Psalm 107:1

 I have been beyond blessed! The tradition known to many; the list of what you're thankful for each day until Thanksgiving, is what I'm blogging about today :)

1. My Savior. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13
2. My Parents: They have done so much for me; teaching me how to make good choices in life, always encouraging me in any endeavor I wish to pursue, & for giving me unconditional love.
3. My Siblings: I wouldn't know what to do if it hadn't been for my brother being there for me 24/7. He has always known how to make me smile & laugh when I want to cry. He always tells me how beautiful I am & that someday, I will make some guy the luckiest man on the planet. I KNOW that I have the most wonderful brother on earth. My little sister, who is going to turn one on January 7, has made life SO much fun! I can't wait until she's older so her & I can start building a relationship! I love these two dearly & would definately be lost without them!!
4. My Grandparents: My Ma & Pa have always been there for me, too. I know that I can go to them for anything & everything. They show how a grandparents' love truly should be. They're also letting me stay with them for my senior year...How amazing they are. I couldn't imagine not being so close to the two of them..they have been there for my brother & I through the thickest of thick & the thinnest of thin. My BigPa is one who I wish I was able to see me more, but distance plays a pretty big factor most times. He's a very hardworker and I look up to him for that. In my eyes, I see him as a very sponetaneous man, and I pray that sometime soon, I'll be able to spend lots of quality time with him. My Grammi; This makes those tears in my eyes fill up..I miss her SOO much. I would do anything for her to be back here with me right now. My Momma says that I'm SOOO much like her; shoes, jewlrey, purses, attitude, etc. She became my guardian angel when I was in second grade, but it puts me at peace knowing that she's no longer battling breast cancer. I constantly think of her & I hope I'm making her smile & laugh looking down at me. :)
5. My Huge Family: I have some of the best family members in the world! Aunts, uncles, cousins, etc..They are all absolutely incredible! My life would be SOOOO boring without them!
6. My Health/Families Health: For the most part, my family is very healthy. We have had some minor & some major health problems, but God has always looked over our family. :)
7. I'm thankful to live in this country. One where we aren't dictated by anyone. Where we have the freedom that we do. To live in such a great community.
8. I'm thankful for our soldiers. The ones who are risking their lives everyday for our freedom. Freedom that most of us take for granted. The soldiers who won't give up. The soldiers who love this country. My Uncle David.
9. I'm thankful for my education. Being able to read, write, communicate. I am blessed to have such great teachers who care so much about me.
10. I'm thankful for my job. So many people in the world are without jobs. Ones who need them to support their family, to live on. I have been blessed with a great job! Working at Tom F. Duren Attorney's Office & Mills County Abstract & Title Company, has taught me alot & I absolutely love it!
11. My Co-Workers rock! They are all so sweet, caring, & friendly. They bring smiles to my face, laughter, & life-lessons they've learned to help me out in my future.
12. I'm thankful that my days have turned into nights & that I have been fortunate enough to live as long as I have.
13. I'm thankful that I have been taught that the best things in life aren't things. With knowing this, my life is so much less complicated.
14. I'm thankful for the mistakes I have made in my lifetime. They have taught me so much.
15. I'm thankful for God's artwork. This world is filled with so much beauty!
16. I'm thankful for my shelter. So many unfortunate people don't have this. I wish there was a way to give this to each and every person without though.
17. I'm thankful for the food in which I recieve each and every meal. Again, I wish I could stop world hunger.
18. I'm thankful for our heroes. Firefighters, doctors, EMT, surgeons, police, etc. So many lives have been saved because of them.
19. I'm thankful for all my friends. They are so amazing! I am very blessed!
20. I'm thankful for being able to enjoy life! Never having to struggle through the obstacles of no money, addictions, etc.
21. I'm thankful for being able to have an amazing vehicle. My jeep is my baby! :) I can get from one place to another without having to worry about if I'll make it there or not.
22. I'm thankful for after graduating, being able to continue on the road of education to pursue being a Labor & Delivery Nurse!
23. I'm thankful for all the technonlogy which helps me to communicate with my parents & other family members who live a good distance away.
24. I'm thankful for being able to celebrate this Thanksgiving with my Daddy's side this year since it will be the Morelands' last one for a while in Goldthwaite.

