Everything You Do Matters

Last night I went to Andalusia for my youngest cousin's high school graduation.  First of all I am just going to say what everyone else is thinking which is graduations are quite boring. Except for the 30 seconds that your loved one is walking across the stage, it is quite miserable.  However, for that 30 seconds we got to stand up and everyone knew that was our kid walking across the stage and it was pretty awesome.

I was quite bothered about something I witnessed during the ceremony. The audience stood up while the graduates walked in, and then several people sat down.  Which would not be a problem except that was the part of the program where we all said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the Star Spangled Banner.  What is wrong with our society when people are too lazy to stand for our pledge and our national anthem?  Of course I have my own thoughts and opinions on the subject but I am going to keep them to myself. But it definitely speaks volumes about the lack respect some people have for our country and how we got here and the people who have worked so hard to make our country great.  And that makes me sad.

The principal, of course, said a few words during the ceremony and I really hope what he said sunk in to some people there (students and adults).  He told them that "Everything you do matters." Not just to you, but to someone else.  And they should consider that when they are making decisions. I think a lot of times people make decisions and choose their actions based solely on themselves and don't ever think about how that might affect someone else.  What would it be like if everyone stopped to think about how their actions are going to matter to someone else - good or bad?  Would we be nicer, help others more?  Would we work a little harder? 

Out Like a Lion

I am super excited to have gotten in 153.07 miles in March!  I started the month off kinda slow but had a  couple good weeks and I am back on track for my goal for the year.  I am absolutely loving Daylight Savings Time.  It makes it easier to get extra miles during the week.  Of course, it is already July-hot out there.  But hey, the more humidity the better, right?  Sure...

I can't believe Easter is this weekend!  Last weekend was the Easter Egg Hunt at church.  It was so much fun!  I am sad that I will be missing Easter services at my church this weekend, but I am really excited to be going to Enterprise to visit my Sissy & Q!!!  After church on Sunday we're going to Andalusia to see our family.  It will be a good weekend and thankfully I have a pretty good book to listen to since I'll have a lot of time in the car.

Tomorrow is my first fundraiser for the St. Jude Memphis to Mobile Relay.  So go out and eat some Old Dutch ice cream tomorrow!  I'm also excited because one of my favorite blogging runners (or running bloggers?) plugged my fundraiser in her post today!  It's like I'm almost famous.  ;)

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 30

Today I am thankful for my Aunt Angie and Uncle Jesse - today is their 27th (?) anniversary!  They are so sweet and I love them dearly.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful aunt and uncle!

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 24

Today I am thankful for Thanksgiving, and for the reason we celebrate the holiday.  I am thankful for the opportunity to spend the day with my family, and that I have family members who are good cooks.  I am not one of those family members.  I am also thankful for the birthday cake my Mama made me!  I brought home some yummy leftovers, and I will be thankful for those over the weekend.

At this point in the day, I am so thankful to be home and that it is time for bed and I can sleep late in the morning!!!!

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 23

Today I am thankful that we got off an hour early from work.  It gave me a chance to go the grocery store.  I'm also thankful that I got out of Winn Dixie in just around an hour.  Not bad at all for the day before Thanksgiving.  And it was the site of a true Thanksgiving Miracle - I finally found my Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha Coffee Mate!!!!  Definitely a bright spot in my day... my week... my month... lol

I am thankful for Starbucks.  Skinny lattes and cake pops and earning points for free drinks.  It is everything I love under one roof.

I am thankful that my good friend Shelley and her kiddos are coming home (to Louisiana) over Christmas holidays.  I haven't seen her since March of 2010.  I can't believe it's been that long.

Well, it's time to get ready for bed.  Tomorrow is a big day!!!  10 mile run, then a 2 hour drive to Andalusia, Thanksgiving feasting with the fam and then heading back home for bedtime.  Whew, that made me tired just typing it!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 21

So I'm totally going take the easy route tonight and be thankful for my 30 years on this earth.  I am thankful for my parents who got me here, and I am thankful for the love of all my family and friends throughout my life.  I am thankful for the lessons I have learned and the experiences I have had.  God has blessed me far more than I deserve!

