Cheese!

Day 31: A picture of myself.

I don't have a picture of myself on this computer. The closest thing that I have is a picture of Landon and I from the web cam. Every time that I'm on the computer while Landon is up he waves at the computer and says "cheese"- my cue to take his picture or video with the web cam. I love my camera loving boy!

Gone, but not Forgotten

Finally! I am finally finishing up that 30 day challenge that has now turned into a 60 day challenge. It's been bugging me that I never finished it. I didn't have access to a scanner for this post. I finally went to my mom's to use her scanner so that I could complete this challenge. I know no one else really cares, but I now feel better that it is complete. So here it goes:

Day 30: A picture of someone that I miss.

The person I miss most is the man that I called Dad for many years. He was my step-dad, but he was a part of my life at an early age so calling him Dad just came naturally. He died when I was 16. It has been almost 12 years now. There's still not a single day that goes by that I don't think about him. I miss my fellow prankster (my poor siblings) and his silly "ants in my pants" songs. I also miss my fellow Halloween and Easter candy bandit (sorry Matt and Jenn), his sweet tooth was just as big as mine! I know his presence is still with us. All I have to do is look at Alex to be reminded- he's the spitting image of our dad down to his mannerisms. I sometimes find myself doing a double take, especially now that Alex is older and becoming a man himself.

Day 29: Silly Landon

Day 29: A picture that can always make me smile.

This picture is from when Landon was about 15 months old. It always makes me smile. He has always been so silly. He was walking around with me outside and decided to stick his tongue out at me. I managed to capture it on camera. I love this little guy so much!

Day 28: Biscuits

I've been a huge blog slacker. I guess once I fell out of the swing of things, it's been hard to get back to it. I guess I'll start off with finishing my 31 day challenge. So here it goes:

Day 28: A picture of something that I am afraid of.

I know this will probably cause a ton of laughs, but I am terrified of opening the biscuit canisters. Up until now only family has known about this crazy phobia of mine. I can not make myself open those darn things. The popping noise (or the anticipation of it coming) completely terrifies me. If I have to open them, then I will end up screaming and dropping the biscuits all over the floor. Thank goodness those yummy biscuits now come in re-sealable freezer bags, no popping of canisters required!

Day 27: It's all Relative

Day 27: A picture of me and a family member.

This is a picture of Alex and me. It is several years old because he refuses to take any pictures. It was back when he was still shorter than me. Now he has a few inches on me. Somehow I am the oldest, but the shortest. It all evens out though because I am the smartest!

Day 26: Favorite Something

Day 26: A picture of something that means a lot to me.

The someone that means a lot to me is Landon. Of course that was an easy one. However, the something that means a lot to me was a bit harder to come up with. My things no longer hold the same value to me that they once did. Things are just that- things. So coming up with a picture of something that means a lot to me was hard to do. Here is the something that means the most to me now:

My computer allows me to connect with the world. I am able to talk to family and friends on a regular basis. I can catch up on the news around the world and stay on top of things. I don't know what I'd do without my laptop. It definitely is one of my most prized possessions.

It just so happens that the someone and the something that mean the most to me are both in the picture. Landon loves having his picture taken and wanted to be included. If only his eye didn't keep closing!

Day 25: Daytime Picture

Day 25: A picture of my day.

I spent almost all day in the car today. I played taxi to my siblings and spent a good portion of the day driving in the pouring rain. I spent most of my driving time turning around and telling Landon to stop shoving things up his nose. He has never shoved anything up his nose before, but all day long he had tried to shove his book up his nose. I really don't know where he gets this stuff from. I hope it is not a sign of things to come. I definitely do not want to make any emergency room trips because there is a small toy, coin, or some other random object stuck up his nose. Although knowing Landon, I am sure one of those trips to the ER is in my near future. I guess it just comes with the territory of raising a toddler boy.

Day 24: Something to Change

Day 24: A picture of something that I wish I could change.

