Entering the last month of 2009!

I know I have been MIA for a few weeks but like the rest of us, the holiday season leaves me quite busy! Thanksgiving was great, but different. I think it will always be different. We celebrated with my Granny on Wednesday and made it a point to make sure we all sat around the table together instead of sitting in the living room or various parts of the house. We hadn't sat together since before Papa entered the nursing home. I thought the tradition should continue because even though he isn't physically with us, I know in my heart he was celebrating in his presence with us the whole day. We didn't have a Thanksgiving with my Grandpa, he is stil having a hard time with my Grandma being gone. BUT, we did have a Thanksgiving with Jeff's family. It was a little different this year since it was at his uncle's home in Denton instead of at his Grandma's house. We also celebrated my birthday early. I got a new Scentsy since my old one that was in the living room was sadly shattered by my obnoxious cats being bad! It's ok, I lovvvve my new one.


I decorated the inside of the house for Christmas and put my tree up! I absolutely love this time of year. There is nothing like putting up Christmas decorations, a blazing fire in the fireplace and Christmas music playing in the background. The outside decorations would have been put up as well, but mother nature decided to have other plans. Rain.
Work is going well. Repetitive, but well. This is the last day of November 2009, and that blows my mind. However, it is 17 days til my birthday! I'm getting old...24, wow. I remember when I a pre-teen and thought I'd never make it to 24 because it sounded so far away, and now...here I am, well, almost.

It is told time will heal, but the hurt still remains.

One year ago today, my beautiful Grandma entered into eternity after her short battle with kidney cancer. It still doesn't feel real to me, and I'm not sure it will either. I believe the hardest part, besides the fact of her being gone, is being able to fathom that amount of time it has been since she has passed. A year? Really? Where did the time go?
It feels like just yesterday I was sitting at the table in her kitchen watching her make homemade tortillas. Her cooking was perfect. Her house was immaculate, warm, and welcoming. It feels like just yesterday I was in her living room, giggling, while she danced to I Want To Dance With You by George Strait. It feels like just yesterday that I was able to walk up to her and embrace her, kiss her on the forehead, and she would say, "I love you mijita." But sadly, it wasn't yesterday.
I find myself alone, thinking of her quite often, and when I think of her, I smile. She left such a positive mark on all our hearts. The peace I have within me is that I know she left this Earth happy. She accomplished so much during her life and worked for everything she ever had. She raised a beautiful, successful family and filled every one's heart with her love.
One thing she did without a doubt is leave an incredible impression on the women in her life. Her strength, sense of self, and values ran deep. I feel thankful to have known her as I did and miss her dearly.
I know we will meet again, and that our time apart now is temporary.
Grandma, I miss you. The loss of you was a very big one, but I know that our loss is your gain because, as the Bible says of those God has redeemed, to be absent from the body is to be present with God. You made it home, and I'll see you soon. I love you so much. Thank you for loving me.

You're family, you stay together...no matter what.

I have had to witness first hand someone who I truly love be torn down by their own family. I am tired of day in and day out trying to pick them up when they fall because of certain ignorant individuals. It hurts me so much to see someone who I love, hurt badly.

Family is supposed to be your haven in this world we live in. You are each other's blood, part of one another, and you should never part. Or at least, that's what I thought. Family is there for you when things get rough, they stick by you. When all is gone, they are the ones who are left. Or at least that's what I thought.

Family is NOT about jealousy. Family is NOT about criticism. Families do not give ultimatums. That's what family is about. Your parents are supposed to be ones you look up to, they are the ADULTS. Or at least that's what I thought.

I have never known such hatred, jealousy, and immaturity until now. It has only made us stronger. You think you are punishing someone, but you are only punishing yourself. Your childish decision has brought us together. YOU will be the ones missing out on a awesome beginning and journey ahead of us. You, and only you.

Face it, no one is going anywhere. Jealousy and envy are diseases that have overtaken your household and there are MANY individuals that feel sorry for you. You play the victim, but everyone knows the truth. It's time to end your sick game, but if you choose not to overcome your selfishness, that's for you to live with. In the mean time we will live in true love, harmony, and grace that our almighty Lord blesses us with. God is good!

This is so true and I know MANY men that need to read this!

