Mama!

For the past 16 years, I have been blessed to have the title of Mama, Mother, Mommy, Mom.  It is one of my most favorite titles in fact, but it comes with a HUGE hat to wear.  That hat is a busy, and often times a challenging one.  It also comes with an abundance of blessings!

I am a chauffeur...and get to talk with my daughters and their friends.
I am a confidant...and get to shoulder their worries, pain, and sorrow.
I am a nurse...and get to help them feel better and take care of them.
I am a house keeper...and get to help ease a bit of their young stress.
I am a referee...and get to help them work through their issues and get closer.
I am a teacher...and get to help learn about life and academics.
I am a chef...and occasionally they eat my meals and enjoy them.
I am a birthday planner...and get to see their dreams and ideas come to life.
I am a personal shopper...and get to help them feel confident in their own skin.
I am a comedian...and get to cheer them up by making them laugh at me.
I am a genius...and somehow know what will happen before it does.
I am a bummer...and sometimes have to disappoint them.
I am a comforter...and get to give comfort and unconditional love when they need it.
I am a helicopter...and try to save them from mistakes, trouble, and pain.
I am a disciplinarian...and have to tell them no, but am able to guide them in the right path.
I am a disciple...and lead them by words and actions to a closer relationship with God.

I am a Mama!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

Today, on Mother's Day, I am reminded of how much my life has changed over the past 16 years.  There have been many ups and downs, but I wouldn't change any of it because it brought us right here, to this moment, and what a precious one it is.  In the fall, both of my girls will be in high school, and I cannot even imagine how within 4 short years, my precious daughters will be in college and out of the house.  Watching them learn, grow, live, and love has been such a JOY!  Both of them make me so proud every day, and I will continue to cherish each moment I have with these angels. 

To me, there is no sweeter sound than that of their laughter and the epic, "Mama!" that comes whether there is an emergency or they just want to tell me the latest drama.  These are precious sounds I love, and they will forever stay close to my heart just like Giggles from Heaven!

Happy Mother's Day!
Tammy

Cinco de What?

Cinco de Mayo?  When did that happen?

The past 2 months have seemingly flown by while at the same time been the longest 2 months ever!  Why?  A historical pandemic call the Coronavirus, or COVID-19 has kept me personally inside for 8 week, except for a total of 9 hours which includes time walking the neighborhood this week.  I had surgery March 9th to remove my tonsils, fix my septum, and open up my sinus cavities.  Three days later, Dallas declared a state of emergency as we had our first positive case in DFW. 

I was healing from surgery and I am asthmatic, so my family began shelter in place immediately.  Online shopping, curb side groceries, and food delivery were our new normal.  We saw no friends or family aside from ZOOM meetings or FaceTime.  And for a solid month, I only left the house for 2 hours, both for post-op appointments with my doctor. 

Normal is missed.  I miss my family and friends.  I miss my church.  I miss my students.  I miss meandering through the stores at my leisure.  I miss hugs!!!  What?  I'm an extrovert!

But...I believe in the plan and purpose from God.  We live in a fallen world where bad things happen to everyone...good, bad, it doesn't matter.  Instead of focusing on all that I miss, I choose daily to focus on the blessings that come shining out each day.  My favorite verse gives me hope!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"   Jeremiah 29:11

Before this pandemic, our lives were crazy busy.  Two parents working full time, two teenagers involved in several activities, two teenagers with very busy social lives, and two teenagers who didn't drive yet.  This equals a hot mess, and that is before we add in church and leading a life group at church.  So for all the negative aspects of this pandemic, there are also many positives.

I was able to heal from my surgery and an infection after surgery completely while working from home.  I have had more time with my daughters and husband now that we are all at home together.  As a result of us being home, we have had more movie nights, laughs together, and a ton of game nights.  We have also started exercising...Chris and the girls are running together and I am walking. 

I have also been forced to slow down, which my body, mind, and soul desperately needed. And while Chris and I are still working full time from home, our schedules are somewhat flexible.  Savannah and Payton are completing their 10th and 8th grade years at home, but doing really well with a flexible schedule and time management. 

And somehow, we made it to May 5th and were able to enjoy the perfect day...where Cinco de Mayo and Taco Tuesday collide!  We celebrated with mexican food and some time doing our various activities around the house that make us happy.  It wasn't a big hoopla and that was completely fine! 

So today, and every day, slow down a bit and really enjoy all the blessings that surround you.  And if you are super quiet, you might hear Giggles from Heaven.

Tammy

Thank You Hallmark!

For the past 7 years, I have been busy...evidently too busy to write on my blog!  My daughters have definitely been more involved which changed what my "free time" looked like.  The 3 years of Kindergarten kiddos, followed by those same 3 groups of kiddos in 3rd grade, followed by the last group of those kiddos in 4th grade this year as I went back to work teaching full time surely had an impact on my time!

No matter what the reason, likely a combo of the above plus much more, it has been too long since I sat down and wrote on my blog.  In fact, so much has changed, that most people who are actively in my life now don't even know this side of me existed!  Is it a secret?  No, just forgotten...like a long, lost friend.