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 18

I am thankful for my grandparents and that I had such a close relationship to them when I was growing up.  I have so many wonderful memories from the time I spent with them.  I spent a lot of summer days at their house and after school time and they took me on many vacations and weekend trips.  My Grandmama used to sew for me all the time; she made costumes and clothes and hemmed every pair of pants or skirt I brought her.  We played pretend, and marathon games of Monopoly, and stayed up late watching movies and then she would tell me stories until I fell asleep.  I am so blessed to have my grandparents, and I love them so much.

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 9

Today I am thankful for my baby cousin, Jay.  Today is his 18th birthday, so he's not exactly a baby anymore.  He's extra special, not just because he's the youngest of all the cousins but also because he's the only boy.  He's endured a lot of painful hours of dress up in his life!

I remember the morning he was born.  I was staying at my grandparents and my Grandmama had just woke me up to get ready for school.  She called the hospital to check on my aunt because she had gone to the hospital in the middle of the night.  When she got off the phone she told me the news - a Baby Boy!  I ran to the other bedroom where my Papa and Jessica were still asleep and told them the baby was here!  Before school, Grandmama took me to the hospital to see him.  I got to see him first!!

I am so glad he's mine though; he's smart, kind, thoughtful, talented and very handsome.  I think it's rare to find that many good qualities in a guy his age.  (It's rare to find that in guys my age, but that's a-whole-nother blog post.)  I love him very much and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful cousin!

All the cousins last Christmas.  Birthday Boy on the Left!

Jessica's Big Day

My Sissy has been married for two whole weeks!  I can't believe it.  It was such a pretty day, and the ceremony and reception turned out very well.  I am so happy for Jessica & Justin.  Fortunately, my mom took a few pictures with my camera because the "official" wedding photos are not in yet.

Movie Star Kiss!  Just like Carrie & Berger.

Me & Jessica at the reception.

Because I was the Maid of Honor, and because Jessica means so much to me, I wanted to say a few words to honor her on her special day.  This is what I tried to say - although it came out more as a blubbery mess:

Good evening. I'm Joy, Jessica's maid of honor and her eldest cousin. We spent a lot of time together growing up; so much so that we're more like sisters. Like sisters will do, we had our fair share of squabbles in our younger years; often to the dismay of our parents and grandparents. I remember one time, Papa was telling me how I needed to be patient and try harder to get along because we would always have each other and one day we would be best friends. At the time, I remember thinking that I didn't even really like her that much and there was no way we would ever be friends. (haha) But he was right, and here we are several years later and she is one of my best friends.

So I am very honored to be a part of her and Justin's special day. As some of you may know, Jessica is a teeny bit obsessed with Disney movies, so it is only fitting that she has found her Prince Charming. Justin is so loving and kind and thoughtful to Jessica, and it is wonderful that they have found each other. I know we are all very glad that Justin has joined our family. My wish for them is that the happiness that they are experiencing today is just a glimpse of all the good times they have ahead of them.

It was a beautiful today for a special couple.  I love them so much!

Grandparents

Tonight I went to pay my respects to a good friend who lost her grandfather earlier this week.  This got me to thinking about own grandparents and how there is no way to know how much longer you have with your loved ones.  My grandparents have been such an important part of my life.  For many years, they were a part of my daily life.  I would stay with them during the day before I was old enough for school, and then I would stay there during summer break.  Grandmama would pick me up after school and take me to Dairy Queen.  Papa would take me to Hardee's on weekend mornings because Grandmama like to sleep late.  They took me on car and RV trips every summer.  My Grandmama was my very best friend; I could talk to her about anything.

Now their health is declining.  My Grandmama is not the same funny, energetic lady she used to be, and my Papa spends his time and energy worrying about her and caring for her.  And it makes me so sad.  But at the same time I feel so incredibly blessed to have so many years of memories with them.  They have been such a special part of my life, and will always have a huge part of my heart.