Catching Up

So I guess life took over for a little while and I put my blogging to the back burner for a bit.  I had thought about it and even dreamed about it and wondered if I could even find where I left off in my story.  I made a deal with myself that if I could find my old blog I would take it up again.  Can I say "I LOVE THE INNERWEB"!!!!  I did a simple search and BOOM it took me right back to where I left off.  Then I looked at when I stopped blogging and couldn't believe that nearly two years have passed.  Boy has a LOT gone on in two years!!!!!!

So in getting caught up, first I want to apologize in advance if it seems like I'm being vague about some of the events of the last two years.  I've had some of the most unbelievable, extraordinary and wonderful blessings in the past two years.  I've also had some situations with "friends" and family that are pretty sickening and unbelievable themselves, so for time I'm gonna just list some bullets:

• We bought a brand new home!!!
• We moved from the lake to be closer to family.
• I went back to school for another certification (I know I'm always in school for something or another).
• I changed jobs in the middle of the year ( I would not recommend anyone in any kind of job in education in any capacity ever do that EVER!).
• I had the most unpleasant and needlessly difficult, and stressful year in my entire teaching career.
• We found out that we had made a terrible misguided decision when we moved from the lake and went in search of our "forever" place to land.  
• We found our forever place just four miles from where my daughter and her family live.
• Our family grew by one when Mr. Braxton Drew Barr was born February 1, 2016.
• I started my tenth year in education teaching in Caddo Parish.
• My aunt passed away.

So basically you're up to date.

Introducing my newest love, Mr. Braxton Drew

I will likely expound on some of the above as we go, but other stuff I will just keep tucked away because the thought of talking about them again, after all this time, is just too painful and I'm still praying about it.

Prayer...... That's a good place to jump off from!

So, a while back..... I can't even remember when, but a while back I started asking God to grow my faith.  I wanted a deeper and more intimate relationship with the God who has blessed me so graciously.  I wanted to live the life that God had always intended me to live.  

I started writing a prayer journal.  Sometimes it's just prayer, sometimes it is verses that I am studying and sometimes it's simple pleas to the God who I know works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

I have a dear friend who told me, one time, that I don't ever want to pray for patience.  She said that her grandmother told her that because she had prayed for patience and fell in the yard and broke her leg and it took hours for people to find her.  Well if I didn't have faith that God will make beautiful things from our biggest messes I'd be tempted to warn whoever is reading this to be careful when they ask God to grow their faith.  Knowing what I know now and looking back on the past  two years I know that God is working on my faith and drawing me closer to him.  It's the only way to explain making it through some of the painful events that Johnnie and I have been through in the last two years.  

Johnnie and I dealt with a loss that felt, in a way, like an amputation.  It came out of nowhere!  To be honest I'm still not sure what the real reason was and there are phantom pains that still gnaw at my heart.  I'm still praying about it but sometimes I'm not really sure what I'm praying for and Johnnie is still so hurt he looks it like there was a death.  In hindsight the situation allowed us to find our forever home and for me to be closer to my daughter and our grandsons.  As happy as that makes me, and believe me I am overjoyed at being so close...... I still can't sleep sometimes for grieving the loss of the other part of the family and I don't know why it had to be that way.

Still, in the midst of that storm I continued to praise God and put my trust in him.  

I have forgiven as I ask God to forgive me.  

No sooner than the dust settled we were hit in the face with another family situation.  As I said earlier some of this may be vague, but it's just not something I want to keep dragging up.  I tried as hard as I could to help someone I love and I'm not sure if it was enough.  I may never know if it was enough.  I pray that it was and this is another situation I've given to God so I am gonna leave it with him.

Finally...... as I gave that situation up to God I was faced with the third and definitely most painful situation.  I lost my aunt a couple of weeks ago.  She was my mentor, a first teacher, the one who helped me find my way when I had lost it, and someone I could turn to in any situation and not fear being judged.  She set my feet back on the right path and then stayed right with me like I was a baby learning to walk again.  She was right there as I met the goals we had set for me.  Just as I met a goal she would move the finish line and set a new goal.  It's only been a few days and I already miss her terribly.  I am so thankful for her and know that she will be one of the first ones to greet me when my time comes.  Someone described my aunt Dewanna as a bright light bursting across the sky like a comet.  Her personality was so bright and she always made everyone she met feel like they were the most important person in the world.  She was one of a kind and I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with her.  I hope to be just like her when I grow up!!!

Through all of this and with whatever comes I will praise my heavenly father from whom all blessings flow!!!  I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future!!!

