Celebrating My Parents

Today my parents celebrate their 44th anniversary. They've lived in 3 states and 6 homes. They've raised 3 daughters and a teenage grandson. They've rescued daughters A and B in times of struggle...more than once. They provided a roof and warm bed for my littles (the husband and me, too, of course). They've suffered the worst sadness, the loss of a daughter. They've lost 3 of 4 parents and a brother. They've watched daughters graduate high school, a grandson and a granddaughter. They've lived through a grandson serving in Afghanistan. They've seen all three daughters marry. They helped my family while I worked and went back to college after having kids. They've watched and protected my children while Taylor and I worked.

As a child I knew I wasn't going to get everything I wanted, but I had everything I needed. I was never hungry or cold. I got animal crackers, a roll of tropical lifesavers, or a candy bar every Friday from the grocery store. We went school shopping every year in August for a few new clothes and a pair of shoes. My mom cooked a full dinner every night. No, really, every. What I learned later is that they have always been very wise with money. We had all the necessities and a few extras. I think my dad could give most people excellent advice when it comes to finances. Why his children and grandchildren have to work through this the difficult way rather than simply following his advice is absurd. Guilty here! But getting it.

They've had many friends throughout the years and I bet they would all tell you that my parents would do anything they could if they needed any kind of help. I know 3 daughters would all say so, and I bet 3 sons-in-law would, too. There's a grandson that can tell you how much they helped him, and there's a granddaughter that can tell you through many misunderstandings that she has some grandparents that will save her if necessary at the drop of a hat. There are two small grandsons that will tell you they miss seeing grandma and granddad every day. My prayer is that these two small ones will get to appreciate them into adulthood. Maybe my family isn't the most expressive when it comes to emotions, but we should all know how much one another is loved, all beginning from the wedding that took place 44 years ago.

This is my small piece to share a part of their story and to show appreciation to these two people I get to call my parents. They continue to tirelessly love me and the rest of our family.

Georgia Snow Day

I'm not sure, but I could have been more excited about the snow than the boys and pup. My inner Iowa girl likes a good snow every once in a while. I'd really like it to be one per year. The city of Atlanta and metro area might be able to handle it better if it happened once yearly. I personally know people who stuck in their vehicle on major roadways for over 12 hours. Many stayed in hotels close to where they work. All major roadways were in a state of gridlock. Students were stuck at school overnight. I had originally not agreed with canceling school in our county since it wasn't projected to arrive until afternoon. I now appreciate the forethought. The Twilley boys have enjoyed these rare snow days. One more to go tomorrow!

These are a few of my Favorite (Online) Reads

Reading is my favorite quiet activity. A little bit of calm and quiet is essential in my every day. Women who inspire me to love Jesus and show Jesus are such breaths of fresh air. These ladies are a few of my favorites. I think you'll like them, too.

Ann Voskamp and Lysa Terkeurst share bits of themselves that are relatable. They speak truth and give grace. They can be found at conferences and other speaking engagements. Ann's book 1000 Gifts was written as if she was sitting down having a conversation with you telling you a story. Oh, the things I suddenly learned to see as gifts. Lysa's book Made to Crave is my current read. We could be the best of friends! The next book on my list is her book Unglued. I had the privilege of working with Ashley at CVS. What a light she was. Here you will find some fashion mixed with some beautiful nature shots from her hikes. You'll find healthy recipes, and I'm hoping that she'll share her soon to be journey with motherhood. Jenny has a heart for women discipleship. I believe she's being prepared to reach and encourage more women.  Lanie Beth I have previously described as fashionista. Little did I know at the time that I began admiring her blog of fashion, truth, grace, life that she was being prepared to use her love of fashion to help, encourage, and minister to women.

Enjoy reading their blogs!

Sweetest Soul

Three weeks after her due date and on a very cold (-22° with a wind chill of -90°), the sweetest soul entered the world. I was 5 waiting at my babysitter's house for the phone call. I had been convinced that I would be having a baby brother. The phone call came. The words "it's a girl" had me just leave the phone hanging there and walking off. The greatest babysitter in the world took me to buy something for my new baby sister. I picked out a yellow baby brush and comb. It was a long time before she could use either! The next day we went to the hospital so Angela and I could meet baby Paula Lynn. My dad asked if I wanted to switch her for a boy that had been born the day before. I said I'd keep the sister (really thinking I could have switched)!

I don't recall feeling like suddenly I was cheated at life now that I wasn't the baby of the family. I took on the middle child role with ease. There have only been two times in her 32 years that I thought she was evil. You guys that really know her will be surprised at these two revelations! The truth is about to be out! One time she lied about me. Seriously, it's probably the only time ever in her life that she lied. She said that I shut her head in the toy box! I was about to be in so much trouble! A spanking was on the horizon. Fortunately for me, my mom could sense I was telling the truth. The other time she was evil is also the only time my Grandma Darlene raised her voice at me. She told Paula to clean up some cereal she spilled. I started to help her and got in trouble! She needed to do it by herself. Causing my grandma to yell at me. Just evil.

