Games have been played, cartoons have been watched and lunch has been eaten. Then, you show up. I look forward to your arrival every Saturday and Sunday. You are the most welcomed weekend guest. Your arrival brings about a peace that passes all understanding. Quiet fills the air. When you’re around I’m able to be […]
Three-day weekends don’t come often. When they do, I rejoice! Just the thought of not having to go to work an extra day excites me. Sunday night I turn off my alarm and lay in the bed watching TV until my heart is content. Then, Monday morning comes. Instead of my alarm there is a […]
I have said this numerous times. When I found out I was pregnant I was SCARED! After I had my son the comfort of the hospital was nice. I could push a button and a very nice lady would come to the room, get my bundle of joy and let me sleep. When he was […]
The relationship between a father and a daughter is special. I don’t think there is another word that more perfectly describes my relationship with my daddy. My dad is a real-life hero. He retired from the army and served in the Saudi Arabia war. His mission to protect our country meant he was not able […]
Grandaddy Artis “Sug” Appling Sr. It was the day before my birthday. I was 7 months pregnant in upstate New York. Just me, my husband and our two year old. Hundreds of miles away from our Floridian family. Before I could get out of bed for work my father calls. My grandfather had passed away. […]
How would you feel if every time you entered a room you were announced? Like there is a major concert and you are the headliner. That is the way I feel every time I enter a room where my uncle is already there. I enter the room and hear: “ALANDA LEIGH!” In my very first […]
I often scroll through Pinterest admiring all of the innovative and beautiful DIY projects. My home should be magazine ready! That’s assuming I have the same skill level as them. Let’s be honest, I don’t. But a girl can dream. So, when I found this DIY I was ecstatic! It looked too good to be […]
Writing this series has been amazing! It felt good to memorialize the memorable moments I’ve shared with all the mothers in my life. It came easy because I was truly writing from the heart. Now that it’s time to do the same for the most important woman in my life, I’m stuck. I don’t know […]
MOTHER IN LAW How could I not love the woman that is responsible for giving my husband to the world? She often tells me “she’s sorry” because he’s just like her (HA!). But then thanks me with her next breath for taking him off her hands. She’s right, the are both alike. They both love […]
When I think about my grandmothers one word comes to mind: BLESSED! I am truly blessed to have both of my grandmothers alive and well. They are both amazing and almost the opposite of the other. But they have one thing in the common, they are loyal. Loyal beyond words! Their love for their families […]