Stay Tuned!!!

God Heard Me!

I started to sit down and blog on Saturday, but got distracted.  I've had a lot to say, but just haven't had a lot of time to sit down and organize my thoughts.  Well low and behold I got a sneaux day today and tomorrow so I guess that gives me the time I was looking for!  It's funny how things work out like that sometimes.

There has been a lot of stuff going on here lately.  In fact, this past weekend was the first one that we've had totally free in a while.  It's already the last week in February.  I know I sound like an old woman when I say, "Look how fast the time is flying by", but it really seems like it is.

We made a quick trip to Dallas a week or so ago.  Johnnie and I are such Gypsy's!  All either of us has to say is.... "you wanna go?" and the other one of us is throwing stuff in a bag and loading up!  I like that about us!  We've purposely seen much of this great country.  We have also stumbled on some pretty great experiences that we couldn't have planned if we tried!  The good news is that there is still much to see and we have trips planned.  I love this adventure that we are on!

We had a romantic dinner at a place called "The Melting Pot" in Dallas.  We both consider ourselves to be "foodies", so with that I will say it wasn't the best meal we've had, but the experience and ambience was really nice.  If you ever get a chance to go there, it's worth the money and time!  We also stayed at a Hotel that was VERY close to where the Dallas Cowboys play football.  The stadium was pretty impressive, even if I'm not a Cowboy's fan. 

We are working on wrapping up the construction in our house in the next few months.  I'm super excited about that because I am ready to see what this place will look like when we are done.  I'm anxious to live in a real "grown up" house!  I am so thankful that Johnnie is handy enough to undertake this kind of a project, and that he is dedicated enough to see it through to its completion.  I'm ready to check the remodel off my list!

I want to talk a little bit about what else I am thankful for.  First, I want to go back to the end of last year.  As 2014 was coming to a close I set out on a mission.  My mission was to grow in my Christian faith.  I asked God to renew family relationships and friendships.  I kinda had an idea in mind of what I wanted, but, oh, I had NO idea what God had in store for me.  I was raised believing that it is necessary and important to ask God for the things that I wanted in life.  I will admit that my prayer life was greatly lacking.  That's one of the things I wanted to work on in 2015. 

I set out, at the beginning of the year, with a plan.  I wanted to start keeping a prayer journal and I also wanted to attempt to read the bible all the way through in a year.  I have set out to do this before, but lost momentum and let life get in the way.  Anyway, the good news is that God believes in 2nd chances and so I could begin again! 

So, that's what I did.  I set out with a prayer journal and hope.  In my prayer journal I made a daily entry asking God to renew friendships and family relationships.  I asked for other things and mention things I want to work on, but every day I ask for renewed friendships and family relationships.

Anyway.... somewhere around that time I got to visiting with one of my cousins via social media.  In our talk we decided that we would set out to try to read through the bible again in the upcoming year.  I love that we are all reading along together and that there are Christian sisters there to find answers or discuss things as we go along.  Hmmmmm kinda makes me think God heard my prayer!

Then, I got an opportunity to attend a conference that was part of a ministry that I had wanted to be a part of for a long time, but I didn't think I could because the ladies met too far away.  This was the inaugural conference.  I still didn't know if things would work out for me to be able to go, but I kept praying about it.

Long story short..... God heard me!  Not only was I able to attend the conference, but I was able to invite some of my life-long girlfriends to come and attend with me.  We were able to spend time together praising God and being shown how important our relationships are.   We laughed until our faces hurt and we lost our breath!  We shared stories about our lives.  We reminisced and even shed a few tears.    We were reminded of the depth of our friendship.  Though we hadn't been together in more than 20 years, it seemed like no time had passed at all.  I think that's how a "meaningful" relationship is supposed to feel.   I was amazed at just how everything fell into place. 

Oh, not only did my girlfriends show up...... but remember about my prayer for renewed family relationships???

Well, God heard that part of the prayer too. Three of my cousins were able to come and be with us for the conference, and one of those was a total surprise!  It was so good to be together for a happy occasion.  As I drove home at the end of the weekend I couldn't stop crying tears of joy!  I don't think I can ever remember getting an answer to a prayer so quickly.  The lesson that came to me from all of this is that if my prayer life is lacking, it is totally and absolutely MY FAULT!  God has never left me.  He has always provided what I needed at the exact time I needed it.  He has known my heart since he knit me together in my mother's womb.  He has loved me through every season of my life. He loved me when I was at my most UN-loveable and never left me..... EVEN THEN!  I can't count the blessings I've been given, although I am sure I have taken some of them for granted.