We all have so much more than only 24 things to be thankful for, but it's a start. I hope anyone reading this has a very blessed, incredible, & happy Thanksgiving! :)

Kyli Brooke

Poor baby girl..she knew what she was getting into with me..she's trying to take back being my little sister. ;) No, I'm just kidding. :) This was Kyli Brooke's first day home from the hospital. I was the lucky one to hold her first. :) My Ma & Pa took me back to the house while Greg stayed up at the hospital until they got released, because I needed to do some cleaning and preparing for Miss Kyli Brooke's arrival at home..so this was my first time to really hold Kyli. I only got to hold her a few other times at the hospital, but this time was the one that the cameras captured. :)

This is just some of what my lovely Ma & I did to prepare the house for Kyli Brooke's home arrival. :) Pretty cute if I say so myself. Kyli Brooke came earlier than expected, but luckily Ma, Pa, Aunt Jana, & Heather were all up here already because her arrival was supposed to be pretty soon. I remember we checked Ma, Pa, Aunt Jana, & Heather into their hotel room, which was a few minutes from the hospital Miss Kyli would be delivered at. We were planning my birthday dinner that night, so I could have some of my family up here to help celebrate, because once she was born it'd be hard to go out and celebrate it. Next thing we knew, we were back at the hospital. Christy had dilated again and the doctor told us Kyli Brooke would be here on 1/7/11. So we all went back to the hotel that we got for Ma & Pa, Aunt Jana, & Heather. We got an extra room, so Greg, Christy, Daddy, & I could all stay there. We'd be up at the hospital very early that morning. Well, guess what we had for my birthday dinner? The McDonalds that was right by our hotel. Yup, best birthday dinner, ever. ;) But, I have to say, Miss Kyli Brooke was worth it. ;) What a fun, exciting, yet nerve-racking time. It wasn't going to just be Greg & I much longer. I must add that Greg & I didn't  have the bags we were wanting to take. We just had the bag that was an emergency one..but without things like deodorant, toothpaste,those kind of things. Yes, you must be thinking, what air heads, but I promise that those were the things we were going to pack in our REAL bags. :) However, we DID have our extra toothbrushes that we got in our stockings from Santa. That night luckily, Daddy and Christy had everything else we needed. Going to sleep that night was a little bit difficult. We were ready for Kyli to pop out already. :) Somehow, we managed to fall asleep despite our excitement.


Early, early that morning we got to the hospital. Who knew we'd play the waiting game from like 5 in the morning until 3:43 p.m. Greg & I are some of the most impatient people when it comes to such exciting things. We tried everything to make the time go by faster, but that's easier said then done. However, being the lazy kids Greg & I are..we managed to find a way. :) I have no idea how we even fell asleep that way.

   
At 3:43 p.m. we received the best news. :) Miss Kyli Brooke arrived!!!! We were the first ones to get to go see Kyli, Daddy, & Christy in the labor & delivery room. She was SOOO tiny! But it was an immediate joy of happiness. Greg & I started tearing up and just couldn't stop. Hahaha, I have no idea why! But our little sister we had been waiting for was finally here! Our lives had been changed, and we loved it.  Who knew that after 12 years of  just Greg & I, we'd have a little newborn sister? What a crazy and memorable day. I remember Greg & I didn't have very much time to be in there, but once we got to go in there again to hold Kyli, we were both scared to death. We kept asking Daddy to "help me" & "how do I hold her?" "Am I hurting her?" Haha, oh the joys of feeling so dumb when you first hold a precious baby that tiny. :) 

 Such a proud Mommy & Daddy! Yes, my Daddy's shirt says "Ah, push it, push it, push it." Crazy, yes I know. Kyli got herself into some crazy family.. :) I absolutely love this picture. :)

Aunt Jana & Heather had been waiting for Kyli's arrival, but unfortunately, they didn't get a chance to hold Kyli before they had to go back home. But once they did get to hold her, they fell in love with you just as everyone else did. :) So a HUGE thanks to Aunt Jana & Heather for coming up and being a part of your birth. :)


In the waiting room, Kyli Brooke had lots of people waiting for her.. here's some pictures of all of the great family members. :)

Here's the beautiful & proud Grandmas. Grana & Ma! :)

Here is one of the proud Grandpas! PaPaw :)

Here's another proud Grandpa! Pa! :) This is his 12th grandchild being born!

