You never know...

who is watching your actions of listening to your words.

Long, but worth it, I hope :)

I have always heard the saying "actions speak louder than words," but I think that they are pretty equal is most cases.
Just before Christmas I started to work as a waitress on the weekends, and this very job has made me stop and think about this statement more in the last few months than ever. People can be just plain mean, even the ones that "ACT" so nice...have you ever met anyone like that? I never ever dreamed that adults would be so quick to be so RUDE! Now don't get me wrong, not every single person is mean or rude...so THANK YOU if you are one that is patient and kind in all situations, but tonight was a very different night of "waitressing."
Often times a small conversation will start up between the customer and the waitress, leading to general information like... is this your only job, are you from this area, is this your first time to visit us,do you attend church anywhere, etc...etc.
But tonight ,it seems that (ALMOST) every table that was in my section was seated with very friendly, kind, and talkative people (Thank You Jesus!) it makes for a much more plesant shift. Which brings me to my point...you never know who is watching or listening.
I waited on a table with a college girl and her family... (pause, go back with me about THREE WEEKS AGO,apparently this young lady came in with some friends, they didn't sit in my section and I don't remember EVER seeing her before) so,the small talk began, the conversation went something like this:

Mom: "We are from Austin and have never been here, what do you suggest?

Myself: I suggested a few of the more popular items..."Great, I'm glad you came tonight how did you hear about us?"

Mom: "My daughter came out a few weeks ago and she loved the food, liked the atmosphere, but more than that the waitresses were so friendly and fun, and she was so excited when you were going to be our waitress."

Myself: "Awww, what a sweet compliment, I'm glad that I could make your experience good the last time you came." Thank you.

College Girl: "Oh it wasn't you that waited on us, but my friend and I watched your reaction that night and admired the way you handled several unplesant situations."

Myself: Silent............"yall look over the menu and I will return shortly to take your order."

As, I walked away from that table...it hit me...what you do and say is ALWAYS seen and heard by someone else...What impression are you leaving in someones mind? I may or may not ever see her again, but the words she spoke will FOREVER be engrained in my thoughts, but it doesn't stop there...there are THREE more tables that made this statement come alive to me tonight.I won't tell you the entire conversation but I will give you the profound comments made to me that I will never forget.

Table #1-
C :"Did you know that little girl sitting at that table?"
Myself:"No ma'am"
C:" You were very kind to her, I haven't seen her smile the entire dinner until you spoke such words of kindness."

Table #2
C: "How are you tonight"
Myself: "Busy but Blessed"
C: " Yes very busy, but you are still smiling and I haven't heard one negative word come from your mouth."

Table #3:
C: "Thank you, it's been a long time since we have had such a kind waitress."

Now, I am not telling you all of this to brag on myself, because that IS NOT the type of person I am, I am telling you all of this to BEG of you to watch your actions and words more closely, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING and I don't know about you but I want people to see JESUS in me!
I am so thankful that God put every second of this evening in my life tonight, I needed the reminder, better yet I needed the SLAP IN THE FACE!!
So I will leave you with this ...

What do people see in you?

What kind of impression are you leaving?

Love and blessings,

Brandi

Home Sweet Home!

Boy am I glad to be home!! It is just no fun staying in the hospital!! I think that being home has already made me feel better :) and I know that Hannah and Kevin are happy! I still have a ways to go on the recovery, I will go into detail later...but for now...I am HOME SWEET HOME!! Thank you for all your prayers, please continue to lift me up in healing prayers as I do pray for you daily! Love and Blessings~

Brandi

No pictures please...

Have you ever felt like you can't get out of the "rain" of life's storms? Just when you close your umbrella...here it comes again, sending you for higher ground.

Well, I have...NOW!!

