Things I have learned...

As I am sitting here reflecting on my weekend away and getting ready to go home tomorrow, here are just a few of the things I have learned:

• No matter the distance between friends... things are always the same when you are reunited. It is truly like no time has passed, and you are together on a daily basis like you used to be.
• As we get older, we do not have the ability to stay out as long as we used to.  Yes... it is now 7:14 p.m. and we are both exhausted and ready for sleep.
• As you reminisce about the events spanning over the last 15-20 years... they are even funnier now than they were before.  
• We used to drink Irish Car Bombs and Lemon Drops... now, a simple glass of wine is perfect.
• As we have watched our kids grow up, and we are much closer to the grandkid side of life than the kid side - we have decided we will never will be called Granny, Nanny, MeMaw, or MawMaw - we will be called Coco and Honey.  
• After being exposed to a group of young 20 something's at a spa - we are hoping our 20 something's don't act that way and IF they do - hopefully someone will correct their actions. 
• There are some images in life that you will never erase from your mind (can't even go into detail on what we were exposed to at above mentioned spa).
• I am very blessed to have friends who love me unconditionally and accept me for who I am.
• And last but not least... laughter is definitely good for the soul.

These are just a few of the things at the top of the list. Now... I am preparing to get back to work, and go home to all my loved ones that I miss. We have definitely made lots of new memories for us to laugh about for many more years to come!! 

Reflecting on friends...

As I look back at my life, and I look at the friends I have made- there are truly some friendships that I will treasure for a lifetime.   There are friends who have been with me through thick and thin - births, deaths, divorce and everything in between.   There have been the friends who are only there when things benefit them, and there are friends who would give their all for you.   The beauty of friendship - is that you do not have to agree all the time.  There is no possible way that everyone will ALWAYS agree with each other.  The more you love people, the more prone you are to hurting people also.  Those are the ones that know which buttons to push and how to get a rise out of you.  Just because you do not agree with a person's actions - does not, under any circumstances, mean you do not still love them.  Most of my friends are different from me - and I am very thankful for that! With that being said, I respect  my friends opinions that are different than mine. I do not want to surround myself that are just like me.  This is the beauty  of life - there are all kinds of people, with all kinds of personalities.  Everyone has different opinions!

As part of human nature - we will all be hurt from time to time.  We will all disappoint ourselves and we will definitely disappoint others. The true friendships are the ones that weather the storms. They are the ones who realize everyone has a difference of opinion - as it is respected because of the mutual love they have for one another. The friends who can sit down with you, and talk your differences out are the ones that are "keepers".  They are the ones you can turn to, and you know they are always there! As we get older - we realize we have fewer friends than we think, and we realize it is the ones who love us (flaws and all) are the ones we want by our side!

There are childhood friends, high school friends and college friends, and then... I am blessed enough to have my sweet Kappa Delta sisters as well.  When God was putting all these people in my life 25+ years ago - I am certain He knew what He was doing, and knew that I would need these ladies later in life.

I am very grateful and have been very blessed to have amazing friends and I thank God for them every day!

Peace...

This morning, as I sit here - I am thinking about all the change that has happened in my life in the last eight years...all of the changes my kids have been through.  For those who know me, know that I do NOT like change.  Change happens for many reasons.  Some change you choose, some change you have no control over.  Change can be the result of finding love again, and moving into the next chapter of your life or a new job OR change can be a result of a broken marriage, it can be the result of your kids turning away from you, or it can be from an illness such as cancer.  As changes (big or small) happen, we tend to worry about them first and then turn to God.

When things happen in our lives, God doesn't promise that He will "fix" everything, He promises that He will give us peace. This does not mean our marriage will be repaired, it doesn't mean that we will be given a cure for cancer, and it doesn't mean it will bring your kids home.  What it does mean is that God will be with us as we go through these times.  We will feel His presence, hear His voice, and feel His love.  In Phillipians 4:6-7, the Bible tells us..."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

In order for you to be allowed to feel God's peace, we must be willing to hand our problems over to Him.  We must allow Him to be in control, and simply seek to do His will.  Although, this seems like such a simple task - we all know it is not!  So, I would challenge each of you this week - hand your worries over to Him, and have an open mind and heart to see what He has in store for you!  I can guarantee you, His plans are greater than your own!

Blessings in disguise...

So, let me just start off by saying... I am sitting here writing this morning, after not having much sleep and possibly ready to beat the cutest dog around (that would be Lily).  I have approximately a million random thoughts running through my mind, and can't even focus. So... there is no telling what may possibly end up in this post.

