Live for Today

Not one single blog in 2014. But you know what? I am okay with that and I hope you are too. 

I debated writing about 2014 -but honestly, I don't feel like reflecting too much. It was a year of challenges, victories, heartaches, and blessings. Much like yours, I am sure. What I do want to do is  focus on today. There has been too much living in the past and begging for the future. Today, I resolve to live in today. 

Yes, I have goals. Yes, I am looking forward to things that are to come in 2015. Yes, I am secretly wishing parts of the year would come and go so that my husband is home. But at the end of the day, all we have is today and a God that is faithful. 

I'm ready for you 2015! 

2013: A Year I Will Never Forget

As I sat down to write about the year that is coming to an end and the ideals of the year to come, I was reminded that today is the day that I have. I cannot bring back yesterday and I cannot control tomorrow - no matter how hard I try and no matter how many times I have to learn that lesson.

2013 was hard, very hard, and if I am being honest that is a bit of an understatement. I welcomed 2013 in laying in a hospital bed and the year has been filled with health battle after health battle. Cancer, surgeries, and illness hit my family hard. I spent far too many days without my husband. This year also made us parents, and though it was only for a short while, I'll never forget and will never be the same. I appreciate life a little different and love a lot stronger. 

This year has also been filled with exciting changes and celebration. Dan completed C17 training and we moved from Oklahoma to Washington. We absolutely love the PNW and we love the C17 community (even if it does mean Dan has been in a hotel or on the road over 340 days since last September) and our squadron. We have found a church home, we have met friends that have become family, and we have been blessed with a wonderful home. With any luck the PNW will be "home" for at least 2 more years and we are looking forward to more exploring! 

Dan's career is taking off and he fulfilled his first goal of being selected for C17 Air Drop school. He completes that school and will be a Co-Pilot Air Dropper in a couple weeks. It is really neat watching him live out his childhood dream. As for me, I was recently hired as an Emergency Room Tech at a local hospital. I absolutely love working in the ER and know medicine is where I belong. I will start working towards school again soon but right now I need a lot of patient care hours for the programs I am looking at. 

Most of all, 2013 has taught me that I serve a faithful God. I serve a God that comforts and a God that sustains. I serve a God that is strongest when I am my weakest. I serve a God that loves me when I am most undeserving. I serve a God that lets me scream and simutaneously comforts me with the gentlest of hands. I serve a God that weeps when I weep. I serve a God that fills me with joy in the middle of sorrow. I serve a God that celebrates and rejoices with me. I serve a God that knows what is best for me. I serve a good God. 

So while I want to celebrate that today is the last day of this year, I do not want to forget this year. I have seen so much glory through the struggle. And for that, it is worth every hard day. 

Here's to 2014. A year of changes. A year of even bigger goals. A year to see my God work even more. A year to become a better me. 

What will you do in 2014? How will you make this year different? Remember, you are often your own biggest hurdle. So get out the way, get started, and make every day count. Make 2014 a year to remember!

Stay tuned for more. Tomorrow I will address running - the other piece to this blog. 

Cold + Running = Pure Bliss

Okay, call me crazy but when most people are running for the treadmill I am more eager than ever to hit the streets. I much prefer the cold over the heat when it comes to running. Any other time I hate the cold. I am hoping the same will hold true with the wetness WA will bring.

So thank you mother nature for sending the cooler weather so I can wear my most favorite running pants. Thank you WA for surprising me with more of your beauty - the most colorful and longest last fall I have ever seen. Some days I question if this is really where we live or if it's just some painted picture.

What is your favorite weather or time of year to run?

5 Years Later

In 5 short years we have:

• gone from enemies to best friends (for those that don't know our history, I was not very fond of Dan when we first met) 
• experienced three of the best years of our lives together - being an ECU Pirate
• learned the true meaning of "flexibility is the key to airpower" and as a result, learned that what most spend months planning we could plan better in 10 days - I will never forget our wedding
• learned that I can survive driving halfway across the country but that was probably a one time thing because the second time reminded me why I will never do it again (please please please ship my car and let me fly there the next time)
• spent entirely way too many days in a hospital and hours in doctor offices - I am forever blessed by your patience and unwavering commitment - you have mastered "for better or worse" 
• embraced living in a small town - Enid, OK we will never forget you
• adopted two of the best four-legged kids in the world - Bristol and Trooper 
• conquered one of the longest and hardest years of our life - pilot training 
• learned that despite our best efforts or desires, God's plans are often always better than ours - we love the C17 and we love living in Washington
• lived in 3 different states and 4 places (Greenville - we miss you, Enid - we will be back, Altus -I hope to never see you again but Dan has no choice ;), & Puyallup - we love you but could really use a little less rain and a bit more sun)
• traveled to or through 18 states together 
• survived our first deployment and many missions 
• became quite the running & cheerleading - thank you for your support and always being at the finish line 
• embraced the Air Force way of life and welcome the adventure it brings 
• suffered a heart-aching and scary miscarriage - sweet baby, we will hold you one day
• been married for 2.5 years now and next year we are finally going on a honeymoon :)

