Shannon's Sparkles and Sunshine

My RAINBOW connection

2012-02-11T02:43:00.005-06:00

Luke 11:10 says~ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

If you followed my last post, then you will understand when I say that my search was quickly over. The same day that I wrote my last blog entry was the same day this photo was taken. I was just leaving Sophie's resting spot from seeing her beautiful headstone and was sitting in the office at the church when I looked out the window and saw this staring at me. The colors that beam off this gorgeous rainbow radiated love and brightened my soul. I felt incredibly blessed and loved. I started to laugh when I realized that HE made this gorgeous piece of art so big that I would have had to of been blind to have missed it. Crazy feelings of excitement quickly replaced any saddness in my heart. I'm constantly being reminded to keep my eyes focused UPWARDS. It's only when I look down that I begin to stumble! Thank you God for blessing me like you do!

In your GRACE,
Shannon

Let it rain!

2012-02-02T05:25:00.004-06:00

They say rain is God's way of cleansing the earth. It washes away the dirt build up and allows the grass to immediately become greener. The birds sing louder, the sun shines brighter and there is a scent of freshness in the air after a good downpour. I believe tears work the same way for our soul. Tears are little capsuls of pain being released from the heart in order to keep it from being locked inside and doing damage to a cheerful spirit. Almost like a safety valve that releases to much pressure from being placed on it. Yesterday was an extremely tearful day for me, and today I am feeling fresh and looking for the rainbow!

Sunshine Kisses

2012-02-01T04:51:00.008-06:00

So here I am again, 4:30 a.m.and awoken by my thoughts. My heart is heavy and tears are flowing just entirely to easy right now. I was told yesterday that Sophie's headstone should be set in place by the weeks end. Strangely enough, as eager as I am to see it, I'm just as hesitant to not. Does that even make sense? I can't help but sit here and think how this WAS NOT suppose to end this way. Last year at this time, I would have bet anything that this story would have been written and ended differently. Our Sophie was suppose to beat this cancer and then live to tell about it. But, I am reminded that it is God's will and not our own. But as much as I tell myself that I must respect His decision, the pain is still there. The longing to push her in her swing at the creek bottom and hear her tiny little voice so sweetly call my name. Now I go to her swing and sit alone, remembering how she could pour pure sunshine over us on even her worst treatment days. I sit there praying and hoping that she will peak around one of the big oak tree's and whisper "Hey Shanny, come here real fast so I can have a hug" and I listen so hard for her giggle. I once even followed a butterfly in hopes it would lead me to something or someone special. But, I know that it is all wishful dreaming on my part. However, as heavy as my heart is, I feel so blessed. Blessed to have been a big part of her journey. Blessed to have been kissed and loved by 100% SOPHIE SUNSHINE! I sometimes ask God, Why, Why me? What did I do to deserve to be her caregiver and her Godmother? I may never know my answer in this lifetime but I will forever be thankful for the opportunity that He gave me. I can promise you that I could now live under a bridge in a cardboard box and die feeling more blessed than those who appear to have it all. My soul has been touched by God's grace and I was lucky enough to have felt it. I wonder how many people live out their lives being touched by God and never even knowing it. The feeling of His gentleness is one of no description. I have learned that in order to feel it though, you must travel some really broken and often scary roads. It takes strength that you didn't even know you had, and it takes incredible courage. Sophie Dale Sparks was feeling His touch the entire time, and I am just now beginning too. The grace of God is pure love and boy does it leave you wanting even more. God's love is that of sunshine. He wraps you in it's warmth on the coldest and rainiest of days, and leaves you feeling peaceful and comforted. The tears I cry right now I know are only for me and those of us left here missing her. Deep within I know that Sophie did beat the cancer and now lives in Paradise. I love the fact that she will never endure anymore pain that this world so readily hands out and I smile thinking about that day that we reunite. Oh the over powering feeling of JOY that will be felt. I just know that I will have a dejavu moment when she will jump out from around a big oak tree and leap into my arms giving me one of her great big, tight, MONKEY HUGS!

As I wrap up this writing, the song on my Ipod plays the exact song you are listening to right now on this blog. Coincidence? Hmmmm, I would think not. This song actually sums up my life at this very moment. "I Refuse"! Thank you so much for allowing me release my tears on your shoulder, I am feeling 1000% better already!!

Many Blessings,
Shannon

WARNING: BRAGGING POST ALERT!!

2012-01-20T21:15:00.010-06:00

This man is one of the most loving, gentle and encouraging men I have ever known. Our family has been on an emotional roller coaster these past few years, and he has been remarkably supportive through it all. He teaches my children about hardwork and how important a mans character is. I am so blessed to call him my husband and best friend. My children are blessed to call him Dad!

Waking up EXCITED!

2012-01-15T08:25:00.010-06:00

This morning I woke very excited and a tad bit nervous about starting my new Study group! This is the first time I have ever attempted anything like this and I am apprehensive about my leadership skills. But, I know that God has laid this on my heart for a reason, and I must give it my best shot! If you are looking for a winter Bible study, feel free to join us! It is completely free! You just need to download the material ASAP from the "Good Morning Girls" sister site!

http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

The study begins tomorrow. The perks to a study group like this is that you can do it from the comforts of your couch, anytime day or night, and you can "COME AS YOU ARE"!! =-) Gotta love that last part! If you want to join our facebook page, please do so! We would love to have you!!! Copy and paste the following link in your browser if you wish to join and let us know more about you!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/263504487049525/

If you want to get my emails, each time I have a new post, please place your email in the box located in the right hand column on this page! I would love to share each of my blogs!! Leave a comment so that I may follow your blog as well if indeed you have one! =-)

Best run now and get my material together, grab a cup of coffee and then rush off to church! Have a wonderful Sunday my Friends!!!

2011, the year of life lessons!

2012-01-09T05:23:00.024-06:00

This was written a few days ago. I held it until I felt it was the right time to place on my blog. It is a bit long, and I thank you for being so patient as to read it. I am not sure why my blog is randomly deciding to change the font and size of the text through out this post neither, I apologize for the craziness. =-)

01/07/12

It is once again very early in the morning, and my writing mind won’t allow me to sleep. The boys are all gone hunting, Skylar is sleeping and I am up looking out into the foggy night sky wishing it was a clear one. I have come to enjoy watching for shooting stars and talking to God very much these past few years. I talk with Him mostly when I think the rest of the world is sleeping.... I guess I feel that I have more of his attention that way. My talks with him have become like medicine to me. You know that bible verse in Exodus where it says, “The Lord is my strength and my defense”? Well that verse makes sense to me more now than ever . I find myself talking to Him quite often, and even more so when I feel weak. Funny though that I speak to Him more about my friends and family than I do myself. I think it is easier to offer prayers for others than it is to go to Him and humbly beg for yourself. I am working on this though, and maybe by the end of 2012 it will become easier. I enjoy talking with God because He is a wonderful listener. I know that when I go to God with what is on my mind, my heart will feel lighter and happier when our conversation is over. Our last talk is what prompted this blog. You see I was asked to sum up 2011 in three words by a friend a few days back, and as hard as I tried, the task was IMPOSSIBLE. 2011 was a year of BRUTAL pain. Not just for me but MANY of my closest friends and family too. When 2010 ended last year, I was full of HOPE AND EXCITEMENT! I just knew 2011 was going to be the year of a miracle. The year God proved that he was indeed the ultimate healer. However, the miracle was not to be, not the miracle I had been longing for anyways. I felt such despair. I was completely let down by God, and I couldn't understand why. I prayed so hard and so intently for MANY people and problems last year that I just knew SOMETHING good was bound to happen. But, despite my best efforts, my family and friends had marriages crumble, some lost their jobs, others were in the midst of a family crisis…. and I was losing my littlest Angel. However all was not lost, because in the process of feeling this pain in and around me, I learned three enormous life lessons.

The first one is that He INDEED is the ULTIMATE healer and MIRACLE MAKER. We just have to be patient and allow Him to show us. It isn’t going to be our way and it certainly won’t be on our timing or terms…but He hears, He listens, and He acts. But, we must do the same. We must go to Him and ask "why", be quiet enough to "listen" for his answer, and then brave enough to "act" on what it is we heard.

The second lesson was that it doesn't matter how hard you “Want” something. Ultimately God’s “Will,” will be done. It is about “CHOICES”, choosing to understand his “Will” and having the Faith to BELIEVE in it. As parents we want nothing more than to save our children from heartache, just as the Lord wants to save us from it. But reality is, NOBODY gets through life without it. If Jesus didn't, then what seriously makes us think we wont? Nevertheless, it is how we choose to deal with the losses that make us who we are. I believe everyone is going through something in their life. Whether it is a loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a family crisis, an addiction, etc. these are blows to each individual going through them. And pain is pain no matter what angle we are looking at it from. But the pain doesn’t have to last forever. It is important to understand that there is a time for mourning each of these but then we have to turn those tears into determination. We must choose to pray, choose to fully rely on God, choose to limit how long our pity party is, and then we must choose to stand stronger than ever. I believe we are given pot holes along our journey to redirect our life course and put us on the path we belong. We may not understand why God has allowed what ever it is to happen or why. But, if you stay close to His heart, he will give you the answer eventually. Somewhere in our future we will then see that crater we fell into as a portal that led us to some wonderful happenings in our lives. It may not make up for the loss you feel, but it is ALWAYS a VALUABLE lesson in LOVE. And, as we stand up and begin to climb out of that crater, we will probably fall a few more times. But I know that as we brace ourselves and begin to climb up again, God will support us and give the boost we need to conquer it once and for all.

I was taught by my littlest Angel that when God consumes your heart, you remain stronger than ever even when your body never physically felt weaker.

The third and final lesson I have learned is that life is as delicate and as fragile as a flower. It’s beautiful to look at today but there is no guarantee that it will be there tomorrow. We must spend our time here on earth wisely and surrounded by people who help us get to where we are wanting to go. The enemy is extremely smart and he uses people as well as things to lead you away from complete Joy. Unknowingly most of those people that suck the happiness out of you are clueless to the fact that they too need to seek out their own faith, and spiritual guidance. We have to be careful that we are following God’s path and not the one that the enemy makes look so easy and enticing. He never stops working on us, and is always looking for a way into your mind. He tells us that expensive and often unneeded desires will make us happy, that alcohol and drugs will kill the pain. He feeds us negative thoughts such as “Don’t do that, it won’t work”, “they will laugh at you”, “you aren’t worthy enough”, “you are a failure”, “you don’t need church”, “if you don’t feel like getting out of bed, then don’t” and “you deserve that drink or hit, look at what you have been through/ look how much fun those people are having”. When encase they often do just the opposite, and it is a temporary pleasure that has led you straight down a path of destruction. BUT, that path can be made right again. That is the glory and grace of God. God shows us that the most precious things in life are COMPLETELY FREE …LOVE, LAUGHTER, FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP. He shows us the right road, and he teaches us to take it with the most compassionate of hearts. The bible says the road will be long and narrow but it is guaranteed to lead us to pure JOY! Disney depicts it best when you see the Prince always fighting thorns, and grown up bushes and thistles, but once through it he finds a beautiful mansion waiting. The long and narrow path doesn't necessarily have to be taken alone either, and if with the right company, it can be a FUN one. =-)

One last thing: We all have to learn that our “being” is more important that our “doing”. We need to make sure we are “being” there for our children, spouses, family and friends, gently and unselfishly despite what our minds tell us we should be “doing”. Too often we are busy “doing” “things” we feel has to get done, instead of “being” there for them when they need us the most. Jesus taught others so they could teach us, and now it’s our turn to do the same for our family and friends. Isn’t that everyone’s purpose in life anyway….to be a disciple of God?

So this year, I plan to wake up each day and be thankful for LIFE; I know somebody somewhere is fighting hard to save theirs. I am going to work on my weaknesses; I know weakness is a playground for the enemy and I refuse to be his merry go round. I plan to stop and not overlook the small, simple, beautiful things that God gave us, and most importantly I will quit worrying about what others think. I know now that not everyone thinks like I do and if I am following my heart, then what they do and say are not important. In the end we are all responsible for ourselves and what path we are taking on this journey. We cannot burn ourselves out “wanting” things for and from others, we all must “choose” to grab it for ourselves.

So : Dear 2011, I will hold dear to all the memories you gave me and Thank you for the life lessons you taught.

Dear 2012, It is nice to meet you. I will be looking forward to the memories and lessons you have in store. Just go easy on me please, I am new.

I will close with this picture.

This is a tree down in our creek bottom that had fallen right behind where Sophie swung and enjoyed being. To me it was dead limbs that she needed to stay away from, but to her it was so much more. I can still clearly hear her excited voice saying , "Shanny, look over there at that cross, isn't that cool?" I now see exactly what she did. That old, dead tree shows me that everything falls and eventually dies, but your HOPE never has to! When I visit her swing now, I stare at that "Cool" cross and thank God for it!

Happy New year friends! Much love and God filled happiness in 2012!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-21T19:45:00.003-06:00

I am sending this out early in hopes that it will reach everyone that followed Sophie's story in time for Thanksgiving. I ask you to please send this to the people in your email list that prayed for her and I ask you to read it to your children that love her so!

This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. A few years ago, I had prayed to the Lord to help guide me into a direction that would be worthy of his blessings. Wow, He showed me a depth in my heart that I was very unsure about at first. But, I knew that if I was to fully have Faith in him, I had to take what was laid on my heart and do the leap of Faith. Regardless of what others would say or think because of it. I am grateful that I did just that and that my heart was truly open. For now I am finally seeing what He means by the word "Joy". I am grateful to have learned one very important key to living a joyful life. And that is... knowing I CAN'T truly be happy unless those around me are too.

I have found that God gives us the fundamentals of life but so many of us choose to not listen. But the reality is.. how can we be happy if our family, friends, neighbors or co-workers are sad and unhappy? Just like it's hard to eat a full meal when you see your neighbors starving. So my idea of a happy life is to try my best and live in such a way that my friends, family and even strangers don't suffer because of something I have said, done or didn't do. Now I am far from perfecting this, and at times I fail miserably... but I strive for this daily and teach my family to do the same.

You see Gods will for us is NOT that we perfect this ( we are all human and creatures of imperfection), perfection only leads to pride and self-righteousness. He only wants us to trust Him enough to place our lives in His hands fully and watch Him transform us into joyful people that are thankful in good times and in bad. Then, in return go out and show the world what He can do.

"What caused me to finally open my eyes and ears to Him you may ask?".....well no one other than my precious Goddaughter, Sophie Dale Sparks of course. She was a true believer! I have been told that some people had been taken by surprise at the end of her short life. They had no idea she was so close to death because she looked so healthy and happy. The only thing that showed the world she was even sick was her beautiful bald head. She made dying look easy, and I know the only reason she could do that was because Sophie allowed the Lord to consume her heart. In return she spread SUNSHINE into the lives of many people, some who hadn't seen the sun in many, many years.

I received many letters from people that I don't even know, thanking me for sharing Sophie with them. Through opening a random email sent by a friend their lives were changed. One in particular touched me in away that I could never fully describe. The letter explained how they had never met Sophie personally but felt as if they had. They shared how Sophie's story became almost an obsession and were always seeking ways to learn more about her. They would get up early and before even brushing their teeth, they checked their email for any new updates. They told how when they received the word that Sophie was now a heavenly angel, their heart sunk. Heartbroken not just over a communities loss, her parents pain, or shattered hope. But also because there would be no more updates or pictures. However, the most fascinating thing they shared with me was that it was her death that led them back to church and into the arms of our Lord. A place they had left and long avoided for years. They now woke up no longer to check for emails from me, but to talk to God! Up until that letter I myself was asking God "Why? Why take our Sophie Sunshine when she was leading so many to you in prayer? When I know she would have glorified you for the rest of her life? Did we not pray hard enough or lead a good enough life, had we done something wrong?" Well God so gently and graciously answered my question with that one of many letters that came. He didn't take her to punish us...He took her because she deserved it. She went over and beyond and earned her early promotion from this world that can be very unkind! Her little body suffered so and now it was time to give her a new one.

I have learned that we should all live our lives like Sophie did. When we enter a room, we need to light it up with SUNSHINE!!! You are never to old to learn and never to young to start! I hope that if you, your family, your neighbors or friends are suffering---that the Lord is allowed to jump into your/their hearts and that you find the gratitude that pure JOY can bring.

This Thanksgiving may your home be filled with the Lords love, His peace, and an over abundance of His blessings on your table.

Many Blessings,

Shannon

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18"

Yes, there is a Santa Clause!

2011-11-17T09:46:00.000-06:00

Good morning! A simple question from a kind but curious adult sparked me to journal.

I was asked, " Why do you call the LV Angels Christmas event the "Evening with Santa"? "Leaving God's name out of it completely?"

This question instantly took me back 10 years ago when I was asked a very similar question, "Mom, if there is no Santa then does that mean there is no God?", from a teary eyed 10 year old girl who had just discovered from children at school that Santa was a made up character. So my response was a fairly fast and easy answer. " I believe Santa Clause is just a mere representation for God. To me Santa is a gentle way of talking about and introducing God to the most tender of hearts."

I chuckle to myself thinking about how many eyebrows were just raised as they wonder to themselves how I could possibly compare God and Santa? However, I can easily and without hesitation explain that as well.

