Early Gift

When visiting Lacey, she gave me my birthday gift early. There is something to be said about gifts from friends. When they know you in and out and try so hard to give you something of meaning. Lacey couldn't of done a better job. I love history, I love photography, I love antique objects....things with stories.

She had come across an old Kodak camera from 1912. The accordion fold in the middle is almost perfect. Back in that time, it had to of been a wonder to own something so small and convenient. It collapses into such a small camera. The kids and I have finally figured out how to look through it, which of course is from above with your desired picture being backwards and blurred.

I think Tatum said it best when she saw it. She said "that's a perfect gift for you, mom!

I Totally Can Do This...

This is the story of a girl. A big bad tough ass girl from Ohio...Who throws caution to the wind and lives on the edge daily....

Doesn't sound like someone you know???? LOL...ME NEITHER!
Actually this is the story of two friends who tried to break free from their daily grind, live out of the box, and have a little fun! Although it wasn't all fun ((tears WERE shed)) the box was definitely broken;)

Winter Formal 2011

18 years

Today is our 18 year anniversary. Eighteen YEARS, Mike and I have been married! I'm not going to lie. It has been a surprising different year than the others. I have come to places that I have not before. There have been new feelings and thoughts, and we've both had to work them out.

But when I got to the edge...what it all boiled down to each time....when I had the time alone to process and pray and think, and wonder....

I know that there is no other place for me but with this man. He is where my heart and my life and I am found. He is my mate, and my best friend, and I would be lost without him.
I love you Mike. Happy Anniversary.

(thanks for cutting your hair ;)

Leaving for Sunnier Days

The countdown is here! Well actually in MY mind, it has been going on for QUITE awhile now! This Sunday I leave for Arizona! I am packing my single bags up and leaving my world as I know for a quick glimpse of another dimension.
No children or husbands are going with me. No Ohio chill. No life as I know it. For just a brief pause I get to step out of my box and try a completely different atmosphere.
I am going to get to be with my wonderful friend Lacey, who in some ways couldn't be more different than me. This I love about us, our complete contrasts, but yet our bonds that are in common are what pull us together. We will fill our days with adventure (Lacey and Becky style of course....planned, careful, and not too adventurous, lol), photography, animals, books, and laughing. We have a huge marker to cross off one thing on our bucket list...SKY DIVING!!!! {{again...disclaimer....Becky and Lacey way....INSIDE~ in a dome :0 }} And of course Mexican food!
It will fill me up for the year to come. Emotionally, spiritually, physically. (I get to sleep in a bed alone!...no children, alarms, or interruptions) And I get to miss the heck out of my family.

(I think it makes them miss me some too :)

College Tour

Today Mike and I took Tatum on her 1st college tour. It was exciting, exhausting, and emotional.

What a transitional point in life this is. These kids {kids!} have schedules, and rooms and get their own food and do laundry, and have...have LIVES.

I was taken in by the whole atmosphere. Our cute little tour guide, a 4th year student herself, showed us the dorm rooms and classrooms and science labs. The food courts and hang out spots. I watched all this young life laughing and starting out and WANTED this for Tatum so badly. This would be awesome for her. A great and wonderful next step opening up what's next for her in life. What an exciting fun time.

I also got an ache inside. I wanted this for me! I had not had this? Why was this not a stepping stone for me? I started to feel sad, and jipped a little as we walked along the icy pathways between buildings.

LOL~ Then it dawned on me...like "DUH"...This is why!


and I wouldn't change a thing!~ This was my choice and a great one. And I would choose it 8 thousand times over again. I had my path and chose it, and am STILL choosing it....and I get the blessing of getting to be by her side while she chooses HER path. How fun it is to watch though.


( and if I get to help decorate the dorm room a little Tate, that would be cool with me ;)

Karsen

A sad time for my neighbor, my friend, another mom. I can't imagine...can't imagine saying goodbye so soon to my child. There is peace knowing that they will see him again one day, and that he is safe in Heaven's arms.
I have never met another mother who fought so hard. What an amazing kid he was and how proud she can be!

Encased in Ice

Nothing here compared to what people in New York or Chicago are getting in this Storm of 2011...but it was interesting after all the snow for us to wake up to EVERYTHING encased in ice...
I had to crack it to get into my mailbox...which by the way I SLID down too...Lol...