Looking Through The Lens: Family

Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Dearest Mothership,

You are appreciated. You are loved. Those two things you are not told enough.

I don’t see you as often as I used to. That does not mean that you do not cross my mind every day, multiple times a day. I miss you mom and I am not afraid to say that. There are days where a phone call does not cut it. I will admit that leaving school and driving 10 hours to see you sounds like a good plan. Then, when I call you, you tell me how that just isn’t realistic. Even though you tell me you miss me too, you know that school is important.

You need to know that you will never and can never be replaced. I've had some great role models in my life and I still do. None of them will ever be as great of a role model as you are. You have shown me that no matter what you do what you have to do. Even if that means packing up everything you own and moving roughly 600 miles away from your hometown and family. I realize now how hard of a move that was on you. I also realize you did that because you had your family's best interest in mind. I don't blame you (or Dad) for that at all. Don't think your hard work goes unnoticed. For you getting up at 4 am every day is like a walk in the park. Doing this isn't your first choice, but you do it because you have to.

I've realized that in these past few years that you are not only a mom to 3 kids and a dog, but you have family all over the world. Thanks to social media, I have seen what a difference you have made in so many lives. Your family stretches beyond the borders of this nation. You have kids in places such as Serbia, Jamaica, Russia, Dominican Republic, Poland, Macedonia, Romania, and Turkey. I'm sure I could name most of them, but I won't because I can't spell in other languages. You have 30 plus non-biological sons and daughters all over the world, living all sorts of incredible lives! That's not to mention all of you non-biological sons and daughters that live here in the states.

Thank you for giving me your unconditional love and support. All those years that you have sat on the bench at basketball games or drove 160 miles to see me swim. Those years you had just as much dedication to my sports as I did. Then there was those times you slept out in the van so I could attend an awkward middle school dance. Mom, you've done so much. How do I ever repay you? As I get older, I realize more and more how much you have done for me and continue to do for me.

I am proud to say that you are my best friend. Over the years you have been my secret keeper, my therapist, my bank :), my biggest fan, my shoulder to cry on, my motivator, my taxi driver, my doctor, and many more. I know I have been your pain in the butt, your headache, the reason for your tears (happy and sad), your mini me, and things in-between.

I love you mom. Forever and always.

Every one knows the question that you ask every little kid. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Most of us have all these dreams and goals about what they want to be. How many of us reach those goals or follow those dreams? I don't really know the answer, but today I have had a epiphany.

All my friends and family (should) know that I want to work for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Honestly, I don't care what I do, but I just want to end up there. I want to work for the hospital that works wonders for the families and children that has heard one of the worst sentences ever formed. Why? That's the question I always, and yet not often enough, get asked.

It all started in November of 2008, when my mom and I were driving back from "town". I don't quite remember what we were talking about, but in some way she asked me if I wanted to do anything for my 16th birthday. I didn't say much as I was lost in my own thought. After a few moments of thinking, I said that I want to do a fundraiser for St, Jude Children's Research Hospital. I can't tell you what went through my mom's head at that moment, but shortly after we started talking about fundraising options.

I didn't care if I raised 10 dollars of 10,000 dollars. I ended up having just over 1,000 dollars and to me that was incredible. The story continues, as my family and I made our way (driving) to Memphis, TN. We toured the campus and dropped off the toys we had bought with the money raised. I'll tell you this, the moment we were done touring the campus, I knew that I wanted to be there some day.

So this morning as I am having my cup of coffee and watching the morning news I realized what I want to accomplish. Not only do I want to work for St. Jude, that will always be there and never fade, but I want to help kids raise money for kids with cancer. We all hear those heartfelt stories about this kid and that kid that has a best friend who has cancer and wants to give all their money to help them then the next thing you realize the kid has raised over 100,000 dollars for cancer. I want to help them reach their goals.

Kids, Cancer, and Family. I want to help those three things. Not sure how I want to get there. I don't know my steps to get there, but I'll get there. I wont stop until I do.

We did it! My family, after many many years, finally was able to spend Christmas morning together and just as a family. Mom and Dad, Adam, Jenny and I. It was wonderful! I have to give a shout out to my Aunt Colleen and Uncle Mel and family for letting us use their house while they were out of town for the holiday.

