30 Days of Me Photo Challenge: Day Nine

Day Nine: Post a photo of the person who has gotten you through the most. What did this person do for you during your troubled time? What made you turn to them out of everyone else in your life?



Truth be told, I've been blessed enough to not have very many troubled times and the few times where I've hit some bumps in the road I've turned to different people, or to no one at all.

In general, however, my mom has gotten me through the most. She single handedly raised me, provided for me, nurtured me, taught me, comforted me, disciplined me, rewarded me and loved me.

For the first 17 years of my life it was pretty much just me and her. (Then at 17 I started dating Jeff and eventually married him when I was 22, at which point I became his problem. lol!) We didn't live near family for the majority of my life, and I didn't meet my brother and sister until I was in high school, so she was my whole family.

She sacrificed everything for me. Selflessly gave everything she had to be the best mother and father she could for me. And while I wasn't the easiest teenager to deal with (and she will tell you I'm still not always a walk in the park), I learned it from the best ;) and I hope she knows that regardless of my 'tude on any given day I love her and am so thankful that she was picked to be my mom.

I'm still here.... well, a new HERE, but I'm still here in the blogosphere...

I feel like it's been sssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooo long since I've last updated that I need to have a OMGBBQAMAZBALLS update to come back with, but I don't know where to start!! THIS IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE!!!!

We live in Colorado now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!

Apparently, if you wish for, pray for, talk about and think about something often enough it really does come true!!

It's amazing! Money is TIGHT, tighter than tupperware, but still I'm happy here. Happy with the weather. Happy with the people. Happy with my life.

(seriously, Jeff's truck was broken in to - window completely smashed out and GPS stolen, I lost my cell phone, and I've had pink eye for over a week and I'm still happy!!)

I'll start back up on my 30 Days of Me photo challenge in a few days, scouts honor!!

Madeline is doing wonderfully!! She weighs 14lbs and 12oz and is 26" long! She's up on her knees, rocking back and forth like crazy in preparation to crawl, she rolls both ways - and rolls across the room to get what she wants! She's mainly wearing 6 month clothes, but is in some 9 month pants - thanks to her fluffy cloth diaper-butt! She is still exclusively breastfed, but we did put together her high chair, so when she's ready to start solids we'll be ready for her! We just put together her big girl crib as she finally outgrew her bassinet... she's 5.5 months old - I can't believe she's almost 6 months old!! I feel like I JUST had her!

ok, that's all for now.... it's been awhile though, so I'll leave you with a current picture of my sweet girl!

30 Days of Me Photo Challenge: Day Eight

Day Eight: Post a photo that makes you laugh. What made this moment so funny?


we rule @ picking out clothes

Ah, yes. My brother, Chad, and I at some bar in some hotel/casino in Reno, NV the night before our paternal Grandfather's funeral. We're keepin' it classy here, people!

We got to the hotel in time for some dinner and some drinking. But first, a wardrobe change was necessary. He goes into the bathroom to change, I stay in the room part of the room. I holler when I'm done, he comes out when he is. And we smile and nod when we notice that we both decided it'd be appropriate to wear ridiculous shirts to help narrate our intentions for the evening.

Fast forward to this picture. I can't remember the song, but we were in a dueling piano bar - drinking, singing (it was more like yelling), and dancing (ok, it was more like swaying) to the music. We asked some guy next to us to take our picture because, well, we don't get together often, but when we do we make sure to have fun and we wanted to mark the occasion. *This* was the result.

Cheesy shirts? Check.
Embarrassingly rosey cheeks/nose? Check.
Beer IN the picture (to remove all doubt about our mental state)? Check.
Glassy eyes? Check.
Making the best of a crappy situation? Double Check.

Fun memory with my fun brother? You got it, Check!

30 Days of Me Photo Challenge: Day Seven

Day Seven: Post a photo of your most treasured item. Why is this item special to you? How did you come to own this item?


I do.

As cheesy as it sounds, my wedding set is my most treasured item. Not because of the purdy diamonds, but because of the meaning. I love Jeff with all my heart and sincerely want to spend the rest of my life with him. We've been together since I was 17 years old and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. He's my best friend and the best Daddy I could have asked for for Madeline.

