Happy Life

Have you ever wondered where you got the strength or wisdom to make a decision that ended up being one of the best decisions of your life, even though it was so incredibly painful at the time?
This happened to me. I won't bore you with all the details. I will tell you, though, at 18 yrs old I made a decision that would change the outcome of my life. It wasn't easy. I struggled with it for years. Did I do the right thing? Am I being fair? Am I following what God would do? I never changed my mind only felt the guilt of my decision.
I will tell you that the pain went away. The anger and resentment went away. The GUILT went away. Now all those feelings are feelings of empathy. I am reminded oh, say, every 6 months or so that I did the right thing. For myself. For my future husband (whom I had not met yet) and my future family (whom I had not even THOUGHT about yet).
Just know that sometimes we're faced with difficult decisions. If the answer feels very concrete to you, make it. Don't waiver. Deal with your feelings and move on. God shows me all the time that I did the right thing. I have total forgiveness in my heart. I'm at peace with my decision. And today...I have been validated once again, that my decision was the right one.

The frenzy has beun

How many of you have already broken your New Year's Resolution? I used to make them every year but soon found that I always "failed myself" in the first few weeks. It's sad to be disappointed in someone but I think it's even worse to be disappointed in yourself. So with that being said...no more resoultions for me! I just decided "Why wait until New Year's to try and improve myself"?
I learned a long time ago that I'm a work in progress. Aren't we all? I work hard everyday to consider other people. What are they going through? What is their pain? Their happiness? Everyone has a story. I keep a  prayer journal. I use it for myself, friends, family, strangers, my children...whoever comes into my mind each morning. I miss things sometimes. I see people and later think "Oh shoot! Why didn't I ask about X?" Again, a work in progress.
I'm also always trying to learn new things. Recently my DH got me a Canon Rebel for our anniversary (15th...oh yeah!) and I've poured over the instructions and dug up many resources to help learn all about it. I've taken pictures for a few families and even made a little money!
Ok. So that's what I'm working on for my soul, my mind and now for the dreaded BODY!!! It's so much easier to complain about than to actually DO something about. But I try. I'm a fairly regular runner. I run more consistently in the Spring, Summer and Fall. I run 5k's to Half marathons. (Did 4 Half's last summer!) No full yet, although it's a goal. I'm not too great on the treadmill so I kinda fall off in the Winter a bit. I want to get into more weight training (see, always trying to improve!) I eat pretty healthy most of the time. I've been a vegetarian for a year and half now. Been really close to being a vegan but I LOVE cheese waaaay too much to give it up! Most dairy is gone from my life though. I came across a great Blog that has some REAL recipes for REAL households. I AM a vegetarian but refuse to search for items that I have no idea what they are or where to even find them! I like this blog because I know what the food is and can easily make adjustments to suit my dietary needs!  Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do! Skinny Appetizers Skinnytaste

Just enough to get us to the end

I took my husband to the airport this morning. One of the hardest trips we've had to make. My husband just finished a 2 week R&R (Rest and Relaxation) "visit" at home and now has to return to Afghanistan to finish up this tour/deployment...whatever you want to call it. I call it "hard"!

Tears of joy and a little bit of "disbelief"

We had a wonderful 2 weeks together. We were lucky in that he was home for Christmas AND New Year's. I couldn't have imagined either without him (but would have done it with an empty smile if I had to.) His trip home was a complete surprise to the kids. I'm shocked it stayed that way as I told EVERYONE except them! (Thanks, to all my wonderful friends and the many strangers that I shared my exciting news with, for keeping that secret!) We were able to see alot of family, as our Christmas season is typically filled with family anyhow. I stole him away to the Plaza for New Year's, where we stayed at a beautiful hotel. The hotel knew my DH was home on R&R and treated us like royalty. It was a magical night. Cheesy, I know, but I can't think of another word to describe it. Yes, we even did the infamous carriage ride! My husband is my best friend and I can't even tell you how very much I missed him. There are no words. It's a feeling of emptiness. Hollow. His trip home was perfect timing for an emotionally drained wife!

 I love surprising people! I hate being surprised...but today, my 3 very closet BFF's in the whole world did it. They  surprised me! After taking my hubby to the airport there was no time for my scheduled pity party. We had to get to my 12 yr olds first basketball game of the season. My friends took time out of their day, away from their families and showed up at the game, 40 min away from our home town. My cup runneth over. Their daughters are my daughter's BFF's (convenient, right?) so they brought them, too! Personal cheerleaders for her first game and moral support for having to say good-bye to her daddy...again. She has also been blessed with amazing friends. Probably because they're being raised by amazing women.
After a pretty good "spanking" from the other team (we lost 28-8...but my daughter ALMOST scored a basket...I was so proud!) we took the kids to Pizza Hut to celebrate. Celebrate what? We lost. No, we won (ok not the game, but you get what I'm saying!)...we're so blessed with people that care about us, our loss didn't even phase us! It will be one of the most memorable games in ANY of my children's athletic "careers". Hand's down!
So as much as I want my husband home for good (ok, for a while)...his 2 weeks home and the love of my friends will be just enough to get us to the end.