I will continue my prayer journal and my journey through the bible in one year. I will continue to be specific in my prayers.  I am only two months into this year and already have so much to be thankful for.  I will continue to nurture friendships and family relationships and ask that God bless all of that.  I am just so thankful for the direct line of communication that comes from a healthy prayer life.

Here are some photos from our get together:

  Can you see the family resemblance?

My girls showed up with King cakes from New Orleans. My little brother was happier about it than I was!

Dinner with cousins. Soooo blessed!

Late night visit with Miss Kay from Duck Dynasty.  She is one of my aunts and a most precious part of my life!  

Amie C and Amy G (me) back together after 20 years!  One of my dearest friends!

Put Cyndi and Melissa to work in the duck call room at Duck Commander warehouse. Too funny!

Ain't Kay and I took a selfie. I love this woman more than words can say!  I owe so much of who I am to her!

Did I mention we had some KINGCAKE??

Happy Birthday Jovi Lynn

Today is a very special day for a very special little baby-girl that I love very much.  My sweet Jovi Lynn turns one year old today.  I don't know how her mommy and daddy feel, but to me, this past year has flown by! 

It's no secret that I LOVE being a Yaya.  It's the best, funnest, most important job I have ever had.  I never imagined just how much I would love this job.  When my Katie was pregnant with Beckham it seemed like he would never get here.  Now, in a flash, he's 2 1/2 years old and growing like a weed.  I thought that my heart was full with him.  Boy was I in for a shock.

That shock came in the form of a little blue eyed baby-girl with the most kissable cheeks you've ever seen.  She is smart, and cute and curious.  Her mommy is a very important person to me!  Her mommy was there for me at a time when I really needed her.  She says that she needed me then too, but I still say I needed her more.

Flash forward a few years and our friendship re-ignited.  She showed up and saved the day just like she had all those years before.  I owe my health and happiness to her and I haven't forgotten that. 

So, of course I would love her little baby because I love her mommy so much!  They are more than dear friends, they are family.  Though not of my own blood, I couldn't love them more if they were!!! 

So, I consider today one of the best days EVER!!!  My Jovi is 1 year old and I will kiss those cheeks on Friday!!!


Happy Birthday Jovi Lynn!!!  Yaya and Grump love you so very very much!!!

 

 

Happy New Year

Anybody who knows me knows that I LOVE A COUNTDOWN!!!  I'm always counting down to this event or break.  I even get a little nervous if I don't have at least 2 or 3 countdowns going at any given time.  So as I sit here I can't help but think on how today is the biggest countdown day of the year.  In just a few hours we will say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in 2015.

As I sit thinking about my New Year's blog I can't help but look back on 2014 and everything that has gone on in my year.  I feel like I have gained some real perspective in 2014.  So, before I continue that countdown to 2015 let me first look back on 2014 and what I have learned.

I look around, where I am today, I am genuinely contented with my life. It sounds a bit cliche to say, but I am in my happy place.  Our family is happy and healthy.  This seems like something I might have taken for granted in the past, but not this year!!!

I am happy with my marriage.  We celebrated our ten year anniversary this past June.  We were lucky enough to get to celebrate with a cruise to Alaska that we will remember for the rest of our lives.  I don't think either of knew what kind of adventure lay ahead of us when we said "I do".  We've shared a lot of laughter and a few tears.  We learned how important it is to work together and I think that we've gotten very good at it.  We have built quite a life for ourselves.  Our home is a place that is safe, warm, uncomplicated and honest. 

 I love my job.  I am blessed to work in a parish that is run by "God fearing" people with Christian values.  My co-workers share those same values.   My job is not easy by any means, but sharing the work load with like minded folks does make things better.

I heard something in church the other night and it is probably the best way to sum up how I want to live my life.  The preacher talked about JOY.  Here's how it breaks down:

  J ...........Jesus              First
  O..........Others            Next
  Y..........Yourself         Last

It's a simple word and it's at the top of my New Year's resolution list.   Actually, it is my entire New Year's resolution list. 

So, let me be the first to say Happy New Year!!!!!  I'm anxiously awaiting 2015 and can't wait to see what God has in store for me!!!!!


Here are a few photos to show what  we've been up to during this holiday season:

 

 

This little girl (Jovi) is one of my greatest blessings!!!  I can't wait to see her at the end of January!!!

 

 

Yes that is the famous "Miss Kay" from the popular TV show Duck Dynasty.  She is also my aunt.  There aren't enough words to tell just how much I love this woman!!!  She taught me to love Jesus and others and helped to instill a love of cooking and family in me that has defined me since I was about 8 years old. 

