Embarking on a Journey!

I have always thought it was quite ironic that I became a reading teacher. My whole family can attest to the fact that as a child I HATED to read. (I blame it on the whole language approach...I believe I would've been a much better reader had I learned phonics, but that is beside the point!) My mom was the best! She tried everything to help me love to read, especially in third grade. I had to read every single night. Even thinking about it now brings back memories...not very pleasant ones. Some mornings mom would wake me up early and we would go to Dairy Queen where she would order biscuits & gravy (my favorite) and have me read to her. I still didn't like the reading part but cherish the memories and her dedication as a mother. I never became the fastest reader and to tell you the truth, I hated reading all the way through college. It wasn't until after I graduate from college and no longer had "required" reading that I picked up a book and read for enjoyment.

Now I take great pleasure in picking up a good book. I have so many books that I don't have enough shelf space. Some books are packed away in my closet and others are stacked neatly under my bed. Because I struggled so much as a child in reading, I believe it has made me a better teacher. I can identify with those who "can't stand to read!" Sadly, they are the majority!

So...In my (almost) 32 years, I realized that I have NEVER read a classic novel. Yes, you read that correctly...never read a classic novel!! I don't know how I got away with it. Oh wait, we read "Grapes of Wrath" together as a class in high school, but I can't really claim reading it because Mrs. Mills read it out loud. Sad but true!!!

This is where the journey begins! A few nights ago I asked people on Facebook to post their favorite classic novel. The number one choice seemed to be "To Kill a Mockingbird," so I went to Barnes & Noble today and bought it. This is going to be the first of many classic novels I read this year.

My reading list:
1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Moby Dick
5. Emma
6. Of Mice and Men
7. The Red Badge of Courage
8. Gone with the Wind
9. The Great Gatsby
10. Grapes of Wrath

I'll write a book review after reading each novel just to share the book through my eyes. I am actually very excited!! Having been a reading teacher for years, I have to admit I am embarrassed that I am not "well-read." There's only one way to solve that problem. So, signing off to pick up the first book on my list....To Kill a Mockingbird. (I really don't have a Mockingbird problem, so I really don't know why I need to know how to kill one, but everyone says it's a good book. ha!)

Be Bold!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

I recently heard a story that I can't get off of my mind because it touched me so deeply. It is a true story and it happened just a few days ago. Although the details may not be written down perfectly (because I was not an eye witness...even though I wish I would've been), I think it is the big picture that counts.

Someone very dear to me was in the hospital for a few days. As you can imagine, it was a very stressful time for all who were involved. We are very blessed to know that our hope comes from the Lord and that He is the only one who can give us strength for each and every day.

And the story starts here...
As this couple was leaving the hospital something amazing happened. They were in the elevator with several other people; a little seven year old boy was among them. As he asked what floor each person was going, he followed with..."Does everyone in here know Jesus?" Then he and his mother asked if anyone was in need of prayer!

WOW! I am amazed at the whole situation. I LOVE how this mother is teaching her son to be bold in sharing Jesus to strangers at such a young age. I love how they purposefully sought out to encounter people who were hurting and in need of prayer or more importantly...a SAVIOR!

If a story like this does not call us to action, then I don't know what will! I have to admit that it was very convicting to me on many different levels. What am I doing for the kingdom of God? How many times have I been bold enough to say within a crowd of people, "Does everyone in here know Jesus?" Let's step up to the plate and make a difference. And if you have children, there's not a better time than the present to teach them how to stand up and be bold for the Lord.

Can you imagine what kind of man of God this little boy will become?! What a blessing he has in his mother for training him in the way he should go.

And she shall be called...TIA!

I have several different roles in life and each one plays a very special part of who I am...daughter, sister, sister-in-law, teacher, colleague, friend.

