9

I was raised by these two wonderful people that loved my brother and me so much. They provided for us, the went without at times so that we could have, they spent time with us, they taught us the hard lessons, they taught us about God, and they showed us what it was to have a happy healthy marriage. My parents are awesome. I always hoped when I grew up I would marry someone and have a happy home like mine was when I was growing up. I sit back and look at my house and see that I have come pretty close to achieving a home like that one I grew up in. It's because I was taught very early on what love was. I was shown what it was to have a happy home. I had parents that were a great example of what to be.

I can remember when my Daddy started working at Goodyear. They worked a much different schedule than they work now. They worked 7-3, 3-11, and 11-7, instead of the 12 hour days that they work now. For those that don't know, I'm a Nick at Nite junkie. It all started when my Daddy started at Goodyear. I would stay up and wait for him to come home when he worked 3-11 because I missed having him home. I would watch Nick at Nite until he got there and then I would go to bed after spending a little time with him.

I remember when I got my driver's license I started surprising my Momma at her work. I would go pick up her favorite treat and drop it off at her office after school or just whenever. There are still days that I do this. Days when I know she is having a bad day and just needs some love. So, I take Talent and stop by to see her. Sometimes, she just needs that extra little hug to get through the day.

I love my parents. I cherish the time I have with them both. I enjoy my Saturday shopping day with them. I enjoy getting to spend whatever time I have with them. They have done so much for me. They love my husband and my kid. They are the most giving people I know. They have taught me to be a good parent. I've learned so much from them. I love them.

I don't know where I would be today if God had given me a different set of parents. I'm so thankful for the ones he did give me. I'm thankful that he gave me a Daddy that I can go to anytime I need to vent and he will just listen. I'm thankful that he gave me a Momma that wants to "fix" everything...even though I don't always need things fixed. I'm glad she still wants to take care of me. Not everyone has parents as awesome as mine. I'm fully aware of this. So, I am very thankful for what I have.

8

Walmart. You either hate it or you love it. There just is no gray area. For me, I have a serious love for this store. It isn't about the things in it. But more about the people that work in it. 

When Walmart first came to my hometown, I was probably 6 or 7 years old. My Mom got a job there when it first opened. She worked there for several years and yes, I was a Walmart brat. I knew everyone that worked there. I grew to love many people inside that store's walls. My Mom eventually quit and found a better job with better pay and hours. But we still always had our "Walmart Family" anytime we walked through those doors. 

Then, I turned 16. I needed a job for gas and spending money. So where do you think I went? You guessed it....Walmart. I worked there at the tiny store until they built our super center. Then I helped them move and set up. I worked there for about 4 years and found another job. In my time there I made more friends who became family. 

After two other jobs, I returned to Walmart. It always felt like home to me. I knew that I could do that job no matter what. I worked in every department except the bakery/deli and TLE. 

The last Walmart facility I worked in was a different experience. It was a totally different division. I worked for the Jewry Repair Center. Yes, when you buy jewelry and get it sized or repaired it goes to a special facility and that is where I learned how to make and repair many types of jewelry. I made many very special friends there that became more like family. I have missed them since I quit to be a stay at home mom. 

Basically what I'm saying is, Walmart has provided for me and my family for many years in many ways. It has always been my fall back job. I have a Walmart Family that I love and I know if I needed anything at all, all I'd have to do is call. They would do anything to help me. I'm thankful for the connections I have with my people of Walmart. They are always there to greet me with a smile and a hug. So, I get a little defensive when I hear people complain about Walmart. I've worked that job. I know how it is to deal with all of those complainers. It's even more annoying when people think Walmart is beneath them. Walmart has opened up a whole world of experience to me. It is a great place to learn about being part of a team and also how to handle different people and situations. Walmart has helped shape who I am today in so many ways.  

Walmart is a crazy place. But for some people it is a place full of connections and support. It's a learning experience.  Full of love and a family that is there anytime, anywhere. I love my Walmart Family and I'm so thankful to have them in my life. 

7

There is a group of women that I have never physically met that I am so thankful for. They are my prayer warrior sisters. 

Many years ago I joined a marriage prayer group. The Wednesday Day of Prayer group is a group of ladies that receive a devotional every week on how to pray for their significant other or future significant other. Not all of us are married. Some of us are going through the single life, some have been married for years, some are going through divorce. What makes this group so special is that we pray for one another even though we don't know each other. 

