Carolyn F’s Neighborhood

I've never been before.  Neither had our friend S.  So, we decided we'd try it and it would be our gift to each other- if funds weren't crazy.  Can you believe it was only $12 for the day?!  HOLY COW!!  Funds were available, and we did it.

So, we made a big thermos with hot chocolate.  I layered and layered.  I couldn't get my arms straight down, and my legs look ginormous in my 3x men's snowpants.  But I was warm & dry. 

I saw everyone else and I knew I was overly layered.

What do I know, I grew up in central Texas.

Anyhow, I had a rough go.  My feet didn't cooperate, but I am proud to say I spent 2 hours on that trail.  I don't think we got very far in, but we did it.  I'm the only one who fell.  Joe nearly fell from laughing at me.  I had to take off my gloves, soaked, and my fingers froze to the poles.

We went uphil, and it was the coming downhill that did me in.

Next time we do it, everyone can have skiis and I'll get snowshoes instead.

This year we've been a little naughty, it's true.  Life has thrown us some bumps and we did the best we could.

CrazyFamily

I am happy to say we're back on the road of goodness & those bumps are slowly being broken down.  We even managed to squash some right away!

We don't ask for much, but perhaps you could find a couple things in your bag for us anyhow.

1.  Joe-- he wants a super phone.  He doesn't need one, or I might get him one, but he wants one badly. 

2.  Nathan-- he wants this crazy $100+ lego set.  Insanity doesn't run in my family, so I can't spend it to get it for him.  His love of lego's still runs very, very strong.

3.  Me-- I'm pretty simple.  I just want what Nathan asked for on his 4th Christmas. 

TIA.

And yes, I still really do believe in you.

Love- Me

I never went to Stephen F. Austin State, however they are from Texas- and I have a bond with anyone & anything from Texas.

So-- for today's game against the Griz- I'm wearing the "wrong colors" and hollering the wrong mascot amongst my Montana community.

I hope they beat the crap out of the Griz! and it's not a repeat of 1995!

Being reasonably healthy.  Myself & my family.  Doctor visits happen almost monthly, but for once over's to be sure all is still semi-well. 

For having a secure job, where even when my husband is out of work, I can keep our family floating.  There is much peace in my mind because of this... especially where I live in an area where my ward family finds it so bizzare that I don't stay home. 

Strength.  Sometimes my mind, sometimes my body, sometimes my faith.  But I am grateful that every day, some form of my strength manifests itself.

My family... both immediate, extended & adopted.  Not always do  we have contact with one another, and sometimes we got weeks without talking... some of them it's been years and years- but we finally have a bridge that is building.  There is "new" family that I've met, old family that I've not seen since I was 4 yrs old, and of course the family that I have because of my 11 year old.  I love you all & am thankful you are in my life, as much or as little as you/I can be.

Heather & Russ.  That we have a friendship.  I love that & am so thankful.  I never say it- I'd probably cry if I did.  But, I am grateful every day that we are what we are, and because of that this fabulous boy we share knows that love really can conquer anything. 

Friends.  I have a small handful of close friends.  I love them all!!  One from first grade, another from 8th, then there is college and my most favorite visiting teacher ever.... I count you all as my best friends.  I wish miles didn't separate us, but I feel connected and pray for you each day.

For being a mom.  I never knew if I would be.  Now, I'm not sure if I will ever get the chance again.  Which makes my 11 year old the most priceless child ever.  Because of him I know so much, risk so much, love so much.  I really do know what it's like to watch your heart dancing around on the outside.

This is such a small list... but my heart is seriously full. 

This is going to be my new motto.  Love it.

For years and years I've wondered.  I have so many memories & pictures that help remind me those memories were real.  Yesterday I made the connection with one of those voices from the past.  It was quick, the lunch bell was about to ring & I had to go.  The picture made me smile- he looks different than I remember.  But then again, he asked if I was still that skinny little girl with knobby knees.

There was a piece connecting us I chose to have no contact with.  Because of this, so much was lost.  However, there are many blessings to come about because that piece is no longer. 

Let the reunions continue!!!

I heard about the shooting right after my lunch break.  Immediately I wondered about my mom and brother..  they are safe.  Thank heavens.

I grew up in Central Texas.  I come from a military family.  I know Fort Hood like the back of my hand.  I knew where the the buildings were, the size, I've been in Darnall more times than I can count.  I was born there, my sister was born there... I've visited friends having babies there.. in high school we picked up "free dates" on tank Destroyer...

My nerves are raw, and my blood pressure up.

I know now how it must have felt when we endured Luby's (I knew my family wouldn't be there) and then I thought about staying home watching the Branch Davidian thing going on--   So many emotions.. Luby's doesn't seem like it's been almost 20 yrs ago- it seems like yesterday.

Today, that seems like a dream...

But tonight, I thank my Heavenly Father that my family.. my mom and brothere... are safe.  I thank Him that all my friends are safe, their families also.  I send up prayers to teh families affected, and those who lost someone, who were in the mayhem... where I grew up was a big town, but we were a tight community.  And we are a strong one also.

Please keep Central Texas, Copperas Cove, Fort Hood, Killeen, Harker heights & other small towns surrounding,  in your thoughts and prayers.

For the 1st time since the whole "try-to-have-a-baby-drugs-needles-hormones-spermcounts-eggcounts" drama that has enclosed my live for more than 5 years now, I love my body.  It seems it can work.  I'm not sure what I've done.  No drastic amounts of weight have been lost- like what I was told to do.  I haven't become gym-goddess like I've planned (and have been failing.)  I have been active... I have been better at making sure I eat all my meals- even breakfast (go me!!)

However, this past weekend, despite my, once again, blowing off all doctor's orders, Imy body showed me that it can work.  Like a normal body should.

Body: 1

Doc: 0

Latest pictures- we were wearing masks over our faces.  N tried to hold his breath (which didn't work so well- too many miles of smoke.)