Normally, and when I say that, for the last 8 years or so we'd all be at my Grandparents house and have Christmas morning there. As much as I love my grandparents, there is just something about opening presents in the morning when you get up and then going to their house from Christmas breakfast.

Mind you that this is two family's presents.

I really enjoyed being with my family this Christmas; even though the whole family wasn't together. I still enjoyed it.

These pictures were taken separately and we all have similar facial expression. Can you tell we are related?

I have one more Christmas to go to, which is my cousins Christmas party. We all drew names and bought that person a gift, you know how it goes. It makes me upset that we are not all going to be there but 99% of us will be. As you get older it will be harder and harder to get the whole family together.

As I said early I had part of my family out of town for Christmas and my sister Jen took care of their house and watched their dog Bailey and my cousins cat Fraidee. So Bailey got to spend Christmas with my family and Ellie!

Mosh of picture Jen, Adam and I took.

Alright to the part I'm sure you weren't waiting for.

What did I get for Christmas? Well there comes a time in any persons life when their Christmas gifts become practical and over the year our gifts have become more and more practical this year was the most practical.

My gift list

1. My parents got my muffler fixed! Now I don't sound like a monster truck! Yay Bubba!
2. Yoga pants
3. Sicolcogy (Si Robertson's Book)
4. Si Robertson air freshener
5. A couple bumper stickers from Duck Dynasty
6. A cow light!
7. A lock for a gym locker that I can use at school
8. Gift cards
9. A cow coaster

So maybe not all were practical but the muffler was. :)

My cow light!

I hope your Christmas was just as enjoyable as mine was! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Adam, my brother, is probably the best brother I could ever ask for. We are best friends, even though those words may not be spoken out loud we are best friends. We fight, of coarse we do because we are siblings. It's not those kinds of fights that last for days. Just give us an hour or even 10 minutes and we'll be over it.

Adam is strong and I don't mean physically, even though yes that is true. He is emotionally strong and has a strong faith. His younger years were some what different than what he is now, but he overcome that and I am proud of him for that. He's been through a lot in his life and not to say that he's been through everything, but what he has been through he has come out even stronger on the other side.

He can be quite bone headed sometimes. He gets on my nerves and just makes me so frustrated. There are sometimes where I don't know if he knows what he wants to do for the rest of his life, but I pray that some day the answer comes to him. Not to rush it or anything, but I hope that day comes soon.

He beats himself up over the little of things sometimes. He needs to learn and let go. Things happen, its life and things are always go to happen and go wrong. Nothing comes easy to those who work for things. I am no expert, but from my experiences and what I observe around me I have noticed these things.

All in all, he is my brother and I love him so very much!

I am going to let you all into my world of my family.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that I am a mommy's girl. I am not a daddy's little girl or anything else you can think of. I am my mom's girl.

Jen please don't get upset that I say that, we both know and have talked about it before.

My mom is my best friend. She is my world and my rock. She knows all my ups and downs.

There is nothing I love seeing more than my mom being happy. I know that my mom hates living up here. Let's be honest, your cracked if you love living up here. As my mom puts it "Copper Harbor is a nice place to visit".

I would give anything in the world to give my mom a some what "normal" life again. This world that she lives in is not ordinary and puts too much stress on ones body.

My mom motivates me keep moving. "You need to have a smile in your heart".. she always say. Maybe not those exact words, but something very similar. You may not always not like the situation you are in or where you are in your life, but you need to find the best in it. You need to find the good in it to get through it.

If I could do just one thing for my mom, I mean for both of my parents, but especially my mom, I would love to give them a house. Like an actual house. What do I mean by that? Well let me give you a few examples.

My mom won't even walk around in her socks in this house. She either has slippers on or shoes, nothing less.
We have lived in this house for 10 years now and we still have boxes that we have not unpacked yet. I would love to give them a house where everything has a place.
I want a place where my mom feels comfortable to call a home. Not meaning the town is a home, but a building. Does that make sense?

I love my mom and I think she deserves the world.

My mom gives kindness to those who give kindness to her. She doesn't like being stabbed in the back, then again no one really does. She is one to speak her mind. She will let you know if you have upset her or hurt her in any way, shape, or form. I have learned from my mom that if you don't like the way someone is doing something you might as well do it yourself. Until someone gives you a reason not to, give them a chance.

