Lately.

 So, lately we've been having these "Sunday Family Dinners" and I must say I LOVE it! When we were growing up, every weekend we would always have a family cook out at Maw Maws house, but as we got older with all the grankids playing sports, and everything else, we quit doing them. When Maw Maw got sick we never had another one until it was too late, i guess you could say. The last time the whole family was together, was after maw maw had passed and we were all at my Aunt Lindas house. Thats when us girls, Amanda, Kayla, Valerie, and myself said our kids will know what its like to have family dinners like we used too. So now we try our best to get together at least once a week to eat. I love it more than i can explain!

We had another bundle of joy come into our family. Tyler Maynard. My cousin Jeremy's second little boy! And he looks just like him! 

I couldn't be happier for them! 

Here lately we've been having as many "lazy days" as possible, with this horrible heat, what else do you do? Right? Weve got two more 'toys'. Cj got a jeep cherokee and a jeep grand cherokee. I dont care for either, but he's happy. But the biggest thing is he's looking into buying his first house!! Which I'm super excited about! (:

Another day, (:

Well, it's been awhile since I've blogged..but we've been pretty busy around here. With school, house work, and yard work; we've been going none stop! But we have got a lot accomplished, with the help of our wonderful family! Last Friday we got up REAL early went and ate some breakfast at a local restaurant, Kountry Kitchen. Which was amazing! Then we went and got gas, cold drinks, and some snacks, and came home and started cleaning out our big shop! And we worked from about 7:30 until 2, and after lots of sweat, three trailer loads of trash for the dump, and being exhausted we got almost ALL of it cleaned out. And had some laughs in the process. Just want to say a HUGE thank you to my amazing cousins Amanda and Valerie, without their help, it still wouldn't be cleaned out! They're always ready to help us out, no matter the job and for that I'm so thankful! I love yall! 

 Us on the way back from the dump, Daddy never takes pictures with us ):

 We had to wear vests and hard hats at the dump (:

Friday night we all kind of just hung out around the house, except for Cj. He fished all night in a tournament, and let me tell ya, Saturday you could definitely tell. Saturday morning we went and ate with his grandparents and a lot of his family was in town because his great grandmother had to have heart surgery. Grandma Thomas is one of the best women I have ever met! She's always been so sweet to me, and I love her like she is my own grandmother! She's 92 years old now, only about 4 feet tall, and maybe weighs 110. But dont let her size fool ya, she's fisty! Like my daddy has said about my Maw Maw, Dynamite comes in small packages! She's now home, and recovering good, but she still needs prayers. Its not everyday you hear of a 92 year old having heart surgery!

This past week we've had sweet June Bug at the house with us! It's been a great week. Even though we've had school, house work and all that, it's still been great. Next week I have to be admitted into the hospital so they can "observe" me. I've had epilepsy now for 11 years, it was under control, but now it's getting worse. So they're sending me to UAB epilepsy center (which i love) to be admitted and if they're still coming from the same part of my brain they were a few years ago, then they're talking about doing brain surgery! Scary, right? I've actually researched it and even though it's major surgery, it could get a lot worse! I'm not scared anymore, I'm just ready to live my life as a normal 20 year old, and do everything I haven't been able to do! So, if yall could, when you say your prayers at night, say one for me and my family. I know it's been real hard on them having to watch me go through this and their not being anything they can do. I'd really appreciate it. Especially for my sister Kayla. She's always been there these past 11 years. Whether it's in or out of the hospital, doctors appointments, and just to tell me I am normal and everythings going to be okay when I'm down. I'm sure she doesn't know this, probably because I don't tell her enough, but without her theres no telling where i would be. She's never let me go without, let anybody be ugly to me, and tried her best to protect me from any and everything! So Kayla, i know I should show it more, but I am so thankful and blessed to have a sister like you and I love you more than words can even begin to explain! I'm so glad god made you my sister! i love you! (:

We've also taken some family pictures, here's just a few.

