Tuesday, December 20, 2011

My Family

For day number two, I would like to talk about my family!

First though, I want to add a little something to my post yesterday about FNB. I had NO IDEA what everyone had planned for the kids and I when I expressed my appreciation. I met Chrissy last night and she delivered all the goodies that everyone sent to us from the bank. Perryville branch...thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and for organizing this! Also, Lancaster...thank you for your very special gift last week. You all made me cry!! I was speechless last night and, as everyone knows, that doesn't happen very often. We loved each and every thing that was sent our way and we are grateful!

Now, moving on. My family. They are wonderful and I could tell all kinds of great stories on each person but I'll spare them. Ha ha!!

1. My MIL and FIL. They are amazing and I struggle sometimes calling them in-laws because they're more like Mommy #2 and Daddy #2. Our situation is very unique as my FIL and MIL also double as my Pastor/Pastor's Wife. Bless their hearts...God has blessed them with patience because He knew I would be in the family. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. Given the recent turn of events in our family, I would say that their light has shown a bit brighter as people have watched the way they've handled the situation. They are honest, loving, Godly people and I love them with all my heart. Thank you for being there no matter what...I thank God for you daily!

2. Lacey and Chris...aka, SIL and BIL. It's not only my kids that LOVE these two, but I do too! We've grown up together and been through so much together. Chris is like the brother I never had and I appreciate all of his help and for the man of God that he is. Lacey is like a sister to me as well and she's a wonderful aunt to my kids. The kids would rather be with them than me most of the time. Lacey and Chris, thank you for all of your help in the past 6 months. I'm still praying for your little miracle...I want to be an aunt! I love you all so much!

3. My sister, Brandi. Oh, boy. Where do I begin? In all reality you would have thought we despised each other's very existence on earth when we were younger. Somehow, we learned to love each other (lol) and have become best friends. My kids love their "Sissy Bran" and are glued to her side when we're with her. Sis, thanks for being there for me. Your daily phone calls/voicemails/texts are a highlight during my day even when you don't hear back from me! Ha ha!!! Thanks for the being a wonderful big sister even if I am still the family favorite! (that is totally an inside joke) I love you bunches!

4. Latasha and Lashei. Gee whiz. Where do I even start? I used to babysit you and now you're old enough to have kids of your own. You all mean so much to me and I'm so proud of the way you've let God use your lives. Kari and Malachi are wild about you all (as well as your hilarious husbands)! I love you all!

5. Dad. I'm not even sure if you read my blog, Dad, but here's my tribute to you anyway! LOL! About a month or so ago, God began to do a work of healing in my heart. He has brought you and I closer in the past little bit and I'm so thankful for that! My fondest memories of us is cleaning on your old '79 Fords and me begging you to give me the beautiful brown one when I turned 16. After you finally let me drive it once, I quickly changed my mind!! I couldn't even hold it on the road. I love you, Dad, and I'm thankful for what God is doing. Hoping that our sporadic visits with each other get closer together after things settle down a bit!

6. All of the other family that I'm not gonna name for fear I'll forget somebody. We love you all so much. Each and every one of you mean the world to us. I've heard people say so many times since July that the kids and I have the best support system they've ever seen. They're so right...you all are wonderful!

7. I saved the best (in my opinion) for last. My mom. In trying to type this out, I just sit here and cry and pray that God helps me to lead my children the way my mom lead me. I think of all the times I've taken her for granted and not expressed my appreciation to her the way I should have. I was taught to pray and read God's Word daily by watching my mom do it. If she didn't have time in the morning, she made time in the evening before bedtime. I find myself falling short in that area so often. She was always faithful in attending church and doing what she could to serve and work for God. There's one thing I remember my mom telling me when I was 19 years old and I hold it dear to my heart. I was laying on my bed, crying my eyes out because of a deep deep hurt caused by someone's words. My mom held me and simply said, "No matter what, God is good. We don't understand and we want to give up sometimes but God is good and that's what we have to remember in this life."
To me, that means that no matter what life throws our way, no matter what we may have to face today or tomorrow, NO MATTER WHAT...God is good. And if He is in control (and He is) whatever we're facing will work out for our good.
Mom, thank you for being the best mother in the world! One of the best things about you is your humility. You don't see how wonderful you really are! I love you so much and I appreciate all that you've taught me. Thanks for being there every step of the way.