Let me start my saying that all though Santa is a fictional character and God is a TRUE AND VERY REAL essence, they do have a lot in common. Santa much like God never ages nor does he die. (Even their very existence is something of a mystery) They both are "all knowing"' ( they do keep a list and know if you are bad or good and if you are sleeping or awake) Both are told to live “above us.” (the north pole & heaven). Santa and God each love people no matter their circumstances, and want us to do the same. They are reported to share the same level of patience... slow to anger and quick to forgive. Children eagerly await Santa's arrival in hopes they had been good all year, much how adults await the coming of Christ in hopes that they have led a good life. But, the biggest thing they have in common, this time of year is their "Helpers". God has His disciples and Santa has elves. Without them, how would their very existence continue and be passed on from generation to generation. I remember looking at that sweet, innocent brown-eyed 10 year old and explaining the story of St. Nicholas and how he was one of the very first "elves/disciple" in teaching us what Christmas was truly about. I sat explaining to her that Santa's reindeer were actually symbolic of the donkeys that carried the wise men and their gifts, just like the twinkling Christmas lights were the Stars that lit their way. How the star on top of our tree was meant to be the Star of Bethlehem, the angels were to remind us of how the message of Jesus' birth was delivered " and lastly how Santa's jingle bells represented the coming of a special occasion or message, much like we hear in our church before we take communion. What a wonderful teachable moment that had turned into. I remember thinking with a mothers heart, and refusing to allow anyone to turn her child's Christmas into anything but what it really was.

Christmas is that time of year we allow our memories to transport us back to simpler and more nostalgic times. Songs by Burl Ives, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby..okay I think you get the picture. Those songs teleport me to my own Christmas past. I hear them and I think of our living room and a Christmas tree strung with lights, huge primary-colored bulbs that get all scratched but still looked beautiful, tinsel that sparkled everywhere, and a silver lighted, foil tinged Christmas Star on top. Instantly I am a kid again, lying under the tree next to my brothers coloring in a Christmas coloring book, dreaming of what we would be getting from Santa, and figuring out how much money we had saved to buy our parents gifts from "Santa's workshop!" A time of excitement in preparation for a huge family get together with our most favorite people. It was a time of BELIEVING in things unseen, MAGICAL beauty, and HOPES that the feeling the season brought would never end.

Now as I finish my journal entry, I feel the need to thank this kind person for asking me that curious question. It forced me to remember what it is that makes this time of year so incredibly special.

And now I ask them, " Why would I NOT call this event the "Evening with Santa?"

Please feel free to share this email, in hopes that it might enlighten someone else along the way.

Many Blessings!
Shannon

A friendly reminder:
We invite you to come celebrate with the LV Angels Tuesday December 6@ 7pm. At the LV City park and turn into a child again while you ride Santa's sleigh along side Mrs, Clause, sip hot coco and listen to Christmas carols, and enjoy watching " Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" from a 12ft movie screen as your children wait with excitement to visit Santa and take rides on the Wiggle Waggle Polar Express train. Remember that we have donation boxes at HEB, Family Dollar, Dollar General, St. Ann's Catholic Church, and Affordable trailers. We hope to collect many nearly new coats and blankets as well as brand new pajamas, undergarments, and outer garments for children in our community that are less fortunate. You may call Lisa at 830-779-2796 and order your families "Evening with Santa" t-shirts for a price of $10.50 each with all proceeds going towards families that are more in need. This is a free event with only one requirement....YOU MUST BRING YOUR CHILD LIKE FAITH & YOUR SMILES!

http://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/p/Saint_Nicholas.htm
(incase you too need some help one day as I did) :-)

Friendsship & Love

2011-11-15T23:41:00.003-06:00

This evening as I sit alone in my silent home, my sweet dog beside me and the moon peaking in through the window, the rest of the family has been dusted by the sandman, and I can't help but smile as I reflect on the joys in my life. Next week, my home will be overtaken with the aroma of our Thanksgiving dinner, family and friends will fill the walls. This now quiet home will be reflecting the sound of children’s laughter, intriguing conversation, and football! Lol.

So on days 15 & 16 I am grateful for friendship and love. I hold family and friends to be among the most important gifts there could ever be, and in this area of life I have been abundantly blessed. When I meditate on this, my heart begins to overflow and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Powerful Blessing's come from small acts of Charity!

2011-11-14T12:50:00.006-06:00

Okay okay! I know! Once again here come the excuses for being behind on my blog! This time it was honestly no fault of my own. You see, Friday morning my wifi router decided to blow up on me, leaving me at the mercy of my iPhone. There is just no easy way for me to blog from that. Or at least any way that I'm aware of.

In an effort to keep this post from becoming a book, I have decided to link up 4 days worth of gratitude for you. So here it goes!

This time of year is very chaotic for me to say the least. I started a nonprofit organization 3 years ago helping the less fortunate of our community. Each year we have put on a Christmas event for our entire town. The few weeks beforehand can be quite stressful but the emotional reward you get when it is over, more than makes up for that brief period of feeling overwhelmed. The smile on the faces of children and adults alike are absolutely priceless. It helps us to remember that Christmas time is truly about communities coming together as family and celebrating the way our Lord asks us to. So day 11-14 of my gratitude list is my thankfulness for this wonderful charity, the outpouring of support and generosity from this loving community that I live in, and for blissful chaotic moments that turn into the most wonderful and powerful blessings! Here is a link to our facebook page in case you are interested in checking us out!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LV-Angels/258285052220

Blessings, Shannon

Lessons in language! WOW

2011-11-10T09:43:00.013-06:00

This morning I went outside to watch the sunrise. It was cold yet so refreshing at the same time. The view from my house at this time of year is simply PERFECT! The sun is rising in the east and the warmth from it on your face is so soothing! And, when you do an about face, you see the most gorgeous moon descending in the west. The sight of this today almost had me in tears. You see, it's those moments that I'm alone with God that so much of His work makes sense to me. It was almost as if He was saying..."Shannon, can't you see that yesterday is fading but what a beautiful sight it was and it's leaving you with a smile. Now turn around and see the beauty that is just dawning, and the wonderful things that wait you."

Isn't that just amazing? Tonight when the moon rreappears, it will be His reminder to me that just because something is out of sight, doesn't mean that it's necessarily gone forever. Day 10: I'm grateful that I'm finally understanding how God speaks... And gosh do I love his language! I have temporarily turned off the music to the page so that you can play a song that has become my saving grace in my dark moments.

Blessings,
Shannon

Thankfulness & I got behind...AGAIN

2011-11-09T12:34:00.003-06:00

A 30 day challenge of Thankfulness and I got behind...AGAIN!

Today is the 9th. SO here is yesterday and todays:

Yesterday we were blessed with a "touch" of rain and cooler weather. So Day 8 is my gratitude for the MUCH needed rain. South Texas is in the middle of a record drought and any moisture we get is always very much appreciated. The rain we received won't even begin to make up for the lack of rain we need, but anything helps when you have thirsty lawns, trees & critters. I am thankful on this Day 9 of the challenge for the cooler temperatures. After a long, hot summer of reaching triple digits, these cool Autumn mornings feel amazing!

Faith

2011-11-07T18:29:00.005-06:00

Gratitude & Thankfulness doesn't even begin to describe my Day 7: Today, I am thankful for my FAITH!. Without my Faith, I could NEVER have gotten through what I have these past few months. I have learned a lot about this word over the past couple of years, and by far it is what carried me! I always had faith, but until I put it into action, I never saw how much it bettered my very existence. I am often asked, "Do you still pray? Do you still trust God?" And I confidently & always respond with a profound, "YES"!

We often ask for God to help us, but is it help we are asking for? Or are we just wanting to tell Him how to do it? We say we trust God but DO WE REALLY? To truly "let go and let God", we must literally relinquish things to Him and have Faith that however He chooses to take care of things is His business.

Faith is NOT telling God what to do, how to do it or when to have it done by. Faith is trusting God to do whatever He says while accepting His will even when it is not our own.

We should praise God when He chooses to answer our prayers the way we believe, and just as loudly when He doesn't. Faith is trusting and accepting the will of God no matter what.

I watched FAITH carry a 5 year old child and ultimately allow her comfort in death. I am forever grateful for the most beautiful word ever....FAITH!

My Very First Give Away!

2011-11-07T09:30:00.009-06:00

My Very First Giveaway has been put into place!

Hello dear friends! Well, I'm so very excited to be having my very first GIVEAWAY!!! It's been such a pleasure blogging within the last few weeks and meeting such amazing & inspirational people! :) This has been a very fun
experience, and I would love to host a follower friendship appreciation giveaway!This is also being done in efforts of gaining some new fellow blogger's and making even more wonderful friendships.
I will be giving away a beautiful 16" rustic barbed-wire cross that has already been treated and is ready to be hung. Made by me personally, along with another little surprise just for SMILES! Would go beautifully outside or inside on a Cross wall, rustic room, or by itself!

Are you excited and ready to enter??! If so, here are the giveaway rules for your chance to win this beautiful cross!

** Leave a comment on my blog letting me know that you are a follower or become a follower of "Shannon's Sparkles and Sunshine" using the Google Friend Connect gadget on my page, and leave a comment letting me know you did so.

{OPTIONAL}
For extra entries, you may:

** Mention my giveaway in one of your blog posts.

** State the giveaway in your Facebook and/or Twitter Page with a link back to this post.

Just leave me separate comments for each extra entry. The winner will be chosen via random.org.

The giveaway will end Wednesday, December 7th. (My Birthday) at 12 midnight, Central Standard Time.

A winner will be announced on Thursday, December 8th.

Good luck, and please tell your friends about this wonderful giveaway!
This giveaway is open to both US & international friends. :)

**For anonymous users or bloggers with private profiles, please make sure to include your e-mail address in your comment post so I may contact you in case you win**

This will be fun! GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Sweet Solitude

2011-11-06T08:06:00.000-06:00

As I write this I am sitting at my laptop in my chaise/lounge, the smell of Folgers brewing, nothing on but a soft lit lamp next to me, (and our wall clock ticking in the background) the family is still snuggled up in their beds, and I am enjoying the solitude right before sunrise.

It tickles me that for so long in my life I didn't enjoy the sound of "quiet". I had to have noise, craved activity and wanted the comfort of company even if it came from sounds of a radio or television.

After three children, the stress and strain of getting four different family members off to their respective activities, the daily grind of household chores, and having to give someone my attentions most all of my awake hours.... I have come to CHERISH these rare times of

I can blog without guilt, sip my coffee and feel warm and relaxed, and for a little while I am the master of MY world, no worries of hearing anyone yell my name and answer to no-one (until one of them awakens and I fly back into mom/wife-mode, of course) But mostly, I enjoy the quiet and the solitude because it allows me time for devotion with God, and it brings me to a point of complete relaxation. It has taken me many years but I am finally learning that it is okay to take some "Me" time without feeling terribly guilty. Often times, I feel like I am a trick of all trades and a master of NONE. Like a woman with 2 very long arms that are being stretched in 5000 random directions, that must be ready to have an answer to every question at every second of the day. PLEASE don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade THAT I AM NEEDED, WANTED & LOVED for anything else in this world. Without my family, I would be A miserable and terribly lost soul. It is most definitely because of those crazy "life" moments that I have grown to appreciate and love the BLISSFUL feeling I receive when I BLOG IN SOLITUDE!

So since I missed day 5 of giving thanks, I figured this morning I would make yesterday and today a "ALL IN ONE". My day 5 has to be my gratitude for my blog and the release it allows me! And, day 6 goes to the the precious moments of SOLITUDE that I am learning to allow myself ! I hope you all enjoy your "ME" time too!

Psalm 90:14 -Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Many Blessings,

Shannon!

Happy Anniversary to us!

2011-11-03T19:49:00.007-05:00

Day 4: Today my husband and I celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary. Gosh, it has honestly flew by! Glenn informed me this morning that we have been together over half of my life. WOW! I REALLY FEEL OLD....but I wouldn't want to grow old with anyone else! 3 wonderful children later we are still reinventing different ways to fall in love. Thus far it's been a great journey together. I would be lying if I said it's been perfect but it's been as near to perfect as most people can ever hope to experience. My husband is a great, honest, loyal, God fearing and hard working man. He can work on and fix just about anything....and not just with WD40 and DUCT TAPE...WOOOHOOO.lol

I love him more each day that passes. He truly knows me better than anyone. He can tell when I am tired or have a lot on my mind. He can sense over the phone when I have been upset or am just out of sorts. He comforts me and tries to make me laugh. He makes me feel loved and supported. And, I know that he backs me 100% in everything I do. So today I am thankful for my HANDSOME husband!

I have no regrets that I took that vow 22 years ago. It felt "right" then, but it feels "PERFECT" now. He is my partner, my love, my rock, and my friend. God picked the best husband for me, and because we kept Him close, I feel we grew together over the years instead of apart.

Thirty Day's of THANKFULNESS

2011-11-02T21:15:00.011-05:00

Well it seems that even before Halloween is over, the stores are stocking the shelves with Christmas decor. Just this past September I went to get pool supplies and found that the shelf that housed the chemicals all summer long were being restocked with artificial CHRISTMAS TREES! At this time here in South Texas we were still coming extremely close to hitting triple digits and the LAST thing we are thinking about is CHRISTMAS! But retailers are eager to get our $$$ and they sure know how to reel us in. The weather is just now getting to the point where we must store away our swimsuits and put away our wide brimmed floppy hats. Now we are being forced to look at Snow, Santa Clause and winter gear.....SERIOUSLY, What has happened to Fall? We are being robbed of one of the most beautiful times of the year. However, the stores make it easy to get swept up in the bright lights, jolly holiday music, and the pressure to "SPEND SPEND SPEND"! I refuse to let them rob me of this very special holiday. I believe it is time we give Thanksgiving the respect it deserves. So I invite you to take some time with me to reflect this month on what's really important, and give thanks each day for all we are BLESSED with in our daily lives.

Since I am starting this blog on day 3, I will blog 3 days worth of "Thankfulness" today. They will be random and in no particular order, except #1. Will you join me, or do you have a list already going of your own? Please share your post so that I too can follow your list of "Blessings"!

Day 1: My first of THANKFULNESS has to go to Jesus Christ. He has become my answer to everything. I am honored, blessed and thankful for my relationship with Him. He is my ticket to happiness and true Joy. I credit Him for everything that follows on this daily list. Here is my favorite picture of His sacred heart. I have this picture framed in my room along with each of my kids. Seeing Him first thing upon waking and the last thing before falling asleep is so important.
Psalms 100:4 we are taught to, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless His name."

Day 2: I am so very grateful for my family. Family completes me in every way possible. And I say that loudly and proudly. Yes, I am indeed BLESSED with a CRAZY but LOVING family. To me family are the people you can lean on when the going gets tough, they are the ones you can trust to laugh or cry with in any given situation, they are your safe haven that you can always be yourself around. I find comfort, safety, security, fun, and LOVE within my family! I am truly BLESSED!

My third seems like an odd one. But I am thankful for SHOES, yes shoes! I saw a picture that told a story of how so many children across the world own NOT A SINGLE PAIR. They walk through mud, sand, rocks, trash and even SEWAGE...BAREFOOT.
Shoes are something we tell our kids to put on in cold weather in efforts of keeping them from catching a cold, or something worse. We have boots for when they are working along side their father's outside, rain boots for wet and muddy weather, flip flops for summer days to prevent the HOT STREETS from burning their tender toes, and we even give them house shoes to wear in the home.

Living in a part of the world where most of us take a simple pair of shoes for granted made this picture a bit hard to swallow.

Day 4: WILL COME TOMORROW! STAY TUNED =)

A Quiet Halloween

2011-10-31T17:46:00.010-05:00

Halloween was an extremely quiet one this year. Usually, our family is the enthusiastic one that is planning out the evening, rushing home so that we can hook up the trailer, throw on some bales of hay, put on spooky music and then rush out to meet friends and do some trick or treating. But this year, we just weren't feeling it. Not having Sophie here to take part in the festivities like last year, really put a damper on our emotions. Nobody had the will to decorate and "Stuffy" the scarecrow remained un-stuffed and put away for yet another year. Our annual "Fall Family Fun Night" didn't take place and silently we all hoped Halloween would pass as just another day. But, as the day progressed and afternoon got closer I realized that sitting home and ignoring the holiday wasn't going to make anybody feel any better. So I sent Skylar to the local grocery store, where her and Peyton picked out what I believe to be "The Great Pumpkin", lol.(Not really, but gosh it was heavy!) We enjoyed taking turns scooping the sticky seeds out of the bright orange cavity, laughing at how we each had our own method and tools to use. Peyton was crowned the carving king this year, he got to draw and carve it. This is usually his daddy's job and as you can see he had a hard time giving the job up. But he was determined to have a shot at it and I must admit he did a DARN GOOD JOB! We made a dish of lasagna, a pumpkin pie and set the television to record some spooky shows. All in all even thought it lacked the PIZAZ of years past, it was extremely enjoyable. I don't ever remember having a more relaxing Halloween evening. I have a strong feeling that since the kids are getting older now, there are going to be many more in our future. But between you and me..*whispers* "I hope NOT"! Who knows, maybe just maybe since we had no scary decorations up, we might have invited a few very familiar sweet spirits near instead of scaring them away. If they were close, I know they were pleased to see that we are moving forward, still thinking of them, missing them terribly but keeping our smiles as we go.

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

2011-10-29T15:09:00.007-05:00

The autumn air has finally arrived here in South Texas (for now) and just in time for Halloween! You can smell it in the air, see it in the trees and feel it on your skin.I love how every little country store you enter has the smell of pumpkin spice burning. It's like flavor for the nose! Mmmmm! What a inviting and welcoming smell it is! The tree's here are mostly evergreen's but we do have some change in color. Unfortunatley it is nothing compared to the states up north but Texans don't mind and indulge in what we can get. I enjoy the time change when the nights are longer and the days are shorter. It means deer season is close and lots of campfires are in store. The cool fronts start coming more frequently so we know the temps won’t reach triple digits for awhile, and we hope they won’t even come close!! But...It seems that as fast as it arrives...it is gone again. So we take complete advantage of it's visit. Each year around this time, I put out my pumpkin that has my favorite fall saying inscribed on it, “Harvest Blessings”. It serves as a reminder to me and my family of the scripture that I take very personally and one that I feel is a very valuable lesson for everyone. 2 Cor. 9:6-15 (TLB) “But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others". So we should all go out and plant as many blessing as we can and not do it half heartily; because come harvest time we want to all be rewarded abundantly!