These photos are from a weekend I spent on the river in December.  The family time was just what I needed!!!

My sweet boy was not the least bit afraid of Santa.  He placed his order for a big truck and must have been a good boy cause Santa delivered!!!

I  must have been a good girl too because Santa brought me the lovely anniversary band that complimented my wedding ring PERFECTLY!!!

Here are all of our Christmas gifts all set out around the world's smallest Christmas tree.

 

 

One last one of my sweet little man.  he is growing up so fast!!! 

 

 

I hope God blesses you in 2015.  I cannot wait to see what he has in store for me!!!

 

 

 

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

I Am Thankful

I know that I have started and stopped this blog post at least 20 times in the last few weeks.  I've had a lot to say, but for whatever reason I have been unable to set words to the page until now.  So as I sit, in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning I am overcome by this feeling of being blessed. 

I was looking for bible verses this morning.  Nothing was more fitting than Ecclesiastes 3.  There is a time for everything.....  It pretty much sums up the feelings that I am having at this time of year.  I am always nostalgic during the holidays, but our family suffered an unexpected tragedy this week and it made those feelings much more real.

My family came together to celebrate the life of my uncle Jimmy Frank.  He passed away suddenly from a heart attack.  Seeing everyone together reminded me of all the holidays past when we would all come together at the river at Granny and Pa's house for Thanksgiving or Christmas or whatever other holiday.  Those are some of my fondest memories.

It was a sad day but it was a joyful one because I know that Uncle Jimmy knew Jesus and Jesus knew him.  Everyone sat around sharing family stories.  There was laughter and there were tears shed.  There were lots of hugs and "I Love You's". 

After my pa Robertson, my mother was the first of her family to pass away.  I always thought that was pretty fitting since she seemed to be the hub of the family.  She was the one who did most of the arranging and preparing for family gatherings.  In my mind it made sense that she would go first.  Just after her was my granny and then her two brothers would follow in their time.  In my mind I can see her standing on a beautiful porch calling to her loved ones to come to gather. 

I can see her making the preparations for each of them, making sure that all their favorite things are waiting for them.  I can see her hugging their necks once they arrive.  I know she was glad to see them once they got there.  I don't know if that's really the way it happened, but that's the way it happened in my head and it really does help with the sadness I feel at their passing.

I don't have any words of wisdom for those who will celebrate their first holiday seasons without loved ones.   All I can say is that the first ones are awful and the ones that come after them aren't much better.  I can say that I am rejoicing in the fact that I know my loved ones knew Jesus and that his Gospel would ensure their everlasting life.  They knew, just like I know, that this earth is not our t home.  It's just a stop over to paradise.  So while I will miss them, for now, I know that we will be together again.  What a glorious day of Thanksgiving that will be!!!

Welcome Fall

So...... This school year is in full swing!  In fact, we have just completed the first 6 weeks.  One down, five to go! hehe

Life and school and life has been soooooo busy!  I've been going wide open since the summer actually.  I know I have said that this past summer was probably the busiest summer in the history of all my summers!  I truly believe that since it is now Fall and the hectic pace has not let up.
Don't get me wrong, it's been really fun and exciting, but hectic nonetheless!

Johnnie (that's my husband) and I went on a grand adventure early in September.  We made a flying trip to the booming metropolis of Clyde, Ohio.  We went to get our newest toy.  Actually, it is a toy hauler!!!  This thing has every whistle and bell you could imagine and it will really meet our camping needs well!  The trip to get it was something else!

 

 

The coolest things happen on road trips.  Sometimes you stumble onto some of the neatest things!  This time we ran up on what can only be described as a gaggle of hot air balloons!  We were just making our way down the interstate when out of nowhere we saw the first balloon.  Before we knew it the sky was full of them and I almost couldn't get my camera out fast enough to get the photos.  I love it when we stumble onto stuff like that.  There's just something about those kind of unplanned surprises that makes me really happy!!!

 

 

I REALLY want to take a ride in one of those one day!!!!!

I still can't believe that we made such a huge circle in only a couple of days.  I guess you could say that we were on a mission!  We saw a bunch of sites, stayed in a seedy motel, ate some food that reminded us both of why we love Louisiana!!!  Let me just say, no offense, but it is my opinion that folks in Ohio do NOT know what good food is!!!!  We got the best meal of the trip at a bar b q place in Memphis!  The name of the place is Corky's and it was some of the best Bar B Q I have ever had!  The atmosphere at that place was really cool.  The service was excellent and the food was out of this world!!!  This was really "our" kind of place and it made me want to plan another visit to Memphis!!!!!

