50th Wedding Anniversary

Well today we celebrated my grandparents (Kay's parents) 50th wedding anniversary. When people walk down that aisle everyone wants to make it to the day of celebrating that golden anniversary, yet few sadly do these days. One day I hope to get married and leave a legacy that the Beams (and my other grandparents) have left over the last 50 years!
Happy Anniversary mawmaw and pawpaw!

The grandchildren and great grandchildren
Savannah (5), pawpaw, Brandon (4), mawmaw, Noah (3),
Candice (25), Ella (1), Tracy (29), Nicole (20), Gina (32)

The entire family!
Savannah, pawpaw, Brandon, mawmaw, Noah,
Candice, Ella, Tracy, Nicole, Gina
Benny, Kay, Paula, Michael

My Sister

So yesterday I talked about the hearing I went to with my sister. I talked about my niece and nephew's parents - I wanted to talk about my sister - but didn't want to include how incredible I think she is in that story about addiction. I think she deserves her own post for that...

When my sister said she was going to get a little boy - I thought it was a great idea. Although I thought it would be hard for a single 20 something - I thought she could do it. She had a lot of love to give someone and he needed a lot of love - it was a perfect match. While our family knew it was a risk and that he could be taken away at any time - we opened up our arms and more importantly our hearts and loved Bugaboo, BP, Punkadelic, Goomer, Buck, Sock, Alex, Baby Mouse, Max, Buggy and whatever name he wanted to go by on any particular day with all of our might (he truly changes his name all of the time - cracks me up). He changed the entire dynamic of our family and I saw my parents in a new light. He is truly a grandchild/nephew to us. Then she said - his mom is pregnant and I am going to get the little girl. Now - I will say I was totally against it. I thought - omg - how are you going to take care of a 3 year old and a newborn who will be a preemie. But, being the head strong, courageous woman she is - didn't listen to any members of my family and went for it. Boy - has she proven me wrong. She has taken that sweet precious little girl who we like to call El, LuLu, Little Bit, Sissy, Bubby, Princess (yes she has a million names too) and changed our lives again. My parents act even goofier around a baby girl than they did a toddling little boy. Its really hilarious to watch. Yes, she has her struggles - its not a walk in the park for a single woman to raise two children under the age of 5 by herself - but with the help of family- she is doing it - we are doing it together (but she does most of the work). She is an incredible mommy to those two kids who needed a home and someone to sacrifice their life to give them a better life and to just love them.

I forget the fact that she was never pregnant with those two. They are a part of our lives and are loved as if they were her own blood. I am thankful that God pressed upon her heart and gave her the courage to take the kids. I am thankful she didn't listen to us when we were against it. I am thankful that God picked those two children and allowed them to change our lives forever. So, thank you Tracy for the sacrifices you make, for being courageous to do what you believe is right, for bringing more love and laughter into our family and for just being you. I love you!!

Update From My Courts Post

I just received a call from my sister. My niece and nephew's biological mom was arrested last night for public intoxication (so much for 6 months sobriety) and for hitting their "runaway" son in the face in front of a police officer. Needless to say - our case is looking better and better for TPR.

Again - I pray for this family....

The Courts

Yesterday I went to a TPR hearing with my sister regarding her foster child (who I love dearly and really - she is more than a foster child - she is my niece). TPR means termination of parental rights in case you are not familiar with DHR logo. It was my first experience in any type of court setting. I was mesmerized by the proceeding (the parts of it I could see) and dumb founded at times at the way the system works.

I heard a mom perjure herself on the stand a few times and yet - the judge has to wait and decide if her rights should be terminated or not? I do not think there should be any thinking about it - terminate them immediately. If someone is lying and you catch them - just do it. Why drag this out any further. I heard a mom throw her husband under the bus regarding his alcoholism and state she would leave him (right in front of him) if she won the baby back. And I watched this man stand by her through all of this. I guess that is love on his part? I don't know. I want to say its stupidity - if your wife says I am going to leave you if I win our child back (although I think she is lying - she wouldn't leave him) would you not want to talk to her about this instead of sit there like a man that has been beat down (and I know that he probably is beat down). I watched this man stand by and not defend himself - obviously he was guilty if he didn't defend himself (and really if he is guilty - I commend him for not getting up there and telling a bunch of bold face lies).