BUT...On June 3, 1996, I was blessed to add one of my favorite roles to the mix...TIA. (For those of you who don't live on the Mexico border, that means aunt.) Little "Mana" was born three days after my high school graduation and I couldn't have been more thrilled! Since that day, 5 more little munchkins have been added: Mana, Kater Bug, Libby, Sweet Pea, Teeny, and Brother.





The last 14 years have gone by so quickly. Seems like yesterday Mana was born and now she is a whole head taller than me. I am so glad that I am secure in my "shortness" because I am the measuring stick of the family and two have already passed me! I love it. Sweet Pea looked at me the other day and said, "Man Tia, you're short!" I replied, "Yip, I bet you will be taller than me when you're 10." She quickly responded with a slight giggle, "Probably when I'm 6!"

Favorite things about being Tia
I LOVE:

~that all of them still run up to me and hug me when I walk through the door

~all of them still sit in my lap or come jump on me when laying in bed

~talking to them on the phone

~getting emails from Mana (eager to get emails from the others when they are able to get an account)

~that 5 out of the 6 have bitten me at least once (give brother a couple months, I'm sure he will be added to the list) We got Kater Bugs chomp on video---Yes, I think it is funny! It is called what-goes-around-comes-around. I bit my great-grandmother's face!

~sitting by them in church

~tickling their backs, faces, and arms and especially when they play with my hair or tickle my back. Thanks Libby ;)I have been know to pay $$ for it because it feels so good!

~that they keep me in line!
I took my brother's two girls out on the town a few days ago. When we were heading home we were listening to Rise and Shine and give God the glory, glory! Well...I have my own dance moves to the song and thought I should teach them the moves. Teeny looked at me from the back seat and said, "Tia, you need to keep your hands on the wheel and watch the woad (road)." Then Sweet Pea chimed in..."Teeny, I'm with ya on that one!"

~that they make up their own names for me: Tia-pia-Santa Maria, Tida, TT

~watching all of their tricks (sports, rodeo, trampoline, dancing, skunk spraying etc)

~going swimming, four wheeler rides, Mayborn Museum

~making cookie dough and eating all the dough

~playing mama/baby, horses, and being the jungle gym

~getting little ones in and out of the car

~listening to their laughter

And the list could go on and on!

Each one of them has such a special place in my heart. I love them all so much and am thrilled to be their TIA!


Mana sporting her "I love Tia" heart.



Feeding little Kater Bug



The day Libby was born!



Being Silly at Alamo Village



Christmas Fun



Little Bundled up Brother



Ranch Divas



The real us!

Thanks for all the wonderful memories! I can't wait to make many many more :)

Be HaPpY! :)

As you can tell, I changed my blog design. I don't know if it will stay like this indefinitely, but for now, I really like it. It is a great reminder to look at my life each and every day and be happy! I know I am known in "blog world" and on Facebook as being the girl who overuses smiley faces. That's me! I wasn't nicknamed Smiley when I was young for nothin'! :)

I have always tried to find humor in day to day things. I have been known to laugh at inappropriate times. I do have an excuse for that one though...I believe it is in my genetic makeup; it is something that can't be helped. (thanks mom!) Although, I guess I can't blame all of my laughing skills on mom because I really do have a dumb sense of humor and Lord only knows that that comes from my dad. He and I have the same sense of humor and it really does crack me up. I am blessed to have grown up in a family where laughter was something that was heard on a daily basis. Even when we get together now we give ourselves a hardy ab workout. My sister's girls have fallen right in to the mold as well. They have commented on many occasions, "Mom, your family is crazy!" We would never deny it.

Unfortunately, there are many things in this life that try to suck the life and joy right out of us. In those hard times we have to chose to find those things in life(even if we have to create them) that make us smile, chuckle, giggle, laugh hysterically. The JOY of the Lord is our strength!



PS...If you are down and out and can't find a single thing to laugh about, come to my house. Even if I have to stick you in front of one of the many mirrors in my house and make you watch yourself ugly cry...you will leave my house with, at the very least...a smile :)