Many Blessings,
Shannon

Heartfelt Gratitude!

2011-10-27T10:57:00.005-05:00

Blessings trickle into our lives everyday, but we seldom take note of them. Often, we are to busy with, well, LIFE. I am guilty of just that. Now, that I have time to breathe and reflect I see where in my weakest hours, God reached in and gave my heart a much needed hug. Those hugs generally came in the form of family, friends, and complete strangers. The acts of kindness that Sophie and I felt were genuine “Angel Embraces”. Like blessings sent straight from heaven, each day we experienced them. Everyday that my doorbell rang and I opened the door to a caring and compassionate smile that held back tears, bearing dinner for a family that some had never met. Everyday that I opened my mailbox and got to see the expression on Sophie’s face when she saw that she had mail...She got just as tickled when she saw that her Shanny got some too. The blessings came through facebook notes, text messages, phone calls and even random hugs from strangers at public places.

I feel that you who are new friends, as well as those of you who have been by my side for years…are indeed treasures sent from heaven.

My gratitude can never be expressed in words, on an email, a post on my blog, or a message on facebook. I can only pray that you feel the words hug you as many of your words hugged me through these past months.

Sophie’s journey helped me to find an even bigger expansion to my Faith. I know that we all will go through different “seasons”. Right now even in the “Season” of sorrow my heart is full to overflowing. I know that it will not always be there and it will dip at times but I have unlimited access to God and his word, so it will fill again.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of sweet Soph and sadness doesn’t grab hold, but to know that she is soaking up the rays from a rainbow while chasing frogs and butterflies in a strong and healthy body, getting embraces from the good Lord and is keeping our space open for when we at last join her….MAKES ME SMILE!!!! Sophie’s life inspired so many including mine.

I will end with one last heartfelt, “THANK YOU”! You made a difference in many people’s lives. You showed first hand the importance of love, support, and encouragement. Your love and prayers helped carry us. And your acts of kindness made one little girl feel very important.

Much love,

Shannon

Storms of Life

2011-10-17T11:36:00.000-05:00

The storms that rolled in a couple of weeks ago were a VERY welcome sight after a long, hot and very dry summer. I was awoken by the crackling of thunder, and flashes of lightening. The sound of the raindrops on the roof was almost tranquilizing. I grabbed my camera and my notepad and went outside so that I could completely engulf myself in the feeling. I remember thinking that it isn’t very often you see blessings pour down and effect so many people at one time. I knew that not only was my family smiling at the sight of such beauty, but many, many families were feeling the welcome relief of the rain. I also remember thinking how refreshing the storms of nature were for my spirit; almost as refreshing as it was for the earth. I spent much of my morning that day in devotion. I was realizing how alike the storms of life are to those storms of Mother Nature. Some are huge causing mass destruction and others pass through with just a little wind. I pondered on Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your path straight.” Life storms are sometimes as uncontrollable as the natural ones. We sit and watch Mother Nature do her thing from a covered shelter, with excitement and joy knowing that eventually it will pass and the sun will shine again. The storm will renew the earth, give a drink to the critters, and provide bath water for the birds. However, Life storms come in and we have the need to stop them; we fear that the feeling it brought on will last us a lifetime. It is hard to find shelter and a sense of calm in the midst of a life storm. It is easy to trust our Lord when storms only bring the much needed rain we have been praying for. But it takes the strength given to us only by God to trust him when when the storms are delivering life altering blows. It’s during these moments in life that we must fully believe that He will make “Our paths straight, again.” Isn’t that why after every rain we find a rainbow; and those rainbows always seem to deliver a feeling of calm. The storms of both nature and life help us to know of God’s power and love. Reflecting on scripture during a storm helps remind us of God’s faithfulness and presence during these rough times. Life will NEVER be without storms, but with FAITH in God, you will weather them much easier. God is ALWAYS larger than our troubles and WILL be our life preserver when we feel we are drowning. We must always seek His shelter in any storm; either delivered by life or nature. Just like the storms of nature, the storms of life to will pass eventually and life will go on. It is how we move forward from those storms that will depict our path ahead. Have a super blessed day!

SPARKLES!!!

2011-10-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

This was such a FUN post!! I hope you smile and enjoy it as much as I did writing it!!!

"Words" seem to be the item of choice to blog about these days. And today I have chosen the word "Sparkle"---a word that has always been a favorite of mine. So it makes me wonder, why? The 7 year old girl in me wants to say because it's pretty, shiny, it makes me happy and always brings a smile. The more mature woman in me wants to say the same, but also looks even deeper. The word "sparkle" to most is defined by something you see and because of this; I don't feel the word is given the credit it deserves. To me Sparkle is zest, aliveness, lightness, joy, its magic. Sparkles light things up. It's the beauty of a clear night sky, the glisten of the sun on the lake, the twinkle of a Christmas tree, a firecracker on the 4th of July but most importantly...it's the light in our souls that draw others to us. Without that sparkle, your spirit isn't working up to its greatest potential. Sparkle is, pretty much, infectious. Sparkle is faith, hope, trust, love, enthusiasm, the Light of God rekindling our inner spirit. There is nothing sweeter than seeing the sparkle in a Childs eye on Christmas morning, the skip of a pair of kindergarten friends, and the giggle of a baby. As we grow up we tend to lose that sparkle. Life has a way of robbing things from us and doing it without our permission. It steals time, loved ones, our youth, etc. Those things we don't have control over but I think we should put an end to it being a thief to the things we do. And our SPARKLE should be first on the list. After all it is what makes us smile, delights us with light and brings us a sense of MAGIC! And so what would happen if we all brought a little Sparkle back into our lives?? MAGIC, magic would happen!! I'm ready to pour a little more "Sparkle" into my life so my family better watch out! LET'S ALL GET OUT THERE AND SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO SPARKLE AND SHINE!!!HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

"THOUGHTS"

2011-10-08T07:44:00.001-05:00

I am known to do my best thinking around 4am. I'm not quite sure why my brain chooses this odd time, but I would assume it is because the house is quiet and I am alone in my thoughts without any fear of distraction. This morning I was thinking of just that---"THOUGHTS". The last few months have been difficult to say the very least. Torn between sitting and crying for hours on end as my heart aches for our dear Sophie; and being the happy go lucky Mom I was just a year ago. Finding a balance in life right now is hard. My heart feels like it has been on a roller coaster of emotions for over a year now. Watching someone slowly be taken from your world that you love so very much is hard. And yet I know I have a family looking at me for comfort and strength. They too have been on this ride. Sometimes I feel like I am the brace that holds the roller coaster together and slowly, one by one my bolts are popping out. So when I woke this morning, I decided it was time for this roller coaster to stop, close down for repair. Re-align my heart, my emotions....my "THOUGHTS". I was thinking how true it is that our THOUGHTS are vital to our existence here on earth. Our lives are being played out just as our thoughts are telling it too. Our "thoughts" play a huge role in who we are and how we react to "LIFE". Our "Thoughts" have the potential of turning a negative into a positive. This is how I have lived most of my life. This is how Sophie and I were able to have so much fun while enduring HELL! Our "Thoughts" are huge magnets that attract either negative or positive energy. Our "Thoughts" transform our lives. As Christians, we believe that God created this world from just his mere..THOUGHTS! It say's in Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" and Hebrews 11:3- "what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." This tells us that before GOD'S word, there were His "Thoughts". Our thoughts are powerful and truly define the direction of our life. Sophie was God’s example to us. She planted MANY seeds along her journey and drew positive energy from the growth of them that enabled her to LOVE the life she was living; despite the many reasons she was given to just give up . We must stand strong in the presents of negative people, places and things and once we learn how.... THE BLESSINGS ARE POURED ON US!
It is important that we are careful about what we pay attention to, where we allow our thoughts to go.
Because our life will move in the very direction our thoughts take us. I truly believe that the most beautiful quotes come from nobody other than the word of God. Our Bible is truly filled with the words to the secrets of life. One of my favorites...
”Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” Proverbs 4:23

We should all evaluate our life and see what type of life we are leading....would it be a more positive or negative life? Do you say the words--"yes, sure and great" more than you say-- "no, can't and whatever." Do you get belly laughter from simple things and for no reason at all? Or do you laugh more because you have to have a reason? By jokes that would offend someone? Would God laugh at what your laughing with? I believe a Godly smile on the face of people, shines brighter than any light I have ever seen. I have not always been the person I am today, but I am the person now, who I will remain to be for the rest of my life. :)

So I guess it's time to for me to get back to the person I was a year ago...to refocus my "Thoughts" and re-align my heart while my rollercoaster is under repair! :) All machinery needs maintenance and everything in life needs a good cleaning. I guess my spirit just needed to be rejuvenated, cleaned and repaired! :) I hope those of you who took the time to read this are left with a SMILE AND are inspired with positive THOUGHTS!It has been a long time since I have blogged and I had forgotten how much I LOVE IT!!! Have a SUPER TERRIFIC AND BLESSED day!!!!!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-07T15:28:00.000-05:00

Motherhood has been my job for the past twenty years, and I have LOVED every second of it. I have come to see motherhood as a gift of immeasurable worth, a gift I can’t put into words, but one that gives deeper meaning to every part of my life. No it is NOT always easy but it IS ALWAYS REWARDING! Some may say Motherhood defines me but I say it has done much more than that...it has FILLED me! I am BLESSED! Thank you to my husband for supporting my love for my job. It didn't come easy and he had to put in a lot of extra hours so that I could do it. It didn't come without sacrifice on our entire families part, but the lack of filled desires were more than made up for in an over abundance of character in our children. I have grown to appreciate the finer things and RELISH SIMPLICITY. My children are growing up fast and as a mother I pray that the lessons we have taught them will linger until way after we are gone. Those lessons are: Work hard and be honest, a persons character is worth more than any amount of money. Love unconditionally, learn to love everyone and everything. When you learn to love with your entire heart, light shines from your soul. You can only change yourselves. You cannot change others. You can only shine your Light of Love bright for others to see. Lastly, always remain humble and keep your faith in the Lord. Pray often and give Him praise. Blessed is the man who trusts God. Life is FULL of mountains and valley's but I can promise you that the walk is MUCH easier when your walking it with our friend, Jesus Christ. I hope my daughter and future daughter in-laws will one day love motherhood as much as I do, and will never be afraid to show it! I honestly believe the future of our children could forever be changed by a loving soul of a woman as mine was by my MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHERS!! :) HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 2011!!

Happy Birthday my sweet Skypie!

2011-04-12T19:42:00.000-05:00

Dear Skylar Paige- Are you SERIOUSLY 20 years old today!!?? Can this picture SERIOUSLY have been taken 18 YEARS AGO!! Your daddy and I are super blessed that God picked us to be your parents! I feel a lump in my throat as I start to write this, and I wonder if the space in my heart has enough room to contain my love for you. Wherever you go, I’ll always follow, I’m intrigued by your fun loving spirit and ability to LAUGH AT ALMOST ANYTHING!! Yet, you always seem to know the right things to say when my heart is heavy and I’ve had a bad day. Just knowing you has made me a better person. I tend to forget that sometimes you are my child, to me you are my safety net, my best friend, the person (besides your dad) who I turn to when my world is not a bright as it should be. Your soul is beautiful and gentleness shines from your fingers onto everything you touch. You heal with love, you light with laughter, you spread joy like a little trail of fairy dust behind you….because to know you, is to love you and like everyone who meets you…they fall deeper and deeper in love with you every day! I’ve loved you from the moment I met you…from every stage of your life we’ve shared. I still love our song "You are my sunshine" and think of you EVERY TIME I hear it! You teach me everyday how to be a better mother. Where I am weakest, you teach me how to grow. Oh, beautiful girl of mine I adore you…I adore you…if I could shout it from the rooftops I would…I adore you!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET SKYPIE!

Love your Mama!

KOSUB, INC.

2011-01-10T07:51:00.000-06:00

I woke this morning feeling THANKFUL, thankful for my FAITH, thankful for my HOME, my FAMILY, my FRIENDS and MY JOB!

I TRULY LOVE my job!

Some of you may say "JOB"?? lol...so yes JOB! =)

I run my home like a business, a business that I don't want to fail. I think I would be doing myself and my family a disservice to treat it any other way. My company is titled Kosub, Inc. It is a job that I hope to pass down to my children and pray that there are many Kosub, Inc. "chains" down the road to follow. I want to make it a place my employees find satisfaction in spending most of their waking hours. I want it to be a Christian company known for teaching the values of hard work.

The duties for my job are MANY and there are indeed requirements. The requirements are patience, kindness, compassion, gentleness and lots of perseverance. My duties entail leading by example my love of God and FAITH..then of course there is account balancing, organizational skills, brainstorming, job training, onsite and offsite nurse, chauffer service, meal preparation, in home dry cleaning service, plenty of time to plan on how to lead my "TEAM" and the best part of all......BENEFITS!!! We cannot forget the benefits! They out way any other offers that could come from other companies. For this company allows me to feel magnitude of the role God has given me and I feel privileged to guide and grow my very small team! I love watching what they have learned through our company and I delight in the fact that I get to work with the very people I happen to love more than any in the world? And, I TRULY LOVE MY BOSS ;)

I think those of us living this life would say, that yes although your HOME IS THE BEST COMPANY TO WORK FOR...it is challenging and requires self-sacrifice. I am BLESSED to have my job, regardless of the lack of pay. It happens to be one of the most important jobs on earth.

Update on Princess Sophie

2010-12-16T06:53:00.000-06:00

WOW! It has been a super long time since I have posted. I apologize to those who have prayed for our Sweet "Princess" Sophie and felt abandoned when it came to updates. Life has been VERY BUSY, and EXTREMELY CRAZY. I know there is no excuse but I thought I would throw a few out there in hopes you will forgive me. A lot has happened in these last few weeks; Sophie underwent chemotherapy, radiation, blood transfusions and has now just undergone surgery to remove the tumors from her lungs. She is back on her feet and feeling good. However, the biopsy report on the tumors was not what everyone had hoped for.The cancer has progressed to a stage that they fear a relapse is likely to occur and surgery maybe once again needed. So this Monday she will begin a VERY POWERFUL regimen of chemotherapy that is likely to make her very tired and weak. Our prayer is that she remains strong and free of illness during this time. It has been a blessing from God that she has remained so well this far, and so we KNOW your prayers are being heard and felt! Our Sweet Sophie is a VERY STRONG and TOUGH little girl. So tough that only 2 days following surgery, the doctors told her that she would have to be walking before being released and she looked at her daddy and said, "Well, lets get these feet on the ground!". So, Monday morning begins another bend in Sophie's already winding road. But with your prayers this 5 year old will continue to carry her heavy Cross with the same determination and strength that she has had all along. It's amazing to watch someone so young and frail carry something so heavy with such courage and strength! Please continue to pray for her, for it will be your prayers that will lift her and it will be the Good Lords hands that carry her. No matter what we do we must give thanks to God.

FaLL FuN: HaRvEsT bLeSsInGs!

2010-10-19T04:45:00.000-05:00

Well it's that time of year again where my family "harvest's the fun"! We played Halloween tunes, painted pumpkins, carved pumpkins, and brought back "Stuffy" our scarecrow from last year!Topping off the evening with our Chili Cheese dogs for dinner! We figure our kids grow up to fast not to make the memories last! We try to NEVER miss a moment of having fun with them! In a world of rush here and rush there, we have chosen to take ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of life. In a world where BUSY is the normal, we choose to be ABNORMAL! I am proud that our family makes time for Bible readings, family dinners, homework and FUN! I pray that my children will see as they become adults and someday have families of their own the importance of BALANCING and never neglecting...GOD, FAMILY, WORK and FUN! I hope you enjoy the pictures of our FUN NIGHT OF HARVESTING OUR FALL BLESSINGS!!

Update on Sophie!

2010-10-15T05:19:00.000-05:00

The above picture was taken after Church on Sunday night. So many people blessed Sophie with Rosaries, Bracelets, Pins, and PRAYERS!!!!

