Day twenty-four: a photo of what you want to be when you grow up.

When I grow up I want to be a Nurse that helps catch babies. :)

Day twenty-three: a photo of something you want to do someday.

One day in the near future I want to run a full marathon.  I want to be healthy, fit and in shape.  I want to have lightning bolt thighs instead of thunder thighs.  I want to finish in less than 6 hours and I want a pretty medal.

Day twenty-two: a photo that you associate a good memory with.

One of my most precious memories to date is the night I brought my baby girl home from the hospital.  The day was December 31, 1999.  Words cannot describe the emotions I felt that night.  It was such an exhilarating yet terrifying time.  I was a very young, brand new mom without a clue as to what I was doing, yet I felt so proud and overwhelmed with joy.  Holding that little person in my arms suddenly gave me a sense of purpose.  To know that I was her sole caregiver and it was no longer "me" but "us" was life-changing to say the least.  It's true what they say.... you never know that pure love until you have a child of your own.  I copied this from junk mail.  The words are so very true and spoken so very poignantly.


Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep. 

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
 
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
  Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom 

Day twenty-one: a photo of somebody you find attractive.

This photo challenge wasn't really a challenge at all.  The one I find most attractive is naturally my hunky husband.  This photo is my one & only just after he completed his very first half marathon.  Not only is my husband handsome but he is smart, handy, extremely mechanically inclined, good with directions, is a GREAT cook, a fantastic barista, incredible athlete, the best father around and an extraordinary husband & man of God.  So honored to be his wife & partner in life!

Day twenty: a photo of something you ate today.

So this photo challenge is a little weird and not at all interesting (to me anyway).  I mean, seriously, do you REALLY want to see a photo of something I ate today?  In an attempt to be complacent, I will just go with the flow.

Wahh... wahhhh.. wahhhhh.

Day 19: A photo that makes you laugh

The things you can do with Bendaroos!

Day eighteen: a photo of your town.

Downtown Dallas.

Day seventeen: a photo of something that has changed your life

You are probably reading my blog thinking... wow these daily photo challenges are really neato and quite profound.  Then you stumble across this post and think... what tha what?  Yes, my bloggy readers my ASICS Women's GEL-Cumulus 12 Running Shoes have changed my life.  When I gently unlace and slip my feet in, I feel a little empowered.  Okay... a lot!  I feel like I could run for miles and miles.  I'm not your typical gal that gets a thrill out of cutie patootie pumps.  No sir, I get a thrill, a jolt... an electrifying sensation when I slip into my running shoes.  I run... they help... a lot.  Kind of like running on rubber cushions.  You know you want a pair. 

Day sixteen: a photo from your childhood

My cousin, Jess and I sitting in her front yard.  Growing up, we were two peas in a pod... she was the peanut butter and I was the jelly.

Day fifteen: a photo of you and a family member

My little pumpkin head and I

Day fourteen: a photo of your best friend (s)

Okay so this one is a little tricky because I've only a couple of best friends in my lifetime.  I know... I know... but who is your BEST friend is what the photo challenge is specifying.  One special friend, in particular, has been in my life since the year 2000 when we both began working for a major corporate insurance company.  We were in training at the same time and pretty much were inseparable for many years.  When we were both struggling as single mothers, we banded together with our kiddos and lived our lives the best way we knew how... as best friends.  This friend is Kim B. Growing up my daughter called her Na-na.  Over the years our season of lives have separated us but that has not kept the bond we share from wavering.  Kim is one of the most loyal, loving, warm, devoted and kind persons I have ever known.  She is one of those types of people that you can depend on for anything.  Kim has a beautiful and magnetic personality and never have I seen her not make a friend wherever she goes!  She works hard for her family and has a heart the size of Texas.  Kim and I have gone through so much together.  We've laughed, we've cried, we've argued, we have ticked each other off but always made up later.  To say we have had some wild and crazy adventures is an understatement.  Kim has always had my back and supported me through the thickest of thick and the thinnest of thin.  She's even witnessed the birth of my son Caleb.  We've celebrated birthdays, weddings, holidays, and even sharing in the sadness for the loss of friends and loved ones.  This gal definitely holds a special place in my heart.  I love you Kim and although we are miles apart, God has placed you in my life for a reason.

Day thirteen: a photo of one of your favorite movies.

One of my all-time favorite movies is Gladiator with Russell Crowe.  I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, particularly from Ancient Greece and Rome.  From the love story to the fierce fighting, this movie most definitely keeps me captivated.

Day twelve: a photo of when you were happy.

While I know this isn't the best picture, it personifies a time in my life when my emotions ran the gamut.  From joy to excitement, from anticipation to happiness and elation.  I married the love of my life.  One of the happiest days of my life.

Day eleven: a photo of a night you loved.

This is a photo of four special ladies I love dearly.  They are my Scrappy Chics.  On this day, one of our fellow chics got married.  Not only did we all get to fly to the BEAUTIFUL San Marco, FL but we stood as witnesses to such a beautiful and breathtaking wedding.  These ladies are so very special to me and I feel honored to have been a part of such a special day for one of them.  I love this photo because of the joy I feel when I am with my friends.  Great friends + Great times = Priceless Memories!

Day ten: any photo you like for any reason

This is probably the sweetest picture taken on the face of the earth.  The moment when big sister first meets her baby brother.  So very precious and so very priceless.

Day nine: a photo of yourself when you were a baby.

Day eight: a photo of something you enjoy doing.

Most that know me know that I love to scrapbook.  It's my way of preserving memories for my family for generations to come.  I often get together with several girlfriends so that we can scrapbook, talk, laugh and have some "me" time.  I love it!

Photo of our tables at a Crop Retreat

My quote: Been there, done that, scrapped a page about it!

Day seven: a photo of something you stand for

I stand for the unborn.  Life begins at conception, not birth.

 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:13-16).

Day six: a photo of someone you love

I love this man with every inch of my being.

Day five photo challenge: A photo that makes you laugh

This photo was taken one day on a random passing through the sunglasses and hats aisle at a local Walmart.  Caleb grabbed a hat and the sunglasses and told me to take his picture.  I told him to throw up his deuces and make a duck face.  Oh em gee... we laughed so hard.  Notice his sideways Spongebob sticker.  Gangsta