Through the Years

Here is a picture of my nephew Matt and son Drew. Matt just graduated from Texas A&M in May, and is headed over to the rival (Texas University) where he will persue his Master's degree. Time really flies~not too long ago, I was the one graduating from A&M. I was the one in college, living on my own. I was the one enjoying all that college life has to offer. (Ahem, yes- I did have too much fun at times). So when I got the card from the Association of Former Students informing me that our twenty year reunion celebration would be on Labor Day, I was flabbergasted, to say the least. I quickly did the math, and found that, yes-they are correct.

Am I that old? I certainly don't feel it; I feel just as young as I did back then.

(Picture of me with Katie, her friend and Nini's two dogs.)

But I have mellowed out since then. I no longer party or stay up all night (unless it's with the kids). I am a proud mother of three who put my career on hold so I could be here for my children. I am a wife to the man of my dreams. I am truly happy with my role in life now. Guess what? I was not happy in college. Not down deep, within myself. I felt lost, unloved and confused and searched for other people or things to fill that hole. I did not know God yet.

The past twenty years have been quite a ride. My journey through life has not been lacking of adventure. In fact, the ride has been like a roller-coaster; full of ups and downs, twists and turns. But I have stayed on that ride and don't ever want to get off. God is in control, and He has big plans for me. I can't wait!

"That's The Way It Was"

Do you have any fond childhood memories? Perhaps you took several fun vacations with your family, or remember holiday get togethers. One of my fondest childhood memories is the family reunions we would have every couple of summers. My family had roots spread all throughout Louisiana and Texas. We would pick a spot for our reunion and get together for some family fun. I think my great grandmother, Bess Carroll Brendel, started this tradition. I loved her dearly. She died when I was young ( I remember being devastated), but there are some things about her I will never forget. She loved to write and paint. She painted beautiful pictures in her studio, some of my mom and uncle that are hanging in my mother's house. Nonna B (as I called her) also wrote a book that was published and is in the Library of Congress. The book is called "That's The Way It Was" by Bess Carroll Brendel. In this book, she writes about her childhood on a plantation called 'Old Chesterfield' and I am even mentioned in it, as her sweet young baby great granddaughter. Perhaps I inherited her writing genes- she always did tell me I was very creative. Well, whatever it is that I inherited, I do know one thing. I am proud of my family heritage and I hope to write more about it in the upcoming future.