LAST weekend was a great one! I must say it started off kind of scary though! Thursday night I received a phone call from Father Stan asking that Sophie and I be at EVERY MASS starting Saturday night. He wanted me to speak to the entire congregation and ask them for prayers. He also wanted to hold a special prayer service on Wednesday evening, and he wanted Sophie to be at all the events. He also told us that the Archbishop would be attending Wednesday's service in order to bless our sweet Sophie! This was scary because for ONE, I AM NOT a good public speaker and TWO, I wasn't sure Sophie would be up for this job! But, I also knew that we were indeed asking the Lord for a lot and so if this was our part then we could do it! When I spoke with Sophie about it, she had no hesitation what so ever! Now you have to understand that Sophie is extremely SHY around people and so I knew this would be NO EASY FEAT! Saturday morning I got a phone call that Sophie missed me and she was having a fit to come over and spend the night, so Sophie and her brother packed their bags and arrived early that afternoon. That evening we made our first mass, and it went EXTREMELY WELL! Father called Sophie up and she looked a little nervous but SHE WENT and SMILED THE ENTIRE TIME! Then they called me up...I kept reminding myself that if Sophie could undergo all that she was in her little life, I could INDEED stand up and speak in front of all those people! With Gods encouragement and Sophie's smile, I did it! Also,knowing she started heavy doses of Chemo on Monday and that prayers were the best medicine kept me going! We repeated this again Sunday morning, afternoon, and evening! By Sunday night, our Princess Sophie was a celebrity! Everybody wanted to know and meet her! AND EVERYBODY SAID THEY WOULD BE PRAYING!!! We celebrated her first Church appearance Saturday night after Mass with a Bon Fire, wiener and marshmallow roast, sparklers and FIREWORKS at my home! Oh boy did her and her brother have a BLAST! We topped the evening off with making a huge campsite in the living room, cozying up together and watching "Casper"! SOPHIE AND JACOB didn't want the evening to end and neither did we! My son Peyton said "it was the best time"!!! IT WAS GREAT! They went home Sunday night and boy was I sad! I DREADED the thought of the morning coming, knowing what our sweet Sophie would be going through! She was blessed with her sweet grandparents coming into town and taking her for her first treatment along with her parents. They called me that evening to say that she was doing very well! She had ate like a HORSE and had not gotten sick at all! I was SO EXCITED and KNEW that the power of prayer was working!!!! Tuesday morning I got up early so I could meet Sophie and her grandparents at the doctors office. That way I could take her home from Tuesday's treatment since her grandparents had to get back home for their own doctor appt on Wednesday. Tuesday was heartbreaking for me! I watched our sweet Sophie take the chemo and all the other "stuff" that goes with it, like a CHAMPION!! Parents with well children have NO IDEA how BLESSED they are until they witness first hand what these children go through! I admire the parents of these children as much as the kids themselves. She only shed a few tears and she did get sick once, but nothing like we had expected. We came home and she rested most of the day. Knowing that Wednesday was coming up, and this was a huge Mass for her...we PRAYED that the Good Lord would give her strength to make it through the next day’s chemo and then make it to Mass. Her parents brought her to me EARLY Wednesday morning and she had the biggest SMILE EVER! She was ready for Mass that night but knew that she first had to undergo Chemo that morning. SHE AMAZES ME!! These kids make most adults look like wimps!!!! So we were off! We met her daddy there and she underwent treatment! Again, she only got sick once and bounced right back!!! That night she rode with my family to mass and we met her family there! Her grandparents, parents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and SO MANY WONDERFUL people from our community came to pray for her and she was on CLOUD 9!!! She was very tired, but NOT SICK and that was a true gift from GOD! Her parents tell me that I am a big blessing for them but I feel that she has blessed me and my ENTIRE family SO MUCH MORE! I am so fortunate that her parents allow me to do so much with her!! I went to bed Wednesday night and I told my husband that Sophie is a HUGE inspiration. She should INSPIRE everyone that there are NO excuses for skipping church ever! She was tired, she was sick, but SHE WAS THERE....and she went with a SMILE! Thank you everyone for the prayers.....she is feeling them and they are WORKING! To make the week even better...her parents have asked my husband and I to be her Godparents! We will be baptizing her on Sunday!!!!! I just know that this story will have a great ending come summertime!!!!!! KEEP PRAYING!

Prayers needed for Miss Sophie Sparks!

2010-10-07T16:23:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure who all reads my blog...I am hoping there are others out in the "blog" world that may follow besides immediate family and friends. If your a "blog" friend, then thank you for visiting. I hope that you will read this blog and place our SWEET SOPHIE in your prayers! I have copied my email that went out this morning since it says everything I wish to share. And if your immediate family and friends, thank you as well! Check back often for updates on our SWEET SOPHIE!!!

I'm writing this email with a humble and very heavy heart. Our friends daughter, Sophie Sparks (5 years old) was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago. At this time she was taken out of daycare and has been in our home while undergoing treatment. It was a childhood cancer with a great success rate. We celebrated her last chemo treatment a few weeks ago. She was so looking forward to her hair growing back and starting kinder next fall. But her last scan results have shown that 3 tumors have developed in her lungs. So starting Monday she will be undergoing a much heavier dose of chemo 3 days a week, and then radiation. This could go on up to two years. We are praying for Strength, Hope and Faith for little Sophie and her family. We are also praying for God to lay his healing hands upon this precious baby and take away the AWFUL tumors. I hurt for her family since I know they must keep their jobs and would love nothing more than to stay home with her. So I pray that God will lift the burden from their shoulders and carry them through these long days ahead. Lastly, I must say that my family too needs your prayers. This will pose to be one of the hardest things we have ever encountered as our Sweet Sophie holds a huge portion of our heart. Her family and I are asking for prayers and lots of them. Please add her name to your church prayer list and to your daily personal prayers if you would.

MATTHEW 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them

Sincerely,
Shannon

A FUNNY "RANDOM" BLOG!!!!!!

2010-10-05T10:26:00.000-05:00

Okay so a few of the blogs I follow have blogged on RANDOM THINGS about themselves! I found it very interesting and thought I would do the same! This has been a very FUN BLOG! Since I had to ask Glenn, Trevor, Peyton and Skylar what they thought was random about me and they came up with a few of these! You can try and guess which ones!

Some people will ask, "WHY?" "WHO CARES?" But I think that years from now my great grandchildren and even my grandchildren will read this AND GET A HUGE LAUGH! And who knows..maybe a light will go off as to WHY THEY DO SOME OF THE "RANDOM, WEIRD" THINGS THEY DO! LOL....IT WAS THEIR CRAZY GRANDMOTHER that they take after of course!!!! SO HERE IT GOES!

30 RANDOM THINGS to confirm that I am indeed a crazy and very random person!

1. I LOVE music with Frank Sinatra, Nora Jones, Michael Buble, JAZZ leads the way and of course Country and Christian! BUT MUSIC get's me going! The television is a DOWNER!
2. I LOVE flip flops no matter what the season and would go barefoot if I could! I think flip flops year round are just part of everyday TEXAS CULTURE!
3. I LOVE foods that "BURST" in my mouth...peas, cherry tomatoes, gushers, chocolate covered cherries etc...But I do have one exception....BRUSSEL SPROUTS. YUCK!
4. I HATE when people crack their bones! (Knuckles, back, neck etc.)It is worse than nails on a chalkboard in my book!
5. I LOVE the feeling of a FRESH SHAVED FACE (not mine of course)!!! I think this is right up there with the feeling of a newborn baby’s velvety skin!
6. I am a SAPPY romantic at heart and require LOTS of attention from Glenn! He says I am a self confessed "Needy" person! lol
7. I ALWAYS sing in the shower...My family call's it my personal "music recording studio" but my singing is beyond AWFUL LOL!!!
8. I AM TERRIFIED of ANY REPTILE!!!! To the point of hyperventilating if one happens to touch me! I believe Lizards look like baby dino's!
9. I want to sip wine and eat cheese sitting on a blanket over looking the vineyards of Italy someday (preferably BEFORE and NOT AFTER I die)
10. I cannot seem to walk past bubble wrap without popping it no matter where I am!
11. I drink coffee like I enjoy my cereal! SUPER SWEET WITH LOTS OF MILK! My husband swears this will make me a diabetic if I continue Lol!
12. I love any form of communication! (facebook, email, phone calls, texting, snail mail, BLOGGING)
13. I have to wear earrings..or I feel NAKED! And I would rather wear NO makeup if I must go without lipstick or mascara!
14. I have NEVER lived on my own and don't look forward to the day I ever have to! (Kids be prepared to move your Mother in someday)
15. I can be dressed for a night out in less than 20 minutes.
16. My mind works super fast and I can change subjects in mid sentence at times. LOL
17. I cannot help but burst into dance when I hear the song "Walk like an Egyptian"! (Thank you, Skylar for the reminder!!)
18. I love CHEEK LOVE! Pressing my children’s cheek against mine and "smuggling" was a known instant "make Mommy HAPPY" gesture when the kids were little!
19. I have a terrible memory when it comes to memorizing artists names, books, movies, years, etc. (hence the reason for my school grades in History)
20. I LOVE to LAUGH and I enjoy being goofy with my family.....my children take after me and we often turn a night into comedy for my husband!
21. I always use the words "Big" and "little" when speaking of my brothers! I cannot bring myself to say "older" or "younger" and I have no idea why!
22. I am extremely LOUD! I could never enter a room and leave without anyone knowing I was ever there. You would think I was from a Greek family instead of a polish one! (notice the exclamation points all over this page) haha
23. I am always on time or early! My sons thought I couldn't tell time when they were little because I would always tell them it was 10 minutes later than it actually was. haha...I STILL DO!
24. I talk during movies and often must rewind to hear what I missed!
25. I start reading magazines from the MIDDLE and sporadically go through it!
26. I am not a fan of people who find pleasure in belittling others and often root for the underdog!
27. I cannot SCARE ANYONE! I often hide and then BURST out laughing right before they turn the corner! (Weird, I know)
28. I have TUBS of pictures and very few albums!
29. I seldom think before I speak which makes my family worry at times!

30. I have NO artistic talent what so ever!!! My artwork from my elementary years would SCARE YOU and perhaps made my teachers think I needed therapy! Lol. One day I will post pics and share!

Hope you enjoyed and got a chuckle or two! Try and not feel too sorry for my family…I WILL POST THEIR RANDOM THINGS NEXT! Haha..KIDDING OF COURSE! (OR AM I) ;)

Blue Rose

2010-10-04T07:59:00.000-05:00

So almost every morning I start it with coffee and reading through my friends blogs! I read something truly inspirational today and I just HAD to share. I love to read deep, meaningful things that inspire and touch the heart....this story DID JUST THAT! So grab your coffee and enjoy the story!

Blue Rose

Having four visiting family members, the wife was very busy, so I
offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included
light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent, and Clorox. So off I
went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for
the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man
who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I
patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he
waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy,
I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as
he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His
eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's
your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded
proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but
my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over
from the next aisle.. "You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy
and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more
minutes about summer, bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eyes dance
with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then
abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking
the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even
look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and
then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the
prompting of the Holy Spirit.

I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in
God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated
for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if
someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that
rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked,
"Who are you?"

Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion but I sure
love living in God's garden."
________________________________________________________________________

I should hope we all smell the scent of a blue rose in our lifetime, I think that after we do we will look forward to smelling them again, and again, and again!

Many Blessings,
Shannon!

Building a foundation and CLEANING HOUSE while doing it!

2010-10-01T08:33:00.000-05:00

Building my foundation and making it stronger one layer at a time! And, Gosh am I having a great time doing it! I am a FIRM believer that if we work on our own foundation those around us will follow. They can’t help but follow because they will want what we have! Doesn't everyone want to build a house on a STRONG foundation that can withstand strong winds and rain! I think that by securing a foundation with the word of the Lord that we can withstand life's blows...and boy can life throw some BOULDERS our way. Our outer appearance is very important but having a spectacular inner appearance is so much more important to me. I mean after all our spirit is what will stand and testify for us at the end of our journey and it is what we will spend eternity being. Now, I am not sure about you but I know for a fact that being a sweet, caring, loving, honest and FUN spirit is what I want to carry on into this place called ETERNITY! What we look like on the outside and the things we own here on Earth can never testify on our behalf nor go with us when we leave...so why do so many people invest SO much into materialistic things?! I hope my children realize that taking the time to character build NOW and allowing Jesus into your heart is the BEST INVESTMENT one will EVER make! You know that feeling you have when your house is clean, that feeling of satisfaction and “AHHH”…. Just loving how wonderful it feels??I think that if people would take the time to clean the dust and webs from their spirit and soul they would be shocked at how much grime build up they actually have. LOL….but BOY DOES IT FEEL GOOD WHEN IT IS CLEAN!! So let’s all get on board and CLEAN HOUSE and help our children to learn how to clean their own rooms PROPERLY!

Dreams...Tears...and Smiles!

2010-09-30T08:56:00.000-05:00

I woke this morning with my pillow wet from tears. Oh how I miss my grandparents!! I dreamt of them while I was sleeping and woke up feeling that happy yet sad feeling. That feeling that gives you a smile and yet your heart is super heavy. My little brother has a 6 month old baby and another baby on the way, and I dreamt that my Grandmother phoned me and asked if I would have him and the babies meet her at their house on Christmas Eve. Yes, in my dream my brother and his wife have had their second baby already and my Grandparents home had not yet sold. Upon arriving my Grandmother was dressed as Mrs. Clause and my Grandfather was in a Santa Suit. This brought back a FLOOD of childhood memories and I can only guess that I dreamt this because they were letting us know that they are keeping a close eye on our growing family from above and wanted to make sure we knew that they have indeed seen the new arrivals. Who knows...maybe Granny gave God the "Go Ahead" on this much UNexpected pregnancy lol and has seen this new baby even before we have...that thought makes me laugh! This dream comes after a very heartfelt prayer to the good Lord to give a family that lost their son just a year ago today a dream. I know if my heart is this heavy today that theirs has to feel as if it is weighed down with concrete sacks. I am however feeling better now....I think tears have a way of cleansing the soul and soothing the spirit! My tears have been wiped away and a smile is permanently placed on my face. I am thankful for the dream and look forward to the next!

What is the true meaning of a BLESSING?

2010-09-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

Good Morning!! What a gorgeous morning it is! A cool 55 degrees and man does it have the soul feeling good and refreshed!!!! I hadn't planned on blogging quite so early this morning, but my heart was leading me to, so here I go! I was thinking how often I use the word BLESSED and began to wonder if my own children truly understand what that word REALLY means. Do they think that it’s a word that defines a gift given to them, or something you receive after making an offering to someone or something? I believe a blessing is a way for God to work through someone. In Ephesians 3:20, it says that God can do more amazing things than anyone can hope to do on their own. This is interpreted as being part of what a blessing is about. Though someone can pray for a blessing, that doesn't mean they will receive it. James 1:17 states, "Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God..." I interrupt this as meaning that if someone isn't ready for the situation involving the blessing they pray for, they will not receive it. After all, NOT ALL GIFTS or offerings are considered a "BLESSING"...God looks at the HEART of a person who is giving and also at the heart of the person who is receiving. Have you ever given something from your heart to someone and felt that they didn't receive it in the manner in which you had hoped? Did you feel let down or upset over it? If you have, you’re not alone. I too have had this feeling BUT I never allowed it to discourage me from doing it again and again and again. I believe that when this occurs your heart isn’t truly in the right place for your act to be considered a blessing. It was however an act of kindness. Don't get me wrong, all acts of kindness are special and your soul is in the right place, but we must get our spirit in that same place. When you give something, you should WANT to give no matter the outcome. When your heart, soul, and spirit are ALL aligned and you present the gift then the minute it leaves your hands you should feel FULL. How the person takes and receives the gift is their choosing. They can either accept it and receive a BLESSING with the gift or take it and only get what lies in their presence. When I say my life is BLESSED, what I am saying is that I have received what the Good Lord has given me and I don't just accept it but I am GRATEFUL for it....I would hope that I receive it as a BLESSING. My husband, children, family and friends are all BLESSINGS in my life! I have to always remind myself that NOT all blessings are realized from the recipient right away. I can remember things that I myself was given and it didn't mean as much to me as it does now. Blessings that are given sometimes are merely seeds that you have planted and over the years they might just begin to grow. Well I guess I will close there so that I can go and enjoy this beautiful morning! May you all have a BLESSED day or night depending on when infact you read this!=)

Blessed Weekend!

2010-09-26T14:29:00.000-05:00

I am currently blogging from the comfort of my yard---YES, I indeed said comfort and yard in the same sentence. lol For the first time in a long time the wind is blowing a nice gentle breeze from the North. There are no mosquitoes to swat at, sweat to wipe, or gnats to prevent from flying up my nose. Sky and Kody are off doing their own thing (studying I believe), Trevor and Glenn are attending an officers meeting, and Peyton is within eye distance, dove hunting. I'm taking total advantage of my "quiet" time. Okay so as I type that part, Peyton shoots the gun and it echoes off the barn and scares me to death! Guess that’s God's sense of humor. lol.. Anyways, I am so happy with this weekend! Yesterday the entire family woke early to leave for the deer lease. We hiked trails, and rode our ranger up huge mountains, fished and just relaxed the ENTIRE DAY! Something about being in the middle of a 1000 acre ranch with nothing but nature and your family brings a sense of comfort, and total calmness to your spirit. I find that it is important that everyone find what brings their family such happiness and make sure they dedicate time to relish the moments of it. Life gets so crazy with the everyday tasks, jobs, running kids, and SCHEDULES that we lose focus on the IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE. Now today we make up for yesterdays play day. lol. We woke to a busy morning...With me doing laundry, starting a roast for dinner and picking up the house, Skylar dusting and vacuuming, Trevor and Peyton cleaning and preparing the turkey pens, Kody off to help the grandparents move some heavy things, and Glenn mowing and edging the yard, and ALL THIS COMPLETE BY 1pm. WHAT A SUCCESSFUL DAY! BUT, the most wonderful part of today had to be my family joining me bright and early with their own Bibles in hand ready to study what it was that I had prepared for my "devotional" time this morning. My heart was dancing as they interacted and spoke over Ecclesiastes 4:13-12:14. It was a great "Group" study. Now we are all relaxing doing our own things and are planning to meet up again @5 pm for mass and then supper. My life feels full at the moment and I hope my entire family feels as BLESSED as I do!
FISHING FUN

Riding the ranger around...cant you tell they were so enthused about me stopping to take a picture! lol What you cannot see is Skylar and Kody behind the ranger on 4 wheelers!

Changes are in the air!

2010-09-24T09:51:00.000-05:00

Things have been way too serious on my blog lately so I have decided to lighten it up a bit! So with Fall starting 2 days ago…I figured I would blog about FALL! And as much as I loved our summer and the wonderful sunshine and hot weather, I am excited about the change in the season. I love when the leaves start to fall and all our favorite comfort foods fill our home with a warm aroma. I look forward to my new fall "Scentsy" scents and decorating in pumpkins and leaves. I am also looking forward to re-stuffing "Stuffy" our scarecrow. Here are a few more of my favorite things that I am looking forward to about FALL!!!