I know I am rambling but its amazing to see how some people let their lives spiral out of control. They get caught up in lie after lie and don't know what truth is. They begin to believe the lies are the truth. They let their addictions take their children away from them. It saddens me. I honestly believe with my whole heart that the dad is a very nice man. He is polite and loves his kids in his own way. I watched him brag about his little boy to his attorney and show them photos of his children. He just has an addiction that has a gigantic hold on his life. He knows he cannot break free of it - so he is doing all he knows he can do (and still keep his addiction) for his children and that is give them up. I applaud him for doing what is best (in his eyes) for his children.

I know these people need Jesus in their life. And I hope that we can show that to them in the way we raise their kids. He is the only one who can break the addictions that have them tied down in a dark pit. I prayed for them this morning. That God would put someone in their life to reach them. So, when you think of our family and those two adorable kids - pray for their parents - that they might find the One Great Physician!

My Memorial Day Hero

Every Memorial Day since September 18, 1992 my thoughts have been to the hero of our family - Capt. Nick Stribling. Nick was an Air Force pilot. He flew B-52's - huge honking planes.
(this is a photo of him landing the B-52)

He was in the Gulf War and returned successfully. He and his co-pilot were killed when the plane he was in crashed in Mississippi near the home of the co-pilot's parents. It was a tragedy that is still hard to wrap my mind around to this day. Nick was only 28 years old and he left behind a wife (my cousin) he loved passionately and a 5 year old son who adored him and he adored. It rocked our family more than I can ever explain. Nick was the guy that everyone loved. He never met a stranger and lived life to the fullest.

I remember as a little girl he would always get in the floor and wrestle with me and Tracy. He called himself "Strong Man Stribling". We loved it. He called me GG, tried to teach me how to drive a stick shift and I have never allowed anyone else to try to teach me since. I stayed with he and Nin (that's what I call my cousin) for two weeks the summer after my freshman year in high school. It was a blast for me.

Yes, that is me during their reception. It wasn't planned for me to be in the photo - but I guess my face was priceless - so the photographer couldn't resist.

They lived in Shreveport, LA. His job allowed him to be at home a lot in the day - so he, Zach and I would get out go to lunch, the base, we would get a snow cone every day and just hang out. We went to a minor league baseball game (the first one I had ever been to). It was a great two weeks.

The day Nick was killed will be a day I will never forget, really that entire week after he died is a time I will never forget. Sadness and grief was everywhere we turned. From Jasper and Alabaster, AL, parts of Georgia to Shreveport, LA people were grieving. We grieved a life that was gone much too soon. I cannot hear "Taps" to this day without thinking of him. I went to visit his grave a couple of weeks ago and it seems like 1992 was so long ago, yet it doesn't. I thought of all he has missed since he has been gone. He has missed birthdays, holidays, weddings, graduations. He has missed seeing his son graduate from high school and returning from Iraq as a Marine. He would be so proud. Yet, he is so much better off than we are now. Sometimes in our grief and sadness we forget that he isn't missing a thing. He is rejoicing and praising his KING forevermore. We are the ones that think of all he is missing - but he really isn't. He wouldn't choose our life now - he would choose where he is now.


Nick - you are missed and loved every day. Thank you for the sacrifice you gave our country.

Graduation

Well another graduation has come and gone. Since I have been working with teenagers I have been to my fair share of graduations. Each one is special in its on way. I beam with pride as another one of "my kids" graduates and steps out into the big wide world. It brings happiness and yet a little sadness to me as well. Happy, because of the accomplishments that they have made, and sad, because they will be leaving the student dept and I won't see them as much.


