Day of Silence for Cohen

http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/

Memorial Day Tribute

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

John ( 15:13)

I have been sitting at my computer for an hour watching tearful videos on YouTube. I came across this video and had to share it. Grab some tissues, you will need them. I know it is over 10 minutes, but take 10 minutes out of your day to pay tribute and remember our fallen hero's, it's the least we can do.

These videos hit so close to home to me. I thought I was going to be one of those wives (girlfriend at the time) who was going to lose their loved one overseas. I felt my whole life slip away from me in November 2007. I thought Nick was dead. It was the worst feeling I have ever had. Although Nick was extremely sick, he was alive. ALIVE!! Thank God he came home to me, and not a casket.

I was extremely lucky to have my soldier come home, but there are so many people that don't. My heart aches and cry's thinking about the pain and suffering those soldiers and families have gone through. I can't imagine.

Thank you to all the men and women out there sacrificing their lives for our freedom. It doesn't come free, and I hope that we as Americans can support and remember all they have done for us in the past, present, and future! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to our troops, and don't forget their families, there is a lot of sacrifice and bravery that comes along with being a family member of a soldier. It's not easy, but it's worth it!

Happy Memorial Day. My challenge for you today is to thank a soldier or pray for a soldier. Prayer goes a long way, and they will feel it!! :)

When the conversations change...

My husband and I were talking today about what we would name our future son ( no, I am not pregnant) but we have these types of conversations a lot. And I love that we can and he is just as much into them as I am. Of course we can't for the life of us agree on a boy name. We have the girl name and have for a long time now, but if and when we have a boy, we are going to be in trouble! Every name I pick he doesn't like, and the very few he actually says I don't like. We could have a problem!

During our baby name conversation today, I stopped and took a minute and thought, WOW I am at that age where husbands, and babies and families and all that good stuff starts to happen, and it's weird to me. Since when do I have conversations with my husband, wait what husband...I have a husband? oh Ya I do, and now we are talking about babies? Where has the time gone? There are days when I feel I should still be in the 8th grade, not talking to my husband about babies! But I also realized today that I LOVE where I am in life. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful house, a job, amazing friends, and the list goes on!

I am at that place in life where becoming a mom is what I look forward to. I don't look forward to what party I am going to go to on Friday night, what boy I can flirt with, or waiting for that phone call from that special boy. Don't get me wrong, I had my moments of deciding which party to go to on a Friday night, flirting with guys, and I had MANY countless nights waiting for a boy to call. I'm also not saying that I don't like to go out and have a good time every now and then. I love getting dressed up and going on with my girlfriends for a girls night out (just not every night, or every weekend), I enjoy going on road trips and having a little spontaneity in life, and going to a house party with friends is always a good time in my book. It's just not what I look forward to all of the time anymore. Does this make me boring? crazy? If it does, so be it! I have things to look forward to, but I am also very content where I am. And it feels good!!

Life changes, and I enjoy the conversations that seem to change with age. I love each stage of life Nick and I go through. Bring on the baby conversations, they make me happy!!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers day to all the wonderful mothers out there!!

I sure do wish I was spending the day with my Mama! I know she is in heaven smiling down on me and my siblings today, loving being our mom!! She was simply amazing and I cherish all the memories I have of her!!

Thank you Mama for continuing to play the most important role in my life. Your unconditional love carries on everyday and I feel so blessed to call you my mom!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for being such an incredible women! I can't wait to be a mom myself so I can love my babies the way you loved us!!

I love you forever and miss you so much!!

My Sweet Boy

I love this boy....he melts my heart and loves me unconditionally! What more could a dog mommy want?!? Nothing...he is such a blessing!

I love you my sweet Bear Mallaire!!

I have to admit, I LOVE shopping. Shopping and I have a love/hate relationship....well it's actually all about love, but the lack of money is the hate part! I find myself dreaming of cute clothes, and often find myself thinking about what if would be like to desing my own clothes! A little known...well actually it is probably unknown to most, but before I began my degree in Elementary Education, I wanted to go to FIDM (Fashion Institue of Design and Merchandise) in California. I wanted to design clothes for a living. I love the thought of designing clothes. I am just not creative. At all. I can't draw for the life of me and I have a really hard time expressing myself through drawings. I feel that I would be able to come up with ideas, but I would need somebody to do the actual designing. Needless to say, clothes designing went down the drain....but my love for clothes has not! Instead I am creative in the classroom with sweet children that no matter what my drawings look like, they love! So... Clothes Designer or Teacher?!?.....I think I picked the career for me....and who knows maybe I will teach, design and become a photographer all at once! Who says I can't?!? I am a dreamer, and oh boy do I dream of a career with teaching amazing children, capturing memerable moments, and who knows maybe design a few clothes...Life is a journey...who knows where it will take me...and I look forward to the ride!

Here are a few of my favorite places to shop:

Ann Taylor Loft: I LOVE everything about this store. It has the looks I love...Casual, Chic, Preppy and Dressy all put into one store....Did I mention that I LOVE this store...well I do!

Pros: Adorable Clothes

Cons: It's a little pricey.. but I seem to go when they have a great sale selection, so keep your eyes open :)

Target: Who does not LOVE Target?!? In my opinion that could not be possible :) I love that Target has introduced so many great new clothes designers which in turn means more options! I always seem to find something new and cute at Target (and not only can I find a cute new outfit, I can grocery shop at the same time... can't go wrong with that)

Pros: Convienant, Clean, Mult-purpose, and Fun!

Cons: NONE....okay maybe a few....I always seem to stand in line! They need to have more of those cute red shirt wearing chashiers available! (P.S....I really do think they are cute!), but that does not stop me from going! Things can also be a little pricey...again find the clearance isles....there is always something to be found!

TJ-Maxx and Marshalls: I love going to these stores. They have great designer clothes for half the price! I always seem to find something new when I go!

Pros: You can find great deals on super cute designer clothes!
Cons: These stores can be busy and you have to search for things...you have to be in the mood to search and shop, but it's so worth it if you find something!

My Sister's Closet: And no, it's not Britts Closet (my sister). It is one of my most favorite places to shop! My Sister's Closet is a recycled designer apparel store! This means that I can bring in my old clothes and get store credit or a check for my clothes! I love it. I ALWAYS find something cute!

Pros: great deals, awesome designer clothes, purses, jewlery, and shoes!
Cons: You have to search! You can't walk into this store quickly! You have to have at LEAST an hour to go through this store! but it is worth it! Some people don't have the patience to enjoy a store like this, but if you can manage, I promise you won't be dissapointed!

Well that is all!! Those are a few of my favorite stores!!

I hope you had a good Wednesday :)

My Sweet Girls.....

I have 3 Adorable Nieces.....I am one lucky Aunt :)