I won't go into all the details, but yesterday morning I began having INCREDIBLE pain in my upper right side around the top of the rib cage. A little "episode" as I like to call it... SEVERE COLD SWEAT, HORRIBLE PAIN, NAUSEA, etc...etc... I immediatly went to the school nurse to see what was happening. My first thoughts were...its the flu...has to be... but I wasn't running a fever...hmmm. Anyhow, the pain wasn't getting any better after 30 min or so, only more intense. I left school and drove to the ER, (although I do not remember the drive) They took me back and started the process...LONG PROCESS...VERY LONG PROCESS...only to hear "We are going to be transferring you to the hospital for further testing, your pancrease is inflamed and possibly has a stone."

WHAT??? You have got to be kidding me!!! I do not have time for this!!! I am a wife, a mother, a school teacher who is not only 1 but 2 weeks behind!?!?!?!?!?

Okay, so looooong story made short...here I am, in the hospital, with only an IV...no food or drink AT ALL!! Resting my pancrease... (I don't know either) WAITING on tests. Please pray for healing and good health, ALTHOUGH God already knows the details and has a plan...I am trying to understand and hear his voice...until next time... No Pictures Please!!

My crafty hubs is...

at it again!! I wish I were a crafty person :) Anyhow, Every since I have been a school teacher (5yrs) I have wanted one of these...

a paper holder...

It seems like a good idea, right...it would be so easy for each student to have their "own" place to turn in papers, easier for grading and returning purposes and ORGINIZATION which I am very adiment about ...however I could never really talk myself into purchasing a "fancy cardboard" item at such a price...so I brought home the magazine that it is in and talked to my husband about it and he said "Well, I could just make you one." AH, who would have thought ?!?!?!?! He loves to build and paint things and just like his dad, God has blessed him with the ability to so!

So recovering from the flu, being home all week he became quiet became board and fired up a plan.... Step 1...Step 2...Step 3 and PRESTO!!

A solid wood, paper holder! A better quality (and cheaper) product by FAR than what the magazine had to offer! Isn't it beautiful?!?! What a sweet hubs I have!! I can't wait to put it to use in the classroom...It is quiet heavy so it will be interesting to see me getting it in tomorrow :) Thank you honey!!

~Blessings~

Brandi

NO FUN!!

This is what I've looked at every hour on the hour for 48 hours!! I'm pretty sure if themometers could talk...all three of mine would be SCREAMING "NOT AGAIN!" I have only had the flu once and I DO NOT want to shuffle those cards again, but this week it's been worse than when I had it myself, because as mothers (well women in general) we tend to hurt when others hurt, especially those close to us.
I have taken the past few days off work to be home and take care of my sweet family. Kevin and Hannah have been miserable...both of them up a little bit when the fever is down (rarely), but when the fever is up they are DOWN. It is so sad (rewarding as a mommy) to hear Hannah say "Mommy come here and lay with me, I just feel so bad." I want it to be me instead of her. Kevin has just walked around aimlessly back and forth from the living room to the bedroom trying to get comfortable.
I know that "sickness" is just a part of life, but I don't like it!!! I certainly despise it even worse when it's my family.
The flu bug has visited my ENTIRE family in the last 2 weeks, both of my brothers and their families have been bitten! It is NO FUN!!!
My sweet friend Jenna text me today to let me know that tomorrow night some girls from our church will be getting together for a "Girls Night Out!" Oh, that sounds SPLENDID!! I pray that I will get to make it, but my family comes first...so we will see :) I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the ability to take care of my family!! I am so blessed!!

Love and Blessings~
Brandi

Flu,Flu Go Away!!

My sweet baby girl came into my classroom today red faced and burning up, "Mommy, my head hurts, my eyes hurt, mommy everything just hurts!!" So off we went down to the nurses office for a fever check...WHOA!! 103.4 There ya have it!! I quickly got a sub and headed off to Dr. Shaws office...one long q-tip up the nose and an hour later.... The words, "Hannah has the flu" hit me!! I feel so bad for her, she is just laying here on the couch, and if you know my Hannah..."laying" is not normal for her :) Not to mention, Kevin came in from work pale and freezing...fever at 100!! This may be a very LOOOOONNNNGGGGGG week!! Please pray for healing and good health for my family!


Blessings~
Brandi