the big three-o is approaching

I honestly cannot believe that I am two weeks away from turning thirty. That sounds so unreal.

I was born on October 10, 1978.
I have had a lot occur in my thirty years. I have been blessed with parents that gave me a good upbringing, in a fun, little town. They have shown me what a good marriage is, by raising me within one. I have a wonderful brother that is great. He is a lot like me, other than he has no temper! We are seven years apart, which left little time to play with him when I was little, because of that gap, but he is a good friend to me now that we are both grown, with kids. None of my 4 grandparents are alive anymore. My dad's father passed before I was born. His mother died when I was around 13 or so.

She always sat by me during preaching, and I drew her pictures since I wasn't listening.... My mother's mom was a very large part of my childhood, and I miss her so much. I think all the time, how much she would love my kids, and my husband. I think about her a lot at Christmas, when Mike talks about how much he likes people's gaudy Christmas lights and decor, because she would've loved that crap, too. She passed when I was about 16. I was truly robbed of a great person when she died. I now have Mrs. Melba as my honorary grandma, since that's where we go on Christmas night for dinner. Her house is her mom's old house, and my real grandma and her mom were close friends. It reminds me of her a lot, when we are there. My grandpa on that side died when I was about 6, but he must have had a lot to do with me, because I remember a ton about playing in his shop.


I grew up with "double first cousins" because my mom and her sister married brothers. We lived in the same little town, and this was great, too. Our family reunions are ridiculously large because my dad is number 11 of 12 kids. This is actually pretty fun, though. I know they had it rough as kids, but it is nice to have so many aunts and uncles. Lord only knows how many cousins I have!

I was raised in Wilmar Baptist Church. I was saved on Sept 17th, when I was 9. This is also where I was baptized by Bro. Ted Keen, and married by Bro. Kenny Worbington. My parents were married there as well. It's a very special place to me.

I played softball my entire childhood, and went to a lot of tournaments. My parents never missed one game. I was a third baseman my whole softball "career." It's funny to think that the only reason I ever started out there was because I was the only one on the team that could throw from third to first!

I have many dear friends that I have been close to my whole life, and I try to be appreciative of that fact. Dana, for instance, has been my friend for 20 years. I have literally been running around at her mom and dad's for over half my life. Stephanie Wear was another close buddy of mine, and she now lives in Missouri, but we still talk a lot. In 1998, I met Rosjuane.

We were instantly joined at the hip. We have more inside jokes than anyone you have ever met. I also had a good friendship with Destiny Boone. It's funny to see women "getting into it" and having throwdowns over stupid stuff, because I can honestly say, I have NEVER done that with any of my close girlfriends. Maybe that's why I have a handful of great friends that I have been close to for many years, and a slew of friends that are more of an aquaintance level!


I have learned, in my thirty years, that my dad was very correct when I said "your word is all you are worth." If people can't trust what you say to be true, that leaves little to be desired. This has made me quite the skeptic, of some people, but I am a good judge of character at this point!

I don't know where I thought I would be at thirty, but where I am suits me just fine. I just did a post about my relationship with Michael, so I won't go into that again, but I will say, he completes my life perfectly, and I would not change that for the world. He and my kids are my life.

I got a 1995 brand new black celica when I turned 16. Now, as a parent, I understand why I was often told "PLEASE just go to school, and stay there ALL DAY."

I brag a lot on my daddy, but I also have a great mom.

For my 18th birthday, I got a loaded, purple toyota tacoma, complete with mud tires and stereo system, tinted windows and the whole nine yards. I had had many brand new cars by then, but this was my favorite one. (Yes, I was spoiled. BAD!) I usually drove 4x4 trucks, most of them adorned with at least one rebel flag. It was pretty much my signature.



I have added a lot of pics from over the years.....I am missing some that I would like to share, like of my grandma, and some other stuff, but this thing is already an overloaded post. I will end it with this one.... This is why, when I do kids' pics, that I do NOT say "Say cheeeeeese!"