Personal Childhood Web

I am so grateful to say that I had the best childhood! I think back and have nothing but happy memories! I had so many people who cared, nurtured and loved me. I have one older brother and 2 younger sisters, so we always had a great time together!

My mom, brother and I making silly faces!

My Mom

My mom was a stay-at-home mom and I loved it growing up because I have so many memories with her! She babysat for a few other kids too, so we grew up with great social interaction as young kids. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but I remember one week, she had themed dinners for us to try. My favorite was the Hawaiian themed dinner because she had the kitchen set up all with "palm trees', got us grass skirts and leis to wear and I remember being so excited for dinner that night- We waited for dad to get home to eat.

My sisters and I waiting for dad to get home!

Another favorite memory with mom is when she used to grow her own vegetable garden and grapes on a grapevine. I remember the smell of the kitchen when she was jarring her home-made jelly from the grapes and spaghetti sauce from the tomatoes in the garden! I beg her still to this day, to start doing that again! (She says she will when she retires since it's a lot of work- so I'm holding her to it! hehe) Mom is quite the seamstress too! She made all our Halloween costumes growing up and even made some Christmas dresses when we were young! The fact that she took the time to make things (so time consuming) for her family, showed us how much she cared for and loved us.

Mom's seamstress skills =)

My mom is always there for me, supports me in everything I do, shows me by example what it means to love and care for others. She always practices what she preaches and I look up to her so much. I hope that one day I can give my own (future) children all that she has given me. No more and no less. She gave me the right amount of love, the right amount of fun, and the right amount of "tough love." She did it right.

Kisses for my momma!

My Dad

My dad is equally as amazing. He is a hard worker, family man, hilarious and the best dad in the world. (Some could say I'm a daddy's girl!) One of my favorite memories with dad is from the first day I moved home after graduating college, and I was crying in my room because I was scared of all the changes in my life that was to come. He knocked on the door to check on me, and ordered me to open up. He sat down with me and talked to me about how everything I was feeling was normal and just comforted me. That was the first day I truly understood what an amazing man I had for a father. He worked so hard (and still does) to support his family. He will do anything in his power to make me smile when I'm not in a good mood. He calls to check in on me when we haven't talked in awhile. He shows me how to fix things around the house when needed. He gives me financial advice (often! haha) and gives the best hugs. I used to love when dad would come home from work and play with us. He made the living room into a tent one night and told us "scary" stories with a flashlight.

Goofing off with dad in the backyard!

We didn't go on too many vacations growing up, but I will always remember going to Disney World and Niagra Falls- I was so amazed at how beautiful the waterfalls were there! Mom and Dad tried to teach us how to cherish the memories we had together. I'd say they did that pretty successfully. Our family is so close and we enjoy spending our times together!

My parents raised two teachers, a social worker, and an amazing stay at home mommy- who aspires to be a worship minister when the timing is right! They inspired us to make a difference in this world and I am so proud to call them my parents.

A picture I made of my parents =)

Grandma and Grandpa

Some more important people in my life are my paternal Grandma & Grandpa. Grandma made it very clear that my siblings and I were her life. They would have us spend weekends with them and a week long in the summer. We LOVED to sneak into the house when we arrived and run up to Grandma and Grandpa and you could just see how excited they were to have us there! I always knew how much they loved us! Grandma used to set up the patio table and we'd have a "tea party".  Grandpa would be the butler and we'd giggle every time we heard called him that. We used to play card and board games a lot, and when we'd play SORRY, Grandma would ALWAYS lose, so we'd giggle and say "SORRY!!!" They came to EVERY Christmas since I was born. Grandma passed away when I was 17. That was one of the hardest times of my life. I still cry when I think about how much I miss her (11 years later)! At her funeral, my brother, sisters and I were standing at the front doors of the church and as everyone was leaving, they stopped and told us how much she loved us, was proud of us and we were her WORLD- needless to say, we could have flood the church with our tears! I'm tearing up, just thinking about it! When she was alive, we would write letters to each other often (through snail mail) and we'd always end it with "I love you INFINITY!" Grandpa lives with my parents now and I get to see him often! His eyes light up every time I walk into the house! I love going home and spending time with my family after a long week of working!

Mama and Grandpappy

My maternal grandparents are equally as amazing! My mama (pronounced: "mum-mul") and grandpap have 11 children!!! (My mom being the 2nd oldest.) So I had a large family on my mom's side... I always loved going to visit because there were ALWAYS kids around! Mama has the best home-cooking, and I STILL get excited when we get to visit and have some her of home-made meals! I love sitting down at the dinner table and waiting for her to say "We thank the Lord" after we pray! =) When she does the dishes, she would hum these pretty little melodies and I would just sit there and listen. It's so calming to watch how she just has this inner peace and expresses it daily! Even listening to her talk, relaxes me with her soothing voice. So when people tell me that I have soothing voice or love to hear me read to my students, it makes me happy to know I have picked up a little of that form her. Grandpappy is a big goof ball! He loved giving us extra long, sloppy kisses so we'd yell "Ewww!" and wipe our faces off afterwards. hehe! I remember talking to him about his navy days and his job in photography. I was so fascinated!

Looking at family pictures with Grandma and Mama as a toddler.

 My family has played a huge part in my success as an educator. Growing up with over 30 cousins (being the 4th grandchild out of 32), I had plenty of experience with children. I tell my cousins often, that they are the reason I went into teaching. Thea majority of them are now in high school/college. (Makes me feel old! haha) But I am so grateful that I had such a wonderful childhood with a supportive, loving family. I will never take that for granted!