The Newest Addition to my Cabinet

Yep, this sums it all up! ;) 

(I miss you, Lover!)

The Day Has Come...

On July 22, 2013 at 1100 the USS Harry S. Truman set out for a 9 month deployment. Please keep our troops and our loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. 

Walking to watch the ship pull away. 

Getting in place to man the rails. 

There they go.

Fair winds and following seas! We'll see you soon!

Writing Letters

"What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters. You can't reread a phone call." - Liz Carpenter

I miss the days of getting letters in the mail. The days of taking time out of your day to really let someone know that you thought of them enough to physically write out your thoughts and feelings for them to read. The days of going to the mailbox and seeing a handwritten envelope with the return address of someone that you know and knowing that you mean that much to them that they took time out of their schedule and their day to think of you. Really think of you. Ask how you are doing. Bridge the gap that distance, in miles, has created.

The last time that I wrote a handwritten letter, dear friends, I got a short response that stated to please email next time because they just did not have time to handwrite a letter. Do you know how that makes you feel, my readers? It is not a very good feeling. It kind of hurts, makes you feel like a fool, it makes you wonder if everyone feels that way these days, and ultimately it makes you not want to take the time out of your busy schedule to waste time writing a heartfelt letter, even just one to say "I'm thinking about you", that will go unappreciated.

We are too "busy" these days. Sure, we are truly busy. I have 3 children, one on the way, a husband, a home to keep clean, meals to cook, groceries to buy, etc., but if you stop to think about it there are always times that we are doing something that isn't a necessity but an enjoyment. Maybe that enjoyment for you is reading for 30 minutes during naptime. Maybe it is scrapbooking after bedtime. Or maybe it is just sitting on the couch at the end of the day watching a movie. Sure, we all need time for ourselves, but just think of the ways that you can brighten someone's day with 10 minutes taken out of your "me time" to drop a letter in the mail. 

I challenge you, readers, take 10 minutes out of your day and write a letter to a friend; maybe an old friend, maybe a best friend, but a friend. It doesn't have to be long, just something that says, "I'm thinking about you." A person's handwriting is unique and it tells a story. Type on a computer, tablet, or smartphone screen, is standard. Everyone uses it. Be unique, friends. Don't let the "business" of the days take over your life so much that you forget to water your friendships. For if you do that, all you are left with is the place in your garden of life where that beautiful flower once stood. 

Baby #4 Gender Reveal

I know that you are all wondering what baby #4 will be. I wasn't supposed to have my gender reveal for another week or so but there was an opening tonight so we grabbed it. 

It looks like we're adding a little more sugar and spice to our household!!!

Make-up...

Well, this happened today...

*as I am putting on my makeup*

McKaela: Why don't I have make-up, mommy?

McKenna: Because when your old enough you won't be as cute as we are now. That's why mommy has make-up.

Me: .........

Happy National Macaroni Day and National Chocolate Day!

So, apparently today is national macaroni day and national chocolate day...chocolate covered macaroni, anyone?

Well played, child, well played.

I know that I don't post too many vents or little quips but tonight I just...I can't not share this. The girls are still awake so I went in there and was tucking them in (again) and I told them, "I am not happy" to which McKaela looks up at me, smiles, and says, "I'm happy." Well played, child. What do you say to that?! I think I said something like, "Uh...er...I'm not happy you're still awake. Go to sleep. I love you" and I left. LOL

McKaela reminds me constantly what it is like to have so much true pure innocence, happiness, and joy. I can honestly say that I strive to be more like her daily. 

Happy 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July, my Friends!!! I hope that you have a wonderful day celebrating our wonderful country!!!!