As silly as this may sound, I wish I could change my hair. It has gone unchanged for my entire life. I'm too chicken to do anything about it. I really will need to start dying it sooner rather than later with the gray hairs that are coming with age and the toddler years. I think the problem stems from not finding anyone that I truly trust with my hair. I don't have a regular hair stylist. I go to a different hair salon every time I get a hair cut. I would love to change my hair up a bit, but I don't know how to go about doing so.

My hair isn't usually messy like pictured either. I threw my hair in front of my face for the picture just because I thought it'd be boring to snap a picture of the back of my head. Although the picture doesn't look much different than if I were to snap my hair from the back of my head, but this way was a lot more fun and Landon enjoyed laughing at me!

My hair may not have changed in years, but my oh my how Landon has changed. Can you see the little picture of him hanging on the wall above my head of hair? He was three months old in those pictures. I can't believe how different he now looks. Most toddlers still resemble their baby pictures, but Landon has changed so much. There isn't much resemblance between his baby pictures and now. Maybe I should embrace change and do something with my hair...like dye it red!

Day 23: Favorite Book

Day 23: A picture of my favorite book.

It is no secret that Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author. I have read all of his books, some several times over. The Rescue is my favorite book of his. Unfortunately, I gave my copy to a friend to borrow and it was never returned to me. Unbeknownst to me, she lent it out to another friend and never got it back. I wish this book would become the next one made into a movie.

"There was something inside of her that longed to be desired, to be cared for and protected, to be listened to and accepted without judgment. To be loved." ~ The Rescue 

Day 22: Communication

Day 22:  A picture of something that I wish I was better at.

I wish I was better at communication. I can communicate the every day things. I have no problem voicing my opinions on matters that I believe in or speaking up for myself or loved ones. However, I do have a problem communicating matters of the heart. I have a problem breaking down the walls to issues that are deeply personal. I'm sure it's from being hurt in the past, but I wish I was better at communicating issues that desperately need to be said and for whatever reason I just freeze and go without saying it. This is definitely one area that I am wanting to work on improving.

Day 21: Forgetting Reality

Day 21: A picture of something you wish you could forget.

I wish I could forget about reality and keep my head in the clouds every now and then.

Day 20: Bora Bora

Day 20: A picture of somewhere I would love to travel

I would love to travel to Bora Bora. I would love to stay in one of the huts that have glass bottom floors overlooking the crystal clear ocean waters. I would love to just escape for a bit and relax. When you go on vacation it always seems like another vacation is needed to recover. At least that is how I always feel after a vacation. I am always on the go when vacationing. Bora Bora is the one place where I could just sit and relax. Enjoy the amazing views, sip a strawberry daiquiri, read a magazine, enjoy the ocean breeze, and temporarily forget about life as I bask in the sun. There would be no sights to be seen or people to visit. Just Landon and I on a beach with no where to go- complete bliss.

Day 19: Picture and Letter

Day 19: A picture and a letter.

Dear Tinkerbell,

I always wanted a Pomeranian and when I first saw you I knew you were meant for me. You were absolutely perfect from day one when we first brought you home- all 1 pound 7 ounces of you! I knew in the back of my mind that you would have to one day become a child friendly dog. I knew you were going to be around for a very long time and that I was going to have children while you were around. I could not have chosen a better dog. You are amazing with Landon. He picks you up and carries you around even when you don't want him to. He pulls on your tail and pokes at your eyes. He forces food into your mouth when you are not hungry and he is always trying to dress you and brush your hair. He puts you into the bath tub with his bath toys on an almost daily basis and forces you to give him high fives. You are so patient with him. Never once have you tried to bite him or get upset with him, even when you try walking away and he chases after you to pick you up all over again. You just deal with it and allow him to do as he pleases with you. Thank you for being such a special dog to him. You never get the proper recognition that you deserve. I know you probably wish that you were bigger so that Landon couldn't carry you around in the way that he does. I know life changed over night for you. You had no idea what was coming your way 2 1/2 years ago when we brought Landon home. You have been his side kick and guardian. Till this day you bark to let me know that he is in trouble. Whenever he cries or gets into something that he isn't suppose to be doing you bark to tell me about it. You are the first one running to his room when he wakes up and you always seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to watching over Landon. Thank you for being the world's most amazing dog. We love you Tinkie!