Here's another proud Grandpa! :)

Here's Uncle Eric & Aunt Kortney! They brought the big cousins, Mayce, Miley, & Mason, too! :)

Here's Aunt Kelli! She was super excited!! :)

Here's Aunt Heather! :) She sure does love Miss Kyli!

Miss Kyli Brooke;

First off, I want to say that I love you! :)

You have not only blessed me, but everyone around you.

I never thought I'd have a little sister, but the moment I found out I would, I was so excited.

When I saw you for the first time, I couldn't believe you were my little sister. But baby girl, you are. :)

Even though I'm not going to be home all the time like big brother is, know that I'm always there whenever you need me. No matter what.

I can't wait to continue to watch you grow & see where your life journey will take you.

Thank you for all the sweet drooly kisses. :) I can't wait until you start talking, walking, and grow up.

I love you Miss Kyli Brooke, forever. :)

Love,

Sissy :)

Never Alone

   Every night I go to sleep thinking about the loved ones I've lost that were so dear to me. I think of how things would be if they were still here with us now. My momma says my Grammi & I have a lot in common and that I'm a spitting image of the Grandmother the world lost when I was in second grade. I miss her so much and know she's always watching over me. :)
  Going to my Grandparents house (Ma & Pa--my Dad's parents) always reminds me of how my sweet Mamoo would be in her room, with her TV up loud and keeping anyone who was over there busy, especially my Ma. :) Sweet Mamoo would blow that whistle of hers and someone would be back there in an instant to see what she needed. I remember how I use to fill her jug full of pink lemonade with ice. Mamoo would always call me her little nurse. :) Sleeping in Mamoo's room makes me feel like she's right back there with me, telling me she loves me and giving me her bunches of hugs and kisses. I really miss my Mamoo but am so grateful of all the time I got to spend with her thanks to my Grandparents. I know that she's not in pain anymore and she's home now, and that's what makes me feel better about her not being here with us.
 Another big influence in my childhood life, my Poppy. Such a handsome, caring, and fun cowboy. ALWAYS in his boots and his cowboy attire. :) I remember how much he used to love playing "choo, choo trains" with my brother and I. At my Ma's & Pa's house we'd line up the kitchen chairs and take turns being the train conductor. He always would have a huge smile on his face, and he'd always be willing to play whatever my brother and I wanted to play. He's terribly missed.
  As for someone who not only was a hero and inspiration to the family, but also to the world; Uncle Jim. Everyone in the family loved hearing his Donald duck voice. It's just something that you can't help but laugh at. What an inspiration and hero to us all. He changed so many lives and yet he still made time to make everyone laugh when we all were able to get together. AN INCREDIBLE MAN! :) Missed by so many.
  Even though I never got to meet this incredible man, I have heard nothing but good from everyone. My Uncle Greg. I love you and would give anything to meet you. I know you made everyone so proud, and everyone misses you terribly. I can't wait to meet you up there in Heaven. :)
 


  We've all lost ones that have been so dear to us. Life is precious. In the blink of an eye, God decides it's one of our dear one's time. Instead of being sad, we should celebrate their lives. Of course, being sad is natural. Everyone has our sad moments, but I believe that everyone that we've lost doesn't want us to be sad. I believe that they want us to remember all the happy thoughts and memories. They want us to live our life, to the fullest. They want us to cherish our moments while we have them. Never take for granted anything. They want us to know that they are right beside us, 24/7, looking after us; through the good and the bad times. Each dear one we have lost knows how much we miss them. They want us to know that they love us. To know we are never alone, even though sometimes it may seem like it. We all have our daily struggles, but our guardian angels are right beside us. :)


 Losing loved ones is the worst pain a human has to go through, but we need to stay positive..strong.. and we always need to remember that we will soon meet them again, when God decides it's our time..we will see them at home..




 I heard an incredible song tonight. It's called Never Alone by Lady Antebellum ft. Jim Brickman.


May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
The glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Chorus: Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone 


well
I have to be honest
As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise that the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Chorus

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Chorus

My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone


Rest In Peace to all our dear loved ones. We love you!!!

Bubba, I love you :)

I'm already getting bad at this whole blog thing..blahhhh!