I want to see my mom smile more. I want to hear her laughter again. I mean a real laugh, one that comes from the belly.

I hope my mom knows how much I love her and how much I appreciate her being there for my even when I didn't think I needed her. She has done so much for me and I don't believe I could say thank you enough.

This pictures have no rhyme or reason as to why they are on here. Some I have not posted and others I am not sure if i have posted.

1. My and Ellie. Her and I were laying on the couch watching Ellen! We love Ellen! :)
2. This is from when I was obsessed with I'm Yours by Bruno Mars
3. Finals week of Spring 2013. My friends and I went sliding in the mud out on the campus quad.
4. A picture of me riding a horse at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandaras , Texas.
5. My family and I and Oreo the bull, also at the Mayan Dude Ranch.
6. A tree in Sarasota, Florida.
7&8. These last two pictures are of my beautiful sister, Jen. :)

Today I got to spend almost all day with my little cousin Dexter.

He is so sweet. He is six months old. All he does it laugh and make noise.

I just love this little man and I am going to be completely honest. I am not 100% percent comfortable around little babies because I am not used to it. I've never babysat in my life. Well, I take that back I have but there were old enough to go to the bathroom on their own and knew how to eat. This little guy is a whole new experience for me. He hardly ever screams or anything its nice. Yes what you are seeing in the picture to the right is a giant bear. I got that from one of my friends at school. She couldn't take it home (her mother told her not to) so she asked me if I knew of anyone who could put it to use and I thought of my little cousin Dex! (Thanks Jobeth!)

Now I haven't really done anything with my life since I have been done with school. Definitely a lot more blogging. A total of three blogs in three days! (Go me!) I have been taken care of my papa. He is going to be laid up for a while. The doctor says three months and then my mom says that she will be happy if he is useful by the first part of June. Other than that, nothing.

Don't wake up and miss it all.

Can you tell I have nothing else to talk about? Sorry my life isn't real exciting right now.

Any questions?

How was everyone's Thanksgiving weekend?

Besides my dad being in the hospital (again) my weekend was very enjoyable. I can't say that I got a lot of rest or that I am ready to go back to school today, but all in all it was enjoyable. I got to be around family most of the weekend.

My family and I had Thanksgiving dinner at my Uncle's house. Not everyone showed up, but we all still had a really good time together.

What did you all do?

So my dad was in the hospital for an infection on his foot. All is good now, he is coming home today! :) He'll be laid up for a few weeks but after that everything should be good. Everyone is glad to see him leave the hospital. He had to spend Thanksgiving in the hospital and I felt so bad for him, but there was no possible way for him to leave.

I only have two weeks of school left and one week of exams until I can come home for 5 weeks. I cannot express how excited I am. As much as I love being around friends at school and everything nothing beats being at home with family.

Did anyone go out Black Friday Shopping?

I did! Let me clarify that I did not go out late Thursday night to stand in line and wait until the doors opened on Friday My aunt, cousin and I went out Friday morning about nine and the only place that we have to stand in line was at Khols.

I got lots of gifts and I cannot wait for my family to open their presents. :)

Hope everyone has an enjoyable week!

So I haven't talked about my family much, but I am going to start right now. :)

Tomorrow my big brother turns 21!! We (family members and I) are celebrating tonight at midnight for him, with him!! :D

Dear Adam, Things may get crazy and a little out of hand, but what would life be like without it? We have our differences, but who doesn't? You make everyday just a little bit funnier and dare I say better! I wouldn't want any other brother! There is no other like you, so I couldn't have any other brother!

So, here's to you on your 21st! Have a happy birthday and I love you!

-Lil Sis

P.S. Don't drink too much... I'll be watching. :D

What a cute little tyke! (He was only four here)

Just an everyday Adam.


Me, Adam, Jen (This is his grad party 3 years ago. I had a cold at the time. SAD FACE)

I understand his birthday isn't until tomorrow, but on your 21st your start at midnight right? Haha! ;)

Please stop over at The Thing about Joy and read my Bloggerview! :D I think I am getting a hang of this blogging thing.... MAYBE.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Thursday! ;)

Looking Through The Lens

Dear Mom.

My Dream Job

Christmas 2013

My Brother

My Mom

Photo Dump

My little Dexter

Thanksgiving 2012

21st on Friday 13th

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