1. The changes in the temps and the brisker evening air
2. The beautiful deeper, darker, purples, oranges, and yellows!
3. The memories that Fall brings to mind…it's the season I fell in love and got married!
4. The decorations
5. The excitement of the upcoming HOLIDAY SEASON
6. Dove season (Don't hate..I married and raised country boys)
7. CANDY CORN
8. The smells of fall (Pumpkin spice in the house and burning leaves outside)
9. "It's a GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN"
10. Trips to the deer lease!
11. Pumpkin carving
12. Our Church Fall Festival
13. Sunflowers
14. Trick or Treaters!
15. My back to school quiet mornings!
16. Bonfires
17. Candied apples
18. Hay Rides! (Miss the days that Glenn would make awesome ones for the kids)

Okay now that I have filled you with useless information...HOW ABOUT A YUMMY RECIPE!? It's been awhile since I blogged a good one and with October weather right around the corner it has inspired me to try a new fall chili! So as a tribute to the change in season and the start of fall (I know I am a bit early and I sure wish Mother Nature would get on board), I plan to make Pumpkin Chili for dinner next week. If you decide to try it, let me know what you thought!! Enjoy! And Happy Fall!

Pumpkin Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
3(15oz) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (48oz) tomato juice
1 (28oz) peeled and diced tomatoes
1/2 cup (15oz) canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup white sugar
1TB pumpkin pie spice
1TB chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1-2tsp cayenne pepper (depending on preference)
Cook beef. Stir in the onion and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in beans, juice, tomatoes, and pumpkin puree. Add sugar and spices. Simmer for one hour.
Some people let it simmer longer and they say it is good the first night, but even better the next.

A glance into my morning "ME TIME" and a little more =)

2010-09-23T11:33:00.001-05:00

The inspiration for this post is some really sweet comments that have been left on my facebook lately. I have gotten some undeserved compliments. Don't get me wrong however I appreciate them immensely. But, I must come clean!--I tend to blog about the happy things in my day, the fun, the inspiring, and the beautiful.

And while I do love my life and my family so very much, my life is not perfect. I strive daily to become a better Christian and to practice what I try to instill in my children but it's not always easy. I have to make a conscience effort every morning to devote "quiet" time to be one on one with Lord and the best way to do that is with his word. This helps set the pace for my day. If I have a crazy hectic morning and all I can do is devote radio time to his music when I am getting ready then that’s exactly what I do. BUT I MAKE SURE THAT I LET HIM KNOW THAT HE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY LIFE and he comes BEFORE anything else. I treat the Lord like I want him to ALWAYS TREAT ME. I sure hope this makes since and I am not sounding like a crazy person . LOL

I have mentioned in previous posts that I am aware how annoyingly LOUD I can be and a little over the top for some friends BUT, I am ME and I feel that a if I remain true to myself and love God... that is all anyone can ask of someone. I guess what I am trying to explain on this blog is that I don't deserve the compliments my sweet friends have given me.....GOD deserves them. I am forever a work in progress and being led by his word.

I have a picture that hangs in my living room as a reminder to me and my family and I hope that I practice it daily even when I feel as if the entire world is caving in. It reads "I will show thee my faith by my works". I have found that doing God's works brings my life such JOY and such a huge SATISFING feeling that I cannot imagine NOT teaching this to my children. I refuse to ever give up HOPE that others can lead our youth into a better world by leading with example! I learned early on to follow my heart because my head will only lead me astray. That is exactly what HOPE is...it is the ability to see with your heart when you cannot see it with your eyes.

I am still practicing and learning something I read today...that my family and friends are free to be them, I am free to be me and together we are free to be "US" as long as we are practicing our Faith.

If my blog is nothing more than a place my family can go to years from now when I am no longer around to help them learn the HARD lessons of LIFE, if they find it to be spiritually refreshing, and if it helps them to know that BLESSINGS come from above and begin with a prayer... then I feel this blog has done it's job and that the good Lord has used my life for a purpose.

OH HAPPY DAY!

2010-09-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

Tick tock..Tick tock..Tick tock...I am sure you get the picture (and yes that is the sound of the wall clock that drives so many of my friends nuts lol)! Waiting on results from the doctor can be one of the hardest and longest waits ever! Let me explain my small dilemma. I went to the doctor for an Echocardiogram of my heart after a random EKG showed some minor glitches. MINOR GLITCHES?? They assured me that this could merely be just a problem with the machine and happens often. But to be on the safe side they wanted me to have one done within the month. HUH? We went from "MINOR GLITCH" to having an "ECHOGRAM"! Fine, for peace of mind I set up my Echocardiogram for the following month and before leaving the office I do some routine blood work. The morning came and I met with the technician who would be performing the test. I was a NERVOUS WRECK, he assures me in a jokingly manner after applying the wires that I INDEED have a heartbeat....WELL I WOULD GUESS SO, HE WOULDN'T EVEN NEED THE WIRES OR MACHINE TO SEE THAT! He only had to see the pulsating vein in my neck! lol Okay, so now I am laying on this table and he begins the test, he is making no facial expressions and has already warned me that I would have to wait for the cardiologist to read me the results, but it would be 2 days. OH HECK NO!! This was a Friday, and I needed some reassurance that my heart wasn't going to STOP on me the second I pulled away from the office! As he is examining the pictures of my heart on the screen I feel compelled to ask him "So uh, you think you could tell me if there is something that the doctor might find alarming?" He assures me that to him my heart appears "BEAUTIFUL"! YESSSSS!!! I told him that with that one word, he had made a friend for life! lol. So I get dressed leave the doctor’s office and am feeling confident for awesome results on Monday. So now it's Monday and I bounce into my doctors office prepared to hear "Beautiful heart” again and indeed he says that my heart was in normal range for a person my age. I explained to him that I would rather him have brought in the technician to tell me the findings since he worded things much better! lol He laughed and assured me that these were great test results, HOWEVER.....Oh gosh not the HOWEVER! He continues, however, your blood results have come back not so great. Okay now I am thinking the lecture is coming regarding my cholesterol being to high and that I must control my diet better, AND I AM NOW THANKING GOD that I have not allowed Glenn to come in with me. lol..But what he says shocks me! His next words were “your cholesterol levels are wonderful but we are concerned with your White Blood Cell count that appears to be under the normal range and that your Platelets are EXTREMELY LOW”. Now relieved that my cholesterol levels are great, I am unsure what it means to have low white blood cells. So I ask if this was reason to be alarmed and he responds with "Not yet, let’s retest in a week and go from there"! Okay anyone who knows me has to know that "NOT YET" is only going to raise my level of concern and give me absolutely NO COMFORT! So here I go again, he wants me to fill up on vegetables and vitamins and come in for another blood sample in a week. GEEZ this is asking A LOT for an impatient person! I inform him that I am not happy with his Month here, 2 days there, and now a week! lol. So I go home and the family and I pray that the next set of results are more promising and hopefully our lives can go back to normal, whatever normal may be! lol.

Okay 9:50 a.m. and the phone rings! Results are in! I indeed scored better on my platelets and my WBC counts were elevated! Elevated enough that he felt sending me to see a hematologist was not necessary! My Hemoglobin levels were still low but so was my iron. He is putting me on a good iron pill, eat lots of broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach and come back in 4 weeks to see if we have the levels right were they should be!!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!! I felt like a kid who just scored a “B” after retaking a test they had just failed! LOL. So today is a GOOD DAY, and A NEW MORNING FOR ME! Glenn is on his way home after being gone for 5 days, my family and I are healthy, and for now I am feeling elated and super blessed. Who knows what tomorrow or next week will bring, right now is all that matters! And I am going to take ADVANTAGE OF IT! Thank you friends and family who have prayed for me, and yes not everybody knew to pray…I figured I would save those prayers for when I REALLY NEEDED them! LOL

A note to WOMEN!

2010-09-21T09:01:00.000-05:00

As I sit here with Nora Jones softly playing in the background I feel the overwhelming urge to blog. Now please don’t take this blog as a “Pity Shannon PLEA” lol….I hope you read it and think of yourself, your Mom, your daughter, your sister or your friend! Yesterday was a very tiring and trying day, mostly mentally. Sleepless nights with worry as it seems I am going to the doctors every week trying my best to get a CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH lol but each time I go they decide they need to run another test. (Praying that “Clean bill of Health” phone call comes tomorrow) So my day began with me running to give yet another blood sample to my doctor, then rushing to get my son Trevor to his appointment( appears he somehow scratched his Cornea, poor guy)then to the pharmacy and a quick trip to the grocery store. In the back of my mind I knew I still needed to cook dinner for a friend who has had surgery and I needed to get the house cleaned up for a Scentsy party that I committed to prior to knowing my life was about to take a hectic detour lol. But with WHAT ENERGY! With Glenn out of town and little sleep, I honestly felt like I could crawl onto a bed of nails and sleep like a baby. My children and even my adopted one (Kody) step up and help me so much and they are appreciated more than they will ever know! With their help the day turned out GREAT! The party was a HUGE success and I am hoping the friend’s dinner was too. As I crawled into bed I laid there thinking about what amazing people women are! Most of us don’t give ourselves enough credit for what we are capable of pulling off, or how we internally carry so much worry and stress of not only our lives but other peoples as well. I read the following that my friend sent me and I decided to add a few lines of my own and post it for all us EXTRORDINARY WOMEN!

Women have strengths that AMAZE men.....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in..

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when they know others are hurting.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They pray for not only their families
But for any family who needs them.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

So, Here's to good women--

May we know them.

May we be them.

May we raise them.

A Promise to God

2010-09-13T10:32:00.000-05:00

WOW has it been a really long time since I blogged! With so much going on in my life I have failed to keep up! My last post was in November and I had mentioned that I was forming a community Christmas charity event. I had no idea that Gods vision was much larger than mine, but it didn’t take me long to see what exactly he had in mind. Listening and following Gods word led me to our new non- profit organization the "LV Angels"! It was started in December and boy does it keep me busy! Some wonder "Why"! Why did Shannon suddenly begin to speak out and decide to venture into something so demanding? Let me briefly explain why. This blog began shortly after I almost lost someone extremely important in my life Sept of 2008 and I made a promise that I will forever keep! I never shared these words with anyone before now but I feel that to truly understand my story I must share them with you…so this is kind of how it went, "God, if you can spare my brother's life and make him whole again, I will forever seek, follow, and do your work here on earth". Now I know that bargaining with God isn't right, but at that moment in my life, that is all I had and I was willing to negotiate a deal. I also know that my brother survived his ordeal because it was God's Will and not because it was mine. But, never the less I had made a promise and it was a promise to the Lord that forever changed my life! At this time I was also forming an ever lasting and life changing friendship with Mrs. Tesi Pugh! I truly believe that God doesn't give you the people you want but he gives you the people you need. And, although I didn't realize it, I NEEDED Tesi and her beautiful friendship! You see, I was always a proud Christian but never a loud one. I mean, my husband and children knew my love of the Lord but my friends only saw me as this Loud, Cheerful, and funny friend. So I was scared with how they would suddenly take my vocal voice speaking out on Gods word, BUT this was my promise and I knew I had to somehow dig deep and humble myself to the critics in my life. Tesi taught me that promise or no promise, critics or no critics that speaking out about God was something I should be proud of and not something to hide as if ashamed! I am forever grateful for that life changing lesson! So began my journey~ my journey into sharing and enjoying Gods Words! The LV Angels was formed and with it came some VERY important people, some that were only with me a few months but that impacted my life in such a way that I will never ever go back to "hiding" my love of God. Does that Shannon prior to September 8, 2008 exist....HECK YES! I am still that bubbly, overly loud, excited about life, talks way to much (and way to fast), enjoys her wine, and her friends type of person! I am just OPENLY THANKFUL TO THE LORD now too! I hope our new organization the “LV Angels” gives others just that…HOPE! I pray everyone who takes part in this new adventure has an awakening in their hearts to loving and seeing the brighter side of life, people and the true BLESSING of the LORDS LOVE! As I close, I promise to my followers (if indeed there are some other than my family lol) that it wont take me as long before my next blog! Love you all!

2009-11-14T14:24:00.000-06:00

Okay with the holidays fast approaching I have SO MUCH that still needs to be done!!! I am organizing a Christmas Charity for the needy of my community as well as planning my own Christmas, and think I may just go insane in the process of trying to do so lol!! My house is in need of some MAJOR TLC and my refrigerator needs cleaned out! I have a storage building that is holding clothes for the needy that needs some organization and a car that needs a good cleaning!!! My walk in closet has accumulated way more stuff than it should and it seems to be driving me insane but not so much so that I have the willpower to do something about it!!! I am usually so organized and try to believe that I am super mom that can do everything and make it look easy....well SUPER MOM has vanished and has left me all alone to this!!! I really wish she would return in a hurry LOL.. I think I will take a break from facebook, and blogging and CATCH up on the things that have been neglected lately!!!!! Well that sounds like a good plan at the moment anyway..lets just see how long that will last!!! =)

Sometimes you can get a splinter even sliding down a rainbow

2009-11-09T21:12:00.000-06:00

I have finally come to the conclusion that some people like to be miserable, that they actually feel happier when they are, and that being around people who are happy make them, well, MISERABLE!

Since very young I was BLESSED with the ability to LOVE unconditionally. I chose to see the "brighter" side of things and yes, YELLOW has always been my favorite color. I have always been told that I have the ability to find kindess in a criminal and have the knack to speak to just about EVERYBODY! My heart is given freely to everybody and has been bruised often, but it doesn't fail to go back for healing. Being and living happy is a choice that I make everyday...Some days it's harder than others, BUT EVERYDAY I MAKE IT MY choice! I have always danced to the beat of my own drum, be it popular or not. I have never had eyes that saw prejudice, nor ears that listened to hatred. I almost ALWAYS root for the underdog even when it isn't ALWAYS the politically correct thing to do. If I walked a path with someone who tried to change the person that I was, I quickly changed paths but NOT before almost always going head to head with those trying to devalue my values!

Growing up I have found that you WILL ALWAYS see people that have a little more, weigh a little less, drive a better car, make more money, live in a bigger house, but I have learned that bigger is not always better, shinier is not always newer, and that money is not everything. I have also learned that the best gift anyone could ever give anyone is absolutely FREE, comes from only you, and can never be returned or exchanged, and that is LOVE! But by far the largest thing I have learned is that life is often NOT easy and darn sure not fair but wasting your time feeling sorry for yourself will only take happiness from you and never will you find the self satisfaction your seeking. The key to happiness is through forgiveness. Forgive others and let go. If you stay angry at somebody then they still have control over you. If you stay angry over past hurts, then your past has control over you. If you forgive them, then you are free. I mean life goes on, doesn't it, after all? No matter how tremendous your fall, people will still go back to raking the leaves, cutting the grass, tilling their fields and planting flowers right? I have learned that friends come and go, everybody fails, and that many people will love you but there will be those that don't. The most important thing is to be true to yourself....not to change who you are for anyone, unless who you are is someone you yourself don't like!

I believe that everything happens for a reason. You might not know today,tomorrow,next week, next year or a decade from now...but some time in your life an event will happen that will "connect the dots" and teach you what you had learned from the previous experience. The TRICK IS YOU HAVE TO LEARN ALONG THE WAY! So the bigger the problem the bigger the lesson!

So I will continue to focus on the future and maximise my positivity. Steering clear of those who tend to cloud my vision with their misery. Hopefully, one day, they too will see that the meaning of life is to seek happiness!

Love/Patience/Understanding/Sacrifice/Kindness = 20 years of happiness!

2009-11-03T13:43:00.000-06:00

Twenty years ago today... I was a teenage bride with stars in my eyes as I gazed into the eyes of somebody I knew I loved so much. Dating him had it's moments of ups and downs, just as most teenage love stories go... leaving MANY to wonder if this marriage would last! I knew in my heart without a doubt that it would indeed and I am so thankful to say that he is still the love of my life. The song "Love Song" by Taylor Swift SOOOOOO depicts the beginning of our relationship...we laugh every time we hear it! (stop the music (playlist) at the bottom of the page and listen to the video at the end of this blog). I have been so super Blessed in my marriage and literally growing up with Glenn has been one heck of a ride. A ride I wouldn't take with anyone else! It amazes me that it's been twenty years since we said our vows and started our life together. God has blessed me many times over in my life, but perhaps one of the most profound blessings was in the husband he chose to give me. I can honestly say that I love my husband more now than the day I married him. He is a wonderful husband. He is smart, funny, handsome, caring, hardworking, honest and compassionate! I love that he is sensitive and has a heart the size of his entire body! He make me feel beautiful even on my ugliest days. LOL And makes me feel like what I am doing, being a mother and a housewife, is the most important job on earth. A LOT has changed since that day twenty years ago and yet so much still remains exactly the same...We have faced challenges that may not have always been easy. Yet through it all, our LOVE for one another has remained strong!I hope my children find the kind of love that we did, and that they too know that marriage takes work, patience and understanding. Together we produced the most sweetest, caring and God Loving Children and I’m so thankful that we get to be their parents TOGETHER! Now trust me when I say that he is all that and then some, but he has his days... as do I! When we have complete melt downs and we wonder how we ever made it so far LOL!!! Thank you Glenn for 20 years of FUN!

So Long Halloween.....hello Thanksgiving!

