birthday, Kyle!

Four years ago this little guy came into the world....WAY too early! Upon hearing the news, this entire town it seemed hit our knees and prayed for a miracle for this sweet boy born at just 23 weeks!

Today. as he celebrates his fourth birthday, I'm once again reminded how big our God is, and how prayer changes things! Who knew someone so tiny could hold such a grip on my heart! So proud to be a part of TEAM KYLE!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Ten Years Ago: I Danced.

Ten years ago today, my sister got married. While it was a day I know SHE will never forget, it also holds a particularly special memory for me as well:

The wedding had been beautiful. I had been honored to stand beside my sister as her Maid of Honor while she pledged her love to the man of her dreams. And now, the reception was in full swing. The dance floor was packed and I watched as my sister enjoyed her first hours as a wife. As I sat there taking everything in and laughing at some joke my younger cousin had just told me, I heard a voice behind me ask, "May I have this dance?" I looked up, thinking someone was asking the person behind me for a dance. Instead, there stood one of our close family friends, his hand out stretched, asking ME to dance.

He and my sister had graduated together, and now, both his parents worked at SHSU where I was in my second year of college. The family had watched me grow up. I'd never been particularly close to their son, because he was my sister's age and ran with her crowd. And yet, here he was, beckoning me to the dance floor.

It was the first time ANYONE had EVER asked me to dance.

I stared and stuttered for a minute, thanking him for being so kind and declined his offer, telling him, "I don't dance because...." he stopped me mid-explanation and said, "I promise, I won't let you fall. Please, dance with me." I looked around to see if this was some ploy my family or his had put him up to. Each of them were were chatting with other guests, not anywhere close to us, and oblivious to the request he had put before me. I stared at him for a second to see if he was serious, and the look on his face told me he was prepared to convince me further should need be. "I promise.... " he said once more. I smiled nervously and finally nodded. I stood as he led me to the dance floor. Once there, he rolled my walker out of the way and held me as we danced to "We've Got Tonight."

It was one of the few moments I felt just like everybody else. If you didn't know me, and you saw the two of us on the dance floor, you wouldn't know I was disabled. On the other hand, while I felt like everyone else, I also felt like the most cherished person in the room during that moment. I've never felt more safe and secure in my life than I did when we danced. My nerves and insecurities faded and I was just a girl dancing with a guy.

I looked over his shoulder to see my family (and his) in tears at the two of us dancing. That dance created a bond between the two that I share with no one else.

Our friendship was cemented with that dance. He has since become one of my closest friends. He's protective, and will jump to my defense in a hot second. He's the person I would call at 2 a.m. to come hold my hand during an emergency (and he'd talk to me on the phone till he got there). And he'll be the "other guy" that will have to approve of the guy who asks for my hand in marriage (my Dad being the first, of course). He does things that I've always imagined a big brother would do for his little sister. We don't talk every day, or even every week, but he leaves no doubt that he's there, looking out for me.

And it all started with a guy that took a chance in asking me to dance, and in doing so, gave me a forever memory to go back to in the rough times, and created a friendship that will last forever. He showed me I was worth the effort.

He promised he wouldn't let me fall...... And ten years later, he's still keeping that promise!

One Year Ago: A Prayer Answered!

CLICK HERE to read what happened one year ago today!

Play Ball!

Last week, Austin played his first ever t-ball game!

Let me tell you, if ALL of us had as much fun doing WHATEVER it is we do on a daily basis as Austin did out there on that field....We would have fewer bad days! He had the time of his life....And he was GOOD too!

Thanks Prince Charming, for not only showing me how to play on the field, but off as well....All we have to do is "Have some fun out there!"

I Have A Small Idea About Where This Came From....

Last night, I had a dream that Patrick Dempsey was involved in an undercover operation with the people that live across the street from me. Unfortunately, I blew his cover when he came out of the house and I casually said, "Hey Patrick!"

Clearly, I watch entirely too many cop dramas on T.V.