missing

We had a Liles Family Reunion in Heber Springs in June. As the family gathered, there was a lot of talking, a lot of laughing.... we enjoyed great food and the creek. Towards the end we started taking group shots of everyone. As the siblings got together, I got a huge lump in my throat.... my grandpa was missing from the shot. And as each sibling surrounded themselves with their family.... it was just us in our family picture.

We visited my grandpa's grave there in Drasco after the reunion. I knew it would be hard, but I didn't know how hard til I was walking through. Tears rushed down my cheek... and memories flooded my mind. No matter how many years pass, I'm not sure it will ever get easier.

I'm an Aunt Again

We all were so excited when Kayson Belle McClain joined the family!

Saraya & Kayson, she loves holding the baby.

James, Saraya and Eli

Happy Mother's Day!

I love being a mom, but even more than that, I love being Saraya's mom. She's awesome. And thoughtful. And creative. She's been telling me for a week that she had a surprise for me.

Little did I know that she's been planning a surprise party for me! After church today, we were going to mom and dads to eat lunch. I walked in the door to find a card table sitting close to the front door. And a sweet precious voice filled the air as she jumped out from behind the wall "SURPRISE!!". She was so proud of herself! The card table had all the important things a surprise party needs. Cupcakes, Mint Oreos (one of my favorites!), pink napkins and cups (which she told me she had to get pink because she couldn't find orange ones anywhere!), a card she made, a Dora balloon, a card she bought and a gift. James said he had to talk her out of getting a pinata.... that they're not for mother's day. Cute!

In my eyes, I'm the luckiest mom in the world to be blessed with the best daughter in the world!!

Saraya's First Concert

Just about every weekday morning, Saraya comes in my bathroom while I'm getting ready for work.... we listen to my ipod and she knows how to find Taylor Swift.... so that's what we usually listen to. She loves TS. She knows most of the words.... and sings her little heart out.

So of course, I was so excited to tell her that we were going to the Taylor Swift concert! The first words out of her mouth were, "you mean I'm going to get to see her sing on stage in her pretty dresses???" Too cute!

My cousin Stephen is friends with Taylor... and he scored us some meet and greets before the show. Saraya was really really excited about meeting her.

The concert was great! There were two opening acts, and of course Saraya kept asking, "when's Taylor coming out?" She didn't understand how it worked. But when she came out, she was soooo excited! Her face lit up and she sang along. But she only lasted til about 10. Her being tired outweighed the excitement. So James came and picked her up. But she still had the time of her life. And I really enjoyed watching her! :)
ps: my cousin Stephen's band just made their first music video!! I'm so proud of him!! You should check it out.....

http://www.cmt.com/videos/love-and-theft/376396/dont-wake-me.jhtml?id=1609997

Orange Crush

Last weekend was the Lions Club Car Show at the Convocation Center. I have many fond memories of this car show..... back in high school, my dad and I would be there all weekend with my car. I had a fully restored '66 Mustang that my dad built. I loved that car... and I still wish I had it. Not only because it was a cool car, but because of all the work my dad put into it. Enough of the past....

This year dad entered his '68 Camaro which we've named Orange Crush. This car is awesome.

Nashvegas!!!

Last weekend I spent it in Nashville with my parents, David & Jana and my family who lives there. It was a fun and packed weekend.

We ate lunch on Saturday with Kyle and Caron... I grew up with Kyle and we've stayed in contact all these years, so it was great to see him. Then we went downtown. We went to Hatch Show Print and Jana got a tattoo. Then we went to Opry Mills Mall and shopped!
The real reason that brought us to Nashville was the fact that my cousin's band... Love and Theft.... played at the Grand Ole Opry!!!! What an honor. It was amazing to see him up on that stage.
Afterwards we went to Dave & Buster's to hang out together. I just love all this family so much!! And I love spending time with them whenever I can.

