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firefighter

i made it back to my parents’ house in the mountains…don’t worry! it’s not the building on fire! my mom and i ventured out to a great play place for the kids.  finn got to practice his firefighter skills…needless to say, i felt just a little bit safer that night!

 

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bath time

how could i resist a picture in this tub? this picture was much better than a couple of days later when my children helped my parents discover some leaks in the plumbing…ugh!

 

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searching

we ventured out to the great smokey mountain national park in cataloochee, nc, to have a picnic dinner and look for elk.  we drove down to the end of our park, set up our chairs, and then passed out the fried chicken! once we finished eating, sure enough…elk were walking around!  i do have pictures of the elk, but this one stood out to me more.  first of all, i loved the fact that my daughter was a willing participant (at least for a few minutes).  i also loved the light. she is indeed searching…the question is what is she really searching for?  whatever it is, i surely hope she finds it!

 

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sisterhood

while i was at the beach, i received the shocking news that my college roommate, LTC Jaimie Leonard, was killed in afghanistan. it was a very surreal moment.  sadly, this was not first person i knew to die in combat- nor will it be the last…however, this was a woman that i lived with for two years of my life!  i knew i needed to attend the funeral and pay my respects.  what i didn’t know was how much that trip would affect me.  i graduated with very few women from the united states military academy.  while i knew that we all shared a bond, it wasn’t really reinforced until that day i attended Jaimie’s funeral.  i cannot even put into words how amazing these women are- and how blessed i am to be a small part of this incredible group.  while we all ponder death and how can someone who had so much to offer be taken from us so soon, i just want her to know that it was not in vain.  grip hands!

 

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talking with birds

after my quick trip to new york and back, i was so happy to just sit outside and enjoy the view and sounds of nature.  my daughter very much enjoyed playing with the bird whistle…i’m not so sure how much i enjoyed that, as well as the birds?

 

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finish

i walked into my room one night and found this sign…i’m not sure what motivated my kids to write this message on poster board for me, but i felt like this should be a part of my 365 journey…i’m determined to finish!

 

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rain

i really do miss the rain- the sounds, the smell, the feelings of just wanting to curl up on the couch! i know this picture is a bit dizzying, but i can’t help but like it!