This year I am a little more sentimental than usual. As I was handing out their graduation gifts on Sunday I was amazed at how much they have grown and matured in the six years they have been a part of my life. I remember very vividly this group - as they came in as scared and obnoxious 7th graders. I remember going bowling and to McDonald's with them to "welcome them to the youth group". I watched them get their footing as a teenager and learn to make friends, go through their awkward stages, begin to like members of the opposite sex, get their drivers license, and eventually become leaders in the group and have the younger kids look up to them. It has been my honor to be a part of this stage in their life. I am extremely proud of them and pray they continue to walk in the way Christ will lead them.

Below are photos of me and two of my girls!

Haley

Hali

The Little Things in Life...

You know its the small things in life that can make a person's day. My day was made today when I read an email that says - "you have the day off tomorrow"!! Woo Hoo! That absolutely turned my day around. I think its so funny how something like that can change your whole outlook on a particular day. I wasn't having a bad day necessarily - it was just that I had one more day to work before the weekend-and its been one of those weeks where its dragging and you do not think the weekend will ever get here...well mine is almost here and I am stoked! So, my question to you out there (if anyone reads this thing) is what are the little things in life that make you happy? Gotta love the little things! Have a happy Thursday! I know I am!

NKOTB

I heard a few months ago about New Kids on the Block reuniting - I must admit - I did get a little excited. New Kids came around when I was in 7th grade - prime time for a boy band to reach those little girls. I loved, loved them. My room was full on posters, dolls, and every Bop and Big Bopper magazine that was published during that time. I watched every show they were on - I taped them and kept them and I became very upset when my mom accidentally erased one of them. I also went to two concerts. Loved them is an understatement. I had a framed photo of Joe McIntyre on my stereo speaker in my room - an 8x10 as if he was my boyfriend! Oh to be 13 again. I did get up to watch the Today Show on Friday for their reunion concert. I was a little giddy and Tracy did make fun of me. But, as I saw, I was not the only giddy 30 something - NYC was full of them. I was a little shocked that the women knew the words to their new song. It was good to see them back together and to hear the songs of my tween years. And I am sure I will know the words to their new song soon since I downloaded it on I-Tunes. HA! Once a "blockhead" always a "blockhead".

the 90's

now

The Beach

We just returned from the beach last week. It was a fun getaway for all. A much needed getaway too. It rained two of the three full days that we were there - but just being at the beach in rain or sun makes you feel better. I rode with my sister and her two kids - wow was that an adventure for someone who is used to seeing the kids a few hours on the weekend in a house where they can run and play to being strapped in seats they hate for five hours in a car - tears, pulling arms out of the seat belts, throwing toys in the floor, wanting to change the movie a million times, asking - "when will we be there", etc. It was interesting for me needless to say. I am not used to hauling kids around, wiping noses, mouths and butts. Parenting is defintely a hard job. It makes me admire my sister (as a single mom) and her dedication and love for the kids. Don't get me wrong - I love them with all my heart - but if you aren't used to it - the patience can wear a little thin. But, seeing the excitement on their faces and watching them play in the sand and with their cousins was a wonderful thing to see. We went with my step-mom's family. Her brother and his wife have a five year old and a three year old. So, combine a one year old and a four year with that - madness was all around. But, fun was had by all. Brandon cannot wait to go back (we are already counting how many blanket days he has until its time to return) - he would live there if he could. He loves, loves the beach. Ella liked it too. It was her first real trip to enjoy. She loved playing in the sand and loves the water. So, its time to count the weeks - only six blanket days before we head back!! Now the question I know you are asking is - "Gina will you ride with Tracy and the kids again?"...yeah probably - this is preparation time for when I will take my own kids (hopefully) one day on long road trips to the beach!

Here I AM

So, I have been asking myself for a few months - "why not try the blogworld"? Do I have a lot to talk about? Only time will tell. I know I can talk about my travel adventures with the family and with work, my adorable nephew and niece, my crazy/disfunctional family, work stuff, church stuff, etc. - so yeah - maybe I will have a few things to blog about. Will my grammar and spelling be bad? - as the Men's Wearhouse commercial says - "I guarantee it" - so please forgive me. :) Will I be boring? Yeah, probably so at times. After all - how exciting can a single girls life be? You can be the judge of that. So, hold on to your hats - Gina is an offical blogger!!!