Gary, Patsy, Andrew, dad, mom, Stephen, Jana, David, Brent, me, Rebekah and Aunt Susie

me and crazy Rebekah!!! :)

Sunday we had lunch with family on my mom's side of the family. It was my first time to meet Payton Joy!!! And she's such a cutie. :)

Christy, PJ and me

I've been tagged!!

I've been tagged, here are the rules:

1. go to your documents/pictures

2. go to your 5th file

3. go to your 5th picture

4. blog about it

5. tag 5 people

This was a fun day in November '08. I took Saraya out to the park at Craighead Forest. She loves to swing... just like her mom. It was great weather and a great day for us to hang out just the two of us!!!

I'm tagging Amy, Randi, Laura, Sarah and Paula.

Call me June....

... Cleaver that is. Cause that's what I feel like wearing an apron. :) My best friend Sarah is very crafty and she made Saraya and I matching aprons for Christmas. They're super cute huh!!!? June would never pick this funky fabric though.

If you hang out in a barber shop...

The S.H.E. Team (Seeking Him Eternally) for our Women's group at church had a meeting at the beginning of the year, just like every year. As we discussed what we want to accomplish in 2009, we all really felt like we wanted to do more outreach this year. We worked last year once a quarter at the Women's Crisis Center, but we really wanted to do things more than four times this year. We all felt the need to improve in this area as a group. We also wanted to expand where we do our outreach, wanting to find a place in Paragould also since we have many gals from there. We decided one place would be The Agape House. We have monthly prayer breakfasts, usually the first Saturday of the month. We decided to add an outreach project with each prayer breakfast. In March, we'll be doing our first project at The Agape House. Sunny, the lady who runs the house wanted us to come and look around, meet some people and find out what we wanted to do. So the four of us went there Saturday morning.

None of us knew a lot about the organization so we were anxious to see what it was about. It is a four month program for women getting off drugs. It was an incredible hour and actually I could have sat there much longer just listening to her. I am really excited about going back.

We met a woman who went through the program and now works as a "house mom". I can't even begin to convey the emotions, the transparency she had and the wounds that have been healed in her. As we sat in the living room and talked and asked questions, she let us into her world. She was addicted to meth. She has birthed seven kids and gave two up for adoption. She lost her kids and everything she had before she got straight. She's been clean for almost two years. Tears were shed, laughs were many and it was more than obvious that her life has been changed. And now she just wants more than anything, to give back to the place that gave her back her life. God was mentioned in every other sentence. They teach that the only way to really kick that lifestyle is with a relationship with the Heavenly Father. Yet, with tears in her eyes, she admitted, I can't be around certain people. "If you hang out in a barber shop, you are GOING to get a haircut!!" We laughed at the cleverness of her statement, yet in the same breath it broke my heart. What a weight to carry. To know that something could swallow you whole if you make one wrong step.

I commend the women in this home. It was truly amazing.

S is my favorite letter!

Five years ago today it was Super Bowl XXXVIII. I can't remember who played but I do remember that it was the Janet/Justin half time show! But long before kickoff... I have many memories.

Days before I remember asking Dr. Julie Wilkie if it was crazy to go to a concert on January 31st in Memphis. See, I was due on February 3rd. :) But we had tickets to see Bebo Norman, Amy Grant and Mercyme!!!! She said that we would be close enough to home that it would be okay. Just come straight home if I started to have contractions. My family was none too happy that she said that. I got numerous calls from my mom that night making sure that I was okay. I sat the whole concert. It was a great concert. Great for the soul. After the concert we went backstage and walked around with the guys of Mercyme for about an hour. It's always fun to reconnect with them... plus, I got to meet Amy Grant and she rubbed my belly! Driving home, completely pain free, I was more than happy we went to the concert. But it definitely threw me into labor. I woke up at 6am having contractions every 6 or 7 minutes. Off we went to the hospital. I labored for a few hours and then was lucky enough to get my epidural. After pushing for 45 minutes, Saraya Ashlyn joined this world at 4:42pm on Super Bowl Sunday.

We turned the Super Bowl on in the second quarter. But I don't remember much about it. I was fascinated by my daughter. To this day, I am still just as fascinated by her.