It's been awhile..

Welllll it's been awhile since I've posted anything! We've been so busy here lately, I barely have time to sleep! But hey, it's been fun! So the week after my brother Crow came home, was crazy! Cj worked all week until the weee hours of the morning, and I worked every night and would come home and try to keep the house in order because that Friday morning (well Thursday night) we left for Orlando!

Cj's dad was going to make the trip from Texas to Orlando, which is where all of his fathers family lives. I have to say i was kind of nervous going. Not only because the fact that I hadn't met any of that family, except for a few, and it was only once. Anyway, we left Thursday night around 11:30 because we wanted to get there before his cousins graduation that Friday morning, plus it was a surprise to his dad, Tony. Due to Cj forgetting that Orlando is one hour ahead of us, it didnt work out as planned, but we were still able to surprise his dad and make it just in time for graduation! 

His dad was so excited and I absolutely LOVE all of his family. They're some of the sweetest people I've ever met! Friday, after graduation we went to his Uncle Dannys for awhile and then to his grandparents. Now, let me tell you, his family can COOK! I believe I gained about ten pounds between their cooking and this WONDERFUL seafood place we went to eat at on Cocoa Beach! I would drive another 10 hours just for that food! But it's late here, so I'm about done, just going to leave a few pictures with yall. Goodnight(: 

 Vee, Johnathan, Tony, Cj & I.

 So we saw this 4 runner in Orlando & it looks exactly like CJs!

 His cousin Abraham!

 Me at Johnathans graduation.

 Cj and I at that wonderful seafood place.

 This has nothing to do with Orlando, but its my dad and niece looking at our Maynard family cookbook. sara is a fourth generation Maynard & absolutely LOVED going through this book with Paw Paw.

 Neither does this one, but it's our "crew" the night we went riding, all in our Alabama Precision Transmission shirts (:

Tony & I at that seafood place!

It's been crazy round here!

So, I know it's been a LONG time since I've posted, and yes I just started a couple months ago, thanks to my sister, Stephanie. But, come on-give me a break, it's been crazy around here!

Last time I posted, I was just telling about my crazy life. Boy, I didn't know it would get any crazier. My father has been battling an infection in his foot for some time now and in February they finally had to amputate it. Now, anybody that knows me or knows of me, knows just how much of a daddy's girl I am & always will be. Even though I acted like it didn't bother me one bit, it scared the hell out of me! Probably worse than it did him. He's always been someone who I can depend on to be there no matter what the situation is, and as time passes, I realize he still is the same daddy I've always known. He just has to do things differently. Now, he's healing just fine and even has his fake leg. Can't keep him still. 

My sister, Stephanie's cancer came back, worse. But she's damn sure a fighter, because now she's cancer cell free. Even though she's "cancer free" they're still going to do a bone marrow transplant, to make sure it doesn't come back again. I know she'll heal just fine, after all she's been through, NOBODY could think anything else. She's got two precious daughters to fight for, and let me tell you, that's all the motivation she needs. She's a GREAT mother! One day, I hope I'm a good mother like her. 

Not everything that's happened lately has been bad, thank god! We've had a new little one join our family. Ashlyn Ann Andrews was born just the other morning, Monday May 20th. She was a few months early and only weighed 3 pounds 5 ounces, she's going to be just fine. She's got her daddy in her for sure, and he's a fightsy one! My brother, Jake (or we call him "Crow") came home the same day Ashlyn was born from serving a tour in Afghanistan! There's no words to exlpain how happy I was when I saw him get off that bus after 11 long months! He's every bit the same Crow as he was when he left. But, I think we can all say we can sleep a little better knowing he's back in the U.S. And, I told him after this deployment, he couldn't take his hiney anywhere else like that place was. (: I'm so proud of the man he's become. I never though he'd ever go outside of Alabama, much less go to a different country! But, I'm proud of him and all other men and women serving for our freedom! 

 Me and him.

