She's All Grown Up...........

We are embarking on a very momentous time in the Gannon family. Tim's oldest son, Eric, graduates from Texas Tech (Lubbock, Texas) on May 9th. We are so very proud of him. He's worked very hard and has reached an awesome time in a person's life...Accomplishment.

BUT, also, our baby girl, Shannon graduates from Cy-Fair High School on May 30. She's definitely having that "moment" when you realize you are about to step into the "real world". (She's teases......as opposed to the fake world.) My wonderful husband is out of town today so at lunch my plans were to run to Home Depot and get some more mulch for my flower beds. BUT, right before noon I got a text message that asked me what I was doing for lunch and would I meet her. Knowing how she has been feeling lately, I told her of course I would meet her. She called me a little later saying she was already at Joe's Crabshack and had us a table. I told her I was almost there.

I walked in, looked around and there was my girl sitting at a table studying a menu. She noticed me and looked my way with that beautiful smile of hers. But before I got to the table, tears were filling her eyes eventually overflowing and running down her cheeks. It took all I had not to start crying myself (I knew what was wrong) and just sit next to her and take her in my arms and tell her everything was going to be fine. I didn't care that we were in public but I am also trying to walk this walk (again - Steph graduated in 2001) with her but allowing her some dignity and opportunity to grow. SO, I sat down and we started talking it all through. The first thing she said when I sat down was, "I don't want to grow up." It's the typical Senior end of the year. You realize that your whole life so far has pretty much been planned for you. You live with your parents, you go to school, etc., etc. Now, you are faced with YOU having to plan your life. It is scary. BUT, I told her that Papa Tim and I would sit down with her and help her. Don't let it overwhelm her because she doesn't have to have it all planned out right this moment. Let's take it step by step. Long story short, we had a wonderful lunch together and helped her know that it's ok.

Now, I get back to work and start processing this all myself. My little girl is all grown up. I immediately am taken back in my mind to her kindergarten graduation where the whole time I am videoing it I am bawling. I will never forget as the processional music played that beautiful little girl, with her peach Easter dress on and that handmade blue graduation cap walked in and I said to myself, "I will blink and you will be walking in to that same music with your cap and gown on." And it has happened. I have blinked and in 7 weeks I will watch her walk in with that burgundy cap and gown on and yes, I will be bawling again. But with such pride. Shannon is very unique. She is one of the sweetest people I know on this earth. She is so sincere. So sensitive. So caring. She would do absolutely anything for anybody. She has the sweetest heart you will ever see. She definitely has a gift.

I pray God's richest blessings over her life as He directs her on the path she is to take. I ask for your prayers because it is a tough time in life. BUT, she will soar like a eagle.........that I believe with all my heart!!!!

Here are a few pics of her as a little girl and her Senior Pics.

Shan and her Nana.

My beautiful daughters, Steph and Shan

Celebrating Life

Well, I'm not blogging to tell you that today is my birthday but more importantly how blessed I am at the age of 45. I think the birthdays that hit on the 5's and 10's always seem to stand out more to me. This birthday has made me realize how if the Good Lord let's me live until I'm 80 then I have lived over half my life. If he decides to bring me home before 80, then I have definitely lived over half my life.

I am just so grateful for the Life the Lord has given me.

First, my salvation that gives me TRUE LIFE.

Secondly, a husband that I treasure with everything I have and love lavishly and know he feels the very same way about me!

Third, for kids that I love and am so proud of.

Fourth, two precious grandkids (so far - pray for many more). Grandkids. I can't even describe the joy they bring me.

Fifth, a family that I treasure.

Sixth, good health.

Seventh, for some priceless and dear friends.

Eighth, for a beautiful home, job and enough money to enjoy life.

I have learned not to take life for granted. I treasure each and every day as if it were my last. The Lord does not promise us a tomorrow. He knows the number of our days. I trust HIM there. SO, I want today to matter. I want to make a difference in my family's lives. I want them to know that I love them and not just assume it. I want to tell them (and I do) all the time, every chance I get, every time I talk to them that I love them. I want to show them every time I can. I do hope that the Father gives me many more years to spend with Tim, since we only found each other 4 years ago. We love each other so much and want to make up for the years apart. I want to watch each of our kids get married and have kids of their own. I want to treasure JD and Kenzie (and the others to follow) for many years.

BUT, all that said, if the Lord took me home tomorrow, I would have lived a very full, loved, and blessed life. And today, I celebrate LIFE!!!!!!!

7 things you may or may know about Mama G

I was tagged by http://the-van-fam.blogspot.com/ (my precious daughter, Stephanie) so I guess I have to answer and pass on........................

Here are the rules: Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My 7 Things...

1. I wake up every day of my life and roll over and stare at my wonderful, handsome husband sleeping and thank God for him. On the mornings he is out of town, I still roll over and stare at his pillow and still thank God for him.

2. Today is my birthday. I am 45. Wow.

3. My great uncle x 8 (Jubal Anderson Early) was a Confederate General in the Civil War.

4. I love turtles.

5. I have a Dale Earnhardt Jr. shrine in our house. (Not really a shrine - just a collection but it has come to be known as "the Jr. shrine").

6. I am a hairspray finatic. Years ago a friend and I used an off brand (can't remember it now) that they stopped selling and it took me years to find the new "perfect" hairspray and you wouldn't believe how many cans of hairspray it took.

7. I paraglided off Mt. First in Grindewald, Switzerland in 2002. Mt. First is around the same elevation of Pikes Peak.

Now, I don't really have enough bloggers to tag (unless I am re-tagging) so if you happen to get on my blog to read hope you learned something new about Mama G.