Day 18: Biggest Insecurity

Day 18: A picture of your biggest insecurity.

My biggest insecurity is definitely my weight. I hate the way I currently look. I hate buying clothes and the way they fit. I no longer find joy in shopping for clothes. I know it's something that I can change. I just lack the motivation to do so. Putting this out here for all to see is probably motivation enough to make a change.  

Day 17: Home Sweet Home

Day 17: A picture of something that has made a huge impact on my life recently.

The place where Landon and I call home. This has definitely made the largest impact on my life recently. It's the place of new beginnings and new memories. I have a feeling this place will remain in my heart for a lifetime. Even if we're not here for years on end, I will always remember this place fondly.

Day 16: Inspiration

Day 16: A picture of someone who inspires me.

Alex definitely inspires me. He has had more health challenges than anyone that I personally know. No matter how bad he is feeling he still wakes up everyday with a desire to better himself. He works out every single day (except for when doctors restrict him) for hours on end. He constantly motivates himself to live an active lifestyle no matter how sick he's feeling. He inspires me to work out. I have no excuse for not working out (unless you count a toddler who is with me every waking second!) and living a more active lifestyle. I use to be incredibly active and life sort of got in the way of that. Alex proves to me that challenges can be overcome. He inspires me to be a better person and to realize that life could be a lot worse. He's made me realize that my headache or back pain is not the end of the world. If Alex can wake up every morning with a smile on his face, then so can I. Sure he has his moments when he's mad at the world and wishes his life were different. We all have those moments. I think most people who were in his shoes would have a lot more of those moments. His strength and courage that he has every single day inspires me.  

Day 15: World Traveler

Day 15: A picture of something that you want to do before you die.

I want to travel the world before I die. I have never been anywhere with the exception of a couple of road trips from Florida to Pennsylvania and a Caribbean cruise. There is so much world for me to see and I am itching to see it. I want to experience different cultures and see the world from a different perspective. I want to go to China and observe panda bears and walk the Great Wall of China. I want to go to Africa and take a safari ride. I want to go to Australia and go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. I want to see the Eiffel Tower and take a gondola ride through the canals of Venice. I want to have an Italian dinner in Italy and break a plate in Greece while shouting "opa". I want to rent a car in Maui and drive down the Hana Highway. I want to take a road trip down Route 66 and climb a glacier in Alaska. You get the picture- I want to do and see everything that this world has to offer. Maybe I'll start by taking Landon to Sanible Island for a weekend in the Spring. It's not far from here and a place that I have always wanted to go. It's apparently one of the very best beaches for sea shells. I don't know why I haven't gone before. I think I may do just that once the weather warms up.

Day 14: Landon Love

Day 14: A picture of the person you could never imagine life without.

This one was easy- my Landon Love! I could never imagine my life without Landon.

Day 13: Nickelback

Day 13: A picture of my favorite band.

Nickelback has been of favorite of mine for years. They have been the first and only concert that I have been to. That was one of the best nights of my life. I had so much fun at their concert and would love to see another one. I love each and every song that they have. One of my all time favorite songs by Nickelback sends a message that more people need to hear so I will post the song below.

Day 12: Love of Purple

Day 12: A picture of something that I love.

I love all things purple. It's become an obsession almost. Everything I owned was purple. From the living room throw pillows to the dining room chair covers. Purple candles to a purple bed comforter. Now that I have to task of re-buying everything I was thinking about going with a different color scheme. Who am I kidding? Everything will once again be purple. I can almost guarantee it! I have seen dogs dyed purple before and have even considered dying Tink's hair. If I didn't think it would traumatize Landon, then Tink probably would be dyed purple. I just love the color purple!