& the list goes on

We have lived. We have fought and we have been angry. We have cried and we have laughed until it hurt. We have taken steps backs and we have grown leaps and bounds. We have danced and we have sang. Most importantly - we have loved. 

Then - 2008

Now - 2013

Here's to many, many years ahead and being thankful that you decided to "break your rule."

 I love you, always. 

P.S. You still owe me a cold-stone date :)

Living in Washington

After eight months of living in Washington 

What we love...

The outdoors - perhaps the best part about the PNW. I think it's one of the most beautiful place in the world because you can literally have it all. The city, the mountains, the country, and the water are all at your fingertips. 

Hiking - it is becoming a favorite and we still have much to explore. Now, if only Dan could stay home long enough to make that happen! 

Paddle-boarding. Seriously why did I just discover this? 

Food, food, and more food. The seafood is to die for. Dukes Chowder House is our favorite. Sushi has become our Sunday tradition. Basically anything we want is within a 20 minute drive. 

Active people - rain or shine, people are out walking their dogs and running. We learned very quickly that we would have to press on in the rain. 

Running - I can choose whatever scenery I want. My favorite place is Ruston Way by the water. Race options are endless and I have been pleased so far.

Skiing - we haven't been yet, but we have seen the pictures and heard the stories. We cannot wait to go and I (Laura) cannot wait to attempt snowboarding. 

Museums - either I am getting old or museums are getting better. My favorite is the Glass Museum. 

The Fair (Puyallup) - it was A-MAZING. The rodeo was a blast. The concerts were amazing. This year I went to Craig Morgan and then Tenth Avenue North, Jars of Clay, Kutless, and Jeremy Camp. Next year I will know to get tickets months in advance and see some of the other big shows.

Our C-17 family - we could not have asked for a better first assignment or squadron. Everyone is super friendly and we felt welcomed from day one. We have made it through our first deployment, several missions, and Dan is settling into his new job. The ladies are great and I have really made some good friends. The AF and C-17 way of life is no easy task, but we are right where we are supposed to be.

& what we could do without...

Rain - the summer was amazing. The next 8-10 months --- I will get back to you on that.

Traffic - well, we love the city. So we have to just deal. 

Drivers and the roads (sorry WA friends) - why on earth do we need lights coming off the ramps onto the freeway? Merging here is rather interesting. And while I am not an advocate for speeding, PEOPLE, two miles over the speed limit is normal. Just not here. 

Downtown Seattle - navigating it that is. I would rather walk around D.C. or NYC with my eyes 

closed.

Lack of AC during heat waves. The first heat wave I was sure our AC was broke. Nope. Culture shock. Very few houses have AC. Opening curtains and windows and closing them, placement of fans, and cooking - it is all an art. 

Stay tuned for a Washington/PNW bucket list. We have checked off a few things in the last 8 months but still have a long ways to go! 

Set Aside The Fears

Photo Via

What's holding you back?
What are you afraid of?

Failure only comes from not trying. 

Tacoma Color Run

It is no secret that I love running. But what I really love is when kids want to run. So when my dear friend Stephanie told me her kids were going to join a running club and train for their first 5k I was thrilled.

We signed up, formed Team Southern Belles, and prepared to take over the Tacoma Color Run! We had the perfect outfits. Tutu and all. Never say never. The girls were ecstatic, and truth be told, Stephanie and I were just as giddy.  

I have been to many races but I have to say the Color Run lived up to it’s hype of the “happiest 5k on the planet.” We got our zumba on, danced our hearts out, stopped for fabulous pictures, met batman, and left very colorful.

I am super proud of these two and cannot wait to see what they were going to accomplish. Work hard and push yourself to achieve your greatest potential, but most of all....

H A V E   F U N :)