2009-11-03T12:21:00.000-06:00

Well another Halloween has come and gone! It was spent celebrating with great friends!! Since my youngest son was the only one to dress up this year, the pressure was off! My sweet mother in law made the most awesome Indian costume for him!! I only mentioned that he had wanted to be a Indian for Halloween, and she immediately got busy sewing!! What she produced for him was AMAZING!!! Before Halloween we did our traditional family carving of the pumpkin and had many laughs doing so!! I now happily wave goodbye to Halloween, but not until I have devoured every last Mary Jane Candy my son has brought home from trick or treating...LOL Time to pull out the Thanksgiving decorations and put away the the Jack-O-Lanterns. I have always LOVED the coziness of November which is probably why I chose this month to get married 20 years ago!The smells of fall cooking fill the house, and the weather is PERFECT....the days are full of sunshine and the wind blows lightly, while the evenings are quite chilly! I admit that I am already starting my Christmas Shopping but vow to savor the pre-Thanksgiving time as well! I have so much to be Thankful for and refuse to let this become a "LOST" holiday! Seems like the advertising companies have forgotten Thanksgiving and go straight into Christmas. Don't get me wrong...CHRISTMAS IS MY MOST FAVORITE HOLIDAY...but I refuse to let them take my Thanksgiving from me (LOL). Thanksgiving is kind of the calm before the storm if you will. It's a time of relaxing with family before the hustle and bustle of the approaching Christmas holiday! Well I will add a few Halloween pictures as I close this blog.....My Anniversary is tomorrow so I will no doubt be blogging again soon! HARVEST YOUR BLESSINGS as I WILL MINE!

OUR ESCAPE!!!

2009-10-24T15:35:00.000-05:00

On a Thursday a few weeks back..my hubby called and asked if I was ready for an ESCAPE to the sunny SAN FRANCISCO. For real, NOW?? Of Course, with our 20th anniversary coming up November 4th, what better time than now to go! I knew we had a window of opportunity that probably wouldn’t come again for quite sometime. And I was ready for a get away with just him and I!

We were headed to California to see San Francisco and I could NOT have been more excited! My excitement was short lived however. After telling the kids and seeing the look on my son Peyton's face, the excitement vanished as fast as it had came! The closer the date came to us leaving, the more I tried backing out! I mean really, HOW WAS MY HOUSE GOING TO RUN WITHOUT ME??!!! Well, my husband would NOT hear of me changing my mind...and I will forever be grateful!!!! My wonderful daughter and terrific Mother were more than happy to take over my duties and send me off on my trip knowing everything back home was taken care of!

The trip was MORE than I ever thought it would be! The Golden Gate Bridge was amazing, riding the cable cars up and down the hills of San Fran was just so awesome. The town of Sausalitos on the other side of the Golden Gate was beautiful!! We traveled up mountains and saw great views of San Francisco, walked hand in hand on Stinson beach, and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Enjoyed seeing a 130 year old farm, and tasting the wine from the GORGEOUS vineyards in Nappa Valley!!! We had breakfast in bed overlooking breathtaking views of mountains, leisurely walks, tasty food from real restaurants (no Burger Kings), coffee breaks in charming bistros and time to breathe in the fresh sea air. The sun was shining most of the time. We took a couple of naps. We had time to talk about anything and nothing all. I had no where I had to be. No laundry to wash, beds to make, no cleaning or cooking, no bathing the dog, or homework to check, and my life for a few days only revolved around MY OWN SCHEDULE!!! Of course NONE of this could have been done without the WONDERFUL help of Mom and Skylar. Nightly calls home always delivered good news...Peyton was LOVING his play time with his Poppy and Uncle Bruz, Trevor was more than pleased with his Nano's great cooking and Skylar was happy to spend some alone time with her grandparents! Each day after school they would go to my parents to do homework, play, and eat dinner..then Sky would bring them home to shower and get into bed, and would take them to school each morning for me! All in all this past week was just a super terrific one for me. My home on Friday was however a welcome sight...even though I had a terrific time, I did miss my kids immensely! My life feels full right now and I just feel so super BLESSED!

When you have LOVE in your heart!

2009-10-16T06:07:00.000-05:00

It just goes to show that when you have love in your heart, you can find it anywhere. The other night, my family went for a evening walk. While walking the path that I take daily...my ten year old son yelled out, "Mom, come look!" Upon returning back to where he stood he pointed out this rock that was embedded in the asphalt. He said, "It's a heart, MOM. Can we dig it up so you can have it forever?" THIS MELTED MY HEART!!!!!! I grabbed my phone and snapped the above picture, and told him although we couldn't dig it up, I would indeed have that rock forever! It reminded me that I need to slow down, and look around more. I walk that same path everyday and never noticed that rock before. Life is a moment, actually just a flicker in time. We should all love like that of child. Thank you God for the blessings you have given me with my family!

"Stuffy" our scarecrow!!!

2009-10-07T20:57:00.000-05:00

Move over Miss Wooden Scarecrow, your harvest time companion has arrived to join you center stage as a country Halloween decoration. For centuries, scarecrows have been thought to scare off unwanted garden intruders, this one is thought to scare off intruders period (lol). Our scarecrow is pretty pathetic looking, and the finished product has yet to be delivered. He is missing his red hankie around his neck, his rope belt, boots, and gloves. But I WAS SO EXCITED about our fun evening that I couldn't wait to post! Peyton named him "Stuffy" and you will see in the pics that even our cows were trying to figure out what we were doing! We had the best time tonight grilling chili cheese dogs and stuffing "Stuffy" the Scarecrow. I LOVE our family projects...it allows my family some down time from the daily chores and homework!! Hope you enjoy the pictures and puts you in the HALLOWEEN SPIRIT! lol

P.S. These pictures are NOT in order. I will change that when I post the final product. LOL

Our Yard and Home Is Our Symbol Of Faith, Hope and Love!

2009-10-01T22:56:00.000-05:00

What a terrific weekend....It's so wonderful what Rain from the heavens can do for a yard and Flowers....after over fertilizing and killing (you will notice the plant on the one side of my walkway) some of my huge flowers, I am grateful for any and all rain. So that inspired my blog...lol Below you will find pictures of my yard, my FURRY FAMILY and home!

My yard is a place of peace, thoughts and dreams. A place where my husband and I have watched 3 sets of small feet learn to walk, run, catch grasshoppers, and of course a few stickers. It is a place where my boys learned to play football, my daughter did cartwheels, and they all learned to swing themselves. A place that holds the swingset and monkeybars my husband made for them over 18 years ago. And, a place where we garden, grill, swim, and watch outside movies. It is a quaint, SIMPLE, and quiet place...where we have watched memories grow. The place where him and I would lay under the night moon and watch for falling stars in our teens, dreaming of what our life held. A place where our cats can hunt, and our dogs can roll! Twenty years ago it was just a field, but over the years it has become so much more. It is a place where we wanted to show our children that faith goes beyond the parish doors. The place we planted trees that were no taller or bigger around than a fire poker, and watched them grow along with our children. Our trees and children have a few things in common, nourished with love they have flourished and grown faster than we could ever have imagined. It is a place I can sit in solitude and enjoy the the beauty that God gives me. So many different birds have made homes within our trees, and I enjoy each one of them. So I guess you might say that I have kind of turned my yard into my shrine. With natures reminders of what is most important in my life..FAITH,FAMILY, HOPE, and LOVE!

An Angel received his wings!

2009-10-01T06:11:00.000-05:00

Luke Aaron Pollok

A young man that captured so many hearts, including that of my family has found the freedom he was missing. He endured so much these last ten months that I am THANKFUL the sweet Lord took him and gave him his wings to fly. I know that he flew straight into the arms of his sister Kyley who loved him so much! My heart is heavy for his family that is left with a void in their hearts. Though the pain of this moment might diminish the void will forever be there until they are reunited with Luke in Heaven. I feel Luke fulfilled his "earthly" duty...and that was to change lives, and lead souls to our Lord.

I find comfort in knowing that death is NOT the end, but is just the beginning. Our lives , here on earth is merely just a second. My Grandmother Rutkowski didn't believe in being sad for the loved one who had passed, she KNEW that their real life was just beginning. She wanted us to rejoice and find happiness. So, I know that Luke has entered a new and much better phase of his life. A place where he has no more pain, hunger, sadness, and his soul is allowed once again to play and have fun! It is comforting to know that he is running with his sister Kyley and that his love of Christmas will only be MAGNIFIED!! I know that he will now live forever in Paradise with God. And when it is his families turn to leave this "earthly" world, they too will join him once again.

"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:16-17,

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lukepollok

Beauty that only the Lord can Produce!

2009-09-27T08:17:00.001-05:00

There are signs that summer is slowly coming to an end. Covers are beginning to be placed on pools, yellow school buses have began slowing the morning commute, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting some what cooler, the 100 plus day temperatures are a thing of the past, and the trees are starting to flourish into brilliantly bright colors. Autumn is one of the best times in Texas! It's so awesome to wake up early and see the dew glistening and feel cooler morning temperatures after a long, hot and VERY, VERY DRY summer. The beautiful red, yellow and golden leaves are beginning to show and the colors of the flowers are turning deeper and brighter. It is a good time to enjoy a cup of coffee outdoors and watch the birds and wildlife wake up, groom and look for breakfast. It's a time for Texas FOOTBALL, Dove Hunting, Fall gardening, and the onset of the HOLIDAYS!!!

Autumn is a unique time of year, when nature becomes sort of playful and sweet. It’s also the time for celebrating Halloween, of childhood memories of hayrides and bonfires, pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns, leaf-covered streets,scarecrows, candy corn, and yes, tombstones, skeletons, haunted houses, ghosts and monster movies.

It should be noted that Halloween is a Catholic holiday. Many years ago Pope Gregory IV made it the universal practice in the Roman Catholic Church to celebrate All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1. All Souls' Day follows the next day as the commemoration of all of the faithful who have departed.

“All Hallows’ Eve” as the evening before All Hallows’ Day — All Saints’ Day – eventually became shortened to Halloween. Hallow, as in “hallowed be thy name” in the Lord’s Prayer, is an older form of the word “holy.”

No doubt my washing machine will fall victim yet again to washing gathered acorns, pine cone pieces, and pecan shells that my son has forgotten to remove from his trousers after a long day of exploring. We will carve pumpkins, make scarecrows,and smell up our house with cider potpourri. But AGAIN, yes, I will again use my FAVORITE WORD....We will HARVEST our BLESSINGS!!! We will harvest happiness. We will fill our soul with pure joy. I hope to grab a hold of every little, simple blessing that the day offers me. May the harvest leave me thankful, and make me full.

May you also have a bountiful harvest of happiness this fall, may it leave you with a SMILE!!!

Precious Moments are Priceless Memories!

2009-09-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

Okay so I did however skip one unforgettable moment this summer! It was one of those moments that takes your breath away because it WAS SO UNEXPECTED!!! This will be a huge bragging post and so if you get nauseated easy.....you might want to quit reading now! LOL...Well here goes my moment of shame!!!!!!!!

While traveling to the coast this summer, we were riding and listening to the radio. I however had my nose in a book, until I heard Trevor say to Glenn, "YES, I do too. Every time I hear this song it makes me think of MOM"! Of course, this got my full attention and was hoping they were not listening to the hit song from the Wizard of Oz.."The wicked witch is dead"! haha... The song playing was one I had never heard, so when I turned it up and listened I COULDN'T have been more happily surprised! The thought that my husband and son related me to such a fabulous song was truly AMAZING and I FEEL VERY UNDESERVANT OF IT! The song was by Martina McBride and titled AMAZING! Little moments like these are far and few in between so I relish in these moments!!! "

Again this past week my husband went on a fishing trip...and I would be LYING if I told you I wasn't a bit ANNOYED that he was again going on a trip, leaving me to hold down the fort! UNTIL......I went to crawl into bed that night and found the SWEETEST note left on my pillow. Although my husband misspelled a word that completely left me in tears from laughing, it had to be one of the sweetest notes I have ever read!!! I am very BLESSED to have everything that I do, and my husband and children are the ones that are TRULY the AMAZING ONES!!! Without showing you the entire note I will show you the part that "should" have read, I love you with all my heart and SOUL!!! hehe

Sweet Summer where did you go?

2009-09-24T09:37:00.000-05:00

Sweet Summer full of fun and catnaps where did you go?? Well It has been a VERY long time since I have blogged...and A LOT has happened!!(Please excuse any typo's or misspellings..when I WRITE a lot I tend to have many errors.) So get cozy and be prepared to read and read and read. lol..Just kidding, I will do my best at keeping this short and simple as to not bore anyone. Well school came to a close with my oldest daughter graduating high school. WOW! As she walked across the stage in her cap and gown, reflections of that first day of school entered my mind and the tears again were pouring. Could she really be 18 years old and have already completed 12 years of schooling!!!??? I looked over at my sweet husband and saw that not only I was welling up with pride but he was too. NOBODY was more excited however than she was about it! She looked beautiful and had a GLOW on her face and a twinkle in her eye that was just so beautiful to see. A few weeks following that night was her Graduation party. WHAT A PARTY!!!! It was AMAZING!!! So many friends and family joined us in our huge celebration. My Mom and Dad came to help us decorate and please allow me to brag when I say the place looked magnificent!!! <3 Lots of love was put into her party and when you add the remarkable people that came you have ONE FESTIVE, UNFORGETTABLE, and AMAZINGLY GREAT EVENT! I had to take a moment during the party to THANK MY GOD for BLESSING me with a great family and great group of friends! Glenn and I went to bed that night smiling,laughing and talking about how happy we were that our party was a success and thanking God that it would be 3 years before having another! HAHAHAHAHA...I think there were more than us in that room laughing...GOD, no doubt knew what was ahead and had to be laughing at our conversation. (this part will continue later in the story) We had many trips planned and one was to go rafting in the Colorado Rockies. Sadly, this would have to wait since Glenn had a project at work in FULL SWING and it was not allowing him to leave for the amount of days we needed. However, LOTS OF TRIPS were still in store. Many to Padre Island, local hot spots (Fiesta Tx, Schlitterbaun, Gruene for rafting,kayaking ect.)Glenn put up a screen for outside movies, and that became a summer hit!!! Our outside movie nights while swimming and grilling are some of the BEST SUMMER NIGHTS EVER!! The summer was definitely a HOT one, and swimming in the pool at times felt more like taking a bath lol...but it was FUN! Our summer vacations mostly this year were spent here at home. My children would rather be here than anywhere else..and for this I am THANKFUL. Our house is not a mansion, nor is it extravagant or huge but is our home. It is a home filled with LOVE and JOY. It may not always be perfect and Lord only knows that we have our moments...but at the end of the day, we go to bed still feeling BLESSED!!! The summer days brought BEE STINGS, LOTS and LOTS of BEE STINGS for my son Peyton. Poor baby was stung AT LEAST 10 times with one of those times landing us in the ER!! However not one of those stings was so bad that he retired himself from shooting bee's nest with his BB gun! I still laugh at the sight of waking up and looking outside to see my cotton head, dressed in his boxers, no shoes or shirt, but sporting his bb gun and hunting for bees! The summer brought victories as well for us! My son Trevor will leave this summer a WINNER!! He brought home a State Win in the State Shoot. This will forever be molded in his mind as a WONDERFUL MEMORY!!! To watch a dad beam with pride and his Son more than happy to please his father is forever a WONDERFUL MEMORY burned in my heart as well as my mind! I too will be leaving this summer with some GREAT memories. I had some great times reconnecting with friends!! I wont soon be forgetting a coast trip with friends of my past!! Lacey, Stacy, Tracey, Julie and I had one of the best times on the beach. We LAUGHED, LAUGHED and LAUGHED some more!! We shared stories of the past and brought home new ones to share with others! Reconnecting was fabulous and getting away was such a nice break!!! Sharing moments with my little brother, watching fireworks on the beach for the 4th of July was a precious memory and one that almost never took place. Thank you God for sparing him..and know that we will forever be grateful!!! My family and I had a great time at Inks Lake as well. Unforgettable moments of being towed on a raft behind a kayak as onlookers watched and giggled. LOL. FUN TIMES!!!! Upon returning from our Inks adventure is when I realized that not only Glenn and I were in that room laughing about not hosting a party like that for a super long time. You see as soon as I returned home and turned on my computer, I found where a old friend of mine had emailed me. Mister Mike Cantu was informing me that a few of my past classmates over dinner one evening had mentioned maybe having our TWENTY (yes, I said twenty) YEAR class reunion at my house. I was immediately proud to be asked but very unsure! I called up my sweet friend Lacey who of course said, "Why not? How flattering, and you have a great place for it!"!! So my next task at hand was to confront my husband with this grand idea!!! His first words were.."Shannon, what is going through your mind right now???" LOL I responded with.."Karma babe, good deeds only bring on better things for us!" Being the supportive husband that he is, he quickly told me it would be fine with him..as long as I wouldn't stress to much over it! So the plans were in motion, and the reunion was set for the end of the summer! Lots of planning was involved, but NOT the stressful kind. We held Margarita parties with everybody who was helping put this reunion on. We entered a Margarita Pour off (in which we didn't win) and had THE BEST TIME just having fun with friends! The reunion went perfect and how great it was to reconnect with friends we had lost touch with twenty years ago!! We had a slideshow that brought back past memories, and a dinner fit for a KING!! I am pretty sure EVERYBODY there including children had a VERY GOOD TIME! The last of the guests didn't leave until 3am the next morning!! As you can see my summer was full of fun, parties, and adventure! BUT..Right when we thought we had been Blessed with the best summer, God had yet one last reward for my family! The week before school started we received the call that had been a year in waiting. My little brother Lawrence who had been long anticipating a cadaver bone received the news that it was IN, and the bone had tested positive for a match!!!! WOW!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!!! My husband asked me, "Is this the karma you spoke of, if so when is the next huge party?" HAHA!!!! He now has the bone and is in the middle of physical therapy...LIFE should be back to NORMAL for him by the time his baby comes in the spring! YES, HE ALSO HEARD HE IS GOING TO BECOME A DADDY!!!!!! My family is a true believer that Good Deeds and The Glory of God go hand in hand!!!!! We say goodbye to a AMAZINGLY, FANTASTIC summer and cannot wait to see what our Fall holds for us!! Thank you GOD for GREAT FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN and LAUGHTER!!!!!