This picture melts my heart! It's Ryan Mac (one of his and Cj's best friends), Crow, and Cj as soon as they saw each other. Crow just grabbed them. 

We've also added a new vehicle to our family. Yes, Cj finally got rid of that duley I hated OH SO MUCH! We now have a 2005 Duramax, of course it's lifted! It's what Cj's wanted for a long time and I'm so proud that he can finally have it, and hey-I love driving it. Every time I've drove it, it never fails, someone always says something about the truck being nice..and yes I get those creepers trying to hit on me too. They'll say "Hey baby, nice truck you got" and I'll politely say "Thanks, that's what my boyfriend says too!" Thankfully most of them get the hint to go on. But this is getting too long, so I'll talk to y'all later, and leave with a picture of Cj's new "baby". 

 This picture makes it look small. Trust me, in another year, I'm going to need one of those small step ladders to get in it! 

Bye Y'all!

Nieces and Nephews are a gift from GOD.

I have three nieces and one nephew, and I swear they feel like my siblings. They're smart, sweet, respectful, just everything you would want in a niece or nephew. 

My oldest niece, Raven Leigh. 

Raven is now 10 years old and she truly feels like my little sister. Everyone says we look just alike and they will argue with me when I tell her she's my niece, but she is just like me in so many ways. She takes up a huge part of my heart and over the past couple of years we've became so close. I've watched her grow from this little quiet girl, to this young woman, almost tall as I am, and just so beautiful young woman. We are so much alike, it's not even funny. She's very athletic, just like I used to be when I was her age. I've always felt that she is my  sister, and I need to protect her and keep her under my wing. But, let me be honest with you, if anyone even tried to mess with her, there's no telling what I would do! I know one thing they would need to do is pray for themselves, cause they are fixing to get it. I can't wait until they move back to Eclectic, because I feel like (and hope) that she will become my best friend again, go and do everything with me, and just be here so I know I won't miss a single part of her growing up. Raven, Aunt Allie loves you more than I could ever tell you, and I hope you know that no matter where you are, what time it is, or what it's about, you can call me and I'll be there!

My only nephew, William Alexander.

This boy right here will be a heart breaker one day. I'm talking about he will have girls crying for weeks! he's only 8 now, and I think he's had as many girlfriends as I have boyfriends. haha. He is the smartest kid I have EVER seen, honestly. He's done taken a computer apart and put it back together, can do anything with electronics, and probably know more about "school work" than I do. He has been through a rough time to get to where he is now, being born in England (where the medical service is horrible), being born with only one kidney, and has had multiple surgeries. He deserves everything he will accomplish in life, just to have made it through what he has. He used to love nature and would help Daddy and Cj work on the vehicles, in the yard, or anything that has to do with the outdoors. I can not believe he is growing up so fast and I wish I could push pause sometimes and live that moment for awhile, but I can't. I can only cherish the memories and look forward to the ones we still have to make. 

Sara Faith

Where to start. This little girl is the cutest, girly girl yet tomboy I've ever seen. She will truly melt your heart when she REALLY wants something and I say no. She is only 5 now, but thinks she is about 14. They say I was just like that when i was her age, and I cant help but believe it. She loves shooting her gun, getting dirty, and being just the best angel she can be. You'll never have a dull moment when she's around, she'll make sure of it. I could go on and on about this little girl, but I don't think I could even name them all. I can tell she's going to do everything she ever wants in life, because with her attitude, nobody will be able to stop her. She's truly the most amazing little girl ever! I'm so glad she is my niece and I can spoil her all I want, then send her home to mommy and daddy (; Sara, i love you to the moon and back plus some! & no matter what mommy says, i'll get my shotgun and do it to ya. haha right Stephanie?

Youngest niece and miracle baby, June Claire. 