It's amazing to me that she's turning five today. Time passes so fast. I love the way she hugs and the way she kisses. I love that she volunteers those hugs and kisses. I love the way she laughs. I love the way she tells stories. I enjoy having conversations with her. I love that she has an opinion. I love that she's independent. I love that she loves music. I find myself looking at her sometimes just absolutely speechless. God blessed me beyond words when He gave me her.

Happy Birthday My Girl!!!!

Much I Take for Granted

Wow. Who would've thought this week would be the longest of my life. Little did I know what was in store. Tuesday after work I began hearing from some friends that they lost power. I was so sad for them, but I really thought we were going to be fine because we still had power. As I watched tv, I listened to many limbs cracking and breaking and falling. Fe called and couldn't stand hearing the sounds either, so our house quickly grew in number as Jason, Felicia, Eli, Micah, Devyn and two of the girls friends piled in our house. School was out the next day and I wasn't going work so I thought it would be fun to have such a lively house. The girls and I played Clue. I love that game. We started to go to bed around 12, and the power went out. But only for 30 minutes. Phew! I thought to myself. That was a close one! I woke the next morning to find that sometime in the early morning, probably around 4, our power went off. It didn't feel too bad... but of course, I was under my warm covers. Jason and Felicia's apartment had power so they all loaded up and went home. We packed up some stuff and walked two doors down to my aunt and uncles house. They have a gas heater and gas stove. My parents were down there, and my cousins. We sat and talked, played Scrabble, and made the time pass. That afternoon, mom and dad stopped back by thier house and they had power! So before it got dark, we went back home and packed up some clothes and food and headed to my parents. Yep. That's it. My "roughing it" lasted 8 hours.

My big event on Wednesday was falling on the ice. We were packing the car and I walked out with a few things and hit a icy spot and my feet flew right out from under me. I hit my back, left elbow and my head on the driveway. I strained every muscle in my neck and shoulders trying NOT to hit my head..... but it didn't help. I'm still a little sore, but everything's fine.

It was fun to be around the family and sit and talk. Things that I take for granted and don't always embrace. But it felt so great to sleep in my own bed last night. And it felt so great to wake up and get things done in the house today.

I can't even imagine what some of my dear friends in Paragould and Brookland had to deal with. And what so many are still dealing with for the next few days. My biggest hardship was knowing that Lost was airing Wednesday night and I couldn't watch it! (No worries, I watched it the next night online!)

There are simple things that we take for granted everyday. Turning on a light when we walk in a room. Being warm inside our house. Cooking the food that we have in our frig. But for some, they don't even have the room or the house or the food in a frig. I have a new appreciation for things.

Only Five More Days.......

I've been spending my spare time at nights lately to rewatch the Season Four episodes and bonus features. I still love this show as much as when I watched the first episode of Season One. There is so much going on, so much on the surface and so much deep within. I absolutely cannot wait til the 21st!!!!!!

Love and Hate

I like the color grey...... I have a new sweater that's grey that I really love......

And I also have these grey heels that my great friend Julie got me for my birthday......But something that I don't like that's grey....... my hair!!!!! I found a few grey hairs this week, so I prompty added hair color to my WalMart list. Last night was the night! I'm now a brunette!!!! It's just a wash in color so it'll be gone in 6 weeks. Who knows if I'll do it again....

Christmas Day

Saraya was so much fun this year. Very vocal with her list...... a list that grew every time someone asked her what she was wanting. On Christmas Eve we had a service at church. I wasn't sure how well it would be attended since we haven't ever had one since we've been at the church, but we had 97 people there! It was a really great time together. When we got home we sat out some cookies for Santa.

Saraya woke up and was really excited about opening up her stuff. I love how many truly "happy and surprised" looks I got on her face! She of course got WAY too much stuff. It'll take her awhile to play with it all!