I referred to her as the sweetest soul. I stole that description from one of her closest friends. It really is the perfect description. Paula is the most genuine person I know. Being the center of attention in big crowds may not be her favorite thing, but she has always been comfortable with whom she is. When I was feeling the need to impress, she was perfectly content just being the person she is. Beautiful. Just beautiful. We can all learn something from her. Beauty. Being genuine. Love. For her birthday, we will celebrate her well. Angela would agree. Paula is the best baby sister in the world!

 

Forever Friend

Today I have to tell about my grand friend. What began as a connection due to loss and sadness quickly turned into the best friendship. She saw many tears, too many tears, fall from my eyes. She carefully spoke words of concern when she knew I was being told lie after lie. We created our own adventurers. We may or may not have went around the then McDonough circle square 8 times without a single other car in sight. Maybe we would leave a certain friend at a gas station every single time he went inside the store, and then drove across the divided highway and beeped the horn when he came out. Perhaps, only perhaps, did we perfect investigative skills in a stalking sort of way.  Nobody quit her job after purposely getting taco bell sauce on her work shirt. Did we go get crimped hair at Shekinah's, or did we not? It may just be that we walked into a bar in our pajamas. But be sure that any other time we went somewhere we put hours into coordinating outfits.

Then we met our lifetime partners. You know those days when you sat around talking about how your husbands just had to get along. Well we got our wish! I'm sure in the early days they both just wanted us to hush sometimes (or more than sometimes). Now they could just leave us chatting and giggling and hang out without us. Winners!

Weddings. Babies. Going back to school as an adult. We've got this. My forever friend. Little old ladies laughing about the most ridiculous things.

Happy Birthday, Sabrina Karen! Doing life with you is the best. I wouldn't want to do it without you.

Happy Birthday Traci Robinson

Today would have been a day celebrating my special friend. Once in a while you have the privilege of having someone in your life whose impact continues even after their physical presence is gone. I know I'm not the only one whom she gave the gift of life long knowledge. Today, in honor of her birthday, I'm going to share the Traci Robinson I know.

If you had a pharmacy question, she could answer it. If she felt like she needed to find more information for you, she would. If you're a little bit crazy and came to the pharmacy all. the. time, you were fondly added to Traci's fan club. She would flash that bright smile with those white teeth and you would feel like the greatest person in the world. Many people heard "I was just thinking about you!" If Traci wanted something to happen a certain way, it happened.

I'll share some advice she gave me. If you're going to meet someone and your heart has you so excited about this encounter, but your brain is telling you all sorts of different things, so now you're confused, just pause. What does your gut instinct say? Listen to that. In 10 years that has never failed me. If my gut instinct says something isn't quite right, something has always been wrong. Another little tidbit: Don't settle for good. How can it be great?! Reach for it!

Today I remember her. I remember the truths she shared with me, saying things I knew deep down, but didn't want anyone else to see. She made me face them. We had a rough patch in our friendship, but we overcame it. At one time I was mad at her. I didn't understand the things she was doing. It didn't fit the vision of Traci that I had. You know what? She was human, too. It wasn't for me to understand. It was for me to love her anyway. She gave me a lot. In return, I just needed to love her and be her friend. I supported her as she searched for happiness.

A year ago today I was shopping with my dear friend Erica. Earlier I had sent Traci a text telling her happy birthday. She responded and asked about my day. I told her we were looking at baby stuff for Erica's baby that was on the way. She replied by telling me how proud she was of both of us and what strong women we turned out to be. I think Erica will agree with me that that statement holds a special place.

This is her first birthday that we think about her without her here. It's still raw. It's still emotional. I was so certain she could conquer cancer twice. Traci, you left us all with bits of you tucked inside of us. God knew I needed you for a time. That short time will stay with me my lifetime.

Excluded

Screams of terror "I want momma!" What would cause such a thing for the newly 5 year old while playing outside with his brother and a friend?
The Neighborhood Watch sign.
Yep. He just noticed it. Why the terror? That sign means a robber is coming. A quick explanation of what the sign actually means calmed the terror, but he's still a bit worried about a robber coming.

More tears at bedtime. Big brother has a friend over and is being allowed to stay up late. It sure is tough to be the younger sibling. You just want to be part of all the action. What a concept. This often sticks with us as adults. We still want to be a part of something fun and/or meaningful. Typically we don't shed tears when it doesn't work the way we want, but we still feel those negative feelings. We still feel a bit left out. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we aren't a part of that it takes over the greatness of what should be our focus. Sometimes we become so bitter that that is where we place our entire focus. It's no fun to feel excluded, but the negative self-talk must end! Our worth is not defined by who includes us or what groups and activities we are a part of.

On the other side of this, do you intentionally exclude people? Stop it! You might learn something or gain a new friend if you take the time to ask someone just a few questions. There just might be something that bonds you. You'll never know if you're only focused on your elite few. What do you think? Is it possible to have too many friends? I don't think so. Surely, it's a positive thing to get to know, really know, more people that you come in contact with on a regular basis. Surely you are put in their path for a reason.

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