 

 

The photos don't even do it justice!  This was one DELICIOUS meal!

 

 

Fall has brought me a new friend as well!  I was blessed to be asked to see a little girl at home as her home bound teacher.  I think she is one of the sweetest souls I have ever met in my life.  I have to be honest and say that I was scared slap to death before the first time I went to see her.  I have taught older children, but it's been a while and she is in the 5th grade so that's REALLY old, compared to the babies I usually teach!

 

I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to do it, or that I wouldn't do a good job.  I have never taught a child with this kind of illness so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.  I prayed about it and cried about it and prayed about it some more and I have got to say that meeting her and getting to be her teacher is the BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE BEEN TEACHING SCHOOL!  I can't tell you what kind of blessing she has brought to my life. 

 

Her name is Helen and she has Leukemia.  In our first meeting I found out that she is a Duck Dynasty SUPER fan!  She especially loves Uncle Si.  In fact, one of the first things she said to me at that first meeting was, "Do you have any Si stuff?"  She was wrapped in a pink DD blanket.  Well you can imagine her surprise when I told her that he was really my uncle.  She met him once at the Minden St. Jude benefit.  She just gushed about how much she loved him.  I told her that I loved him too! 

 

 

 

I got permission from her mama to tell you about her and post her photo!  I'm attaching links to    

St. Jude as well as her Go Fund Me account.  She's going to Disney in January and I'm trying to help her get there!!!

 

 

I couldn't wait to get to church and tell Uncle Si all about her.  Unfortunately he was not there this morning, but Uncle Phil was.  I told him all about her and showed him the photo.  We stopped what we were doing and immediately said a prayer for this sweet angel!  There is power in prayer and I could feel it!  I hope she could too!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I am posting links at the bottom of this blog for anybody interested in helping my sweet girl reach her goals!

 

 

And so...... Yaya's adventures continue..... Can't wait to see what out there around the bend!!!!!

 

 Let's send Helen to Disney World!!!

 

 

Get your Team Helen shirt right here!

 

 

Summer Wind Down

Well, as I sit here typing the minutes of my summer vacation are tick tick ticking away.  Yes, it's that time of year again....... School starts tomorrow morning at 7:30am.  I won't see my old babies or meet my new ones for a few days, but school is starting nonetheless!

I know I have said it before, but I just have to say that this has been one of the busiest, if not the busiest, summer that I can ever remember.  We took some fabulous trips and celebrated some really special milestones!

Our cruise was something I will remember for the rest of my life.  I got to be with Beckham for his 2nd birthday and that is something that I treasure.  I can truly say that being a grandmother is probably one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me.  I love being his Yaya!  Hearing him call my name makes me smile right down to my soul!

We got to take another road trip this summer and it was much needed and long overdue!  I have a friend who was my life-saver at one point in my life.  As we all know, life happens and we kinda lost touch with one another.  Flash forward to 14 years. We found each other on Facebook and were able to resume our friendship, albeit via the internet. 



She nudged me into taking my own health seriously and even though I might not have felt it or said it at the time, I truly appreciate her for helping me get my health back.  She was an editor and IT person while I finished up my graduate studies and she is probably one of the most unselfish people I have ever known.

Dianna



She had a baby a few months ago and I have been dying to get to her and to get my hands on that baby since the day she was born.  Thankfully Johnnie and I were able to travel to Austin for a long overdue visit.  Just as I expected, she was the ultimate hostess.  It's hard to believe she is from Michigan because she simply OOZES southern hospitality.  Johnnie and I just fell in love with her husband.  He is perfect for her and that makes me really happy.  He is a bit of a computer nerd and that's right up Johnnie's alley!

Now, I get to talk about the best part!  I LOVE ME SOME JOVI LYNNE SAYLES!!!  They have the sweetest little baby-girl I have been around in a long time.  She is absolutely precious! 



No the beers are not Jovi's!


I have gone and done and gained so much this summer.  We have traveled all over North America! We saw sights and had experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We made some plans for our future and are putting them into action.  I started my summer as Yaya of one little boy who is precious to my soul and ended it by welcoming a sweet baby girl who just stole my heart.  I so look forward to seeing what great things God has planned for their lives!

Photobomb!


Grump LOVES Texas Bar B Q!!



Yaya loves the Disney Store!

Yaya is a Disney Princess!

So is Jovi!!!


Jovi has the best daddy ever!