I am so excited!  First – Allan and CA are coming tonight, just for the night, but it will be sooo nice to visit.  Then, Dee is on her way to stay with me and we are going to see Beth Moore at a Living Proof conference.  Woohoo.  I don’t know her, have never met her, but feel we (me and Beth) are connected, she’s my friend.  After the conference we are all going to the Ranger game and Mercy Me is doing a concert before the game.  I know, I know!  Try to contain yourself… I will then be going back to Flower Mound with Dee for the weekend.  We are on vacation the very next Wednesday and the Thursday we get back, I start my new job, than on Friday, we (Me and Dee and CA) are going to the Women of Faith Conference for the weekend.  Can it get any better?  Weeks of excitement and spiritual growth with my favorite people.  I can’t wait!!! I just can’t wait…

1. sunrays – that is my personal “I Love You, Tiersa” from God – I love them!
2. i didn’t have to fix dinner – woo hoo
3. i got two coupons today, one for clothes and one for michael’s
4. mason is home with us by himself - although i miss the little kids, it really gives us a chance to focus just on him
5. i did 6 loads of laundry
6. i had a very good hair day
7. my oh, so delicious cup of coffee with italian sweet cream
8. my daddy commented on my blog  : )
9. the 21 days of the tour de france is over and i can now dvr cold case and the closer
10. that i appreciate all these simple, but good things that make my day very happy

First of all, let me just say, I cannot master adding pictures in any organized way on wordpress.  Sorry.  Well, sad to say, it has been almost a year since I have updated by blog.  I have to confess that the main reason I have not updated is because I get behind and then feel like I have to include every detail about everything – so not necessary.  So, in the spirit of efficiency, I will update in one paragraph all the things that have happened in our lives over the past few months.  These items will probably make no sense and are in no particular order since I will be brainstorming.

Deonna eloped to Vegas (isn’t that cool) and got married to Bob Ashmore (new daughter Josie, 12)  = Deonna Ashmore.  She is happier than I have seen her maybe ever.  The girls are all doing well and I got a new niece out of the whole deal.  I pray God’s blessings on their marriage and life together as a family.  I pray they will always seek Christ in all they do and He will show Himself to them daily.  The kids did GREAT in school, all my anxiety about not preparing them enough was completely false.  They surprised the school staff, I guess the school has had some bad experience with homeschoolers.  That was and is not the case with our kiddos.  Christmas was wonderful.  Mason did great in football.  I am so proud of all his efforts and hard work.  He did so well with his grades.  Basketball will be his sport this fall.   Kacey played softball and did a great job!  Her helmet and all her gear was pink and black – how cute!  Kacey and Jacob and Bowen all received awards at school for straight A’s, Bowen never got under a 99 on his report card, Kacey was commended on Math and Reading TAKS tests, and Jacob got AR awards – which as you know is huge.  Kacey was also an Eagle Singer.  They all make me smile.  Mason turned 15 and Kacey 11.  My sweet friend, Donna lost her husband, David.  I hurt for her.  My other friend, Donna, was diagnosed with breast cancer and is recovering from a double mastectomy.  My sweet friends Dan and Debbie are dealing with health issues also.  Debbie had to have an emergency hysterectomy and is now facing a mastectomy to deal with breast cancer.  Please pray for them all.  Zeke was hit by a car and we are still sad he is not with us.  Max is our new dog and we love him dearly.  We aquired a cat who quickly had 5 kittens and is currently pregnant with her 2nd litter in 3 mos.  due any day now.  I started substitute teaching at all three schools this year.  It was really fun, so, I got a job next year doing inclusion at the Intermediate School (4th – 6th grades).  I just finished my paraprofessional training and made all 100’s on my tests – yay me!  This is big for me since I have never worked every day for all day.  Ever.  I’m excited.  My mom has lost 100+ pounds, can you believe that – without surgery, a whole person gone.  She is healthier and looks great.  My dad got hearing aids and can now hear us when we talk to him.  I am so grateful for that.  Jason is doing so good with preaching and ministering to our congregation.  He is still in Graduate School (LCU) and is 21 months away from graduation.  He amazes me.  God amazes me with how he is using Jason to show His love to others.   I just now blushed when Jason kissed my cheek.  It still happens when he enters the room and smiles, or kisses me or just looks my way.  That is a great feeling.  I am thankful for that.  It makes my heart smile big.  God has worked in our lives in tremendous ways this year.  We cannot say ‘thank you’ enough.  We have a new sweet baby nephew, AJ.  Andrew Jason Reeves was born to Craig and Emily on February 25th (Paw-Paw’s birthday).  He is so sweet and I adore him.  I hate that I am missing him grow.  Terry is growing so fast.  I love when Maw-Maw brings him for a visit.  Aunt Tiersa misses his kisses.  : )   Let me see, what else.  Ashley graduated college and got married (you know the girl who gave Kacey boppie).  It was the funnest wedding!  Kacey went to see the Jonas Brothers and loved every minute of it.  We took our youth group camping in Tyler.  My sweet friend Lucinda, her husband, Joseph, and sweet babies Derek and Caelan, moved to Austin.  This is a big deal for me.  She was my friend here.  You know, here.  She is creative, and encouraging, and the very best mother, not to mention the woman can cook.  I pray she is happy and thriving in her new home.  I pray peace for her family.  I miss her.  Jason misses Joseph.  We all (especially Kacey) miss their kids.  I miss my Mamaw.  I need her hugs and kisses and to see her sweet smile.  She is always so encouraging.  I love her.  We have been super busy this summer.  We are all excited about the new school year.  Mason 10th, Kacey 6th, Jacob 3rd, and Bowen 2nd.  They are growing so fast.  I don’t want to miss a thing.

