Friday, January 31, 2014

Sisters~

Tonight, 
I got the chance to speak with two of 
my Marine Corps Sisters.
It is amazing to me,
how after all this time
&
the different ways our life 
paths have taken us...
It only took one phone call to 
re-connect and have time melt away.
I am so excited 
to have the chance to see some
of the ladies once again.
This August,
I am going to be hosting a reunion
in NC.
I can't wait to see them all again...
No matter the time or distance,
it is a blessing to know that my 
Sisters still have my back.
How I Love them!
XoXo
<3

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Photo Booth~

Tyler decided today that we were going to play 
with the photo booth on my computer.
We took lots of silly pictures but this 
he said was his favorite.
Tried to get Tristin to take pictures with us,
but lately he has gotten to where 
he would rather not take pictures.
So, respecting that, we kept on playing...
I can't imagine not having the
boys in my life.
They are such a great source of joy 
for me.
Don't get me wrong,
there are days they drive me 
crazy,
but I wouldn't trade the moments
I get with them...
They are the greatest thing
I have ever done in my lifetime.
Cherish the Moments...
XoXo
<3

Just a Touch of Snow~

I was under the impression,
 that I left the snow 
behind in Ohio...
Apparently, 
this isn't the case
 as you can see.
It somehow found me...
School was canceled, 
So, I took the 
boys out and spent the day taking pictures.
We got to have some amazing experiences.
One of the best was...
I got to pet a Chicken for the 
First time!
It was different than
I had in my mind.
Amazing things can happen...
If you are able to be flexible 
and 
aren't afraid to get out 
&
Live...
XoXo
<3

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Time is Fleeting~

It is moments like this,
that I will cherish in my memory.
Not that it was a major milestone,
or event that took place.
Just the comfort of being able
to snuggle with the boys and watch 
a simple movie together.
In this moment,
everything was right in the world.
No violence, hunger or suffering.
Not having to worry about bills, appointments
or what will happen next.
Just accepting the moment 
for what it was & enjoying every second.
There are so many that don't have this 
luxury.
Just this week,
 I know of at least 5
families that have lost their Mother to 
breast cancer.
Their lives will never be the same.
They are always on my mind 
& in my heart.
Just one of the reasons why 
I will not stop fighting until we have 
found a cure.
Enjoy the moments you are given,
even if they are just as simple as this.
XoXo
<3

Monday, January 27, 2014

One Step at a Time~

The Journey begins with one step.
Today, 
I got my Fit Bit Force in the mail.
Hoping that this will help to motivate me 
to reach my goals.
In the hour and a half that I had it on
I managed to walk 2,308 steps 
and 4 flights of stairs.
Can't wait to see where I go from here.
Looking forward to meeting 
my own personal goals.
It's not about being thin,
it's about being healthy.
XoXo
<3

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Get a Clear Look~

At times we all need to clear the glass 
we are looking through to get a clean 
perspective.
Sometimes,
we don't like what we see.
If that is the case,
only we have the power to 
change it.
No one will hand it to us.
Make the reflection 
you see,
 one that makes 
you Smile...
XoXo
<3

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Treat Yourself~

As I work towards changing my eating 
habits in the hopes of breaking the cycle 
of migraines.
 I find myself drawn back to 
little indulgences.
Today,
I treated myself to a bit of 
Kahlua & Almond Cheesecake from 
a wonderful local bakery.
It was in short, Amazing!
Though, it left me wanting more,
it was just enough to satisfy.
Every now and again,
we need to treat ourselves 
a little ...
XoXo
<3 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Just a Spritz~

I used to buy perfume 
wait, 
for a 
"Special Occasion"
to wear it.
As I have continued my 
journey,
I have come to realize that every day
is special.
There is no reason to wait.
There are no promises,
and every day is a gift.
When I moved recently,
I found many bottles of perfume 
that were waiting for such an occasion
that never came.
I have since let them go
made a promise to myself.
Treat every day as the special gift 
that it is.
There will never be another like it.
XoXo
<3

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Brrrr~

Today,
I got up early and went to photograph 
the sun rising over the mountains.
It was a chilly morning to do it,
but the photos were beautiful.
I was hoping there would be more 
colors in the sky, 
but the blue & white came out 
beautifully in the pictures.
It would have been easier 
to stay snuggled down 
stay inside,
but I would have missed 
so much.
Sometimes,
you have to get out of 
your comfort zone to 
have some pretty amazing 
experiences...
XoXo
<3

