Something to think about....

I recieved this on my email today and I loved it. I wanted to pass it on to all of you.

Three Things In Life

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that may never be lost -

1. Peace
2. Hope
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -

1. Love
2. Self-confidence
3. Friends

Three things in life that are never certain -

1. Dreams
2. Success
3. Fortune

Three things that make a person -

1. Hard work
2. Sincerity
3. Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a person -
1. Alcohol / Drugs
2. Pride
3. Anger

Three things that are truly constant -

Father - Son - Holy Ghost

I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. God's love is always with you, God's promises are true. And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through.

You've got to love girlfriends.....

I have always been blessed when it comes to friends. Some I've had since I was a little girl, some from canton street, and some of my friendships developed after high school. It is so hard to keep up with all my girlfriends.... life happens...and we all take different paths. My life has seen alot of chances the past 7 or 8 years and it was hard making time for my friends. I was working full time and going to college and I said to myself that after college I would get better about it. But then I moved to College Station, was working two jobs, and between all of that I had to jungle friends, family, and Mike. Since I moved back to Wharton I am now only working part time and things have gotten a little easier. I am trying really hard to start catching up with all my friends again!

So far I have been able to meet up with Heather, Melody, Danielle & Tory (when I went to CS to visit), Sarah, Amber, Mercy, Christina, Anette, and I'm sure there are more and I apologize for not putting your name. I am lucky because I get to see my best friend Yolie all the time....but it probably helps that we are family! lol The reason I am writing this today is because last night I had dinner with Mercy and we had such a good time! It was so good spending time with one of my girlfriends. It seems that no matter how much time goes by...I can always pick up where we left off.

I am very grateful for all the girlfriends in my life. And for any of yall reading this...thank you for always being there and supporting me....I love you and let's get together soon.....=).

Another weekend on the road....

As most of you already know Mike's job requires 100% travel....which means he is only home for 2 nights (if that) a month. Therefore...I spend every weekend going to see him. Now.....don't get me wrong....the good thing about this job is that we DO get to travel and see places.....but it really is hard being apart alot.
Right now Mike is working in Waxahachie, Texas near Dallas....so the drive isn't that bad....BUT when you do it every weekend it does get old. I shouldn't complain though....at least he isn't in Arkansas anymore. Right now I get to spend at least 3 or 4 nights out of the week with him....so that's really good.
Another good thing about him being in Waxahachie right now is that he is closer to his brothers. Actually...his brother Adam is working on the same project so they get to see each other pretty much everyday. And for the past two weekends we have been able to go over to Adam & Yolie's house and visit some...which has been great! When Mike was in Arkansas I know he really missed being around everyone. He was very far from home and didn't really know anyone up there. Now it is better for him.
I'm pretty needy when it comes to Mike's attention...lol....I'm sure most of you knew that already. We both have issues we need to work on....but since I am the one writing this....I'm only going to mention mine. I need to be a little more understanding about Mike spending quality time with his brothers. I know that time with the "guys" is important to him....Just like time with the "girls" is important to me. And I should be thankful that Mike isn't out in bars or worse. So my prayer is that God will help me to be more considerate to my husband's feelings. After all....Marriage Take Three.

Oh a lighter note.....today we have been married for 1 month!! YIPPEEEEE!!! =)

A Bitter Sweet Day.......

April 20th is a very important day in my life.....and there are two reasons why. Let me start with the first...