As you can see, we have a wonderful family! They support us, they love us, they pray for us and they are heaven sent. Thank you, Lord for our family. May we never take them for granted!

11 comments:

  1. I love your family too! They really are like Steven's and my second family! You ALL are hilarious!

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  2. This is the sweetest thing ever!! I love you just like your were my sister(actually I claim you as one) N your kiddos as my own! Lol!! I love you guys dearly N would do anything for y'all!! I pray you all have a Merry Merry CHristmas N a Great new year!!

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  3. You are an amazing young woman. Who would have ever DREAMED you would have turned out like you have??? :) I am so proud of you and love you so much! I'm so thankful God brought you into our hearts and lives and made you one of ours! Much love to you my dear!

    Sharon

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  4. That was soo sweet. We feel blessed to have you in our family.
    I wanna see some super hero pics...lol

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  5. My sweet daughter. Such warm and kind words from the heart. I will always remember and take this with me wherever I go. You have a terrific and I mean terrific family and the babies have wonderful aunts and uncles and cousins. You all are a very blessed little family. I cant call them inlaws either because they are my family too.
    Love you
    Momma

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  6. This rare occasion me n pappy will comment. Thank u Dil for the kind, kind words! U caused us to choke up. We r not really public commentors but we want to respond. We wud not choose the path our Dil is having to travel, we wud change it if we cud. We have watched as Ashlee has faced too much for for one person yet she has turned to God and prayed situations thru that wud take a normal person under. We r so very sorry for what our son has put her thru but so thankful for the pure gold that is coming out of the fire!!! Thank you for picking up the slack n being the loving devoted mother u are and that thru this ordeal we have gained a daughter. We love you!!!!

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  7. Well one one hand I wanna cry because of all the sweet and kind words that was said, but on the other hand, words like my DIL, BIL, MIL, SIL, and FIL make me chuckle!You are one Crazy hot chicka and I love you! You ARE my sister.....and before you know it you'll be an aunt too, but I'm not sure I'm ready to reap what I sowed with your kiddo's. :) I am so glad you are in our family and lives. Have a Merry Christmas!!!!! We LOVE you very much!!!
    ~Lacey and Guncle

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  8. I know you wanted me to leave a comment for you, so I guess I'll try to say a lil something. You know you always make me cry when I read your blogs, and this time is no different(imagine that...). I didn't read your blog last nite cuz you told me it was about family, and I knew I would be sobbing at bedtime. So, here I am, at bedtime, reading your blog. :( I'm no writer like you are--that was always your area of expertise--but you put into words what I was just thinking the other nite. It's so very odd how we used to almost kill each other before mom got home from work, and now we're so very close. It's hard for me sometimes to have a sister who lives farther than a few minutes from me, but when I think that you could be living in Texas, it doesn't seem that far after all. :) I love both you and your little rugrats--I tell people all the time that I don't think I could have kids of my own that I'd love more than Possum Face and Duti!! I know I don't feel half the pain you feel watching them be sick and hurt, but I come pretty dadburn close!! :) Seriously, sis, hope you have a Merry Christmas--and I know what your presents are.....:)

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  9. Ashlee Donnie reads every post you put on here. (Of course I have to help him with the computer because he barely knows how to turn it on....lol. He misses you and the kids so much. He loves you all with his whole heart and loves what time he gets to spend with you all.

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  10. Everyone on Karen's side of the family loves you all dearly! I am so proud of you and think you are the greatest mother ever! (excluding my own Mom:)
    Janice Shack

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  11. Gold Bless you everyone.

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