I know what you are probably thinking, but I did not cry.  I feel very good about them going to school.  I thought this day would be different.  I thought I would cry, and be worried, and be sad, and lonely, and worry, and worry.  I am so thankful God has taken care of our family.  We are so blessed to have people who care about our children with them at school.  It is such a comfort to know that they will be taken care of even if it is not by me.  They were in great moods this morning and no one cried or was upset.  I am sure they were a little nervous, but they did great – that helps me.  I am very hopeful about the possibilities for them – meeting new friends, activities, personal growth.  I feel good about the foundation we have and will continue to give them.  Ultimately, they make the choices.  Pray with me they will be good ones.  We will continually pray for their hearts and for protection and love for each other and that they will be good friends to others, for their future spouses and children, for their faithfulness to Christ, and most of all, that they will have a heart for God and will seek Him all the days of their lives.  Hopefully I will be able to clean out cabinets and closets and get lots done during the day, maybe a little free time, too.  Zeke is missing them.  I’ll try to post again this afternoon to let you know how their day goes. 

Guess where Kacey and I went?  We had the best time.   I think the most memorable part was spending time together as a family.  I was so proud of the kids for getting along so well.  We went to the Italian Festival, Chicago, The American Girl Place, Ghiradelli, Hershey Store, we rode the Chicago double decker bus and had a tour of the city (worth the $25/each), Chinatown, Little Italy, Lake Michigan was beautiful, it looked like an ocean, the Children’s Museum, and just how beautiful the city of Milwaukee is, we saw the Blue Men Group, Sheryl Crow, and Jerry Seinfeld (he could have made his show a little more family friendly).  It was so nice.  The weather was beautiful.  So thanks to Deonna, Trung, and Northwestern Mutual for a great time.  Jason and Mason were at camp and had a fantastic time!  The little boys stayed with family.  It was a week I will never forget.

WOW!  Jacob is 8!  What a sweet eight years.  Jacob, Mommy loves you so much.  I am so proud of all you do and how sweet you are.  I cannot believe how much you have grown.  You are so athletic and smart.  I love how you are always in a good mood.  I love how you are the only morning person in our house.  I love how it feels when you put your arms around my neck and squeeze me tight.  I love how you take responsibility for things and how you are willing to do anything.  No job is too big or too small.  I love to hear your foot steps on the floor.  I love to hear you say my name.  I love your innocent and tender heart.  I love how sweet you are to your siblings.  You are such a blessing to our family.  We are so thankful for your life.  You do well at everything you try.  I love you, Jacob Dillon Reeves.  Happy Birthday, to you, Happy Birthday, to you, Happy Birthday, dear Jacob!  Happy Birthday, to you.

This past weekend we went to the Medina Children’s Home fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas in the Regency Ballroom.  It was beautiful – the hotel, the tables, the food, everything.  A sweet friend of ours, Kevin, one of the four horsemen, invited all the horsemen and their wives to attend.  It was a really nice thing to do.  I appreciate the thought very much.  We saw a lot of people from Mesquite.  That was good!  I miss seeing their faces.  Shelly, we missed you, but trust you had a fantastic time!  It was good to see CA and Allan and Dan and Debbie Miller.  We have such a good time visiting and just getting to talk. Anyway, Avery Johnson was there and we got his autograph for Mason.  Twice.  Alex happened to have an extra Avery Johnson basketball card and gave us one for Mason.  Needless to say, Mason was thrilled.  There was an auction (I didn’t get anything I bid on.)  And I am sure a ton of money was raised.  That is great for the kids and moms and people who work so hard to make the home a success.  I am proud for them and encouraged by the generosity of the human spirit.  The program included some stories of residents that lived at Medina.  More than one story touched my heart.  It was a life experience that I will not soon forget.  Ok, time for confession.  I did not want to go – at all.  I mean really.  I wasn’t looking forward to driving back and forth to Mesquite, again.  In fact I had been quite childish earlier in the week about it, you know complaining and all.  Not that I wasn’t grateful for the opportunity, I just wanted to be at home with my family.  What a wake-up call.  I don’t consider myself selfish, apparently I have been sadly mistaken.  At least in this instance.  I mean, I give of my time rather freely for others.  Not the case this time.  I began to feel ashamed of myself and small and unbelievably embarassed at my thoughts and words and attitude.  These kids and families have nothing but each other.  This dinner was a chance to make a difference in their lives, and I was snubbing that to spend my time the way I thought was most important.  Now, time with my family is important, but one weekend?  I am writing this not so I can further my humiliation, but maybe to make myself realize that time doesn’t revolve just around the 6 people in my house.  Although at times they do and should, sometimes it just isn’t the case.  I feel so protective of our time together as a family because I know it won’t last forever.  I am not ashamed of that.  I am ashamed that I took it too far in my own heart.   On the bottom of the program for the evening, it says, “Medina Children’s Home 17th Annual Dinner and Auction  June 30, 2007  Change a Life”.  It did mine.