Seven years ago today the most important man in my life (besides God) passed away. It's hard to believe it's been 7 years. So much has happened in the past 7 years that my dad has missed. And yes....I know he is always here watching over us......but for anyone who has ever lost someone you already know that it's NOT the same as him actually being here to experience it with us. To start off with.....he not around to see his 3 beautiful grand daughters grow up. All 3 were at my mom's house last night and I took turns asking them to tell me their age. Ashlyn....Currently 7, will be 8 in about 3 weeks. Should I say 8 going on 16. She was almost 2 when her "Pops" passed away.....and now she is in 3rd grade and already boy crazy! haha Then there is Katelynn....who turned 5 in February. She is the one who looks most like a Toney. She's full of energy....and personality. =) She never got to meet her "Pops" .....but she misses him anyways. There's never a dull moment with her....and I know my dad gets a kick out of that in heaven.....especially when Stacey or me are watching her...since neither one of us has much patience! And last there is Brooklynne. She is two, cute as a button, and ever so sweet. She is changing so much right now and I know my dad is watching over her from heaven. It's funny because I've had several people say that she favors me when I was little....and I wonder if my dad see's his "little girl" in her. Dad.....Brooklynne likes to talk on th phone....need I say more?? =)
There are also big events in our lives that he has missed. Stephanie was lucky....dad was around for her wedding....BUT....he wasn't around to hear the joy in her voice when she found out she was pregnant with Katelynn and Brooklynne. He wasn't around to see me graduate from college. His dream for all of his girls was that they would graduate from college...and we did. There were times when I wanted to quite school...and I promise you the ONLY thing that kept me going was my parents. He wasn't there for Stacey's wedding last year....nor for mine 4 weeks ago. I could go on and on about things he has missed....but I won't. Eventhough it isn't the same for us....we all know that he's up above looking over us....and I know that he is proud of all 7 of his girls. 7 blessings for 7 years.

Has everyone heard the "pennies from heaven" story? Basically it says that pennies found on the ground are dropped down by angels or loved ones who have passed on...it's kind like their way of saying "hello". Well....it seems like there is something daily in my life that reminds me of my dad. This morning before I came to work I stopped at the cemetery to see my dad. I remembered several weeks ago that my mom had bought some bright and pretty flowers for his grave. Well....when I walked up my dad had some cheesy looking pink plastic flowers on his grave. I just stood there thinking...." Ok Mom.....could you possibly pick flowers that look any worse" haha. And then I looked at the grave next to my dad and saw that they had flowers just like the ones my mom had bought. Then the thought popped into my head that my mom came out at night....and of course didn't have her glasses on...haha...and maybe she put them on the wrong grave. Pretty bad huh? So as soon as I got to my car I called to ask her. And of course she said there was no way she put them on the wrong grave. And then....and this is soooooo funny....she asked me if I took the flowers off the other persons grave and put them back on my dad's!!??? I was like... "NO!!!" haha. She said what probably happened was that the mowers might have moved them or the wind could of blown and someone didn't know which grave to put them back on. What's the point of this big, long story?? =) Two things came to mind....first of all....my dad was a very generous person. He always put others before himself and he was willing to always help someone out. Second....my dad loved jokes....he was a pretty funny guy...and as his daughter I was always embarrassed. =) So after I hung up with my mom it brought a smile to my face to think....well....I guess my dad felt bad because the person next to him had some cheesy pink plastic flowers and he wanted to help that person out....OR....he wanted to play a joke on me. Either way....I know a higher power had a hand in switching those flowers and it brought joy to my day knowing my dad is still very involved in my life....eventhough he is not here physically.
For anyone reading this....please keep my family...especially my mom in your thoughts and prayers today. Dad....please know that we love you and miss you very much!

The second reason April 20th is an important day in my life is because 3 years ago today the void of the most important man in my life was filled. Although we have only been husband and wife for 4 weeks now.....Micheal and I have been together for 3 years. Mike asked me to be his girlfriend on April 20th for a very specific reason. He knew that April 20th was a very sad day for me and he wanted it to also be a happy day. And for the past 3 years it has been. God has blessed me with a wonderful man and I am very grateful. Just like anyone though....I am human and I do take him for granted.....we both probably take each other for granted sometimes. For anyone in a relationship....you know that everyday is a learning experience. We are still in the beginning stages of our relationship and still have so much to learn about each other. We made a commitment before God 4 weeks ago to spend the rest of our lives together.... and regardless of disagreements on issues....=)....I look FORWARD to spending the rest of my life with him. Mike....you are the most important man in my life now and I love you very much. Mike......thank you for being you...and thank you for loving me. Happy Anniversary!

Two of my friends, Melody and Sarah, both have blogs that I read daily. It is something I look forward to everyday when I get online. Some days there are new posts and others there are not. I had lunch the other day with Sarah and she suggested that I start a blog about Mike and me. You know....something people can read about exciting things going on in our lives....a place to view pictures, etc. So Sarah......here ya go! =) I'm probably going to suck at this....but oh well....at least everyone will stay posted as to what is going on with the newlyweds....=).