June Bug was born in 2010, very early and had to fight for her life for the first half of her life, but you couldn't tell it now! She is definitely a fire ball of energy. I think she never gets tired! I remember the day your mama walked me back into the NICU place where you were in a clear box and only weighed one pound. I was filled with mixed emotions; happy you were here, heartbroken because you were so sick, and scared for you. Now, going on 3 years later, you would never have thought you were the same little girl that I saw that day in the NICU. You are so smart and just the perfect little girl. I can't wait to watch you grow up and see what you accomplish. I love you SO much June Bug!  

My Life, comtinued.

My last blog was just about telling you about my life and my family, and I said I would be back later to finish it, but I didn't make it back on that day. The previous blog was about my dad and my sisters, so here's the rest of my family (: 

 My Wonderful Mother. 

My mother means the world to me. She is the best mom anyone could have. We have been through thick and thin, and she's stood by me even when it would've been easier to walk away and give up. When I was growing up, she never missed anything up until i graduated. Everyone says that i got my hot headed temper from her, and can go overboard sometimes, but I just say they're crazy (; I say what I think needs to be said at the moment to whoever it is, sometimes I sugar coat it and..well sometimes I don't, and I most definitely got that from her! As I get older we are not around each other as much as we used to, but she will always be in my heart, and I always think back on old memories and laugh so hard, even if I'm by myself. I can't wait to see what the next couple years have in store for us, but one thing I know, is she'll always be beside me to back me up. I love you mama!

   The BEST boyfriend.

Cj and I have been together for a long time now, and I can truly say he is my "prince charming." We've been through so much the past 4 years and sometimes there was the thought in my head that we couldn't make it through it, but we always have and always will. Don't get me wrong, we have our fights just like any normal couple, but I know that no matter what happens, he'll be right there for me. He is truly amazing and I couldn't imagine my life without him now. I love how he is silly, crazy, act like a kid with me, and sometimes I just want to strangle him, but he always makes me laugh. Some people take their relationships for granted, but after what all we've been through and watching my brother in law Mike almost lose the love of his life, my sister, Stephanie; I think god every night when I lay my head next to his, for another day with him. I love him with everything I have, and can't wait to spend many, many more years with him. <3

Sometimes he does smile (:

My Life

Stephanie, Elizabeth, Kayla, Daddy, and I.

My Family means more to me than anything that I could ever imagine! I have a HUGE family, and although we're not as close as we used to be, I know I can always count on them for anything! 

 

I guess the only way to tell y'all a little something about the people that keep me going, is to do it one by one. So, forgive me if it's long but i have a LOT of family members, just in my immediate family. 

Daddy & I, Senior Prom.

My Daddy. There's so many things I can say about him and probably never quit typing. He is my hero, my best friend, my rock, my heart and soul. He has been there for me no matter what's going on, or what my problem is. He's been at everyone of my softball games,  anything that meant something to me, he was there. He let me live my life my way, and learn from my own decisions, and whenever I would fall down, he would pick me up, dust me off, and tell me to try again. He's truly the best father anyone could ask for. 

Stephanie, Elizabeth, Me, and Kayla. 

My sisters mean SO much to me. We've been through so much together and always come out strong. Elizabeth, (the oldest) got married when I was really young and moved to England because her husband was in the air force, but we've always had a strong connection. She's wild, outgoing, and I wouldn't trade her for anything. Stephanie is one of the strongest people I know. We haven't always had the best relationship, but when we needed each other, she's always been there. Having gone through what she's been through in the past year and a half has taught me to never take a moment for granted, and don't worry about the little arguments between us, because in the end, they won't really matter. Kayla is only two years older than me and has always been there. Whenever we were little and I would need anything, she would always make sure I would get it one way or another. She's helped me in more ways during my life than she'll ever know. She's always been the strongest and when I was down or upset, she would say everything was okay, and it was. These 3 girls mean everything to me, and i would die for any one of them. I love y'all so much!

Well, I've got to go my Daddy keeps hollering at me to get up and go get the mail, but i'll be back later to finish the rest of my wonderful family!