More Than Just a Friend: Happy Birthday Navy Boy!

Yet another birthday!!!

This is a little early, because Eric was born on Halloween night. What an experience!!! He was my first born, my first everything. Eric is named Eric after his biological father, and Nelson after my maternal grandfather. These names fit him perfectly.



Eric is finishing up four years in the Navy, stationed in Virginia. (I am so thankful for myspace where I can keep in touch with him:) Eric plans on coming back to Texas and going to college locally. Of course, the whole world is open to him, but, I would LOVE it if he were nearby. Eric has blessed my life for twenty three years, come 9:20 pm October 31, 2008. Happy Birthday baby! I hope you and your friends have a blast (I'm sure you will:),

{love this picture of Eric hard at work}

and I look forward to seeing you next year!!!! I love you!!!

Eric is more than JUST my friend. He is my first. He stretched my heart in a way I would have never dreamed. Who knew you could love so big! Well, Heavenly Father did. Thank you, Father, for sending my Eric into my life! I love his spirit, his out look! His determination!

Thank you Eric, for trusting ME! YOU ROCK!!!

More Than Just a Friend: Happy Birthday Daddy!

My dad was born October 20, 1942, in East Texas to Joseph and Pauline.
He was son #4 out of five children.
I did not call him daddy while he was alive.
I did not love him with a free heart.
He did not know how to show love my brother and I, and later when he became sick, it was very hard to show love to anybody. Barely mom.
Daddy died in July 1999.
I know he was allowed to wait til mom was able to be with him.
ALL his grandchildren happened to be in town and were able to go to the funeral.
Since then, I have come to appreciate the man he was.
I am able to choose what memories I hold on to and re-visit.
My daddy was quite a handsome fellow.
He had a twinkle in his eye.
He had a talent of making others feel important.
He could out quip anyone.
He taught me morals, and respect.
He loved my mother with every fiber of his being.
It showed in his face when he looked at her.
They were best friends and were so reliant on each other.
He loved doing things with family.
He loved visiting others.
He made sure we attended church.
He made sure we respected our mother.
He had wanderlust, always looking for something better.
He moved us a lot all over Texas, never out of town during the school season, with a new job already lined up.
He decided to be a mortician because it was steady work and always needed.
He was perfect at respecting and comforting others in their time of loss.
He made sure that the gross part of his job was kept from my brother and I.
I know he watches over me.
I know he watches over my mother and it comforts me.
I feel his presence and I love him now, the way I couldn't then, with a free heart.
I look forward to seeing him again, and loving him the way we both can now.
I love you daddy, and I miss what we weren't, and look forward to what we will be!
I am now proud to call you my friend!
(I do not have any pictures of my dad on this computer, however my son DJ (on the side bar) looks just like him)


Join Sherry, of The Journey Back, More Than A Friend...

More Than Just a Friend: Happy Birthday Taterbaby!

Join Sherry, of The Journey Back, More Than A Friend...
Today I'm spotlighting my Taterbaby!
My baby turned 18 (gulp) years old on 10/08/08.
My last born. When we married, twenty years ago, hubby came with three, I came with three. Together we were pleasantly surprised with Taylor. Taylor is my mother's maiden name, and I was very excited to give this favorite name to my baby. His middle name, Edward, comes from his dad and granddad, and greatgranddad. From the get-go Tay had a HUGE personality, facing EVERYthing with huge energy. Truly my bouncing baby boy. He hasn't changed a bit!


Tay wanted to eat out at a BBQ shack. It looks like a old dairy barn, and Thursday night was ALL YOU CAN EAT BEEF RIB NIGHT! MMMMMM,

Tay brought his friend, Amy, Grandma, Dad, Mike, Jeff (our home teacher happened to be eating alone and joined us:), and daughter Misty came for her birthday too! Of course that meant she brought LauraJune and David (two of our grands). Fun fun and food food!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR! You are all grown up now.

And you are as beautiful inside as you are outside!

Taylor I so love your outlook on life! The energy you live every moment! To think I might not have had this moment in my life with you! Thank you for joining us! Thank you for blessing us each day with your incredible spirit, your marvelous personality!

I LOVE YOU!!!!! MUCH!!!! You are more than just my son, you are my friend!!!

More Than A Friend...My Birthday Girl!

Sherry, of The Journey Back, came up with the idea for this new meme. More Than A Friend...
(she is even coming up with a linkable button and Mr. Linky! WooHoo!)
Today my More Than A Friend is my birthday girl


My daughter Misty. With a bunch of boy's (three birth, two step) in my life, my ONE step-daughter, and ONE daughter are very special to me. I am amazed at their strength and insight!


Misty has been the strongest person I have ever met from day one.
To be entrusted with this incredible little soul was quite an honor.
To watch her grow, well, it takes my breath way.
{I love this picture! The kids are tired of pictures, and there is my girl, smiling though 'real life'}

Today Misty is 22 years young. Her whole life ahead of her. Misty is married with two perfect babies, and one on the way. Misty is in charge of her life. Misty, you are my hero. You were sent here to change the world. You have such a strength, and ARE so much! You are more than JUST a mommy, JUST a wife, whatever you do, YOU will go far! I am honored to have known you since before you were born, and everyday since. I enjoy who you were, who you are becoming, and who you are NOW!
{Lets cut those babies out! My pretty girl, on her second Mother's Day 05/08}

Happy Birthday Lady! I LOVE YOU!