My beautiful Sky!

2009-05-12T08:30:00.001-05:00

It seems like only yesterday,
we wiped away your tears.
Helped you grow and watched you play,
what happend to those years?

I remember slipping my hand in yours
when we walked through that Kinder door,
How was I to know that my heart would break
and my tears would start to pour!

You looked at me and said “ Mommy your going to be fine”
But I loved you so much, I was so selfish
because you were supposed to be ALL MINE.

Now here we are facing the day
that I had horrifically dreaded
You’re a beautiful grown lady
that knows exactly where she’s headed.

Your daddy and I love you so much
you have filled our hearts with pride
Just always keep god close
And let him be your guide.

Remember that with the support of
Gods love, family and friends
You will make it through lifes many
Challenges, rewards, and even bends.

Only you will write out your future
Line by line by line.
So get out in the world and show them
How YOU SHINE!!!!

WE LOVE YOU,
Daddy, Mama, Trevor and Peyton

Faith, Love and Trust!

2009-05-12T00:21:00.000-05:00

Mothers Day weekend was again a TRUE blessing for me. I got to visit my mom along with aunts, uncles, and cousins that I rarely get to see. We traveled to Fredericksburg and saw Glenn’s mom, sisters, nieces and nephews and this is ALWAYS a treat and just a heart warming experience. On the way home Glenn and I discussed how when your young you take for granted seeing your family on Holidays and how the older you get you truly begin to appreciate the value of them and just hope they know how much they mean to us. We both feel so fortunate to have been placed in such WONDERFUL ONES!We also spoke of how this past year has taught us to never take one single day for granted, and again this weekend we were reminded of just how fast ones life can change. It seems right as I get my heart back on level ground, something comes along and bungee jumps it right back to the place I just fought so hard to bring it back from. However the last deliverance of the sad news has taught me that my Faith has grown. You see although my heart bungeed my Faith didn’t. My heart may always fall when I hear something sad, senseless, and heartbreaking but my Faith I pray never will. The little time I set aside each day for daily devotional is no doubt the reason for my strong faith, and for this I am so grateful. Daily Devotional is a vitamin for my soul perhaps, and keeps my mind right where I need it to be. I know that in order to get safely through all my hills and valley’s and still come out smiling, and walking as if I had never went through them I will need God’s love and guidance! I found that I don’t just need God as my friend but I want him to be my BEST FRIEND! We will all carry a Cross that will no doubt be the heaviest Cross you might ever encounter but I know that with Faith and the Love of God..your Cross will feel as if it has sprouted feet and lifted the weight of itself off your shoulders in order to help you get to your destination. And when you finally arrive your heart will be FILLED with LOVE, JOY and extreme HAPPINESS despite the heartache you had when you first started carrying it. All you need is TRUST, Trust in God!

Love to you all!
~Shannon~

MANUAL LABOR DOES THE SOUL GOOD ~glenn kosub jr

2009-05-03T16:32:00.000-05:00

Family time this weekend consisted of A LOT of manual labor. This of course does the soul good according to my husband. I hide a laugh as I listen as he tells this to the kids along with how it provides immediate gratification, gives a sense of accomplishment when your done and how hard work never hurt anyone. I hide the laugh because I know if I listen hard enough I could possibly hear my son Trevor thinking "Oh, please be quiet so we can get through with this already"! Well our project this weekend was to "unearth" sandstones that my husband has been wanting to do for MANY years in order to make a front pathway and a entrance to our gate. The size of some of these rocks are quite impressive and the fact they come from our family land makes this project that much more sentimental and unique. Glenn and I talk about how we must never forget to Thank God for our family time. We know that one day it will be just us and the memories will be something we always cherish. Making memories is so important not just for us but for our children. We hope one day when they are grown with a family of their own, they will look back at our "family time" (wheather its our daily dinner hour, nightly walks, or our "HARD manual labor" as the kids call it) with a smile and a GREAT MEMORY!
Poor Trevor (red shirt) and Kody preparing the place to set the rocks for our new entrance!

And here comes one of the many Sandstone Rocks! WOW...look at the size of that one!

Peyton enjoying being told to just stay clear since he was yet to small to help with such large rocks. (his dad was afraid of the weight of these things)

Still putting more rocks in place.

Now it was time to start forming up the pathway!

Trevor and Kody laying the rocks and adding the mortar!

Glenn smoothing and finishing the added touches

Of course no concrete work can be done without HANDPRINTS! =)

and a SMILE!

Finally time to put away the things, sit back drink a beer, soda pop, and for me a glass of wine and of course listen to the guys moan about there backs killing them..LOL! Sky and I gave them 2 thumbs up for a job WELL DONE!

Forever in my heart!

2009-04-29T09:26:00.000-05:00

Well that dreaded time has come…that time that you must say goodbye to something that has ALWAYS held such a special spot in your heart. My second home for all my younger years. The place that holds SO MANY great and loving memories. To some it may just be mortar and bricks but to me those memories hold so many, many, many, stories. I can still see my Granny cooking all those wonderful meals in the kitchen, and Grandpa with his pipe sitting across the bar watching her and telling her “man it smells good!” I can hear them say “Well look who is here” when I would first arrive to visit. I can still feel the love that this home brought us and see vivdly every holiday with our entire huge family, never once feeling like we had ever outgrown it. This house was our entire families “ROCK” ! No matter what came up in any of our lives, we knew one thing for sure….Granny and Grandpa’s house would ALWAYS be there and at the door you would find open arms to greet you. I will miss this house almost as much as I miss my grandparents. To watch the house that my grandparents cherished and worked so hard for be sold is heartbreaking. A new family will soon be moving in and making it a home once again. My plans are to greet them with a heartwarming (house-warming) gift. I think by doing this it will not only help heal my broken heart but allow me to see that what are now just memories to me is a new and wonderful future for the new family. The house has never been the same since my grandparents left it, seeing it sit alone for many years has been painful to watch. So I believe to see life there again, hopes and future dreams will bring healing to my broken heart. I have to keep reminding myself that that this home was just their temporary house and that they are now living in the castle they truly worked so hard here on earth for. I hope and pray that the new family will cherish this house as much as me and my family did. This place will never leave my heart, it was a part of who I am today and for that I AM SO LUCKY!

"Mom, cant God do something about it?"

2009-04-28T08:26:00.000-05:00

Well my 10 year old son came and asked “Why is everyone so worried about this Swineflu? Can’t God do something about it?” I am sure that the many talks his father and I have given him about washing his hands, the brochures the school sent out,the news reports of how GLOBAL it is and the lectures from his teachers have him really worried. But the second part of his question got me to thinking.....and so I started to blog. LOL...the rest is history.

You know we all learn as little kids to pray “God is Good, God is great...” So it’s only natural for us to believe that if God is good then He will make life GOOD for us. So when things are going well we're inclined to think that God is indeed good, and when they don't, we question His goodness or even His existence. This is when we must understand that we aren't the center of the universe, not the reference point against which goodness can be judged. Sometimes we act and feel as though God's goodness depends on how well we like what's going on. To many times we ask ourselves “Why would God allow this to happen?” This is when we must understand that WE are NOT in a position to judge the actions of our God. We are just a teeny tiny small part of his overall picture. I personally think that the ONLY way for each of us to know in our hearts that God is good is to get to know him and his character one on one. Once you do there is no denying that God not only exists and is GOOD but that he brings Good from sufferings and tragedies. Trust me, when God reveals himself to you, then you know GOD IS GOOD! His goodness is pure, true and beyond anything you ever imagined. So is God always good? Yes, God is the source of EVERYTHING good, but in order to see it you must first form an active relationship with him. Now I agree that faith doesn't come easily. We all see the power of evil and wonder why God doesn’t stop it. You pray on occasion, but feel that our prayers don’t go anywhere. You may have gone to church but just find no connection with it, leaving you to try and convince yourself that believing in God is irrational. Let me assure you though of this, when you begin to doubt, then your allowing the enemy to win. He wants nothing more than for you to doubt our God. I too once doubted and found it easier to just exist in this world until my time came to leave (not real sure of what would happen after that however). My husbands Granny who is 94 and one of the SMARTEST people I have ever met was the reason for my fast and abrupt turn around. She knew immediately that I was a worrier and cared so deeply for my family that I would worry myself sick (LITERALLY). She gave me bibles and prayer books that I carry with me TO THIS DAY! This lady who I have SO much RESPECT and ADMIRATION for taught me TONS.. she taught me... that I had to start looking for God in EVERYTHING (good and bad), listen and try to absorb without rejecting what you don't understand yet, learn from those who do know, keep a open mind, but first and foremost you have to WANT to believe. Faith is a deep trust, a trust in our God. Once you meet him you will no longer doubt him and your life will be BLESSED! So my answer to my son was this....Nothing happens without the permission of God. When illness like this strikes the reasons may not be apparent, or perhaps even be within our understanding. However God wants only good for humankind. We can therefore be sure that there is great wisdom behind the affliction and that it presents us with the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with God. When illness strikes, the best course of action is to thank God, try to be closer to Him and to do all the things we have been taught to fight against catching it ourselves, all while thanking him for our many BLESSINGS.

Happy Birthday Peyton!!!

2009-04-26T17:20:00.000-05:00

Well I survived yet another birthday party and boy can I tell I am getting OLD!! I am wore completely out Skylar had many parties, one that I so vividly recall had 30 girls sleeping on my floor. I could stay up until the wee hours of the morning and acted as if I to was 10, 11, 12, etc.etc. years old. NOT ANYMORE! Either I am getting older or boys are just WAY more rambunctious and full of energy. Not sure why I sound so shocked since I AM the one however that fed them plenty of Jelly Belly’s, sour punch straws ( thank you Nano by the way..they LOVED them) and Cupcakes. They were a WONDERFUL group (12 in all) of boys, with a lot of life in them (which I love to see)! Peyton told me that it was his best birthday ever (he does however say this after every party-lol). I know that his opening a CELL PHONE from one of his best friends could be a contributing factor to his smile that has not left his face. We have been holding strong to our decision of NO PHONE until he is in middle school at which time he would be starting to travel with his teams. So his dad and I will discuss how we will handle him and his new found (given) love. He received LOTS of wonderful gifts and had a great party! I did finally go to bed leaving Glenn, Trevor, and Kody to tend to the boys until about 2:45am.! I took the 6:00am shift when I was awoken by Glenn telling me “TAG your it”! They slept MAYBE 3 hours and woke with a vengeance. I have to hand it to Glenn, he is a trooper! While I tended to sleeping bags, getting teeth brushed etc. etc. Glenn got up and fixed a FULL breakfast for the small army we had! Feeding 12 hungry, growing boys is no small feat. After breakfast I asked the boys to gather their things since their parents would be arriving shortly and heard MANY GROWNS, which told me they had as much fun as Peyton did! This makes me very, very happy! Now it’s time for us to rest up and start preparing for May and June parties…UGH! Good thing my son Trevor doesn’t enjoy huge parties! Ever since he was small he has only wanted 3 MAYBE 4 kids over. I have taken it upon myself in the past to throw him big parties only for him to tell me that smaller ones are WAY better. So May holds Trevor’s 15th bday and my hubby Glenn’s big 40th (both on the same day May 30th)! Then ending our party season with a HUGE graduation party for Skylar on the second weekend of June! Come July we will be taken a long and well deserved vacation! Hope everybody had as great and wonderful weekend as we did.

The very sweaty BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

LET THE CRAZINESS BEGIN!!!!!!

Steven may be tiny but he is MIGHTY!!!

My sweet Trevor who had just gotten home after his team took 2nd in their Poultry judging!!!

The kids feeding our calves! Peyton thought it was a welcome break from him having to do his daily chore..lol

Hot dogs was the requested meal of the day!

FINALLY BEDTIME!!!!

CRAZY LIFE....BUT WHO'S COMPLAINING =)

2009-04-22T06:59:00.000-05:00

Hi guys! Sorry it has been awhile since I blogged! I have received so many emails asking me WHY???...and I love it! It shows I have so many friends that care but themselves DONT BLOG....I WISH THEY WOULD!!! Finding time can sometimes be extremely difficult. This one will be just a brief update and I promise to blog in detail later. My life has been CRAZY lately. Good thing I LOVE craziness! Trevor goes to competition this week for Poultry judging. Say a prayer, those poor kids have been really working hard! My family and I just attended the Pollok Fundraiser for little Luke this past weekend.....it was wonderful to see so MANY compassionate people. My prayers go out to Luke and his family. If your interested in finding out more about Luke and his journey here is his website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lukepollok. Before attending the FUNraiser, we went to church in Pana Maria and took flowers to my grandparents who are buried there. The church is just GORGEOUS, and we shocked my aunt and uncle who were not expecting us. It was just a wonderful, BLESSED day! I am now planning Peyton's sleepover for his birthday this weekend. WISH ME LUCK! 15 young boys running around is sure to tire me out! OHHHHHHHH and I have began a workout program which has got me so sore! I told Glenn that my muscles remind me of bears that have been woken from hibernation and they are ROARING LOUDLY! OUCHHHHHHHHHH!

Well I love you guys and will blog later and I promise to have some pictures with it!

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!!

2009-04-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

Easter weekend can be summed up in one word………….BLESSED! I know it’s that word again that I use ALL THE TIME on here. But it truly was a blessed weekend. We had such a super day! A little bit of much needed rain, lots of sunshine, happy kids, tons of GREAT FOOD provided by all who came, wonderful conversation, and much needed laughter was the recipe of a successful gathering! Thank you to all my family and friends for a enjoyable Easter Sunday together – I feel super blessed. I so enjoyed the little guys!! Just watching them run, jump, pick on one another and then die laughing, playing pool, watching Glenn hold up the very young ones so they could see the birds nest full of polka dot eggs, and then watching them bounce each other crazy in the moon bounce did my heart good. Watching the bond between cousins, and listening to kids screaming and laughing while having fun, and seeing them laugh from the belly over something little is FOOD FOR MY SOUL! My weekend ended in celebration and my week began the exact same way. My daughter Skylar turned 18!! WOW! We had a FUN, RELAXING DAY!!! I went to bed that night remembering that feeling 18 years ago that changed my life forever. That overwhelming intense, protective feeling, the feeling of such love and loyalty. I remember looking at Glenn with HUGE tears in his eyes and both of us feeling such pride and joy. Now after 18 years, we both feel that same pride and joy, and are learning how to now let our baby leave our protective wings (which is so hard) and yet still give protection from a distance. I'm also grateful for all three of my children. They give me a reality check - their very existence has helped me put things into perspective. My children make me realize what really matters, help me see my own strengths and have taught me a kind of love I never knew existed. HAHA I’m sure Glenn will read this and go WHAT THE H@&&.... But what I mean is children teach you about unconditional love. Sure I would swim oceans and battle wars for my hubby but there Is NOTHING that my children could ever do to make me fall out of love for them. I will close this blog by THANKING GOD for the JOY in my life! While I love my happy moments with my life, family and friends I do understand that happiness is a temporary emotional thing that comes and goes. Happiness can be brought to you by the enemy and take you farther from God if your not careful, but JOY is so important that the enemy tries to rob you of it daily. Joy brings us peace in the middle of craziness and is something that only GOD can give us through our spirit. Remember when happiness leaves us JOY remains! I hope you all had a HAPPY and JOYFUL Easter weekend!

Hugs to all!

~Shannon~

Some friends teach you the greatest gift of all!

2009-04-03T18:58:00.000-05:00

My life is generally very serene and balanced. But recently I have become consumed with mothers that are hurting so bad it is beyond my control. The reason for this is no doubt my deep love for my own children. My friend Tesi Pugh has taught me A LOT...she has taught me that no matter how hard you try and want to help somebody the greatest gift you can do is PRAY! She then told me that she feels like I empathize and not just sympathize. After researching what empathy is I found that it is often characterized as the ability to "put oneself into another's shoes," or in some way experience what the other person is feeling. I have come to realize that emotions are powerful, emotions can have a life of their own. Sometimes as people we must control our emotions and not let them control us. This is very hard for me when it comes to a mother's pain for a child. Empathy is an intellectual, emotional, and, ultimately, a spiritual discipline. I must learn to listen openly at the times when it isn’t easy and NOT try and find a cure. Insight helps me distinguish my “stuff” from theirs. I must be patient with myself and allow myself room and time to grow in this area. I have also learned that life is strongly led by ATTITUDE! This is not to say that one person grieves better than another, but that attitude can ultimately allow a person to grieve without giving the devil a playground pass into ones spirit. I have seen people whose attitude was of anger or hurt to such an extent that they can never get beyond a particular event, which then becomes the defining moment of their life. And then I have seen just the opposite where people who have gone through one of life's most PAINFUL events and yet their attitude somehow remained positive and they even teach others to believe that there is an ultimate good. The comparison is so unbelievable between these two attitudes. Living with the concept of a good God is so much more uplifting and gives a person the ability to remain joyful and hopeful and have the strength to go on and fight. So as I fall asleep tonight and first thing I will do when I awake in the morning will be to pray. Pray not only for the mother hurting or the pain the child is going through, but for God to teach me to understand the true meaning of John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid” .

I will conclude with the following poem I read and feel God has applied to my life:

I asked for strength and
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and
God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and
God gave me brawn and brain to work.

I asked for courage and
God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for love and
God gave me troubled people to help...

Sorry to make this blog longer than it should but as I find myself consumed in thought for my blogs, I lose track of time. As I wrap this one up it dawns on me that my soon to be 10 year old is much quieter than usual, and so my search begins. SCREAMING his name 5000 times and searching every inch of the house still no child in sight. I head outside to begin the same ritual that I just performed inside. Still NOTHING, so I head down to the pasture to look, once there a little DIRTY barefoot, cotton head kid catches my eye...this is what I find....