"A woman wants to be treated like you care what she thinks and feels Sure, pull out her chair and open her door but if you start doing it today, don’t forget to do it tomorrow A woman needs stability while maintaining an adventurous mate Once you marry her, it’s not time to put on the brakes and stop dating her She needs to feel appreciated everyday as if you know God sent her to you She needs to know that you love her and that no matter what happens, you will stand by her side After you come home from a long day of work, remember she may be tired, too Whether she works on the job or works in the home, she is not your personal slave If you massaged her feet before you married her, then that shouldn’t stop after you say “I do” She took on the role of wife, not "clean up woman!" Sure, cleaning up is a part of life but she should not be glued to the vacuum She is a woman. . . treat her like one A woman can appreciate a good love song whether it’s from your lips or the radio So play a few or sing a few as often as you can It’s true , a woman is made of sugar and spice and everything nice and she has a heart that can take you to the moon But you’ve got to be home with her sometimes and being home with her doesn’t mean watching TV or talking on the telephone, absent-mindedly ignoring her Being home with her means sitting at the dinner table with candle lights or slow dancing with her in the living room How about reading poetry aloud or even a good book, taking turns as narrator Being home means taking a shower together and spending quality time together And if you're going to watch TV together, hold her hand or pull her close every now and then to remind her that you know she's there Kiss her cheeks during the commercials Would that really hurt? A woman likes to be treated with respect Chastising her in front of guest or family is not respect, it’s a male with domineering issues When you put on a “do what I tell you” attitude in front of your friends, that will not place you on her “lovable list” Give her respect and she will love you heartily Show some affection and surprise her for life Send the kids in their room and dazzle her with your charm And don’t forget, no matter where you go and whatever you do She is a woman. . . So, treat her like one!

It takes a real man to treat a woman like a woman should be treated!

Family=♥

This past weekend was a crazy, busy, but AWESOME weekend. It started off with picking up my dad's BEAUTIFUL birthday cake from The Jenny Layne Bakery, whom I HIGHLY recommend. Exquisite cakes and delicious at that. Jeff and I attended the Alan Jackson concert at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma (right across the Red River). Great concert! I love Alan, he truly is country music. If you don't love country music, he will make you love it!

Saturday my family, Jeff and I celebrated my Dad's 50th birthday party. It was a surprise, and that he was! We rented a white stretch Hummer limo, picked him up from his house and boy, you shoulda seen the look on his face. Gosh, I love my Daddy! We then went to a fantastic steakhouse in Downtown Dallas off of Cedar Springs and Routh St called The Place at Perrys. Best food ever.....no, seriously. It was good to step off my very strict diet and enjoy yumminess. Mmm mmm. He loved his cake! I will definitely post pics later.

Coming together as a family like we did for his birthday and entering into the holiday season has really opened my eyes as to how lucky we all truly are to have each other and love each other like we do. After the past 12 months, we have gone through alot, but without love...we'd be nothing. God is good.

Rain, rain, rain...

So I heard some crazy number the other day how we have only had a handful of dry/sunny days this month..crazy. Surprise, surprise it's raining again today. Don't get me wrong, I looooove rainy days, but it makes me oober lazy. Stuff needing to get done + being lazy = disaster.

We just bought tickets to the Alan Jackson concert at Winstar Casino on November 6th! I know it's going to be an amazing show! I haven't seen him since 2006 at Orange Peel in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It's really funny how your taste in music can change when you have a significant other. Before Jeff, I didn't listen to too much country...now I'M A HUGE FAN! Don't get me wrong, it has to be good country and not that "my dog died and wife left me" kinda stuff, lol.

Well wish me luck while I tackle these multiple loads of laundry. Blah!

I figured...."Eh, why not?"

Ok, I'll admit, this does kind of make me feel like I am going back to the "Xanga" days....is Xanga even around anymore? But, I like it. Blogging is just online journaling, another form of a diary (publicly displayed), and sometimes writing down what you feel is VERY necessary. Sooooo...this is day number 1 of hopefully many more to come. It will also be an information guide to upcoming things such as my wedding... YAY! Can't you people tell I'm excited to marry the man of my dreams?! :)

So last night, I had a weird dream, I won't really go into all the details because it was REALLY weird, but I will say my grandma was in it. My grandmother has almost been gone for a year, she passed away November 16, 2008. This was the first time I have dreamt of her. The emotions and thoughts that go through my head are jumbled. One minute it feels like an eternity since I have seen her, and then the next it just feels like I just spoke with her last week. However, 2009 has flown by and I just can't believe it's been almost a year. Time does heal, but I don't think I'll ever get used to her being gone.

Work has been steady for the past 3 weeks, and although I'm exhausted, the money is nice! Who doesn't love money?! lol. This is also my 3rd week on a major diet, not only for the wedding, but for myself. I can't stand being this heavy, and I refuse to be miserable anymore. In 3 weeks, I have not cheated on my diet, and Jeff and I have been going on nightly walks around our neighborhood. Not only is it good for us physically, but it's a good time for us to reflect on our day with each other. Definitely a communication booster! Loves it!

Well there ya go folks, first blog! :)