So what brought me back to writing, which I LOVE doing?  A Hallmark movie of course!  Last night, while watching Hearts of Spring with Lisa Whelchel (2016), I watched the character Carly Ashby enter many entries on her blog.  And by the 3rd entry, I grabbed my Surface and looked up my dusty blog.  After some searching, I was able to log in and update my About Me section.  Before the movie ended, which I enjoyed by the way, I had decided that excuses were a thing of the past. 

Which leads me to the title of this post...Thank You Hallmark!  Without Hallmark, I likely would have gone another 7 years before dusting off this blog and falling back into something I love and enjoy.   And that would be a heartbreaking shame because I am a writer.  Writing has always been easy for me.  It relaxes me to write.  And in a way it makes sense...it's an extension of talking, and if you know me, you know I am a talker!  So a huge shout out and thank you to Hallmark for making a movie 4 years ago that I would watch at the perfect time.

Now, I'd like to address those who are still sitting with their jaws on the floor asking, "She has a blog?"  Yes, I have a blog!  In January 2012, my Nana, my best friend, went to be with Jesus in heaven.  I missed being with her like crazy, but what I missed most about her were her giggles.  We had such a special relationship, and for whatever reason, she thought I was a very funny person.  I could get her giggling without much effort, and her giggles brought such joy to my heart.  So when I was down and missing our chats, I would picture her in heaven giggling and smiling.  I felt such a peace and could practically hear her giggles from heaven.  Thus, Giggles from Heaven was created in her memory. 

Alright, for today I am done, but I hope you check back often.  And whenever life brings you down, I hope you can hear Giggles from Heaven!

Tammy

DOC

Last Sunday, our Life Group Leader asked us to split up into 3 sides of the room.  One was if you'd say your life was going bored, one that your life stable/fine, and one if your life was DOC...Dangerously Out of Control.  The fact that it has been 10 1/2 months since my last blog post says a lot as to which side I was standing on!

No it doesn't really happen overnight, but one day leads to another, one "yes I will" turns into many "yes I wills", and then on top of it all, I went back to teaching full time again.  Kindergarten!  So as I sit here on a Sunday evening, feeling sick (love fall, but it doesn't love me), watching Peyton Manning take on his former team, I had an inspiration.  I don't want to be DOC, and I am committing to God, my husband, my girls, and myself that I am going to do something about it!

A sweet friend offered to do whatever she could to help me move to the "fine" part of our room (well actually she insisted).  So I'm going to accept.  More parents have stepped up in Kinder and are really helping us out now.  And after this week when report cards go home and conferences are in place, I can actually see that things might settle down.  I am never surprised by how God places us in situations to serve Him or how He places people around us to help us as we serve Him.

I know without a doubt that God has called me back into my profession to serve Him through teaching this group of students.  Is it challenging?  YES!  Do I think that God thinks more highly of me than He should?  YES!  But I also know He will give me the strength I need to get through each day, each minute of this year. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  Philippians 4:13

So it's a HUGE life change.  More simple.  More saying "no!''  More time at home with my family and making time for them on the weekends.  I will give 110% while at work, but then I need to let go, leave, & treasure every moment with my sweet little girls because they are growing TOO fast!  It's also about letting go the worry about what other people think - I can't give as much to my girls during the day, so nights & weekends has to be about them.  It's our season of life. 

PJ & Savannah at the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch

The reassurance in all the crazy came Tuesday, October 8th.  Hubby and I talked with our youngest daughter, PJ, about everything God has done for us.  It's a story she's heard many times and she has loved Jesus for a long time.  Yet she never seemed ready, completely committed to a relationship with Christ.  That night though, she was ready.  Without a doubt.  And as I watched the love of my life talk about Jesus with our daughter, my heart soared!  She said a prayer and then hugged us both and thanked us for talking with her and praying for her!  My cup is full!!!  This is what life is all about - bringing people to Christ.  Bottom line.  Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for US...you and me.  It is out job now to serve Him.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  Matthew 28:19

Happy Fall Y'all and remember to listen to the Giggles from Heaven!

Tammy Jones
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

High Price Tag

Well it has been 2 1/2 months since my last post and that amazes me! It's hard for me to believe, but a LOT has been accomplished in my life. Chris and I took the girls & my Mom to Disney World, made it through soccer season with Savannah, celebrated my sweet Payton's 7th birthday, enjoyed my family during Thanksgiving, had a blast watching my girls be flower girls at my former Jr bridesmaid's wedding, & much more! Busy to say the least, but what amazing memories!

We are in the middle of the Christmas season - a very special time of year. It's a great time to share the love of Christ with others, to share our blessings with those less fortunate, to share the time we're given on this Earth with our families. Something that has been on my heart for a very long time (and sadly I've done nothing about it), is approaching family and friends who haven't accepted Christ as their Savior. We are called to share the Word, God's love & hope with others, but it is difficult to do so with someone close to me. I could more easily share with a stranger because I guess I don't care as much what they think or how they'll react.

