Day 28&29

Day 28 - A picture of your favorite place in the world

Could this be anymore obvious??? My favorite place in the whole wide world is to be in my wonderful Marine's arms. I know that we will call many places home and we will be able to make each place special to us every time but as long as I have my husband's arms to come home to when things get tough I know I will always be strong.

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

My youngest nephew is what makes me smile... I hate to be separated from all of them now but I am enjoying getting to see him grow everyday ( I love technology).

Days 23-25

I am going to go ahead and do this weekends posts so that I can enjoy my weekend with my wonderful In laws.Picture of that will be coming sometime Monday.

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

I can never pick a favorite book in my life, I can hate books after I read them (hardly ever though) but I never love one more than any other. So this is the most recent book I have finished. The Host by Stephenie Meyer was a unique way for telling the story of a love triangle. I love the concept of the book. But you will have to read it to learn more because I don't give spoilers.

Day 24 - A picture of someone you miss

I miss my niece and nephews more than anyone in the world. I love them with all my heart and I can't wait to see them again, I just wish I knew when that would be.

Day 25 - A picture of you from last year

This is May of last year.

Days 17-19

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

This is my youngest nephew and he is a huge miracle. I have a new respect for my SIL and the family she has created. I can only hope to be the half the mother she is to my niece and nephews.

Day 18 - A picture of the sexiest Man alive

Can I say Duh!!

Day 19 - A picture of something you love to do.

Tie Dying has always been a passion of mine and I am hoping to continue letting my skills grow as I progress.

Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

I am inspired by my dad. He has always been there for me the way a parent should, even when I was a difficult teenager and didn't want his help. My dad inspires me though because I know he has been through a lot and he is a better man because of it and I am proud to call him my dad. He has started his own business and a great web site, Backpacking Chef. He is know getting ready to get married to a beautiful woman who I believe is perfect for my dad and I wish them many blessings in there new life. I love you daddy.

Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

I want to start a family with my wonderful husband. I am looking forward to the day that I am healthy enough to be a mom. I know I am still working out my medical problems but I know that one day God will bless me with the family I have always wanted. Hopefully one day sooner than later. 45 pounds to go....

Day 08-12, OOPS!

Okay, I get to get away with missing a few days this time. I was super busy getting ready for my Husbands surprise party that was this past Saturday, I complete success if I do say so myself. Pictures to come of that later.

Day 08 - A picture of your most treasured item

This is hard to explain. I do not treasure the ring that I wear on my finger or my new last name but I do treasure the man I am married to and the beautiful life that we are creating together.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Anyone could have expected my mother would be this one, I love her so much for raising me right

Day 10 - A picture of someone you do the craziest things with

This is Amber, my very dear and oldest friend. Every time we spent time together something crazy always pursued. I miss her dearly and look forward to being in her wedding in 2012

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

These pest have taken over my apartment lately. I know its because of all the rain that we had two weeks ago but right now this is what I REALLY, REALLY hate the most.

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Family is what I love the most, I do not know what I would not do without my wonderful family. They are the light in my life that keeps me strong and moving forward.

Day 4 & 5

Yeah I did it again.... I promise I am going to get better at this

Day 04 - A picture of yourself and a family member

My wonderful little sister and me

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

The day Christopher graduated from Boot Camp at Parris Island, I was so thrilled to be back in his arms.

Tears of Sadness with Hope of Peace

Yesterday a part of my world was rocked. Late yesterday morning I received a phone call from my Dad, from the sound of his voice I knew something was wrong. As he spoke, I could hear the pain in his voice as he struggled to tell me that my Aunt Sharon (His sister) had passed away early that morning. Needless to say I was in shock, we all knew she was sick and had been for a while but I was not expecting to hear this news so soon.