So i quietly run back to the house grab my camera since I feel it is so dang adorable and typical of my BIRD HUNTER. As I go in for the closer shot, I frighten the Field larks and completely TICK off my dear sweet Peyton, who has now jumped and yelled "MOM, WHY DID YOU SCARE AWAY THE BIRDS???".

OH WELL, THE MUCH LIGHTER MOMENT WAS A WELL NEEDED BREAK!!!! I think I will go enjoy a glass of wine with my hubby who feels cheated at times by the computer and my blogging world. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

FALLING SPRING!

2009-04-01T07:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Kosub Country...Where we are surrounded by Live Oaks! As most of you know my house has Oak trees all the way around it, so at this time every year it is FALLING SPRING!!! At some point you could drive by and quite possibly see me with a rake in my hand. Excuse me while I whine a little. I have so many leaves that I have no doubt I will be seeing them in my sleep! As I rake, I start to wonder "WHY IN THE HECK AM I DOING THIS", since as I do more leaves are hitting me like a rainstorm from above. I begin to think about Henny Penny when she starts running around yelling "THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING"! Not just leaves are falling, but POLLEN as well.

The pollen covers the sidewalks, our cars, the tables, and OUR DOG! Our poor little KB that is usually a puff of snow white hair, comes in looking at me like "what in the heck is happening to me???", he has pollen ALL OVER HIM!
There is no running from it, the only thing running around here would be our noses!! We keep Kleenex in business this time of year! OKAY OKAY...I'm sure your tired of hearing it already...There is a upside if I just remain focused on it....this does only happen once a year, the exercise by NO MEANS hurts me, and the trees do provide shade year round.Other than hurricane force wind at times the weather has been BEAUTIFUL!! . Our vegetable garden has soaked in the rain that we have recieved and is sprouting out! We were blessed with NO HAIL, unlike our friends south of us towards Nixon. SO yes, LIFE IS GOOD even if POLLEN is giving our sinuses HELL (haha)! So I guess my whining should be limited to little if at all! AFTER ALL it is APRIL! Which means I have LOTS of celebrations to plan. WE have EASTER followed by Sky's birthday and end the month celebrating Peyton's! April and May have always been my favorite months of the year, so I better start enjoying them before they are gone! =)

Don't Worry...BE HAPPY MON!

2009-03-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

If our trip to Antigua, West Indies taught me anything it taught me to live like they do! “DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY MON”!!

Having found myself drowning with people in the ocean of negativity too many times I made the decision to avoid the undertow in the future, and boy have I been reaping the rewards! Once a victim of horrible anxiety, I learned a new way of living. Listening to more upbeat music, limiting the use of television, and completely weaning myself from CNN, FOX and FRIENDS, and most mainstream media, has been the best thing I have ever done. This advise coming from a friend who taught me by example!
I have learned that NOT all opposites attract.....for example, Misery loves company not Happiness, oil doesn't mix with vinegar, and Grief hates HAPPINESS!!!

No doubt, we are all aware of Philippians 4:6 which instructs us to cast our cares upon the Lord and He will care for us. But, if you are like me, you wonder exactly how we do that. Does that mean simply pray or is there more to it? I think there is more. I think there is a lifestyle we must adopt that will, over time, replace our depression and anxiety with peace, joy and comfort. Before we look at that lifestyle, let me say it is not simple, nor instantaneous. It will take work and time. If you are depressed or anxious today, there is nothing I can say that will have the problem fixed by tomorrow. There are no band-aids for this, only a change of life based on the word of God

I have challenged my family to watch everything they say, and if it must be negative then to say it in a way that could be positive…we are allowed to point out when we see one another falling victim to negativity. The results have been nothing but POSITIVE.

Having a positive attitude makes you feel good about yourself. Your self esteem and self confidence is also affected in a positive way. When your thoughts tend to be positive. You feel happy.

Your thoughts and attitude can strongly affect others and the world around you. By being positive and focused on happy thoughts, your positive outlook tends to attract people to you. People are drawn to things that make them SMILE. These happy, positive people tend to have more friends and live healthier lives.

The more time we spend in negative thinking and acting, the more it becomes who we are….and eventually we find ourselves overwhelmed by it. It takes on a life of its own in us and produces anger and resentment over things that normally we might not even notice, and things that are certainly none of our business.

If we stop this negativity and start trying to be positive we can pull ourselves out of it. Soon we’ll realize just how heavy the cloud of negativity was and things will start appearing more pleasant. Negativity and complaining can leave you feeling sad, depressed, and emotionally drained. But when you begin your journey into positivity then you find much needed happiness. You will hear the sounds of birds and see colors of vibrancy in a complete different way. Smiles are contagious, just as a laugh is. It lightens the heart and forces you to see beauty.

So remember that if your attitude is positive, it affects the world around you in a positive way. People feel good being around you and you will attract a more positive crowd. You will have a happier and more confident life. LIVE, LAUGH, and LOVE!!!!!

WOW!

2009-03-23T08:49:00.000-05:00

WOW! That one word describes my weekend. Unexpected acts of kindness mean so MUCH!!! The weekend started with a phone call from my mom asking me if I would want my Grandpa and Grannies antique furniture. My Aunts along with mom and uncle had discussed who they wanted to have it and they agreed it would be me. WOW!!!! I will never express to them how much it really means to me! I cant quit staring at it. This furniture brings back a flood of HAPPY MEMORIES!!!!! It will be cherished FOREVER!!!! I can't wait to complete our new game room!

Then, out of no where a bouquet of daisies appear on my table in my kitchen along with a note attached that read "Just because I have always loved the person you are"! My hubby surprised me with them! WOW! WOW! WOW! Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Not intended to be a sermon but words of encouragment!

2009-03-21T08:36:00.002-05:00

When you are struggling with something grab your bible and read the above scripture. =)

Lately so many around me and including myself are facing something that is challenging their faith and their very being. I feel as if God is testing so many of us. And this is one test I want us all to PASS! We all know somebody that is battling something. Pain seems to be the root of all our problems. Not just physical pain but pain of the HEART! Pain of the heart can hurt just as bad as any joint pain. Watching a family member go through something that you know only God can help with (which so many families are going through right now) can be just as painful as what the injured person is actually going through. Pain of the heart can be through watching a son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister or friend go through something that no matter what you do, it doesn't help. We must watch how we speak and act towards others and know that in the end Prayer will see us through. Words can't be taken back, and actions speak louder than any word. Letting go of something may be necessary for our own personal and spiritual growth, whether we agree with the consequences or not. Staying stuck inside of an immovable situation can cause personal pain, suffering and result in feelings of lack of self-worth. I have been blessed with certain people in my life that have entered it for a reason. Some have been there a lifetime, others I parted and rejoined, and some that just entered.

Ultimately, does it matter what the source of the insight is so long as we can become a better more loving person?

I have been lucky enough to feel the true meaning behind the following prayer, so I wish to share:

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Remember when your day seems to be going rough, that it is a bad moment...not a bad day.

The LUMPY BED!

2009-03-19T13:47:00.000-05:00

So this morning starts out unlike the usual morning. Glenn has been out of state with work and he is typically our "morning man"..(gets everybody up and going before he heads to work..then I come in the picture and finish off their morning by shouting orders, making sure lunches are taken care of and driving them to school.) SOOOOO, I am not to great at replacing the "morning man" to say the least. We overslept, only to be woke by the phone who just happens to be our "morning man" making sure that I am up and going in which I respond "of course". This causes great HAVOC in the Kosub house...I jump up only to see that Trevor has missed his 6:45am Poultry Judging practice and so we decide to make the best of it and try to just be on time for regular school. Trevor is normally gone much earlier than the other kids so he is exempt from bed making on these mornings, but NOT this morning! I remind him that his bed must be done before we head out. I would LOVE to know what that kid was thinking as he made his bed. You see I do a daily "room check" after returning back home. Well this morning as I turn down the hall towards his room, I get a glimpse at Trevor's bed. What I see SCARES the living CRAP out of me! His bed appears to have somebody sleeping it!

Now I am thinking "who the hell is here, I just dropped the boys off", so not knowing what exactly to do..I say (loudly).."I AM CALLING THE COPS", still no movement. So I get our dog K.B. (like seriously, what is a 8lb bundle of HAIR going to do), and make him come with me to pull the covers from the bed to reveal whatever this "THING" is in my son's bed. As I pull the covers back I fell to the ground in HYSTERICS! For only Trevor would do something like this to me and probably has laughed many times today in class just waiting to hear hear the story about the LUMPY BED!

SPRING! Beautiful Hummingbird..you bring me JOY!

2009-03-17T22:51:00.000-05:00

HOORAY for SPRING..my favorite time of the year! I love how everything is new and fresh. Even the sun seems to shine a little differently. Well I saw our first Hummingbird this week. I tried to capture a fantastic photo but every time I did a darn leaf would fall from our Oak tree and scare it away. Hummingbirds are extremely special to me. I was taught a love for them MANY MANY years ago by my Granny! They took on a different type of special a few years back. You see my Granny who happened to be one of my very best friends became terminally ill with Lung cancer. The day before she left us, I wheeled her on the front porch and asked her what she could come back as when she makes it to heaven, to let me know she was okay. She told me she would come back as a hummingbird. That was all that was said and for the rest of the visit we never mentioned it again. My family knew at this point that we were lucky to have any conversation with her at all since she was on such heavy medication for pain. The next morning she quit all verbal communication, and we lost her later that day. The day we lost my Granny me and my family sat on the porch (the same porch we had just spoken on the day before)talking and mourning when I heard a LOUD and fast BZZZZZZZZZZ rush past me and it was so incredibly close to my ear. Frightened that it was a bee or hornet, I without thinking SHOOED it. I then jumped and yelled "WHAT WAS THAT, IT HAD TO BE HUGE". My aunt looked at me and said "It was a hummingbird" I then turned saw the hummingbird hovering by me for a split second and then flew off. That hummingbird did a lot for me that day. You see it went past my ear and hovered for a quick second and then kept going. It not only brought my soul sunshine on a very, very DARK day, but it told me that my Granny is not only in my past but is waiting for me in my future. So now when I see a hummingbird it makes my soul leap with JOY, and I thank God for letting me have that real last talk with my grandmother. It is a reminder to hold the ones you love in your arms while you can, because you never know when you might be able to only hold them in your heart!

MOMENTS! LOVE EM'

2009-03-17T08:25:00.000-05:00

Today is one of those mornings that the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, the fog is rolling in and yet in 30 minutes you know the fog will be gone. It is a lot like "problems"...problems are usually here now and gone in a moment. As I step outside to see my chirpy morning friends, my son Peyton comes and stands beside me. He says "you know mom, I may not be able to marry you...but you can't make me move!" I started laughing so hard, since I guess the many conversations we have been having about Skylar's future (college) must have his little wheels turning. My response was, "Can we go draw up a contract on that?"

Now that my children are getting older I thought my days of "Mommy, will you marry me" were over. My response to both Trevor and Peyton was always, "No buddy I cant, cuz God has someone just as special picked out for you, we just have to wait and see who that person is"....then I would go cry, thinking how I would miss the days when they out grew that stage. I guess this is God's way of showing me that there are plenty other just as precious moments ahead if I keep my mind focused on the positives and relish EVERY moment. My sweet friend Tesi and I were shopping one day when we saw a picture and it read "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of MOMENTS that take our breath away"....well this was one of those moments!

The Creation of Our Cross!!

2009-03-15T13:40:00.000-05:00

Funny how little things mean the most! Glenn took it upon himself this weekend to do something for me that I have been wanting for years! I have been walking around with a smile ever since. I took pictures to record the creating of OUR CROSS!! My hope is that it will serve as a faithful reminder to me and my family that Christ is a huge part of our lives and that with God all things are possible. (Luke 9:23-25)
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?"

Picking the perfect logs was the first thing we had to do:

Then bringing it home and stripping all the bark:

Now it was time to bring out the tools and notch where we would place the "t" part of the cross:

Starting to look like a Cross!!!!

Placing it in the perfect spot and finally the finished product:

Our BEAUTIFUL Cross: All that is left to do is have Father Stan come bless it and we plan to do that when he comes to Skylar's graduation dinner in June.

Moment of Bragging!

2009-03-15T11:02:00.000-05:00

Well Lent has begun in the Kosub household, and this weekend was PROOF of it. Lent is a Catholic tradition that goes for forty days marked by fasting, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices during Lent are showing justice towards God, justice towards self, and justice towards others. Some people give up something of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable events. This weekend we chose to work at the La Vernia Food Pantry. I was so proud of my family. Glenn and Skylar stayed in the warehouse stocking shelves and unloading crates of donations, Trevor and Peyton helped the eldery carry-out heavy bags, and I helped the many needy families fill their grocery bags with food that will hopefully last them a month. It only took a couple hours but what we learned will last us a lifetime. We found that the more we participated in meaningful activities, the happier we are and the more purposeful our lives feel.

1 cup of Giggles

2009-03-15T10:13:00.000-05:00

HAHA...as I watched this U-tube Ad I had the best laugh! It reminded me of my younger years with my dad and how he is still today with my children. We should all keep the inner child...it makes the days a lot more fun for others and rewards your life in ways you can't even imagine.

Playful Pals!

2009-03-12T21:43:00.000-05:00

Just minutes before this picture was taken...our Lab (Mona) was literally ROLLING around with his best friend. Of course when I walked out to snap the picture, they heard me and jumped to watch what I was doing..haha..It puzzles me how animals of different species can get along so well when humans struggle at it.

Who said only women cook!

2009-03-12T16:28:00.002-05:00

This is Glenn preparing breakfast at Cooksey Camp (yes, I know you see butane and not a boyscout fire)! We LOVE our camping trips!!! We compromised with the boys, that we would gladly stay in tents as long as we get the accommodations of nice restrooms, electricity, and we wouldn't have to totally go "roughing" it. Camping is something my entire family LOVES to do!!!! Often the less expensive trips are the most spiritual and rewarding!

The Stem of the Flower

2009-03-12T15:35:00.000-05:00

My children and husband are my petals, my mom is the center that holds them but my dad is the stem that supports it. My father is someone that everybody should be so lucky to know. Proverbs 22:6-11, primarily verse 6 which reads, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Dad...I LOVE YOU!

Moms are drops of Sunshine

2009-03-12T14:45:00.001-05:00

I had to add this picture of my beautiful daughter Skylar and my very special mom. These are two VERY special women in my life who have molded me into the person I am today. I found this next phrase and wanted to share it..,Modeling with Integrity – living what you say, being a model by which a child can learn by “catching” the essence of godly living (Deuteronomy 4:9, 15, 23; Proverbs 10:9, 11:3; Psalm 37:18, 37).
The Bible never states that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously. Mothers have a unique and crucial role in the lives of their children. Motherhood is not a chore or unpleasant task. Just as a mother bears a child during pregnancy, and just as a mother feeds and cares for a child during infancy, so mothers also play an ongoing role in the lives of their children, teenagers, young adults, and even fully-grown children. While the role of motherhood must change and develop, the love, care, nurture, and encouragement a mother gives should never cease. I know I use the word blessed a lot...but I was truely blessed when I was given Pam Robarts to be my mother.

Our newest purchase

2009-03-12T14:01:00.001-05:00

The photo was taken with a phone, so the picture quality is not the best! Our family just purchased a pool table and man has it brought MANY HOURS of FUN!!! I wasn't a huge fan of pool before but my family has turned me into one! My son Trevor was being a DORK, while Peyton acts like a SOLDIER..thank goodness Kody acted normal for the picture.

YESSSSSSSSSSS!

2009-03-12T12:43:00.000-05:00

My SON Peyton showing his excitement after placing "last" on the auction sheet for the sale of his FFA project a turkey tom at the La Vernia Livestock Show. This year we knew our turkeys were not the best but with the grace of God we were fortunate enough to place 7th and sale at the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo. Then came our local La Vernia show and we bombed and didn't place high enough to sale. Yet again, with the grace of God other kids who showed and placed a turkey and another project, chose to sale the other project which in turn allowed Peyton to be bumped up into the sale. MAN did he feel BLESSED!

BLESSING FROM ABOVE!

2009-03-12T12:22:00.000-05:00

Last September my family was blessed up close and personal...my younger brother Lawrence (Bruz ) was in a horrific shooting while serving a warrant with the S.A.P.D., lucky to come through it alive although not wihout injury. He has been battling on going pain due to his injuries with his leg that a bullet shattered. He has come through many surgeries, and still has surgeries in his near future. While my family struggles with hard times I must find strength in scripture..“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

With the power of prayer, I know his life will return to normal with time! Keep him in your prayers please!

Fabulous Rainy Day reciepe

2009-03-12T11:16:00.000-05:00

Today we have been fortunate with some MUCH needed and WONDERFUL Rain!!! My daughter Skylar took it upon herself to prepare a great meal last night that I thought I would share it with you.

Skylar's Cowboy Beef Chili!

2 lbs ground meat

4 med potatoes

5 carrots

2 ribs of celery (chopped)

1 med onion (chopped)

2 pkgs Taco Seasoning mix

1 jar Ortega Thick and Smooth Taco Sauce

2 cups water

2 cups shredded cheese

Brown beef, with onion and celery. In another frying pan place a small amount of oil and brown potatos and carrots until soft. Mix the beef and potatos/carrots together and continue cooking. In a small bowl add water w/seasoning mix and then pour over beef with the Taco Sauce. Salt and Pepper. Serve in bowls, and top with Cheese and tortilla chips. Cornbread goes great with this meal.