My Mom

I have an absolutely stunning mother. Not only is her heart beautiful but she is physically beautiful. From the time I can remember she has been working out regularly and making sure she not only feeds her body with nutritious foods but also her family. When I was little, as in elementary school through middle school, my lunches consisted of a healthy sandwich, fruit or veggies and sometimes maybe, just maybe a treat. I never had chips, pizza, or fried foods. Little did I know how she packed our lunches and the example she set for me and my brothers, would trickle down into my own life.
My mom is rarely negative or pessimistic. She is always smiling and looks on the bright side of things. If she is in a bad mood, you will know it and you want to stay clear of her. But that rarely happens. She is a very hard worker and amazing caretaker. She raised four kids, three of them being boys and never seemed to lose herself in the mix. My dad was out of town a lot when we were little, leaving my mom to care for us alone. I never heard her complain nor saw her frown, sigh or scream at us. She was a lot of fun too. We would go to the park fishing for crawdads, go swimming at the Landa Park Pool, go for bike rides, and go get kiddy cones at Dairy Queen.
My mom expected a lot of us kids though too. Or should I say, my parents did. We had chores to complete every weekend. Our allowance went from one dollar, down to two quarters down to nothing. It was just expected that if you are a part of this family you have to work too. Yeah we complained and we griped about Saturday morning chores, but it taught us how to pull our own weight in the family and to work hard. Homework was always completed before being allowed to go play after school. We were encouraged to always give 110% in academics and our extracurricular activities.
As I grew older my mom became more of a best friend to me than my mother. She was the one I would call when my heart had been broken, or school was just getting way too tough (or so I thought), or my job was driving me up a wall, or I was having friend issues. Mom was always there to be a listening ear. That's one of her gifts among many, she is an excellent listener. She will sit with you or walk with you for hours and let you just talk. Sometimes that's all I needed to feel better. Knowing that she was taking the time to listen to me meant a lot.
We still go shopping like we did when I was living at home, and we still have lots of fun doing it, if not more. We can laugh together and vent on our struggles, and now we can drink together! Haha! Our styles are similar which makes shopping all the more fun and dangerous!
I have a pretty cool mom. I am blessed to have a mother so beautiful and so healthy and lovely. I love my mom!

Woman to Woman

There is a bond between two women that is unexplainable and irreplaceable. When another woman "gets you" it is freeing and refreshing. Every woman needs another woman as a confidant. Someone she can go to when she needs to talk about her insecurities, her loves, her fears, her heartaches, her latest shopping spree, and her "lovely time of month".
Today I had the pleasure of joining one of my dearest girlfriends for lunch. It was a last minute date, but I knew from the hastiness of her request that it was important. Little did I know, that I too, needed that lunch date. As we gabbed and vented over a Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad with Chicken, we bared our hearts and souls to each other on our current relationships, jobs, stresses, family, God and friends. Oh, and of course there was a mention of shopping and clothes.
As I sat there listening to her, I felt like I was listening to myself. Everything she said I was experiencing or had experienced. Come to find out, she said she felt the same way once I told my story.
During that time, I couldn't help but think, "Wow. This is so nice to have another girlfriend to talk to, who won't judge me or think I'm crazy or ridiculous. Someone who understands how I feel." Another thought crossed my mind, "God, thank you. Thank you for putting her in my life. Thank you for another new girlfriend. You know I need a couple of solid girlfriends and you have blessed me with one right here in San Antonio, TX. Thank you."
As a woman our relationships are vital to our existence. We must do all we can to maintain and nourish those relationships, especially woman to woman.

You are beautiful

There is a woman like no other
Her smile radiates and shines through any dreary day
Her laughter lights up a room

The way she walks and holds herself,
People can't help but watch and gaze

Her hair is long and flowing
Her eyes sparkle with joy
Her voice is soft and assuring

Some people may be jealous of her
Because she possesses a beauty like no other

They're not jealous of her success
They're not jealous of her inviable figure
They're not jealous of her attire

They can't quite put a finger on it
But know that she has something that they want


Little do they know, that every woman in this world can have it
It's a gift that God wants to give,
If only one would accept it

This woman has been touched by God
She lives for Him
Her deepest question is answered by her King

You are beautiful