Update!

Well, it's been a while...
a long while...
and I apologise.

I have been uber busy recently!

I just started a new business called "Stuck On You Decals". I am making decals for cars and plan to expand it into other things. Right now I am mainly focusing on military, but I have a few things that aren't military related. I also take ideas and custom designs. I am so excited about my business starting up! I have a passion for scrapbooking and designing things so it's perfect for me! Not to mention, I am a people pleaser! haha. You can find me on facebook as of right now (website to come).

I have also been super busy working. I am working at a scrapbooking place right now, but I have an interview at a bank on Wednesday! I am so happy! This is my chance to start my career off with a bang! I love working with numbers and I've always wanted to work for a bank, so I am stoked! Please pray for me!

Some more exciting news is that we may have found a church that is perfect for us! There was a guy that came into work the other day telling me about this church that I had been contemplating on going to since Sept. Everything that he said sounded exactly what we are looking for. God is great.

Then, once 2011 got here, my family surprised me with a visit that totally caught me off guard. However, it was okay that I didn't have groceries in the house because they expected me not to and took care of it! :) I am so grateful for them! It was such a nice visit. My brother-in-law came down also, so my husband was so happy!

Well, that is all for now. Hopefully this year I can keep up with my blog a little more!

Blessed

Laying in bed tonight, with my husband by my side, I started thinking about how I got in the position I am today. How did I manage to end up with one of the greatest men on Earth? And, how did I get where I am today? Why aren't I out on the street, or homeless? (Of course, I was (and still am) wide awake and high on caffeine).

I was unable to come up with any other logical answer to those questions, other than that I had been blessed. I truly have been blessed my entire life.

Since the minute I was born into this scary world, I have always had someone to take care of me and make sure I was happy. I am so thankful for all of the people in my life, I could never ever express my gratitude.

My parents are the most caring parents I know. They've always been there for me and my brother. They're still there for us, and now my husband. I am so thankful that they were able to give me the life that I have been given.

I know some people look at their family, and the way they were raised, and think "when I have kids, I want them to have a better life then me". That's what my parents did for my brother and I. They truly gave us a life better then theirs. They went through tough times in their life, as most people do, but they turned it around and proved to the world that they could conquer life and show their children it could be done. They never quit. They never quit on us, and they never quit on each other.

See, that's what I want. I strive to be like my mommy and daddy. Most people wouldn't say that, or wouldn't like to admit to that, but I do. I want to be just like them and I want my kids to have a life like mine.

I will never quit on my husband, my marriage, my family or my lifestyle. I think that's how our military lifestyle has been so 'easy' and not ended in a divorce or a separation, like some people. The life that we live is not easy at all. It's not easy on me and it's not easy on him. You have to have a one-of-a-kind love and work as a team in order to get through the times of separation.

As I get older and start to think about having children, I do question if I'll be a good enough mom, but then I look at my parents and my confidence comes back. I know I'll be okay, and if I'm not, at least I have them to help point me in the right direction.

And my husband? I don't really know how I ended up with him, or how he ended up with me. I know I'm a tough one to handle sometimes, and I don't think I'd be able to handle me. It just goes to show I am so blessed. He has a huge heart.

So, God, thank you so much for giving me such an amazing family and such a great husband. You have blessed me with so many things and I am forever grateful.

Spread Your Wings

Today has been a very sad day. I got news that my Grandpa passed away this morning. He had been fighting for some time now, and now he's in the presence of our good Lord and Savior.

The last time I saw him it broke my heart. He wasn't doing well and wasn't coherent. Without his oxygen he wasn't "all there". He had just came through congested heart failure.

Then, my birthday came, and he called. I missed his call and he left a message. I didn't know how to get a hold of him to return his call. That's the last time I heard his voice, and I still have the voice message. He told me, "I'm doing good, Jessica, don't worry about ol' Grandpa. I haven't smoked in a long time. I hope you have a happy birthday." I was so happy to hear from him and I couldn't believe he remembered my birthday. My dad was shocked that he remembered on his own as well. How happy he made me.

Then, about two weeks ago I got a call from my mom telling me he was in ICU and was diagnosed with congested heart failure and pneumonia. He was incoherent again and was on a breathing machine. He didn't move for 3 days. He remained in ICU and they ran test after test on him. He was on oxygen again, but was still very confused. We then learned he had pulmonary fibrosis and his lungs were no longer able to absorb oxygen. Mom said one day they visited and he told them he had been swimming all day. This makes my heart smile. Even though he wasn't physically swimming, he was in his mind, and he was having a good time.

Yesterday, mom called me again and told me that my dad had to move him to hospice and they gave him about a week to live. A week. A week turned into not even 24 hours. Today, he passed away.

He was a great man and I will miss him dearly. He loved Evan and I so much and he was very proud of us.

Grandpa, we will continue to make you proud, and I know you are smiling down on us from heaven. We love you. May you rest in peace.

I know your life on earth was troubled

And only you could know the pain

You weren't afraid to face the Devil

You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain

Son your work on earth is done

Go to Heaven a shoutin'

Love for the Father and the Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us

We gathered round your grave to grieve

Wish I could see the angels' faces

When they hear your sweet voice sing

So go rest high on that mountain

Son, your work on earth is done

Go to Heaven a shoutin'

Love for the Father and the Son

So go rest high on that mountain

Son, your work on earth is done

Go to Heaven a shoutin'

Love for the Father and the Son

Go to Heaven a shoutin'

Love for the Father and the Son