10 Things That I am Thankful for Today

A good cup of coffee - decaf righ now, but I still really enjoy the flavor.

Our son kicking me. I love it.

Fun art pieces that I bought for my babies room.

Accepting my husband for the amazing man he is!

A chocolate cake doughnut! Enough said!

I love listening to music especially streaming it off of Pandora.  

Cute earrings.  I got them for myself on my birthday!

Words of inspiration.  I bought this recently from Pier 1 imports.  That place is dangerous.

For the talents that God has given me.  For remebering what it is I love so much about life, and for being able to share my talents with the world. 

So I have been reading 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  It is a great read, a little deep at times, but I love how she lists out the wounderful blessings God gives us daily.  It truly is amazing to write them out.  It is almost as if they stay in your memory longer because you have choosen to take time to write them down.  

These are things I am thankful for today.  I hope this inspires you to think of the things your thankful for. There is a lot out there. Above all I am so thankful to have God who loves me unconditionally.  He accepts me for me and that is a beautiful thing. 

7 Reasons to Send a Card

My card box sits on a shelf in my dinning room.

It holds a lot of cards

I add any new card I get and then go through it to keep the personalized cards.

This is a closer look of it on my bookshelf (an old shoe box transformed).  I just added a note book and a pretty pin to the front.

I put my cards in a box to have them  out, so I can see them and be reminded of the love that people have for me and my husband.  I look through these cards more now then before when I had them stuffed in a box. 

NOW FOR THE 7 REASONS TO SEND A CARD

#1:  To just say "Whats up dog?"  

#2:  To get the girls together for a fling.... you know it won't be the last, but makes it really fun.

 

#3: To tell someone your friends forever

#4:  To let them know that they helped you in a special way 
(Puzzle piece card  and used the word "pieces" in the card text)

 

#5:  To say a handmade "Thank you", scrap paper, buttons, glue, and a pen .... whalla!

 

#6:  To just tell a person your thankful for them

#7: To tell a person  that they make you happy

This is the inside of a card.
 I love this ides.  Make a  list of the reasons you love that  person. Personalize any card you are sending out.

Lastly the image above is a quote I want to leave you with.  Oh yeah,  it is always ok to fill the card with as much words, doodle art, and  love that you can.  A very special friend sent  me this quote on the back of  card and I would like to share with you: 

"When we walk in different places God sends the strength and nourishment to face what comes our way.  Not all at once, but DAY BY DAY."

A good friend of mine reminds me that when she is having a not so good day - she sends a card.  Well now you can send one or look back at the old ones.  It is a great way to lift up your day.  

Dear Lord:  Remind us that we are loved by so many and especially you.  It is a true blessing to do for others.  I ask that you give me the strength to put others first, just like you put us first.  Amen.  

Don't Give Up # 3

My mom with the sign along with Jessy, Crista, and baby Miles.

Surrounded by my biggest supporters.  What a beautiful day.

My parents are so amazing.

My husband has stood by me throughout the years.  He was so excited.  He decorated the house, brought me flowers, a pin, and a massage.  I adore him.

The sign and me.  

I started the different “Don’t Give Up” projects about a year ago ( I think there are 2 on my blog).  As I was creating the sign and taking the pictures I was getting my bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.  At various times throughout my college experience I wanted to give up.  It was overwhelming.  I was going to college with students 8 to 10 years younger than me, continuing my relationship with my boyfriend and now husband (who I married along the way), working part time jobs, growing my relationships with my family and friends that I had established, and learning how to write reports and papers all over again.  At the point when I was making the sign I realized I had my own “Don’t Give Up” project and it would be to complete what I had started, college. 

The biggest reason I went back.  When I graduated high school I joined the Army Reserves.  The reason was - to pay for college.  I completed my associates degree and then was called overseas.  Two months prior to me leaving I engaged myself in conversation with any veteran that I could find.   During our conversations I would ask if they had any regrets about the army, their tour overseas or coming home.  The one thing that always stood out was they wished they would have used the money from the government to go to school.  So at the time I never thought I would go back for my bachelor’s degree.   Now here I am 8 years later, and I completed it.  I didn't give up.  No regrets.

My graduation day was very special to me.  I had the large white cardboard sign at the ceremony and when I crossed the stage and walked back to my seat my mom was holding it high in the air for everyone to see.  I was so proud of myself. 

The guest speaker on that special day was unique.  He was a 40 year old man who just completed his bachelor’s degree.  He gave the most beautiful “Thank you” to his wife for standing by his side and allowing him to complete something he started 20 years ago.  He spoke of how it is never too late and his speech embodied a person who “Never gave up.” 

So I love to be inspired I hope this inspires you.  It is never too late to start something.  Did you hear about the 60 year old school teacher? She always wanted to teach and received her degree at 82 years old.  She is still teaching at 99.  That is 17 years she has been able to live here dream.  View her story here. So I ask you, what is your “Don’t Give Up” project?