 Ok.  Enough of that.  Can you believe the rain?  I am not complaining,   a little tired, though.  My favorite song this week is Something Beautiful by the Newsboys.  Here are the words, enjoy!

I wanna start it over
I wanna start again
I want a new a new beginning
One without any end
I feel it inside
Calling out to me
CHORUS
It’s a voice that whispers my name
It’s a kiss without any shame
Something beautiful
Like a song that stirs in my head
Singing love will take us where
Something’s beautiful
I’ve heard it in the silence
Seen it on a face
I’ve felt it in a long hour
Like a sweet embrace
I know this is true
It’s calling out to me
REPEAT CHORUS
It’s the child on her wedding day
It’s the daddy that gives her away–Father
Something beautiful
When we laugh so hard we cry
It’s the love between you and I
Something beautiful

1. I love her more than she knows.

2. We gave Bowen her and Papaw’s name – Gracie and Leon Bowen ~ Bowen Reeves.
3. When we used to spend the night, she would fold warm towels on our backs (like we were her table) and we loved that.
4. She had a yellow LTD with brown interior that looked like a banana.
5. She is allergic to bananas.
6. She misses me, well, us.
7. I miss her, too.
8. She needs to get in the car and come for a visit.
9. I saw a commercial for a movie at her house that gave me nightmares for quite a while.  The camera followed up the attic stairs to a baby bassinet with a sweet doll inside.  Then, its eyes lit up red!  I was probably 4 or 5.  That is what I get for disobeying my Mamaw.  She told me not to look, but I peeked around the corner.  When I saw it I ran in there to her in the kitchen and she started to laugh and hug me tight.
10. I love her touch.
11. I never got in trouble when we were together.
12. Except for the time she had guests for dinner – I think it was the preacher and his wife.  Anyway, I tasted swiss cheese for the first time and said that it tasted like snot.  She just took me aside and told me it was rude.
13. Her favorite word is booger.  It makes her nauseous.
14. She is gracious and generous and lovely and has a beautiful smile.
15. She always says, “Mamaw loves you, baby.”
16. I was her first grandchild.  (That means she has loved me the longest and the most.) 
17. She always made time for us to do things together – just the two of us, like go to Arby’s for my  birthday when she would  clearly choose somewhere else.
18. She bought my favorite dress ever when we stayed with her one summer.   It was a white and red sundress with a balloon skirt.  I think it was $30.  I wore it to church and loved it.  It made me feel pretty.
19. She has always had a great figure – she’s hot.
20. She would always take us with her to the Avon lady’s house to pick up her order.  She lived on Snow Dr.  We would stop at Shand’s Park to play.  We loved that too.
21. She misses my Papaw and I do, too.
22. She gave him happiness.
23. She is faithful.

 Ok, more than thirteen, but that’s ok.

I love you, Mamaw.   – Love, Tiersa

1. Jason has a stomach virus – yuck!
2. I met Deonna halfway so I could return the blacklights to the Mesquite church.
3. We ate at Subway – Italian BMT for $3 is fantastic!
4. We are painting Kacey’s room – peacelily.
5. I got her a bin to put stuff in at half off – woo hoo!
6. Jacob and Bowen had a challenging day.
7. They are not the only ones.
8. My kids need to go outside and play.
9. Badly…
10. There is a fish fry this weekend at church and it will be fun!
11. My parents and maybe Dee are coming this weekend.
12. Mason is at the movies with friends (and their dad) – as we discussed earlier – not ready for this. 
13. Sharon and I get to clean houses together tomorrow – that’s a good thing – I miss visiting with her.

By the way, I highly recommend Bath and Body Works home fragrance oil in warm apple pie. It makes your whole house smell yummy!

That is all for now, I have to go grocery shopping today, joy joy.