"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." ~Anthony Brandt
The Lord has blessed me with an incredible family that has shaped and molded the person I am today.
Jan
I honestly will never know why God chose to bless me with such an incredible mother.
Not only is my mother gorgeous, hilarious and fun, but she's also one of the most intelligent, business-savvy women you will ever meet.
She grew up in West Texas, in a small little town called Andrews. Born into a ranching and rodeo family, she naturally loved getting dirty and winning prizes barrel racing.
She attended college at the University of Texas in Austin, earning her bachelor's degree in English. She then went on to earn a masters degree in education from the University of Texas -- Permian Basin. She continued her education at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, earning her law degree.
After practicing as a prosecutor in Odessa, Texas, she ran for the open Ector County judge seat and won. She sat on the bench for over ten years before retiring so her family could move to Tennessee.
My mom is an amazing Christian woman who devotes her time to helping others and witnessing. I would be a very rich woman if I had a dime for every time someone told me my mother is one of the most amazing people they've ever met.
Randy
Ever since I was a little girl, I have referred to my father as "Mr. Fun Guy." He really is all about bringing joy and excitement to his family and those he cares about.
My dad grew up in the same small town as my mother, although they did not marry until much later in their lives. He obtained his bachelors degree in accounting from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. After passing the CPA exam, he became an accountant, financial consultant and, eventually, CFO of many large businesses.
He is now a self-employed business owner and is one of the most brilliant people I've ever met.
My father is a true inspiration. He grew up with very little and worked hard all his life to be able to provide for others. He is an incredibly generous Christian man and often gives anonymously.
I am so blessed he is my father and have so enjoyed learning many lessons of wisdom from him through the years.
Travis
Travis is the oldest of the Greaves kids and just happens to be the best big brother in the world. He was always so generous and never let me feel like the annoying little sister I'm sure I was when we were growing up.
In high school, he was very active in YoungLife and was a wonderful Christian role model for me at a very impressionable point in my life. He became a YoungLife leader when he went to college at the University of Tennessee, and he still found time to make excellent grades, be in a fraternity -- Phi Gamma Delta/FIJI, represent his college in UT's Student Government Association, have many sought-after internships and meet his future wife!
After obtaining his undergraduate degree in Communications and Information, he attended law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston. He received many honors while in law school and had one of the highest scoring bar exams in the state of Texas.
He continued his education at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he obtained his LL.M. degree in tax law.
D.C. has become his new home and is where he and his wife, Holly, were married in June 2009. He currently holds a very prestigious clerkship with the U.S. Tax Court.
Words cannot express how incredibly proud I am of Travis, and he continues to be a source of motivation for me in my life.
Holly
Holly Greaves (formerly Holly Wheaton) came into my life in 2001, but I honestly can't remember what life was like without her. From the moment she and Travis began dating, I knew she was "The One" for him and couldn't wait until we were sisters.
Holly grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee -- just an hour-and-a-half from Knoxville. She and Travis met at the beginning of their freshman year at the University of Tennessee, where she majored in accounting. Like Travis, Holly was very active on campus as a member of All Campus Events and Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She continued her education at UT, earning a masters degree in accounting, and, shortly after, passing the CPA exam with flying colors.
Holly joined Travis in Houston in 2006 and worked at a top global accounting firm, Earnst & Young. After becoming engaged, she made the decision to move with Travis to D.C. and now works for another top firm, KPMG.
Holly is one of the most put-together individuals I've ever encountered, and she's been this way since I first met her. She's organized, disciplined, beautiful, smart, funny, outgoing, friendly and, most importantly, very strong in her relationship with the Lord. I could not have hand-picked a better mate for Travis or a better sister for myself. She truly is such a blessing, and I admire her so much.
Jackson
My baby brother, who just happens to have a good five inches and 75 pounds on me, is quite a character. He is the life of the party wherever he goes and always has a great story or joke to share.
Even though I still imagine him as a toddler in my mind, I have recently come to terms with the fact that he is now driving and two years away from being in college.
Jackson attends Webb School of Knoxville, where he excels in football and lacrosse. Beyond athletics, he has received much praise for his incredible artwork.
Jackson is brilliant and hilarious. He also has a sensitive side and can be very caring -- particularly for a teenage boy! I have had so much fun watching him turn into a little man and can't wait to see what exciting things the future has in store for him!
Shelby
I like to refer to my little sister as my "Mini Me," but I honestly think that title gives me too much credit.
Shelby is the most beautiful girl God ever put on earth -- inside and out. She is so full of life and has an amazing sense of humor. She can cheer you up on even your darkest days. She is patient, kind and wise beyond her mere 14 years.
It blows my mind that she's now in high school, but I know she will excel. She made the honor roll every semester in middle school, while keeping a busy schedule of competitive and school cheerleading squads. She was selected as one of the few rising freshmen to make the Webb School varsity cheerleading squad.
Shelby is honestly one of my best friends, and I love her to pieces!!!
Brigitta Andrews
Sometimes in life, God blesses you with a wonderful friendship in which there is absolutely no judgement, no jealousy, no anger, no competitiveness...just pure love and respect. That is how I feel about my relationship with my best friend.
Brigitta and I met in college where we both majored in journalism and electronic media. She was beautiful and friendly -- someone I would definitely want to get to know better. As she and I began to hang out, I realized just how amazing she is.
I have never met a Christian who witnesses as subconsciously as Brigitta does. The power and love of Christ constantly radiate right through her. She has such a joy and peace about her that can only come from a firm foundation in the Lord.
Brigitta is now living a glamorous life in Los Angeles, where she works for "The Price is Right." I love hearing all her stories about her brushes with the rich and famous! Although, I love visiting her out in sunny California, I hope that she and I will one day live closer to one another. She is so much more than a friend -- she is a sister.