The past six months have been all about helping people.  For anyone who knows me, they know that I do not tell anyone "no".  I tend to say yes to everything, over extend myself, and then wonder why I totally exhausted and cranky at times.  Then there are the times, that you help people and you know you have done the right thing whether others agree or not.  You are doing what you believe in the core of your being is right. You  see, I believe that we all have times in our lives when we will need something. It may not be a major event ~ it may be that we need a simple hug, or it may be that we need an ear to listen. I would like to think that in the time of need, those people will be there for me.  Although, I am not so naive to believe that it will happen.  As I get older, I tend to care less about what people think of me.  I do not do for others for recognition in any sort.  I help others, simply because that is what I do.   When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, one (rather large) family in particular ended up in Hendersonville, TN.  I contacted the hotel they were staying at, to see what their needs may be.  As I organized and prepared dinners for this group, I realized that I was the one who would be truly blessed by them!  They had an incredible story, and they were the epitome of what a family should be. They showed me what true love in a family is and should be. Over the next several weeks and months, my family got to know them and we fell in love with them.  In the process of giving them what they needed, God blessed me and my kids with lifelong friends.  I saw this quote the other day, and it is so true:

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands ~ one for helping yourself, and one for helping others" ~ Audrey Hepburn

I guess the point of this today is ~ help someone!  From my experience, you will get 100 times more out of it, than the person you are helping and you will be the one who is blessed!

Things I have learned...

Sitting in my happy place (my kitchen) this morning ~ there are about a million random thoughts running through my head.  So... I'm not even sure where to start.  It seems as I get older, I am constantly reminded of how short life really is.   I have friends fighting for their lives, saying good-bye to loved ones and everything in between.  Not only are these things happening around me, but I look at my kids and realize they are growing up as well.  I look at them and simply wonder, "How did this happen?"... they are almost grown, and their days in my house are truly limited.  I have tried to teach my kids to be respectful, love others, give unconditionally, be happy and above all else... live a Christian life and love God.   Now... I understand although these things sound simple ~ they are not.  They are not easy for adults, much less kids.  I have also learned as I get older, my mom is a lot wiser than I ever gave her credit for.  She has truly taught our family what loving unconditionally means.  So... with all of this being said, here are a few of the things I have learned:

• Just because you are older, does not mean you are wiser.
• The little things in life are normally the ones that matter most.
• Never underestimate the power of a smile and hug.
• Words can be forgiven, but not forgotten.
• Laughter is truly the best medicine.
• Family is not always blood.
• Be thankful for everything, and take nothing for granted.
• A simple good morning can change a person's day.
• God put people in our lives for a reason.
• Never miss a chance to tell someone you love them ~ you don't know if you will have that chance again.

These are just a few things, that I have learned along on the way.  Please feel free to comment, and tell me what you have learned.  You never know what others are going through - and you might have words of wisdom to help them out.  So, for today... go give an unsuspecting person a hug, or tell them you love them ~ it might just make their day!

Choices...

As I look back over choices I have made ~ there are some that I am proud of and there are some that I am not.  We all make choices on a daily basis.  We choose our friends, we choose where we want to work, we choose our actions, we choose to give others love and respect,  and most importantly ~ we choose our words.  There are some things you can take back or change if you are not happy with the choice you made, but... your words can never be changed.  Words have the ability to hurt and destroy people, or they have the ability to encourage and build others up! Proverbs 16:24 says. "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."  What would happen, if every day we chose to encourage and give compliments - instead of tearing down others?  In everything we do we have a choice ~ we can do it our way or we can do it God's way!  Can you imagine how our lives would be different if we lived our lives His way, instead of our way? Just imagine what our blessings would be!

We all make mistakes (I know I do) and none of us are perfect ~ but if we stop and consider our choices, maybe we would hurt less and be happy more.  As we make our way into the new year, I encourage everyone to choose their words wisely. Choose to build up, compliment, encourage ~ and imagine the difference you could make!

New year... new beginnings

As the New Year approaches, I have been looking back at 2013.  This has been a year full of anticipation, hope, disappointment and possibilities.  It has been a year of restoring old friendships and making new ones. It has been a year of hurt and also a year of forgiveness.  Most importantly, it has been a year of change (which I typically hate).  This has been a year for me to grow as a person, and learn from my past.

I realize there are many things to change - beginning with having a little more faith in people.  As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  Unfortunately, a lot of times - the first step is the hardest one to take.  When you take the first step, you must have faith in what is yet to come.  Having faith can mean opening your heart and letting walls come down - opening your heart and life to new possibilities.  It can also mean believing in someone when they have given you a million reasons not to.  It can mean putting your trust in God, knowing that He knows the plan for your life and He knows what is best.

In 2014, there will be a lot of changes in my world.  C will turn 16 and will be able to drive.  J will turn 21 - which is a HUGE event.  K will finish middle school, and my sweet baby girl will head to high school. All of these things are milestone's in their lives, and I am not sure I am prepared for any of them.

So, I pray on a daily basis that He will show me His plan, and I will have my heart and mind open to listen and follow it. I pray that my babies will remain safe and they will continue to grow in His name. I pray for my heart to be softened and to forgive others for things we may consider unforgivable.  It is time to let go of the negativity, and focus on the positive. I am surrounded by amazing friends and am pretty sure they are they best around.  I work for an incredible company and am blessed with co-workers I truly love. Most importantly - I have the most amazing children and family who support me and my craziness unconditionally.  It is time to make some changes to my life, that are for the better. So... here's to 2014! Cheers!!