Sunday, January 19, 2014

Some inspiration for you...and me

So everyday at work we do something called, "Line Up" its a way that we can get together before the day and let everyone know what the day will be like. We normally will have a inspirational reading and quote, discuss the patient load and any other important information for that day.

Last week I got a taste of whats to come, and I can openly admit when times are tough. It was a doosey. Greg was in VA sun - fri. For the past 3 years I have been spoiled, and he was home every night. EVERY NIGHT! For a navy wife it was a dream come true. We had a great time, but now comes the sea duty. So the week he was away the whole family had to get use to such a important person in our family being gone. Everyone was having issues; me, alyssa, and the animals.

It was a suprise to me that everyday that week during "Line Up" I found myself reading one of the best line ups we have had. It was very suitable for my situation. I know I may sound like a bit of a whiner for the "tough navy wife" status, but its a hard adjustment and will continue to be something we will just have to get use to. I know that time will make it a little easier for everyone and we will fall into a routein.

So here it is, I wanted to share it with everyone, if you are having a bad day and you need something to remember that everything happens for a reason. Come read this. It really helped me this past week.

Things to Remember When Everything Goes Wrong
 
Pain is part of growing.
Sometimes life closes doors because it’s time to move forward.  And that’s a good thing because we often won’t move unless circumstances force us to.  When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose.  Move on from what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you.  Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing.  Every great success requires some type of worthy struggle to get there.  Good things take time.  Stay patient and stay positive.  Everything is going to come together; maybe not immediately, but eventually.
 
Remember that there are two kinds of pain: pain that hurts and pain that changes you.  When you roll with life, instead of resisting it, both kinds help you grow.
 
Quote of the Day:
Many can argue that reality is as it is, but my experience is that the opposite is exactly true. Reality is ours for the making.
-Asara Lovejoy
 
 
Worrying and complaining changes nothing.
Those who complain the most, accomplish the least.  It’s always better to attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.  It’s not over if you’ve lost; it’s over when you do nothing but complain about it.  If you believe in something, keep trying.  Don’t let the shadows of the past darken the doorstep of your future.  Spending today complaining about yesterday won’t make tomorrow any brighter.  Take action instead.  Let what you’ve learned improve how you live.  Make a change and never look back.
 
And regardless of what happens in the long run, remember that true happiness begins to arrive only when you stop complaining about your problems and you start being grateful for all the problems you don’t have.
 
Quote of the Day:
There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.
-Napoleon Hill
 
 
Your scars are symbols of your strength.
Don’t ever be ashamed of the scars life has left you with.  A scar means the hurt is over and the wound is closed.  It means you conquered the pain, learned a lesson, grew stronger, and moved forward.  A scar is the tattoo of a triumph to be proud of.  Don’t allow your scars to hold you hostage.  Don’t allow them to make you live your life in fear.  You can’t make the scars in your life disappear, but you can change the way you see them.  You can start seeing your scars as a sign of strength and not pain.
 
Quote of the Day:
“Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”
                                                                                    -George Addair
 
 
Every little struggle is a step forward.
In life, patience is not about waiting; it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard on your dreams, knowing that the work is worth it.  So if you’re going to try, put in the time and go all the way.  Otherwise, there’s no point in starting.  This could mean losing stability and comfort for a while, and maybe even your mind on occasion. It could mean stretching your comfort zone so thin it gives you a nonstop case of the chills.  It could mean lots of time alone in solitude.  Solitude, though, is the gift that makes great things possible.  It gives you the space you need.  Everything else is a test of your determination, of how much you really want it.
 
And if you want it, you’ll do it, despite failure and rejection and the odds.  And every step will feel better than anything else you can imagine.  You will realize that the struggle is not found on the path, it is the path.  And it’s worth it.  So if you’re going to try, go all the way.
 
Quote of the Day:
Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.
-William B. Sprague
 
Other people’s negativity is not your problem.
Be positive when negativity surrounds you.  Smile when others try to bring you down.  It’s an easy way to maintain your enthusiasm and focus.  Don’t ever let someone else’s bitterness change the person you are.  You can’t take things too personally, even if it seems personal. Rarely do people do things because of you.  They do things because of them.
 
Above all, don’t ever change just to impress someone who says you’re not good enough.  Change because it makes you a better person and leads you to a brighter future.  So worry about yourself before you worry about what others think.  If you believe strongly in something, don’t be afraid to fight for it.  Great strength comes from overcoming what others think is impossible.
 
Quote of the Day:
Fear cannot be without some hope nor hope without some fear.
-Baruch Spinoza

Sunday, January 5, 2014

2013 Recap

A friend and fellow blogger Erin over at Life as wiggle made a post today and I wanted to follow in suit, since I didn't blog at all last year to give a recap of out amazing year that we had. It was defiantly full of some high times, and then some low times.

We got ENGAGED!!! Ekkk
Had our engagement photos taken.
Booked our weeding venue.


Alyssa wrote all the names of her classmates valentines cards.
Greg ran the fastest times in Charlotte, (TBSS.)
We redone our laundry room.
I also purchased my wedding dress. (Which is not pictured)


 We had a fantastic first Easter in the house. We had a neighborhood egg hunt.. It was super fun.
We went down to Gainesville for our 3rd annual Gator-nationals. It was not the same because Gregs dad was not with us.
Alyssa decided to start doing her own hair.
Our house flooded for the first time, It had someting to do with the washing machine. It was a mess!
What isn't pictured is, Gregs mom came to visit us over spring break and helped us make our house a little homier. Also, Greg and I had to take a emergency to MD, when gregs dad had a stroke. It was an emotional visit, but he is doing much better now. It was my first time being away from Lys for 5 days, and boy did it take its tole on me.


April had so much wedding stuff going on that there was no way I could put everything in this post, we did get away for the day to one of the always fun car cruises with RCP.
For the wedding though, we had our Engagement Party, got our wedding rings, and got our marriage license, but otherwise it was very busy getting everything else done and ready.


I'm sorry, well not sorry! Admit it, you knew 2 was coming for this month. It truly was FANTASTIC. Best, most amazing, stressful but completely worth it month ever! It started out with the best wedding.
Alyssa got to drive for the first time.
Alyssa had her first field trip and her last day of VPK.
We had a great visit to St. Aug with sadie and kris.
Our fridge died, wedding week! So we had to get a new one.


In June we relaxed and broke out the water hose, and had some good water fights.
Alyssa knocked out 2 teeth from playing Risky Business in the kitchen.
Celebrated my birthday with some friends at the RAM and dinner and drinks after.


Newspapers the front yard cause were tired of weeding :)
Alyssa shot her first BB Gun.
Spent countless afternoons in our backyard with the pool and waterhose.
Spent a rainy 4th with our sadie :)

Lost 2 more teeth.
Alyssa had her first major procedure.
Alyssa started soccer.
Alyssa also started kindergarten. bad mom for not fitting it in I know :(
Bought Genvieve our beater :)


September is always hard for us....
Alyssa did catch her first fish, and leave me my first love note though :)


In october we traveled back to Maryland for a visit. We got to tour some of the city with Mike and Julia which was super fun.
Alyssa done her first oil change, and experienced the races at Golden Isles for the first  time. :)


Alyssa got glasses this month, and experienced her first fall festival.
We enjoyed spending thanksgiving with all of our Florida family as well :)


 December was consumed with family and doctor appointments. I had my first surgery on Dec. 19th. We just relaxed and spent a lot of time together, and had a great christmas :)