These rings let the world know that I'm taken. That Jeff has my heart, and that I'm half of a pairing. Not everyone who wears wedding rings value their meaning, but I do. It's not about what style they are, or the carat weight of the diamonds. It's about the love between two people who've CHOSEN to spend their lives together.

The significance of my rings became greater once my mom brought home my grandparent's wedding rings. They wore their rings for 65+ years. They wore them until they were too sick and skinny for them to fit, they wore them until they passed away. And they'll forever be together. Sitting together forever. I want to wear my rings until they no longer fit. Until I'm old and frail and I physically can't wear them anymore.

I want to go through my life with these rings on my finger and anytime the sun hits the solitaire I can be reminded of Jeff and smile. Any time someone notices my ring and asks, "So, you're married?" I can smile and explain that yes, I've been married for "X" number of years. I want Madeline to see them and think they're beautiful and want to have rings of her own one day. And, *IF* I ever get an upgrade I want to keep these safe and possibly give them to her fiance, if he/she wants to use them, to be her first engagement/wedding rings.

I love my rings. I love the man who they link me to. ♥

30 Days of Me Photo Challenge: Day Six

Day Six: Post a photo of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day. Why did you choose this person? What do you admire most about their life? What can you do to make your life more fulfilling?


Roxanne!

I don't know if it's because my creative mojo isn't running full speed tonight, but I can't think of a person I know in my real life that I'd want to trade places with. However, I've said many times that I wish I could get inside my dog's head for a day, try to figure out what she's thinking. Not to mention we treat our dogs like they're royalty. So, being pampered like that wouldn't be too bad either.

Roxanne is the sweetest spirited dog I've ever known. So innocent, so loving and trusting. She's just a happy-go-lucky girl. I would love to be her for a day so I could be loved on in over-the-top gestures, I would get to sleep in and sleep all day when ever I wanted, I'd get lots of pets and kisses, I'd get so excited when my 'mom' or 'dad' came home, I could play with my toys all day, get belly rubs, etc. I think it'd be funny to get inside her head and figure out how that silly brain of hers works.

I don't think this is too crazy of a thought... I know alot of friends who spoil their pets rotten, and if they switched places with them it wouldn't be too bad of a fate!

30 Days of Me Photo Challenge: Day Five

Day Five: Post a photo of your favorite memory. Why is this your favorite memory? What made it so special?


we were a family divided.

I had a really hard time picking a photo for this challenge. It was like walking down memory lane, though, while looking through the pics on my external hard drive trying to pick my FAVORITE memory. I don't know if this is my favorite memory, but it's definitely ONE of my favorites. ♥

This was taken 2009's Thanksgiving holiday vacation to Florida; my last Thanksgiving with either of my grandparents. Here's a little backstory:

I am a die hard Florida Gators football fan. (Which is evident by the fact that I wore my Gators sweatshirt today despite the fact that they lost. Again. ::sigh::) My grandma was a die hard Florida State Seminoles fan. For many years we would pick on each other about our teams.

Our teams play each other the Saturday following Thanksgiving every year, so my grandma and I have watched these games together a few times since we'd usually spend the holidays with family. Even if we weren't together the fan of the winning team would call the other to brag. My grandma even sent me a sympathy card with the newspaper article about their win one year!! (It's safe to say she didn't like to lose!) She'd pick on me for wearing my Gators gear and go stomp down the hall to get her 'Noles gear on.

Now that my grandma is gone it's not as fun to watch this rivalry game since she's not there to huff and puff at my players, or to call me a turkey when I gloat about that perfectly executed pass. But, it was on today and I don't think it's a coincidence that the 'Noles won 31-7. For one thing, my Gators are having a HORRIBLE season and for two, those stinky Seminoles have my grandma up there pulling strings in their favor. ;)

Fine, Grandma... I'll let you have it this year! But don't think you can do this again next year! Until then, I'll keep wearing my Orange and Blue. I love and miss you. xoxo

30 Days of Me Photo Challenge: Day Four

Day Four: Post a photo that best sums up the night you've had tonight. What did you do? Why was it fun?


Thanksgiving Elvis!

Tonight was Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house. It was a great night full of delicious food - especially pie - and great company. While the dessert was being plated up I decided to snap some pictures and my Maddy Jo had me cracking up with her facial expressions.

I am most thankful for her this year, however, I'm also so so blessed to have had Jeff by my side through all this year's crazy ups and downs.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! ♥