My little brother, Greg, turned twelve yesterday, November 29th. I feel OLD. Literally, it feels like we were in Temple, Texas at Scott & White waiting for him to make his arrival just yesterday. It's crazy how fast time goes by..

Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, this blog is going to be about that little kiddo. :)


He has astonished me so much throughout his lifetime. Who knew that a twelve year old boy could be as strong, inspiring, and one of my best friends? Yes, he is one of my best friends. Why? My little brother has been there with me through EVERYTHING 100%. Period. When I need a smile, a laugh, or just somebody to talk to, he's one that never fails to help me out. There's not one doubt in my mind that he truly cares about me, my feelings, and my happiness. I LOVE THIS KID!

There's five years between the two of us, and nobody understands how we get along as great as we do. But, Greg and I do. We've been through it all; TOGETHER! We are so much alike it's almost quite ridiculous. :)


I am so proud of him. I could never even begin to tell him just how much..
No matter what the circumstance is, he keeps his head up. That's hard with as much tough stuff that's occurred in his lifetime. He's always came to me when he felt I needed some attention and someone to just listen to me. I couldn't thank him enough for that, either.

After his concussion, he never once wanted to give up on football/ any other sports. He was ready to get back out there! It killed him not being able to play his sport. Thing is, a twelve year old, (then an eleven year old) even though he wasn't able to play, he was determined to keep his head up.

My little brother; a best friend; an inspiration; a HUGE part of me;
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE BOY. I am so looking forward
to watching you continue to grow up, exceed expectations, becoming a great big brother to Kyli, strengthen your relationship with God, and all that falls between. Thank you for all you do and have done for me. I love you:)

My Guardian Angel :)

I can't believe it. Second grade seems like it was just the other day. Second grade was big year for such a little girl..
A little girl with a vivid memory..




