Thank you!

He signed the dotted line.

He did not get called to do so, nobody told him he had to.

He enlisted voluntarily.

He may be 18, he may be 34,but he did so just the same.

He is single, he left only his parents at home.

He has a wonderful wife of 7 years and 3 beautiful children back home.

He is proud of where he's from, with a passion for his country.

Months of training.

Months of deployments.

He's getting shot at, sleeping little to none and always looking around the corner.

He's missing home cooked meals and his own bed.

 

Here's to those men.

They miss...

birthdays,

weddings,

saying goodbye,

saying hello,

laughs,

tears,

bbqs,

graduations,

dance recitals,

anniversaries,

hugs and kisses.

 

They sacrifice their time so that their family and country is safe.

They are the blood sweat and tears of this nation.

They are the breath that makes our flag fly.

 

 

On the calendar we only recognize our military once a year, but to their family and friends they are every day in our thoughts and prayers.  Whether they are home or away they are being thought of and worried about. We wait for the knock on the door and the next phone call.

 

Regardless of branch, time served, job title, or rank our military is appreciated, respected and honored by all.

 

Your to do list today: Thank a veteran.

 

Love,

 

Jess

 

P.S. I am not just thanking our military men but our military women also :-)

What I want to be when I grow up.

The age old question...

What do you want to be when you grow up?  I can remember wanting to be so many things throughout my child hood; princess, vet, horse trainer, florist, architect, accountant, and a writer. Here I am, none of them, an insurance agent. I have cuddled with the idea of going back to school a few times, but I don't want a job that bad to spend 4 years learning how to do it, then head off to an internship to spend 2 more years learning how to do it in the real world. I'm good at what I do, I (for the most part) enjoy the work and it's decent enough pay with good advancement potential. So career wise, I think I'm good, but my job doesn't define me. I am much more than a financial contribution to our home, and am more importantly a wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister and a me.

So without further ado... I want to be the greatest version of me.

Be Silly....

I want to be bring smiles and laughter to all that surround me. There should never be a dull moment and I'm usually pretty good about keeping things light and fun. I am a social butterfly that loves to be in a huge crowd of people talking entirely too loud but not caring because at that point in time the funny life story is the only thing that matters. I love seeing joy on other peoples face and if a blond moment, story or conversation with me can do that, then come on over.

Be Kind...

Triple chances come from this girl. Superman sometimes says that I am too nice to people, and he is right, sometimes I put other people before me when they have no reason to be. I will bend over backwards for a person and not expect a thing in return. Yes, it's good to not always expect a pay back and that's what friends, family and neighbors are for, but I have been known to let people walk over me and that has got to stop. Maybe I am a little too kind, but then I don't ever want to snip at someone when maybe they are having the worst day of their life and I could be that one sparkle in their day.

Be Honest...

Learning that before you can be honest with others you have to be honest with yourself was a hard lesson to learn for me. I am a people pleaser and a couple years ago it came around full circle to bite me in the ass. I let myself get so caught up in everyone else's feeling, emotions and personal gains that I forgot about myself. I was not happy with me which meant I couldn't be happy with anyone. Taking a step back and looking at myself in the mirror, checking out what I wanted, learning what made me happy was the best thing I have ever done. I know what I want out of life, love, friendships and myself. I know who I am, where I want to be and who I want to tag along. I am honest with myself and it makes it easy to be honest to everyone that I surround myself with.

 

Me; I am important, strong, confident inside and out, smart, loved and happy. I am my future and by being the best me I can be, I will be able to be the best wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister to those I love. I deserve me at my best and so do they.

 

So now I am asking you...What do you want to be when you grow up?

 

Love,

 

Jess

 

P.S. Enjoy your weekend!

House chore babble

Laundry!

I am the worst laundry doer of all time, just ask Superman. I hate hate folding and putting away. If you walked into my house you would witness the madness. The dog's towels are on the extra dresser, E's clothes are on top of her toy box, mine are still in the basket in my room and there is a load of blankets in the dryer. The accumulation started on Sunday so not too horribly bad but I just hate hate hate it. Did I already mention that?

What is the one chore you despise? Favorite?

I love cleaning my bathroom :-)

I hope your terrorist Tuesday fairs well!

Love,

Jessie

When you dress your best you feel your best.

I have absolutely no style or fashion sense. None. If I'm in a dress I feel awkward and I'd live in my flip flops if I could. Everyone has a go to outfit, favorite shirt, or a pair of jeans that they feel invincible in, so what are yours?

Ribbed tanks are my go to top of choice, but I wear two. I have nice arms and shoulders, they are high cut enough that my boobs don't fall out but tight enough that they show nicely. The two instead of one is because it makes me feel more put together, it holds my stomach in :-)

Jeans and my worn out with huge holes ones to be exact. My butt looks nice and I don't have to show off my legs! Winner winner.

Shoes are a toss up. 95% of the time I will throw on flip flops and that's where I'm at but every once in a while I have to put my Ariats on. A little back home probably but it's a comfort wear, kinda like a favorite blankie I guess.

If I could wear my hair in a ponytail every single day of my life I would. I look better with my hair pin straight and down but it's no hassle when it's all twisted and pulled back and out of my way.

Makeup done and wearing the above mentioned I feel unstoppable. I will go anywhere and everywhere and act like a rock star. I work it and I guess comfy makes me feel sexy :-)

I hope everyone had a fantabulous weekend and enjoyed their first weekend of thanks! To all of you that are hanging C-word lights like my neighbors please hit yourself with a frying pan for me. FFS people....

