family

Well, I guess my life seems interesting enough to blog about.....

First off, I would be nowhere if not for my family. 

My parents along with my wonderful grandparents have done a beyond amazing job of raising me and making me who I am today. I also have a younger sister, Carlie, whom I admire so much.

Carlie's Sweet 16

I like to think I have taught her a lot of things and sometimes want to take credit for some things she is good at but I know I will never be able to. She is the sweetest girl and has such a big heart. She is going to go far in life, for sure. When she was born, I wanted nothing to do with her. I had been an only child for 5 and a half years and then some little screaming baby had entered my world. I was used to having all the attention and at the time didn't want to share it. I also didn't understand all of it. When my mother was in the hospital room hooked up to all of the machines while she was preparing to have Carlie and even afterwards, it scared me. I also got really upset. We have a home video of how I wouldn't even walk near the bed to see her in that hospital room. Now I just want to thank God that I have Carlie for a sister. She means so much to me and I wouldn't take the world for her. 

My mother, Cynthia is one of the strongest women in the world. I admire and look up to her so much. She has always been there for me and loves me unconditionally. She has been the best mom a girl could ever ask for. I have always been able to go to her for anything I need. She is the rock of the family. She holds us all together and makes sure everything is in order. I honestly do not know where I would be without her. I count on her for so many things. I know I take her for granted more often than none. Any troubles we've had over the years she has always tried her best to make them all better or as good as she could do at the time. I know that she would give me the world if she could. 

My father, Rodney has always been a great daddy. He is a very hard worker and would bend over backwards for his girls. I can remember being such a little daddy's girl when I was younger. Then of course, you get a little older and become a teenager then think you don't have time for him. He can ALWAYS make me laugh. He is definitely a comical person. We both share the same sense of humor and I am pretty sure I got my sarcasm from him. He also is probably one of the friendliest people in the world. He never meets a stranger. If someone needed the shirt off of his back, he would give it to him. My daddy has had some rough times. Mainly after losing his mother and father. He has now overcome the bad times and is on his way to being a very successful Journeyman in his field trade of Boiler-making. His job in boiler-making requires him to travel often. He has lived in Springfield and Sparta, Illinois and Cumberland, Tennessee for different jobs. He usually will go on a job for a period of time and when that one is over with he will start another one. He has been doing this for almost 4 years now. I think he has finally found something he really loves. The downside is that it takes him away from home for different periods of time which he is not fond of. Hopefully he can find something closer to home in the future. 

Next I would like to talk about my Grandmother, Carolyn. She is in close competition with my Mother on being such a strong woman. This woman has been through so much. If I am ever half as strong as she is one day then I will be doing well. She has spoiled me with many things ever since I was born... things ranging from her love for me all the way to material things and her beyond awesome cooking. She would also be quick to punish me for any wrong doing starting with a quick glance of her "mean eyes." But I was always a good little girl :) Amazing doesn't even start to describe her. 

I also have a grandfather but currently he is not high on my blogging priorities. Might add him at a later date....

I would like to acknowledge my late grandparents, James Randall and Mary Ellen. 

this man was such a great grandfather. He passed away in 2001 from cancer. I was 11 years old and it broke my heart. He helped develop my love for baseball. I also think he contributed to my love for art and creativity. When I was younger he would give me a dollar every time I colored inside the lines in a coloring book. I miss him every day and would give anything if he could see the young lady I have become. 

This is my father's mother, Mary. She was feisty at times but overall such a sweet grandmother. She was my buddy. I'd stay with her a lot when I was younger and we would work in the garden together, watch some of our favorite shows, and go "loafing" with Papaw. That required a stop by the local convenience store to pick up a snack and a coke. She loved to be outside. She would always be up early every morning working out in the garden or working with her many flowers. She loved flowers and had such a wide variety of the prettiest flowers you could ever see. Buttercups were her favorite. She also had many rose bushes that are still standing.

She passed away in March of 2008. She had developed Dementia a couple years before and it turned for the worst-- Alzheimer's disease. In my opinion that is one of the worst diseases to be had. Towards her last days, she did not even know who we all were. Her speech had gone along with her mind. It was one of the worst things that could possibly happen. I have a dream about her at least once every month. I usually wake up crying but sometimes I wake up happy. I know she, along with papaw, is watching over me. I would love so much if I had them both here. 

I have many many other family members that I cherish but this post would be soooo long. I have really great aunts and uncles and the best cousins ever. I am so thankful to have such a great family. I know I take that for granted and some people are not as fortunate. God has truly blessed me beyond words.