Fifty Two Weeks of Joy

This week my blog is all about something that is very near and dear to my heart. For those of you who don't know I have a younger cousin and younger brother who both have autism. My cousin Aaron lives in Odessa, Texas, and has recently graduated High School. For most graduates this is a very exciting time, they start college, move away from home, and get an apartment. However, for Aaron things are much different. Aaron can't go to college, or live on his own, because of the autism Aaron needs to stay home with his family. He needs to have someone watch over him and help him with day to day living. Without school there isn’t anywhere Aaron can go during the day, because of this my aunt retired and stays home with Aaron.   For many years my aunt and uncle have prayed God would provide some type of resource, a place where young adults like Aaron could go to continue learning new things. God always finds a way to meet our needs.   This week my blessing is simple I ...

When I began this journey I prayed God would send me people who needed to be blessed. I never thought I would be the one He chose to bless.   This past weekend my husband's brother celebrated turning 21. He's a big fan of Formula 1; I guess it's like the European version of NASCAR? Honestly, I don't know much about the sport or if it's anything like NASCAR. They seem similar though, men driving cars in circles, for several hours. Anyway, Formula 1 has agreed to have a race in Austin, TX for ten years, I think? The guys went last year for his birthday because it was the first year to have the race in the U.S. and Oscar agreed to go again this year because he didn't want to miss his little brother's 21 st birthday.   So this weekend it was just me and my Eli. Not to brag but my son usually is pretty easy to take care of, he doesn't cry very often, and he enjoys sleeping, my kind of kid. Well Eli is close to turning 2 and this weekend ...

This week I was given the opportunity to help a dear friend of mine. Christy and I both started working for the city in 2010. We've known each other for about four years now. Over the years our friendship has grown but in June of 2011, our friendship blossomed. You see, through a series of events and an uncertainty of the accuracy of home pregnancy tests; Christy was the first to learn we were pregnant with Eli. We were also among the first to learn she was pregnant with her daughter. Christy is a saint; she has stood by me through the death of my mother, the birth of my son and all the chaos in between. She has been a shoulder to cry on, an encourager, and most importantly a true friend.   Christy is going through a difficult time in her life right now. I would love to give you the details, but then I'd have to kill you. So I'll spare your lives and let you assume. Earlier this week Christy and her husband, who happen to be happily married, had an event they nee...