We have the privilege of staying home all day on Christmas day. I wouldn't have it any other way. We start the day with the grandparents and David and Jana. We sit around and open all our stuff. Then we make breakfast. This year, the menu was biscuits and gravy, sausage, cream cheese and crescent rolls casserole, a rice casserole and eggs and ham. It was all really really good!!! I think this is just about the only day of the year I eat breakfast. We then retreat to the living room to watch the Disney Parade. Saraya really enjoyed that this year since we were just there a few months ago. She kept talking about all the things that we had seen. And Hannah Montanama sang too! So that's an extra bonus. ;) After lunch is probably my highlight for the day.......... the LAKER GAME!!!! What a great thing for the Lakers to always play on Christmas Day. And this year it was a Finals rematch with the Celtics..... and we won!!! It was great. We finish the day celebrating with James' family. We eat non-traditional food for Christmas... ribs, bbq, brats, the works! It's so great. Then we open all the presents!!!! It was fun having nieces to buy for this year. I think they were my favorite ones to buy for!

My best present was by far my 16gb iTouch!!!! I am in love! We already had a wireless router, so I can get on the internet and Facebook right from the iTouch when I'm at home!!! It's GREAT!! Plus it's just fun with the touch screen. Because of my new addition, James got my Nano because it's way better than his, and we gave his Nano to Saraya. I've put all her music on there and she's been glued to it ever since! It's really cute!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! And I hope that the things that made 2008 great, continue for you in 2009!!

I am the Champion, my friend!

I did it! I can't tell you how excited I am to have the winner's trophy in my Yahoo Fantasy trophy case!!!! I stuck with my faithful starters that I've been playing for awhile, even though I seriously thought about changing some of them. But I didn't. And it paid off. Several guys scored BIG for me! This week Rivers actually DID score me 25-30 points!!!! :) I look forward to my trophy presentation from The Boss. I think that's almost as fun as winning. We've watched football all season, just about every Sunday, with the Hillis'. It's been a great tradition. And if there's one person in the league that constantly gives me a hard time, it's Jake (aka The Boss... oh wait.... THE BOSS) It just better not have a cow on it! hehehe.....

Sunday....

Saraya made these Reindeer antlers at church today. She loves them. She said that "they're a little floppy but they're still cute". :) And I agreed. When we got home she wanted to take a picture in them. You have to look close for the hanging antlers!!!

Then we took one of ourselves. Then she wanted to take one of me. Which turned into a photo shoot. She'd hold the camera down, look at me and say things like, "um... can you move your head like this".... "can you put your leg like this".... it was hilarious! Like mother, like daughter!!

Trying Something New...

This year for Christmas with my grandparents, we decided to do Christmas Brunch. I'm not sure if it'll become a tradition or not. We'll see if we do it again next year.

Grandpa and mom were both crippled...... grandpa broke his foot and mom has a stress fracture. So they were both a little slow. My cousin's daughter Kayla is a couple months younger than Saraya. And they are both spoiled by this group! They had a huge pile of stuff. As we sat around watching them open gift after gift, me and my cousins discussed how we NEVER had a pile like that!!!!! :)

After they opened theirs it was time for our Dirty Santa game. That's always fun. Lots of stealing and lots of laughing. Good food.... good times.... good family.

Fantasy Football Finals

Here I am. I made it again. I've been in the Fantasy Football league two seasons now, and both seasons I've made it to the finals. I think this is my thing! I had the pleasure of beating the Defending Champion (aka Laubach) yesterday. In both of the seasons I have never beat him, so this was an extra nice win... seeing how he used to hold that fact over my head.

Cristi and I were really hoping for an all girl final..... we did not get our wish. James beat her tonight by three small points. So, looks like it's a Hewitt final.

I'm confident in my team. And the fact that I know his team password and someone might be replaced in his lineup. :)

Fantasy Football!!!

So this was a big weekend matchup for me. I entered the playoffs last weekend in 6th place. And yes, there are only 6 people who make it to the playoffs... so I just squeaked in. This week I, Victorious Secret, played Fire & Ice (aka Warner).