    The summer right before my second grade year, my parents allowed me to stay in Independence, Missouri for two weeks. I was scared. Leaving my parents and my little brother Greg for that long? I wasn't so sure I could handle that. At the same time though, I was excited. I got to stay with my Grammi (my mother's mom). My Grammi taught me the "tinkle, tinkle" song.. the one that she sang to help me go "tinkle, tinkle, in the potty." :) She also taught me so much more..but that's all to come soon. :)
    I remember my mom, my little brother, and I singing the WHOLE entire way up to Missouri.  Of course, my brother couldn't really sing. She paid me a dime everytime I told her the speed limit; you can bet that I named EVERY single one I saw. Needless to say, I felt RICH..haha :) Once we arrived, my Grammi met us outside with her poodle, Shannon, and we got greeted with lots of grandma love, (all the hugs and kisses, kisses and hugs, hugs and kisses...etc) :) I didn't ever think we were going to get in the apartment without her totally just squeezing us so tightly we'd turn purple. :) However, we did indeed manage that!
    Once all of my bags were in, and everyone was sitting down, my Grammi and Momma took me into the bathroom. I didn't know what was going on. Then, my Momma explained that they needed me to be serious for a bit and really listen and pay attention. I did just that. I honestly never remember getting told anything about what I was about to see and hear until it happened. She was confused. Why didn't she have hair? Didn't all girls, moms, and grandmas have hair? I remember trying to turn around, but they both told me it was okay. They sat me down on the edge of the bathtub and explained everything to me. Did they really think I could understand what they were saying to me I thought. All I honestly remember of what they told me was something about a lump in what they called a "boobie" and how my Grammi was really sick. They told me she had to take lots of medicine, but everything would be okay. What? Why? No! I thought to myself.
     After that talk, they both hugged me and told me just how much they love me and how proud they were of me for being such a big girl. I was still so confused. Why didn't she have hair on her head? She looked really different than with that thing she pulled off. I kind of just ran back into the living room and went to go hug my brother. He ALWAYS made me feel better. Such a cute little blonde headed boy, and so huggable! Next thing I knew, my momma and brother were leaving. Big hugs and kisses, and alot of tears.
    After they left, my Grammi told me how excited she was that her little angel was with her. I loved how she called me an angel. It reminded me of all the pretty angels she decorated her entire apartment with. It was late, so she made me pick a movie to eat some popcorn with and cuddle up in her big bed with her. I chose Flipper and wow..that was my new favorite movie!!! :) Before I fell asleep, my Grammi and I brushed our teeth together, she made me "tinkle," and she brushed my hair a 100 times. She told me it made your hair go really long :)
Oh, and I definately could NOT ever forget how she basically bathed me in lotion! But that was my FAVORITE part!!! :) We said a prayer together, and said we loved each other, then fell asleep.
   Throughout the next thirteen days, we always had full days! We went to Oceans of Fun, the movies, (Shrek-where we ate pepperoni and candy) shopping, pictures, pool days, visiting family, and well, just anything! :) I won't ever forget when I went to a doctor appointment with her. That was the day where I found out she had to wear a fake boob. It was weird. She was such a strong grandma though, I kept thinking. She never cried or anything. I remember that everywhere we went, we ALWAYS had to look cute, smell good, and have a cute purse and jewlrey on, and the music blasting! (That hasn't changed at all!) She was the one who introduced me to cheese sticks, and ranch dressing, too. :) haha. We went down to the Lake of the Ozarks, and went to my Granny's house on the lake where my cousins, Emily and Audra met us, as well as my Aunt Melissa. :) That was a BLAST!!
  Time went by way too fast. The two weeks were up just like that. I was so sad. So was my Grammi. I remember her telling me that I'd see her soon though. That made me feel so much better! Time came and my brother and momma were there to pick me up. That was HARD..but I was so glad I got to spend that much time with her! I never got homesick once while I was up there, but I sure did miss my family in Texas.
    I think it was about a month or so, and my momma was heading back up there--by herself. I was SOO MAD! Why couldn't I go?! Little did I know, I wouldn't have been ANY help whatsoever..
One day, my Daddy woke me up before school and told me that I needed to go try to pack and that he'd help me if I needed it. He told me that my Grammi got really sick and we needed to be up there. We dropped my little brother off at my Aunt Tera's house (my daddy's oldest sister) and we were off. We made no stops, and my Daddy explained to me what was happening. I knew that this was serious. Grammi was in the hospital and the whole family was up there with her. My daddy held my hand and let me cry..he told me that God was going to look after everything. It rained the ENTIRE way up to Missouri. The whole twelve hours of the trip. How weird..and sad right? I remember when we got to the hospital, there was soo many people there. Most I knew, but some I didn't. My momma came out to the waiting room to hold me, and I just kept asking when I could see my Grammi. She kept saying she was resting, but I told my momma that Grammi wouldn't mind one bit if I woke her up. Next thing I remember, every single one of us were in my Grammi's room. The first sight I saw of her was these tubes ALL over her, doctors in there, tears, and a beautiful grandma whom I loved with all my heart not looking like herself. I was balling. My Daddy was holding me and kept telling me how much my Grammi loves everyone. I remember the moment..the moment where my Aunt Peggy held me up to my Grammi. I was so upset. I don't even think I could say much. The moment where for the first time in the 24 hours my mom was there, my Grammi lifted up and said "Chelsi!" then laid back down.. The moment where Danny pulled the life support plug..I shut my eyes. What was happening? WHY! WHY! WHY!
    God recieved a beautiful angel that day. One whom made a difference in the world. Who loved God. Who was brave. Who was strong. Who was incredible. Who was a best friend to me. Who made people love like never before. One who I still wish I could talk to. Gossip with. Take pictures with. Go shopping with. Laugh and smile with. Cry with. Everything with..
    God lets everything happen for a reason though. There's not one day that goes by that I don't think of her and all my memories with her. There's not one day that I don't look up to the sky and know that it's more beautiful because of her. She inspires me daily. In everything I do. At 11:11, I always make sure I am look at the clock. So does my Aunt Kathy. :) We believe it's my Grammi's way of saying hi. That she loves us. She's here and to smile. :)
   My blog name; I Hope You Dance, is a song that my Grammi dedicated to us all. It's one of which I love dearly and will hold in my heart forever.
   I miss my Grammi more and more everyday. I know that she is my guardian angel though! :) She always will be! She has inspired me so much! I know when I'm in Heaven, her and I will be together. :) Watching over our little angels.
    I love you Grammi. I won't sit it out, I will dance. :)


                                               I love you, Chelsi Michelle :)