My Aunt Sharon was born July 18, 1953. I hate that I lost contact with her for so many years and when we finally regained contact she was already sick. I know she had Alpha-1 related COPD/emphysema which slowed her down physically, as I remember she was bed ridden and lived her life through the world of Facebook. She called herself "the queen of simplicity; Master of the Mundane; or Champion of the Ordinary," but that was wrong Aunt Sharon was more than ordinary, she had a spirit that could brighten any room to me. Sick as she was she looked to the bright side and found a way to live. Given I know she got in some trouble with online shopping from time to time but I don't know how many smiles I have gotten from the Ecards she has sent me. She has touched so many lives.

I know she was loved by many and loved even more. I will miss her so much and I know that she is with me always. This is short and sweet, I love you Aunt Sharon. Heaven is celebrating having a new angel.

Aunt Sharon with Nick-the-Cat

Band Aids Don't Fix Everything

Why can't my heart ever be whole?

My Husband informed me today that there is no way we can afford to go home for Christmas. I think I may have died a little inside after hearing that. WE are not a couple who likes to ask for help and I know that I do not look forward to asking. He did say that he could send me home (alone) to see the Families but I don't think that will feel the same. I just want the ability to have everyone I love in one location.

I want to spend the holidays with Christopher because one day I know he will be on a deployment and I will have limited communications. I am trying to take advantage of this special gift. But a part of me really wants to see our families too. I am missing my Niece and nephews growing up, I am missing my mommy and daddy and my sister. Even as I sit here typing I break into tears thinking about how much I miss my family.

I also miss the love I feel when I am with my In laws. They are just as amazing as my own family. I feel just a welcome with them and I know that they love me. My sister in law is more of a blood sister to me now than ever before. She is amazing, her spirit keeps me strong knowing that She is a part of my life.

I wish there was a way that my heart could be whole again. Will it ever be whole again? I know that it continues to grow stronger but I never feel whole. Part of me is always missing. If I am with the Family, I will usually always be without my husband and if I am with my Husband I know that I am without our family. My heart is divided, between Georgia and California, and I don't have a strong enough band aid to keep it together. I am a person who loves to be in personal contact with the people I love and it just gets so hard to keep in touch when on separate by an entire country.

Well I guess that is it for now, I hope I cheer up soon. My emotions are all over my face and Christopher is picking up on to the pain I am feeling. Till Next time...

Trent, Ansley, William, and myself

Day 22: A website

Well picking a website was an easy decision for me. My father, Glenn M., has been a hike for several years and has hiked portions of the Appalachian trail for a few summers now. Some of my greatest memories with my dad are when we would go out into the woods and follow the creek just so we could see where it would take us. He has always been one of a kind and creates his own path. I love my daddy very much and wish I was closer to him but alas the Marine Corps has me on the other side of the country. A few years ago my dad decided that he wanted to start dehydrating his own food, which in turn was the start of his Website, The Backpacking Chef.

That's my Dad taking a dip

This website has dehydrated recipes for anytime of day for Hikers interested in eating different and need to lighten his or her load. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack, and even Dessert, you name it my Dad has an idea for you. And if you have a good recipe you would like to share he has a place for that too. My dad also lends a few of his helpful menu planning tips with his fans.

Another great thing this website has is my Daddy's Trail Journal. It takes the readers though the days of his hikes and the experiences of being on the Appalachian Trail. This website was created by my dad's pure love for the outdoors and I believe anyone with an itch to get out should make a stop by my daddy's site and sign up for the free newsletter and check him out. I love him so much and wouldn't want him to change a thing. As my daddy would say Follow your hunger.

My Daddy and me at my wedding

Day 17: A piece of Art.

I was planning on uploading two pictures created by my Niece and Nephew, but my scanner is giving me the run around I will try again before the end of the day, but if anything I will take a picture of the pictures to be posted later. Till then Check out everything else.

Well the scanner has decided to hate me all day, looks like I will be making a call to Geek Squad in the near future. I know its not what most people would call art but when I am miles away from my family these pictures are what help get me through the harder times.