I Need A Friend

I was going through some boxes of pictures and school papers I have saved, and boy have I saved!! My hubby says I'm a pack rat. How can I throw away school papers or pictures the kids have drawn? Any way I came across this poem. Madison wrote it when she was in the 6th grade.

I Need A Friend

All by myself I can paint a picture
but I need a friend to give it to.

All by myself I can ride in a boat
but I need a friend to drive it.

All by myself I can eat a banana
but I need a friend to peel it.

All by myself I can sing a song
but I need a friend to write it.

Isn't that true?? We all need a friend we can rely upon. Of course Jesus is that one true friend I could never live without but I am also thankful for the friends I have here on this earth that I can just hang with.

I thought Mads did a wonderful job writing that poem... Of course I'm just a tad bit biased.....

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Who would have thought that just one year and one day after we were blessed with a daughter that we would once again be blessed with a son! Happy Birthday Chrsitian. You truly were a little "bundle of joy" and have been every since. You bring joy to everyone you meet with your great personality and God has blessed you with so much talent. Dad and I are so proud of you!!!! We love you more ! :))

Happy Birthday to My Angel

Today is the birthday of my most favorite girl in the whole world. Happy Birthday Madison Taylor. I can't believe it has been 14 years since you came into our lives. You have grown up to be such a beautiful person and dad and I are so proud of you! We Love you More! :)

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

In January Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Fresno to makeover a home for a family including a single mom (with no legs and only one full arm) and four children (all teenagers). I was able to go to the site on I believe the 3rd day. Christian and I were totaly excited about it. Brian and Madison thought we were dummies for going and standing in the cold to watch construction.

After

It was incredible how all the volunteers pulled together to get their jobs completed timely.

The following is on reveal day. I didn't get to go because I had to work :( but my sister, Bryson and Chad were there. (Thanks Teena for the pictures) I guess the filming of the show makes it for a looooooonnnnnnnnnng reveal. LOL They all said they would never do it again!!!!

Here the Extreme Makeover cast are waiting for the family to arrive!!!

Ty doing the hand slapping thingy while the limo is pulling up.

The Riojas family just before yelling "MOVE THAT BUS"!!!

I didn't get a good picture of the house upon completion but it is really nice.

The actual show will be aired on March 8 on ABC. (Is that what you call it?? aired??? LOL)

My Kids are Home!

Every year my parents take the grandkids to the Resort in Avila Beach for a week. They have been gone all this week and I am SO HAPPY that they are home. I missed them sooooo much!!!!! They had such a good time golfing, shopping, playing ping pong, listening to stories on cd, etc. I think its great that my parents take on this adventure year after year. I guess my kids aren't that bad after all!!!! LOL Anyway, they are home and Monday its back to school. They are not very happy about that. Well, all good things must come to an end.........

Happy Birthday Lindsy

This is going out to one of my most favorite people. Linsdy, you are truly a beautiful person inside and out. I am a blessed person to know you and call you my married daughter. Have an AWESOME birthday (Jan. 11). You are certainly deserving of it. Love Ya Girl!!!! (This is the only picture I could find of you by yourself and yes, I stole it, ha ha ha)

A Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full they agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions --things that if everything else was lost and only they remained your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.'

Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.