There are many guys in this league. In fact, there is only one other girl in the league, and that would be My Football is Pink (aka Cristi). Pinkie entered the playoffs in first place!!! And I know for a fact that there are many guys who are cheering for both of us to lose. They probably really wish we weren't even in the league. We've played two seasons now, and both seasons, we've BOTH made it to the playoffs.

I could care less about Tampa Bay and Carolina, but I was glued to the tv. Our scores were really close, and we both had people playing in the game. But when it was all said and done, my guys actually outscored F&I. So I'm movin' on up!!!! I'm thrilled... THRILLED!!!! One of us girls is going to win the whole thing. I can just feel it. And I'm gonna love it even if it's Pinkie and not me! It would be really great if it's an all girl final. :-)

Turning Thirty-Three

We celebrated with some friends on Saturday my big milestone. We started out eating dinner at Fuji's which was soooooo good. It's one of my favorite places to eat, but we don't go very often. We had a huge group crammed around the table.... and it was alot of fun!
But I think the Laser Tag was almost more fun than that! We had 15 play... and we played boys against girls...... and the GIRLS WON!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

I am blessed beyond words to be surrounded by such wonderful friends. People I can laugh with, share life with and can count on. These people are like my family. And I love them all!!!

Black Friday and Memphis!!!

Our standing tradition has been for many years to go shopping on Black Friday. Sometimes you don't even need anything... you just go. It's usually my mom, me, my brother, Jana and my mother-in-law. David and Jana were out of town (missed you two!!!!) so it was just the three of us. I was up and out the door at 4:30am..... yes, people....... AM!!!!! This is the only day of the year where it's acceptable. After we hit a few stores here in Jonesboro, me, mom and my great friend Julie were on the road to Memphis! This was a first for us but it was great.... and I'm thinking it needs to be a new tradition. We had so much fun. Mom had a voucher for a free hotel, so we spent the night and shopped on Friday and Saturday. As we pulled out of Memphis, I figured out that I had been shopping for 36 hours (minus sleeping of course). I only had a few presents bought before Friday morning and I love being able to say that I am just a couple short of being completely done!!!! YAH! Here's a picture of the three of us with all our loot.

Happy Turkey Day!

Here's Saraya today in her Turkey handprint tshirt she made at PreK this week and her "indian" braids! :-)

I asked Saraya five things she's most thankful for this Thanksgiving....

1. Mommy & Daddy

2. Ibe, Papa & Grandma

3. our house

4. our mouths (she's a talker like me!!!)

5. our Christmas tree (we finally got it up!)

I hope you are all enjoying a relaxing day like me... and gearing up for BLACK FRIDAY!!!!! I can't wait!!

David & Jana's Wedding!!!

Saturday was the big day for my little brother. My cousin Rebekah did my hair and makeup, that was fun to not have to do it myself. We got to the church just in time to take pictures.

dad, me, David and mom

It worked out that Ashley and Scott were able to be here for the wedding. I was so glad! Even if it was short, I always enjoy getting to spend some time with Ash.

2:00pm came quickly and it was time to start the ceremony. My cousin Stephen sang an original song that he and David wrote just for the wedding. Then they seated the mothers. And then it was my turn to stand in the doorway. I had to wait until the precher, groom and groomsmen came out. And as David walked out there, I instantly got teary. There he stood. No longer the little brother that was 11 years younger than me, that I've watched grow up his whole life, he now stood there a man. He has grown into a wonderful man, and he'll be a wonderful husband. I cried all the way down the aisle. But I quickly regained composure as the georgeous flower girl (aka Saraya) dramatically threw the last handfull of rose petals up and over her shoulder as she walked down the aisle.

The ceremony was beautiful. It was fun to have all the family together. And the reception was nice. David's always been a big UNC Tarheels fan, so his groom's cake was their logo. It was hard for him to choose between the foot and the Apple logo.

The Liles cousins!! Scott, James, Stephen, Andrew

Ashley, Saraya, me, Jana, David, Brent and Rebekah