Wornoutwoman

My grandmother always bragged that she 'had the best family.'  We used to always smiling, knowing when she'd tear up and start in on the endearing qualities of 'her family.'  The heart she had for us was evident any time you'd get her started on the subject. My grandmother passed at midnight the night before Easter this last year.  And now that she's gone, I kind of miss hearing her sweet glowing reviews of our family ties. However, her words still ring true in my heart anytime I see someone from our family or get something like this photo (shown above) in the mail. Both these girls are my cousins (from my grandmother's side) and although I don't get to see them very often - they are very close to my heart.  My youngest cousin (to the far left) was kind enough to send my family a Valentine in the mail, which I received yesterday. When I opened this up and saw our picture, my heart melted. And what do you think rang through my mind? Yup!  Gra...

In just a few weeks, I'll release one of my favorite books to date. When I started writing, I didn't set out to write a series.  I started with just one book, Finding Kylie, a contemporary romance and family saga about two women and their journey through past and present to learn about love and becoming survivors.  I left the ending somewhat open, while still having closure for the main character. I could have left it alone after Finding Kylie, but the story was so endearing to readers - that I got email after email asking 'what happens next?'.  Hence, the sequel, Facing Redemption was born, but it didn't happen overnight.  To tell the other side of the story, I had to put myself into some shoes that weren't savory and to do that it meant I had to learn to fully forgive.  You see ... these two books are very personal to me for very real reasons.  Read the forward of Facing Redemption and you'll know why. Once I was ready to move forward in my per...

At bedtime, on Christmas Eve, I was getting my son settled, which means bedtime prayers and end of the day revelations.  I usually ask things like, 'what are you thankful for today?' or 'What happened in your world that was good?' Sometimes I'll ask him if he could change something from today, what would it be?' That last question allows me insight to any stresses he might be dealing with that wouldn't normally unfold on their own. As we were chatting on Christmas Eve, I was internally reflecting on my life and how blessed I was to have such a tender-hearted kid who is also so stubborn and strong. He's a pistol when he wants to be but always sweet and kind to the core.  That night, I told him that I must have done something wonderful in my life to deserve a kid like him. He smiled, grabbed my face with his hands, and said, "Oh, Mom. You could have done nothing to deserve it. That's how God's grace works. He blessed you because He want...

In 1991 and 1992, I lost both my grandparents. They were my heroes and were one of the only constants I had other than my immediate family. As a military brat, I moved on average every two years so these two lovely gems were the part of our standard summer vacations when we would always come back to Oklahoma to visit. I'll never forget each time we'd pull down my grandparent's tree-lined street and into their driveway how I yearned to escape from our beat-up old blue station wagon. Immediately, I'd hop out, run up the driveway, and land in my grandmother's soft comforting arms as she patiently waited in her doorway. Smells of a home-cooked meal and frigid air would waft through, as we crossed into the front room.  If you're wondering why the memory of frigid air would ever register.  Well, spend one summer in Oklahoma and you'll know how welcoming cold air is.  It's just as amazing as my grandmother's fresh-baked homemade rolls or her green jello ...

I had the best intentions today.  After a very full and long two weeks of work, and a successful grand opening (in which I was on my feet for over 10 hours), I was bone-tired ... but still determined to get to church. I got up early, showered and dressed, and then put on my makeup.  I hollered to my little man down the hall to get dressed.  Since my hubs is a volunteer with the kids, he goes early. So most Sundays, it's just me and my mini-me going to second service to join my husband. After getting ready - I took about ten minutes to rest. After all, I still had a bit of time. I thought it couldn't hurt to lay down for a few minutes. HA! Unknowingly, my few minutes led up to a couple hours. The next thing I knew,  my husband was home from church, and I heard this from the kitchen ... bang, clank, rustle ... rustle. My kiddo was in the kitchen making me lunch because he knew I'd wake up hungry.  He'd face-timed his Nana on his iPod t...

It's Saturday... It's Saturday, and at this very moment a few hundred miles north of me, my friend is grieving the loss of her husband. It's Saturday, and this week has felt like an eternity.  I've moved through this week with such a heavy heart. And I feel guilty for being trapped in this fog of sorrow, as I'm not the one who lost my life long partner of over twenty years. I'm not the one who just got my husband back from Afghanistan, only to lose him to unexpected death. I can not fathom how my friend is coping, walking step by step through the process of burying her soul mate at the tender young age of thirty-nine. Brian Naranjo would have been forty years old on February 29th, 2012. Brian Naranjo would have his whole life ahead of him. He would have been celebrating a marquis year when you're supposed to reflect on where you've come and what you have left to do.  In reading his Facebook wall, as I'm inexplicably drawn to it, I...

So on top of everything I've been up to, I'm also coordinating my 20-year high school reunion. I can't believe it's been that long!! I went to two high schools...the first in Woodbridge, Virginia and the second in Okinawa, Japan; Kubasaki High School...the home of the dragons. When I was a senior, our class song was Forever Young by Alphaville. Those were the day when we thought we'd never get old. I look back to all that some of my alumni have done in life and I'm proud of each and every one! To list a few success stories, we have an: *Olympic Gold Medalist in the 2008 Olympics *Actor/Producer in London *Mentor and Public Speaker with Rich Dad Poor Dad *Many amazing officers serving our country *Executives in the travel/hotel industry *DJ's in foreign countries Those are off the top of my head... the others who are just as important and are just as successful in their fields hold positions in the media, film, education, government, motherho...

This morning both my son's soccer and T-ball games were canceled due to the torrential downpour we've had this week. The skies are finally clear but the fields aren't. My husband had some early morning errands this morning, so it was just me and my son at home. Around 6:30 a.m. I heard him shuffle into the bathroom to go pee, and then he shuffled on down to my room. My son's never been one, knock on wood, to crawl in our bed at night or sleep with us...but every once in a while if it's an early morning he'll just want to finish that last hour of sleep with us. Today was one of those days. He crawled up on my side, even though my husband's side was empty. We have a huge King bed, but my son crossed the room to the side, where I occupied to crawl over me. He's always got to have contact. He's the baby that when he first popped out, and the doctor laid him on my chest...he instantly just nuzzled. He loves to snuggle. This morning was no...