Love,

Jess

November is a time for THANKS!

I am a huge believer in leaving the dreaded C word holiday in the month it was made for, December, so until the clock strikes 12/1/2013 I do not want to hear a word of it. MMMkkkay? Good. Now that we are all on the same page, here are 5 things that you should/need to do this November.

1. Cuddle. Do a lot of cuddling and do it so much that your kids, spouse and fur children won't come near you in fear of being cuddle again. Scare them with hugs. Did you know it's a proven fact that cuddling releases oxytocin, reduces stress and depression, makes you feel sexier and improves communication? DO IT!

2. Breath. Take in everything and anything you can that has to do with fall. Embrace the colors and the chills and only close your eyes when it's so breathtaking that you can't handle it anymore.

3. Love. Love your family, friends and neighbors. Remember what Thanksgiving is actually about and do everything in your power to remind the people that mean the world to you that they mean the world to you. Also love yourself.

4. Eat. Diets be damned grab as many pies and cookies and mashed potatoes loaded with gravy and cream and butter and EAT! Invite friends over and make them eat with you. Try new recipes so that you get to eat new things too!

5. Calm yourself. Holidays are stressful when they are really supposed to be a time to stop and enjoy all that you have in your life. Before the dreaded C word shows up take some time for yourself. Go for a walk, to the spa, hide in a corner with a book, do whatever gives you peace.

Have a wonderful weekend and a wonderful month ahead!

Love,

Jess

Montana

I'm back after a long hiatus but that's ok because I've been taking care of me and my family. Hopefully as the days get shorter and the nights a little colder I'll spend a little more time on the blog.

When I was on the plane ride back to NC after spending the weekend in MT in August I started jotting down some of the things that I miss most about the state I grew up in. So enjoy a little MT lovin on your Monday morning.

Big Sky- I don't care where you are from or where you have been I dare you to compete. The blue is crisp and clear, with a color unmatched my any Crayola. The clouds, if any, are light and fluffy and almost transparent. They look like what I'm imagining heaven feels like. At night the stars are like a million little diamonds, placed perfectly. They catch your dreams and steal your tears.

The smells- With every season comes it own signature scent. The spring is serene, the rain making things crisp, and when the sun begins to shine you can smell new growth as the plants begin to push out of the ground. Summer is spring smells turned up. The flowers are in full bloom, the corn is releasing pure sugar into the air and the dirt heats up. Fall is my favorite. The leaves send out a musky damp smell that crackles at dusk when the air drops and smoke from the chimneys fill the air. Winter is hard and the cold air is almost senseless until it's about to snow. The sky parts, the angels sprinkle snow and before it falls an unexplained feeling; you know what is about to happen, it's a sweet smell, like sugar only cold, but light and airy. Even if it's mid January and it's been snowing for a couple months, you will find any true Montanan stop and take in a deep breath, because it's magical every time. 

Pace of life-I always hated how slow it could be. Days when things were so dead and no one moved. Where on holidays only select gas stations were open. After moving to a rat race I have learned to appreciate it. Life is about living every moment and enjoying as much of it as you can. A day in the garden is a day well spent even if you have no hard evident to prove it. Holidays full of a dysfunctional family is the best around.

The people- As harsh as it can be sometimes their honesty enlightens me. They know who they are, what morals and values are and they aren't afraid to speak their piece. Family comes first and a hard days work to support it. They don't need a lot and will give a neighbor what they need even if they have nothing to give back in return. You are guaranteed a handshake or wave and always a first name hello.

A back road- As cliche and country song it sounds it is true. A long drive down a back road gives you everything about Montana at once. The smells, the sights, the people and life. You get time to think, ask all the questions and pray for the answers. Something about all the noise the night makes and how it's still so quiet it calms you, lets every bad day fade away and pushes aside any fear of the future.

Love,

Jess

Another year a few more life lessons.

Ok ok crap friend award. I'm a day late but I wanted it to be perfect :-)

September 6 was painful for two mothers but I am oh so very grateful.

These two ladies are beautiful, powerful, strong and courageous. They let me believe in true friendship and show me that distance is no boundary.

So without further ado, a wonderful and happy birthday (a blog day late) to Sam and Sabrina! In honor of their vaginal escape I asked them to share with me three things that they have learned in this last year and how it will contribute to their future. They are oddly similar ;-) I guess great minds think alike.

Sabrina (left) and Sam (right) when I was in MT last month!

Sam, my best friend and my backbone for the last 9 years. There is not a thing that I have went through that she hasn't been there for.  She's an amazing single mom to an almost birthday twin to E and is finally following her dream!

#1- "I learned my birthday isn't fun without my bestie! Future means birthday road trips!!

#2- "When you actually follow your dreams it makes you happy! I plan to be happy from now on, so (a) happy future!"

#3- "I've learned when you can tell someone is your true friend and not to waste time on temporary ones. This means I'm set for my future with the besties I have beside me right now!"

Sabrina's (left) birthday from last year! Sam is on the right :-)

Sabrina and I became instant friends almost 3 years ago. She is the image of Superwoman and does a dang good job wrangling her 3 little munchkins.

#1- "I've learned to not sweat the small things and not letting 'myself' get stressed about the things I can't control."

#2- "I don't need a lot of friends. I just need a few that will always be there. I am not always worried about making people like me.

#3- "Life will happen whether you want it to or not. I can't be mad about things I cannot change. I have control over situations, but things in life just happen and I've learned to just be OK with it.

I am so lucky to have these wonderful ladies in my life and couldn't be more proud to be their friend!

Love you both to pieces!!

Jess