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

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

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

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

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

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.

Black Velvet Patisserie

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date Night~

I was lucky enough tonight

to have a date with not one,

but two handsome men...

Enjoying the special moments.

XoXo

<3

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

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

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

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

A Little Pampering~

As the days rush by,

 don't forget to 

take time out,

 to take care of yourself.

XoXo

<3

Silence~

Is golden...

XoXo

<3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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