We have a group page on Facebook and we post prayer requests from time to time. The responses are always so encouraging and uplifting. This group of women is truly amazing. I'm so blessed to have found them. 

So today I'm thankful for all of these women. The ones that I consider my prayer sisters. The ones that pray with me and for me each week. The ones I pray for and with each week. The ones that I've never met but have no doubt I love. These women are special to me. 

I'm thankful to our leader of the group, Larissa, for sending us such amazing resources each week. She is such a powerful influence. I'm just so thankful for this group of women and I pray that they know how special they are to me. 

6

"Ain't it funny how a melody can bring back a memory
Take you to another place in time
Completely change your state of mind"

-- Clint Black, State of Mind


Anyone that knows me knows that music is a very big part of my world. I can't function without music. My best friend says that music is my oxygen and she's right. I can't go one day without music.

Music for me is so much more than just a catchy tune. It is place of comfort when I need it. Music is my words when I can't find the words to speak. It's the way I release stress, express joy, sadness, and pretty much any emotion I ever feel.

I can remember when we were little my parents would have MTV on and my brother and I would dance on top of the laundry baskets. I can remember loving Prince and his "Little Red Corvette" as well as Tina Turner. For a very long time my favorite song was "We Built This City" and I remember shaking what my Momma gave me to every word.

I also vividly remember singing at church. I have favorites that mean so much to me and take me back to certain moments in time that mean so much to me. "Power In the Blood" always makes me think of my Pawpaw. He loves that song. He sings it with so much pep. It makes me smile now just thinking of it.

And as much as I love to say I hate Christmas music, some of it holds a very special place in my heart. I can remember my Momma staying up with us when we couldn't sleep or when we didn't feel good. She would rock us and sing "Away in the Manger" until we either fell asleep or felt well enough to try and go to sleep.

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can hear a song on the radio or randomly on my iPod and it will take me to a place that my mind remembers and my heart can't forget. Music is forever a part of me. I'm thankful for music.

Tonight as I sit here and watch the CMA's on tv, I am reminded of how very much I love music and why. There is just so much passion and energy to it. One of my most favorite performers sang on here tonight. He has a new album coming out in February. Just by his performance, I can tell you, I am going to be going out and getting the new Eric Church cd. I never buy his stuff on iTunes. I always buy the cd. Always. Maybe it's silly, but, he's one of those artists that just grabs me by the heart.

I love music. I'm thankful that I have a musicians heart. I'm thankful that God blessed me with the ability to hear and love music the way I do.

5

Three years ago right now I was pregnant. We were just a few weeks away from finding out what we were having and the anticipation of that appointment was about to kill me. We both wanted a boy SO badly. I was having morning sickness, or as I like to refer to it, all day sickness, pretty much every day. I couldn't eat meat at all. I was pretty much a vegetarian for my entire pregnancy. I ate a lot of Mexican food. I ate a ton of apples....probably at least two bags a week if not more. Pregnancy was a roller coaster ride for me. But, I cherished the time I carried my sweet baby.

Fast forward to now. I have a beautiful little boy. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile. I am so thankful to have him. He is the most loving, kind hearted, and sweet boy that I have ever known. He's smart and never forgets anything.

Talent is one of the best things that has ever happened to my life. Being his Mommy has brought me a joy that I never knew existed. I remember the first time I saw him and heard him cry. There were tears of happiness in my own eyes. I remember the first time I saw my husband hold him, and how much my heart was filled with love for the two of them. I remember the first time I was home all alone with him and how nervous I was. But, I made it through. I remember my first time going out with him to the store all alone. It was the scariest thing ever, but, we survived. His first smile, first laugh, when he learned to crawl, walk, and now as he is learning to talk in full sentences.....watching him grow and learn has been one of the most rewarding things for me.

Everyday that I get to wake up to this beautiful child I am thankful. I am thankful that God heard my prayers and answered them. I am thankful that God chose me to be Talent's Mommy. I am so thankful that I get to spend each day with Talent at home. I am thankful I get to teach him new things, read to him, and tuck him in at night. I don't know how I lived before I had him. But I know I'm so thankful to have Talent in my life. I'm so glad I get to be his Mommy. I am blessed beyond what I deserve with this little boy of mine.