A Fresh Perspective

Getting ready for the Packer game

Slumber party in the living room

School -  I got them ready for and brought them to

Junk draw diving

Putting make-up on Auntie Lizzy

Lila taking makeup off

Medicine chart I made so the girls would maybe take their 10 days of medicine

Helping Klara with her homework, she is so smart

Surfing on pillow in the living room

I got the biggest kick out of how Lila drew hands and nails, sooo cute

Do you see their little heads watching a movie?  Sisters, so cute

A lot has happened to me in the last few months.  I, not in any specific order, found out I am expecting, graduated college, visited my brother one last time before he left for Afghanistan (for 1 year), photographed my first wedding by myself as a professional photographer (that means getting paid for it), edited the images, sent them to the bride, and lastly babysat for three beautiful girls (my nieces’) for 8 days in Iowa. 

To say the least this was very overwhelming and at some point brought me to stand stills, discomfort, and a blank mind.  I was numb with to-dos and lists of things I forgot to do.  At points I forgot about me, the Liz that likes to blog, take pictures, and live a less exhausted life. 

As these things took place and continued to happen I found myself looking in the mirror at a person unsatisfied and upset with my moods.  Now this could all be the pregnancy, I get it.  But I needed to get out of this rut, this place that I wasn't comfortable in.  The change happened and I owe it all to a fresh perspective and finishing things I started.

The last thing I did was babysit my three nieces who live about three miles from their grandparent’s house.  I was so blessed to have this wonderful woman (Grandma Homolar) around, especially when the oldest girl ended up with the flu. Grandma helped out in so many ways.  The biggest of them all was the fresh perspective.  Grandma Homolar lives for her family.  You can see it in the way she does her everyday tasks.  It was beautiful, weather for her husband, son, grandchildren, and then even me; she made me feel so welcome and deserving.  From lunches, talks, to phone calls, we shared in each other’s lives.  Now the three girls also had a part in this.  The way they just loved to hang out and be silly. I was surrounded by a windstorm of beautiful goodness.

After returning home, I have been able to finish my last project of sending the bride her images, and I started blogging again, this one you are reading right now. :)  I am not sure what relit the spark in my life, but I am pretty certain a fresh perspective and finishing projects that I started did it for me.  

I didn't go on vacation, but I feel refreshed and renewed by being around my niece’s and their grandma.

Thank you to the wonderful ladies is my life. 

Dear Lord:  Thank your for the open mind to love the way someone else does things. I thank you for the fresh perspective you have put in my life and ability to finish project that I start.  Nothing is to hard with you by my side.  I pray that you continue to love me as you always have.  I know that my beautiful story is a blessing you have given to me. Thank you, Amen.

My Brother - US Army Hero

(The images below are from my experience in Iraq in 2005.)

(The images above are from my experience in Iraq in 2005.)

I dedicate this post to the soldiers before me, those now, and to all soldiers and people who put themselves in harm’s way.  To my parents, and this is especially for my brother.

After I got back from Iraq in 2006, as I remember, I use to ask myself why, why didn't I have to go into combat?  Why were my experiences so different than most? How was I so lucky to live?

These questions seemed to haunt me for about a year or so when I was at my weakest mentally, which seemed often.  I separated myself from others, looking to give myself a name, make my story big so there was a reason for my existence.  

Now it has been over 4 years, and I am hearing the stories of soldiers who experienced so much hardship, death, and suffering.  My eyes well up with tears thinking of these men and women who are trying to understand what they experienced.  I feel upset that I didn't experience such thing, for a moment.  But then I feel so blessed for my experiences.  I feel honored to have served.

My brother served in Iraq and continue to serve the U.S. Army, he is so strong.   A man who experienced loss, trauma, and a war he didn't know existed.  His story is one of death and life. He lives, his comrade dies, repeats itself in a lot of soldiers.  The questions arise and we are left standing here with how to comfort and support things that we have no idea about.

Hearing his stories didn't come forward for about 2 years after the experiences had taken place.  We listened to him, we cried with him, we stood by him, and we loved him.

His experiences were very traumatic, leaving him with the questions why not me?  Why this guy?  Why? Why? Why? Why?

Today he takes the military very personal; it is his way of life. He is really good at it.  We continue to support him in all he does.

So he will leave for Afghanistan in January and I know one thing to be true.

We can listen.  We can pray and I can tell him that he is loved.  Listening will always be the key.  Not trying to understand, just being there for him, with so much love.

Camaraderie is not in most jobs, but I experienced it in the military.  It is what hurts so bad when we lose someone, but it is such a blessing when we need someone as well. I know my brother will be surrounded by many comrades.

So as I write this, I want to thank everyone who has served, who is serving, or who will serve.

Thank you,

Liz Bladorn