Well over the Thanksgiving holiday, I approached a loved one. This family member is very loved, and I would want nothing more than to share eternity in heaven with them. So I was very blunt and just said, "Have you given your life to Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior? Have you admitted that you cannot make it through this life without His help? Have you accepted that He was born of the Virgin Mary and died on the cross for our sins?" The answer after a huge laugh was "no". They didn't know what to say and asked what was with the questions. I stood my ground and said honestly, "It's been on my heart for a very long time. I pray for you to come to Jesus because I want to spend eternity with you. All I ask is that you think about it and know that I'm still praying."

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" Mark 16:15

That was it - conversation over. But it won't end there. I will ask again without reservation. The 2nd time couldn't be nearly as hard as the 1st so there's nothing to lose on my end for sure. I love the song "If We are the Body" by Casting Crowns. The line "Jesus paid much too high a price
for us to pick and choose who should come" rings so true in my heart. We should tell everyone, shout to the countryside from the mountaintops telling everyone the Good News! In a world where we spend so much on 'stuff' that doesn't even go with us when we die, we are focused always on the price tag. Yet, there is no number that could be placed on the price tag of what Jesus did for us, for our faults, for our sins!

I challenge all of you to be brave and face a loved one who may not know Christ this Christmas season. Get right to the point, answer questions they might have, pray for them! I figured I'd rather be a little awkward here for a short moment, then have to explain one day why I didn't even try! So keep on trying and don't forget to listen to the Giggles from Heaven!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Blessings Always,
Tammy Jones
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

GF Mini Chicken Pot Pies

EASY GF Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Inspired by Betty Crocker

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken (I used already prepared grilled chicken), diced

1 c frozen peas & carrots (I used mixed veggies)

1/2 c Gluten Free Bisquick mix

1/2 c milk

2 eggs

cooking spray

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.  Mix together the gluten free bisquick mix, milk, & eggs in a bowl.  Put about a tablespoon of the mix at the bottom of each muffin cup.  Divide the chicken and frozen veggies evenly into the 12 cups.  Pour remaining batter mix evenly into the 12 cups.  Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Enjoy! 



 

God, please take this...

This morning I was very emotional.  So many things in my heart, on my mind, on the never-ending 'to-do' list.  I was a bit of a basket case.  After tearing up on the way to work, I asked God to help me be strong knowing that tearing up in front of preschool kiddos would leave me tied up in the closet with them running around like crazy monkeys! 

See I had a plan this morning to get up, read my Bible, do my study for Good Morning Girls, and share with my group.  Check.  I had a plan to get the girls up and have a great morning with them surprising them with the fact that I'd bring them lunch and eat with them today.  NO check.  The argument of who wanted what and requests started for me to go to 2 places after work when I'd barely get there in the first place.  What was left of my emotional stability left with my perfect plan and I prayed desperately for us all to have a good day through tears as I dropped them off at school before heading to work.

Work was ok - my 2nd class all but did tie me up and they certainly ran around like crazy monkeys!  But lunch with my girls was nice and they ate everything (and on record for those wanting to keep me accountable, I will not EVER go to 2 places to pick up lunch for them again).  I was able to be home a couple hours and get a few things done before getting them & heading to P's twirling lesson.  To help my sanity, Chris took S to soccer & I stayed home with P so I could get a few more things done & play games with her (something we both enjoy). 

This weekend, while in the car, Chris played a song for me.  I liked the melody and was glad to have it on my phone now.  Tonight I needed a release...I needed to get out and walk/jog (yes I even jogged a bit)...and I was listening to praise music on my phone.  It came to this new song and I was overcome with the emotions from my day. Instead of crying, I looked up to the Heavens, raised my hands, & started singing my heart out while jogging (thank you dear Lord that it wasn't National Night Out!).  The song is Need You Now (How Many Times) by Plumb.  The chorus is this:

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

In the past 7 years, I have had a few instances where I could literally feel God breathing for me...a few times where I literally cried out to God because I was drowning in life's circumstances and couldn't do 'this' on my own!  No matter what it was...Chris' illness, my Daddy's death, etc...I needed God.  He didn't always take it away like I prayed for (i.e. Chris is still sick, but he can eat, work, & live a relatively normal life), but He took it!  I know that bad things happen to good people - we live in a fallen world full of sinners - but I'm so overjoyed that I have a loving, faithful, gracious, forgiving, perfect Father who is there for me every step of the way.

Any day, any time.

Today I needed God more than I have in a while and He was there for me (along with the most amazing mentor I could ask for who happened to give birth to my husband!).  So who cares that I might have embarrassed myself singing out loud through the neighborhood tonight (yes Chris could hear me before I walked in the door - haha)?  Who cares if I ate ice cream even though I was already full tonight and then realized I needed to walk/jog to keep from eating more?  I'm a sinner, I fail, but I have God on my side to walk with me with every single step I take and I will spend eternity with Him in Heaven with no tears, no pain...only the sweet sounds of Giggles from Heaven to hear.

Tammy Jones
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11