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Excited~

I couldn't be happier!
I have never been this close to a Sam's Club 
before. 
Usually I have to travel an hour each way 
to get my pictures & canvas prints made.
Not any more...
Just across town & I can get everything done.
They have the newest print machines.
I got a few of my pictures printed tonight 
they are Beautiful!
To top it all off,
they might be using some of my pictures
to show at our new store in the photo department.
Never stop believing in your dreams...
XoXo
<3

Frustration~

If you have ever been part 
of the VA system, you will know 
the frustration that 
comes along with it.
In my quest to break the hold
that migraines have 
over me & my life 
I have traveled down many paths.
Trying to become medication free.
The latest one is taking 
me into acupuncture.
I went today to an appointment,
and had to have injections 
so that they would be able to do 
what they needed to...
Next time.
Deep Breath...
It's not a race, but a journey.
I just have to stay the course...
XoXo
<3

Monday, January 20, 2014

Third Challenge~

Make a difference...
Each of us have the power 
within us 
to make a difference in 
another person's life.
How you choose to make 
it is up to you.
If you choose to accept this
challenge find a way 
to make a difference in 
someone's life...
XoXo
<3

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Fresh Face~

As part of my Journey this
year it includes taking better 
care of myself.
Not just as to what I am 
putting into my body,
but on it as well.
I am working on letting 
go of all the toxic things 
that we as women use 
in the quest for beauty.
This is a fresh face mask 
from Lush.
They have 9 different masks to 
pick from, so you can try them 
all if you are interested.
I Love this company!
I found it a few years ago,
none of the products are tested on 
animals, & the products are 
all natural. 
This face mask needs to 
stay refrigerated because it 
is made of fresh products and 
has no fillers.
They will ship most items
except for these.
So, you either have to be
close to a store or be willing
to drive to get them.
Well worth the drive!
So, sit back
relax & 
enjoy the pampering...
XoXo
<3


Saturday, January 18, 2014

Knight in Shining Armor~

This is me, 
with my knight.
Sadly,
the love affair was brief...
We were both heading out
at the same time.
Just going to two different places.
We will always have those special 
moments in the thrift shop...
XoX0
<3

Friday, January 17, 2014

Date Night~

I was lucky enough tonight
to have a date with not one,
but two handsome men...
Enjoying the special moments.
XoXo
<3

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Look into my Eye~

When I say I see you,
I do...
Just maybe, 
not the way you see
yourself.
I don't see the imperfections
that you find so glaringly
apparent...
The flaws that drive
you crazy.
The weight that you 
have put on,
&
all the other negative 
things you have told me 
at one time or another.
You know what I see?
I see someone who deserves 
to be loved.
A beautiful soul,
a heart that has been broken.
I see the amazing person 
that is there.
You just need to believe,
that you have worth.
That someone loves you,
&
you can achieve anything
that you put your mind to.
You just have to start 
by closing the door on 
the negitive words...
XoXo
<3



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Cat Nap~

After getting the boys off to school,
I went back to the "Tree House".
Aka- my temporary living arrangements.
I was all ready to get to the 
house mouse work...
Anyways,
both the cats were lounging around 
in the sun...
Looked like a pretty 
comfortable idea.
So, I ran with it...
I was trying to capture the window
in the picture but much to my dismay
it wasn't working.
 Don't forget to take a little time 
in the Sunshine...
XoXo
<3

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Just a Squeeze~

In my on going attempt to stay away 
from soda/pop,
I am making citrus water.
I have to admit,
I was doing some self talking 
today as I passed the cooler.
14 days & counting with no 
carbonated beverages...
XoXo
<3

Monday, January 13, 2014

Second Challenge~

I have never felt the need to do this before.
I guess things change,
people change...
If you decide to accept this challenge,
it is to write your own bucket list.
You can put whatever you want on it,
maybe even something that will 
challenge you further than just 
making the list in the first place.
Have Fun & Good Luck!
You might learn something 
about yourself that you didn't 
know before...
XoXo
<3

