Be there.

Be there.


I have made a great effort since the first of the year to be there. And by be there I mean attend events that are important to the people I care about. In the past I have made excuses for my absenteeism. I am tired. My presence is not that important. I don’t have the extra cash for a gift. Plenty of other people will go. There are so many reasons we can come up with to miss things. What if we all really committed to being there for each other?


I have taken my just had a baby self to wedding showers, I have attended birthday parties where I was not totally comfortable, been to out of town baby showers where I didn’t know too many people, I have returned home early from trips, just to be there. Not always because it was just what I wanted to do (lets be real, this girl loves to nap!), and maybe sometimes for not the perfect reasons, but nonetheless, I have been there. And you know what? I have gotten a lot from it. I have gotten a lot from it because for the most part, it doesn’t matter how nice the gift you bring is, it doesn’t matter if you are a few minutes late or leave a little early, for people to see that with a million other things going on in the world you decided to be there with them on their day.. that is sincere appreciation and it strengthens relationships.


My grandmother has always been a “be there” person. She is selfless with her time (which to me is harder than being selfless with money). And another lady from my church that is always there is Ms. Rebecca, you know if she is not there something came up. You can count on her for church events and showers and there is just something special about people you can really always count on to support events. I want to be one of those people.

Now this is not a promise to never miss a party. Things do come up. My first earthly obligation is my family so if Tim or my children have something going on that will always come first. But, whenever I can, whether I really feel like it or not, you can count on seeing my smiling face! 


I encourage you to join me in “being there”. I can almost guarantee you no one will remember how great your gift was, or if your clothes matched, or if you smiled the whole time you were there, people probably wont remember that your child cried nonstop, or that you looked tired from work, or kids, or whatever it may be… but you know what they will remember.. seeing you there. Knowing that in a world where commitment can be difficult to find, you were committed to making them your priority on that day. Pretty priceless.


Thankful for those people who have been there for me and looking forward to being that person for others!

Tired.. and new understanding.

I think it is okay to tell you, I am tired. Like deep down, eyes burning, hurts on the inside tired. It is a good tired. A tired that reminds me about my two sweet babies, my very involved teenager, my full time job, my special marriage, and the rest of my family obligations. But nonetheless, I am tired.

There are so many things that having Cates has taught me. Important life lessons. Like.. go ahead and make alot of bottles at once.. at 2am you will be glad you did. The great value in choosing my battles. Do I really care if Tiffany left her shoes in the middle of the floor.. I mean let's be honest.. they are probably right next to mine.

But I think one of the most valuable things I have learned is.. invest in people who love you.

We could all get lost in the people who dont show up when we think they should. We could all feel sorry for ourselves when someone doesnt agree with us, or says something negative in our direction. I could and have in the past totally consumed myself with making everyone happy. And I can honestly tell you the first night I held Cates in my arms, after our friends and family had gone, I felt a peace I never felt before. Thirty five people visited us in the hospital. How could my feelings be hurt over the ones who did not? Seventy five people shared their love for our sweet family at Andrew's adoption party.. really why would I waste one second thinking about the people who missed out. I dont want to be someone who sees negative and misses the beauty of so much positivity that is around me. My time matters more now since having Cates and adopting Andrew, I can no longer waste my emotions on feeling sad about things that are so small in comparison to the absolutely beautiful, wonderful things that are all around me. I am thankful daily for the people who have invested in me and my family, I only hope I can he a small part of the blessing so many are to me.

Peace. What a wonderful feeling.

Citizen of the Year

Rarely in life are we recognized. We go to work, we are involved at school and church, we spend all day long doing our very best. And we don't do it because we want to be smothered with thank yous.. but when someone does stop to say.. good job.. that matters doesn't it? That makes it feel worthwhile.

I think it's safe to say that Tim gets very few pats on the back. Not because people don't know he is working hard, but because it is an expectation we all have for him. So even when he goes above and beyond.. its just normal tim. Recently though, he was really recognized. Greenville named him Citizen of the Year. What an honor. Never a day in my life have I been more proud. And it wasn't because he is my husband.. it was because he really deserved it. He really gets up everyday and makes peoples lives better, mine included. He is a quiet strength that I know many people respect, but I am thankful that he now has a plaque on his wall to remind him.. that even if it is not said everyday.. he is valued and appreciated.

He is my Citizen of the Year every year! But I am glad he is Greenville's this year as well :)