I honestly will never know why God chose to bless me with such an incredible mother.
Not only is my mother gorgeous, hilarious and fun, but she's also one of the most intelligent, business-savvy women you will ever meet.
She grew up in West Texas, in a small little town called Andrews. Born into a ranching and rodeo family, she naturally loved getting dirty and winning prizes barrel racing.
She attended college at the University of Texas in Austin, earning her bachelor's degree in English. She then went on to earn a masters degree in education from the University of Texas -- Permian Basin. She continued her education at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, earning her law degree.
After practicing as a prosecutor in Odessa, Texas, she ran for the open Ector County judge seat and won. She sat on the bench for over ten years before retiring so her family could move to Tennessee.
My mom is an amazing Christian woman who devotes her time to helping others and witnessing. I would be a very rich woman if I had a dime for every time someone told me my mother is one of the most amazing people they've ever met.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have referred to my father as "Mr. Fun Guy." He really is all about bringing joy and excitement to his family and those he cares about.
My dad grew up in the same small town as my mother, although they did not marry until much later in their lives. He obtained his bachelors degree in accounting from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. After passing the CPA exam, he became an accountant, financial consultant and, eventually, CFO of many large businesses.
He is now a self-employed business owner and is one of the most brilliant people I've ever met.
My father is a true inspiration. He grew up with very little and worked hard all his life to be able to provide for others. He is an incredibly generous Christian man and often gives anonymously.
I am so blessed he is my father and have so enjoyed learning many lessons of wisdom from him through the years.
Travis is the oldest of the Greaves kids and just happens to be the best big brother in the world. He was always so generous and never let me feel like the annoying little sister I'm sure I was when we were growing up.
In high school, he was very active in YoungLife and was a wonderful Christian role model for me at a very impressionable point in my life. He became a YoungLife leader when he went to college at the University of Tennessee, and he still found time to make excellent grades, be in a fraternity -- Phi Gamma Delta/FIJI, represent his college in UT's Student Government Association, have many sought-after internships and meet his future wife!
After obtaining his undergraduate degree in Communications and Information, he attended law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston. He received many honors while in law school and had one of the highest scoring bar exams in the state of Texas.
He continued his education at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he obtained his LL.M. degree in tax law.
D.C. has become his new home and is where he and his wife, Holly, were married in June 2009. He currently holds a very prestigious clerkship with the U.S. Tax Court.
Words cannot express how incredibly proud I am of Travis, and he continues to be a source of motivation for me in my life.
Holly Greaves (formerly Holly Wheaton) came into my life in 2001, but I honestly can't remember what life was like without her. From the moment she and Travis began dating, I knew she was "The One" for him and couldn't wait until we were sisters.
Holly grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee -- just an hour-and-a-half from Knoxville. She and Travis met at the beginning of their freshman year at the University of Tennessee, where she majored in accounting. Like Travis, Holly was very active on campus as a member of All Campus Events and Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She continued her education at UT, earning a masters degree in accounting, and, shortly after, passing the CPA exam with flying colors.
Holly joined Travis in Houston in 2006 and worked at a top global accounting firm, Earnst & Young. After becoming engaged, she made the decision to move with Travis to D.C. and now works for another top firm, KPMG.
Holly is one of the most put-together individuals I've ever encountered, and she's been this way since I first met her. She's organized, disciplined, beautiful, smart, funny, outgoing, friendly and, most importantly, very strong in her relationship with the Lord. I could not have hand-picked a better mate for Travis or a better sister for myself. She truly is such a blessing, and I admire her so much.
My baby brother, who just happens to have a good five inches and 75 pounds on me, is quite a character. He is the life of the party wherever he goes and always has a great story or joke to share.
Even though I still imagine him as a toddler in my mind, I have recently come to terms with the fact that he is now driving and two years away from being in college.
Jackson attends Webb School of Knoxville, where he excels in football and lacrosse. Beyond athletics, he has received much praise for his incredible artwork.
Jackson is brilliant and hilarious. He also has a sensitive side and can be very caring -- particularly for a teenage boy! I have had so much fun watching him turn into a little man and can't wait to see what exciting things the future has in store for him!
I like to refer to my little sister as my "Mini Me," but I honestly think that title gives me too much credit.
Shelby is the most beautiful girl God ever put on earth -- inside and out. She is so full of life and has an amazing sense of humor. She can cheer you up on even your darkest days. She is patient, kind and wise beyond her mere 14 years.
It blows my mind that she's now in high school, but I know she will excel. She made the honor roll every semester in middle school, while keeping a busy schedule of competitive and school cheerleading squads. She was selected as one of the few rising freshmen to make the Webb School varsity cheerleading squad.
Shelby is honestly one of my best friends, and I love her to pieces!!!
"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family." -- Danica Whitfield
Sometimes in life, God blesses you with a wonderful friendship in which there is absolutely no judgement, no jealousy, no anger, no competitiveness...just pure love and respect. That is how I feel about my relationship with my best friend.
Brigitta and I met in college where we both majored in journalism and electronic media. She was beautiful and friendly -- someone I would definitely want to get to know better. As she and I began to hang out, I realized just how amazing she is.
I have never met a Christian who witnesses as subconsciously as Brigitta does. The power and love of Christ constantly radiate right through her. She has such a joy and peace about her that can only come from a firm foundation in the Lord.
Brigitta is now living a glamorous life in Los Angeles, where she works for "The Price is Right." I love hearing all her stories about her brushes with the rich and famous! Although, I love visiting her out in sunny California, I hope that she and I will one day live closer to one another. She is so much more than a friend -- she is a sister.