Sunday, January 12, 2014

A Little Pampering~

As the days rush by,
 don't forget to 
take time out,
 to take care of yourself.
XoXo
<3

Friday, January 10, 2014

Looking for~

Dig a little deeper.
Take the time to learn,
 get answers you have 
been trying to reach.
Seeing that I can't go out,
take pictures 
enjoy my surroundings.
I have decided to stretch
my brain 
learn some new things.
XoXo
<3

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Three things~

I am finding 
that getting through these past few days, 
I need these 3 things.
Lots & Lots of Water.
Puffs Plus with Vicks built in,
( I want to kiss whoever came up with this idea ).
&
When I want to escape,
a good movie.
Though this may not be the 
winning combination to getting 100%
healthy, it is helping to get back on the path.
XoXo
<3

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Tiny Box~

As a child,
 I would always look forward 
to losing a tooth.
Today, 
not so much.
Compromised, 
sadly,
 it had to go.
Unlike when I was a child,
being handed this box 
did not make me smile.
I did not run home unable to 
contain my joy that the tooth fairy 
would soon be leaving me a gift 
in exchange for my tooth.
Instead, 
I saw a tiny little tooth coffin.
I watched numbers running thru my head,
of how much it would cost.
I could still hear the sound of it breaking, 
 being extracted from my mouth.
Running my tongue 
over the spot where the tooth used to be.
Blood, Pain, Emptiness...
Sometimes,
when you least expect it.
You get lost in a sea of thoughts...
XoXo
<3

Holding a Hand~

In the blink of an eye,
 everything can change.
One minute, a happy 
healthy boy.
The next we are in the 
ER not knowing what is 
going on.
We have everything under control now.
It will take time & rest.
We have a follow up appointment 
scheduled to make sure he is on track.
Blessed with all the prayers & people 
keeping us in their thoughts...
Thank You!
XoXo
<3

Monday, January 6, 2014

First Challenge~

To start of the challenges,
 I decided to begin easy
 & 
go from there.
So, here it is...
Make something that you have 
never made before.
Sounds simple hu?
Ok...
Go get to it!
You have till Sunday
to complete it.
I made a bowl of 
Guacamole...
Not only was it easy to make,
but in one word,
Yum!
Have Fun!
XoXo
<3

Sunday, January 5, 2014

I'm up they see me~

I'm down...
I can honestly say that I feel more 
beat up than I did after my first week in 
Marine Corps Boot Camp.
If you have to ask,
 that is a very impressive feat.
There is nothing that doesn't hurt/ache.
I guess on the bright side of things,
this should pass soon.
It makes me think about people who 
live with constant pain.
I don't know how they do it.
Over the last two days,
 I have slept 
more than I have been awake.
Another day in the books.
Looking forward to getting out
and re-connecting with the world.
Nite...
XoXo
<3

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Hot then Cold~

It started as a cough,
then the aches settled in...
Hopefully this will knock it out tonight
so I can get back on track...
Not the most exciting of pictures.
but it is what it is...
XoXo
<3

Friday, January 3, 2014

Quiet Moments~

It is in moments like this that I will 
cherish & hold on to.
Tristin no longer wants to snuggle, 
but today at a memorial service he 
reminded me that I am still loved.
As I tried to hold back my tears, 
he put his arm around me 
patting my back telling me everything 
would be alright.
I can't see into the future,
but I am holding on to the precious 
moments I have with them now.
Every special second.
I know a time will come where 
I don't get to see them every single day.
They will go out into the world 
and make it their own.
I will be proud as they take flight
and make their own Journey,
but it will be these precious moments 
that I have now, that I will be holding 
on to as they make their own way.
Cherish the moments...
XoXo
<3

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Value in a Number~

Today, 
I kept going back and forth as to doing this post.
We all get so wrapped up in numbers.
From the day we are born,
 until the day we leave this Earth. 
We are surrounded with digits.
These numbers we give so much power to.
Sadly, 
some live their whole life 
wrapped up in what they mean.
So, 
what do they really mean?
To me, 
today, 
they are just numbers.
I am no longer giving them power over my life.
They are not the sum of who I am.
My worth or value.
I am more than a number...
I hope that others will come to this conclusion as well.
Do not let numbers rule your life.
You are so much more than any number can reveal.
XoXo
<3