Happy Fourth of July

I am choosing to take the high road today and be grateful for the present! We have beautiful weather here in TN, a great view, and wonderful family (well most of them) to spend the holiday weekend with. Oh, did I forget AMAZING food. Thanks (Dad, uncle Vern, and sally) I think I have gained 5 lbs this weekend. I still can't help but be sad today;( sad for all the families that can't be together today and that will possible not be together for next years celebrations as well. Holidays really are not the same if you can't be with your family and even friends. I'm really missing our normal BBQ crew today 2 as well.

Lylah and Key took their first ride on the inter tube today with uncle Vern. Pictures to follow.

I hope everyone has a HAPPY and SAFE FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

Here are some pictures from today....

Looking through these pictures I realize that no matter what the future may hold for our small family one thing is certain. We will never do without what we need, because we have the love of a family behind us supporting us in ALL of the choice we make.

1st FRG meeting since receciving deployment orders

WoW! that is my first thought. We are so blessed to have a very supportive chain of command when it comes to the FRG! Does anyone have any fundraising suggestions? Our funding is seriously lacking and I feel responsible. Please, suggestions needed! As for the meeting, I feel that it went very well. The agenda got a little messed up, but as for the purpose of the meeting I feel like everyone left knowing that while our husbands are away they have a wonderful organzation here to help (http://www.homefrontonline.com/ ). and they should know I'm here anytime they need me. If you haven't checked out operation homefront and your loved one is deployed. Check it out and find your local chapter.

Letting the pics do the talking...

Finally I get to marry my prince.

WoW! The last few weeks has been full of ups and downs, but today made the roller coaster ride worth it. I LOVE MY LIFE as an army wife and mom!



A while back I received an email from my favorite FRSA asking if we knew anyone that was planning to marry or renew their vows in our company? I responded with James and my name on the list along with a few people in crusader company and my fellow army sister. I never thought in a million year that this email would make one of my dreams come true. As most of you know James and I had a very rushed wedding and got married in complete darkness. I had always dreamed of having a wedding with my family and friends there and I am happy to say my dream came true today. Right now I'm sad that today is over, Sad that the amazing women that i have met on this journey I may never see again. At the same time I'm so Happy that we was blessed with this amazing opportunity! Thank you to everyone that gave me my fairytale wedding. Thank you Thank you to operation homefront!You all really did a great job organizing such a wonderful and stress free day for us brides, THANKS 2 Jennie's for donating a wonderful tux for Keygan to wear. Thank you to Alfred Angelo for giving me my dream gown and an amazing hair piece. Thanks to Heather Clark that helped me dress and took pictures for my family. Thanks to my army family that spent the day with us. Thanks to Erin and Chasity Hobbs at the Rivertown beauty school that gave me an amazing hair do and manicure and pedicure. Thanks to my husband that went above and beyond today by writing his own vows & making me a one of a kind garter. Pics 2 come REAL SOON I PROMISE.



Didn't he do a good job? ------------->



During my time at the beauty school and the rehearsal the day before I got to know a lot of the brides and hear some of their stories and it was really amazing to see those girls that i have spent a lot of time with these last few days walk down the isle and renew their vows with their solider *aka sponsor* We had a house full of princesses today and amazingly everything went smoothly. We was blessed with wonderful brides to share this day with and wonderful weather in the end.

I'm a mom 2 a one year old ...AGAIN

Yes! Can you believe it? Delylah turned ONE on May 5th. Wow! Her personality has just started shinning so bright here lately. Her eyes and her smile can just light up the room. We spent lylah's birthday just having a day about her. We had her favorite breakfast, opened presents early, went to her favorite cousin's, Burt, for some of her favorite corn, and then came home for cake. with close friends and family

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1st day of my challange

I'm greatful for:
My wonderful family without them my days would be so lonely and boring
Operation Homefront and botenical gardens for the spa day
The TV i won
My neighbors for always being there.
My phone not completly dying when i dropped it;-)

**WOW DAY ONE WAS SO EASY.

SPA DAY refelections.

Today I got to visit the Columbus botanical gardens for their second annal wives luncheon. The food was amazing, the scenery was amazing, and the people was just so full of southern hospitality. Today was defiantly my lucky day. not only did i have some time to reflect my current situations and meet some wonderful ladies. I also WON a TV for Ly's room. How great is that. I want to have more days like 2day and here is my new challenge. Every night for the rest of the year i am going to challenge myself to journal at least five things that i am grateful for.

**ReFlEcTiOn**
I was sitting inside an old barn when i had a few minutes to jot down some sentences that was on my mind. Here's a sneak peak

I'm so grateful for today. I'm so full of wonder and excitement. Wonder for all the possibilities ahead of us. Excitement for more money, more time to spend with the family, and more romance. I'm pushing the bad, dreadful, and lonely thoughts away and taking in more of the beauty of things. I desire to become a better, happier, and grateful person. I want to be the woman i see in my daughter eyes. The woman I picture her growing up to be. I want to show her by example how to be a good woman and amazing mother.