A long overdue Friday Post

2010 Family Pic

2010

2009......



Family Pic 2009



So...here we go!

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is the cake and ice-cream.

2. Birthdays celebrate the passage of time.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was a Wii for Ben and the kiddos.

4. I love child's games that let me learn about my children.

5. The reason is top secret.

6. I like snow and cold. (when I am sitting beside a nice warm fire)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with my family possibly playing the Wii, tomorrow my plans include finishing several sewing orders, church, & life group and Sunday, I want to have a great time at Ashley's birthday party!




1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?!

An embroidery machine. I love my friend Janet who has been doing my personalizations but I would like to be able to do them myself :)
2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?
Getting engaged Christmas Eve 2003
3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up?
Just what I am.
4. When do you put up your tree?
Day after Thanksgiving if we are home
5. What is your favorite Holiday?
Christmas




Friday, December 3, 2010

fill in the blank friday.

1. Holiday spirit makes me thankful for the true meaning of the season.
2. The holidays are incomplete without Jesus, love, family, friends, ham, pie, & hugs!
3. My favorite things to do around the holidays is making our Christmas cards. (I love looking back at the pictures from the year.)

4. A holiday tradition my family and I have is opening 1 gift a night before we leave for the Christmas holiday. It spreads the cheer over about 2 weeks instead of one sitting.
5. Holiday music is uplifting (if it is the right kind.....)
6. This year, I'll be spending the holidays at my parents house.
7. Holiday wish list is unspoken this year.....

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Hello birthday Friday!!

Friday Photo Flashback (Birthday Style)

I could not have a birthday flashback without including Rebecca (the curly-haired blonde to my right in this picture) She planned and executed 2 surprise parties for me when I lived in Pensacola, Fl. I don't have a better pic (at least from b-day celerations) of the two of us but she always made me feel special!
This is another one of my fun friends from FL. Dana was a huge support while I was down there. Here we are at my surprise party #2.

Some of my favorite 3 west girls out for my birthday. Aurelia, Mary, Dana, Jenny Lyn, and me

Random birthday picture at my parents
2000
Just in case you are wondering why I chose to flashback to birthdays?! Today is my birthday! I was looking for a picture of Ben from my birthday in 2003 (since that was around the time we started dating) but couldn't find it. So this is what you end up with :-) Hope you enjoy!
For more visit Alicia at

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1. Have you ever visited another country?
Not the ones that I really want to go to but yes I have been out of the country.
2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been?
Hmmmm....I don't know about strange. Every place that we have been has been unique and fun-filled. Maybe in Puerto Rico at the Star Bucks (long story!!)
3. What is your favorite season?
AUTUMN (there is nothing more beautiful than seeing all the leaves change color and that is when I said the first "I love you" to Ben!)
4. What one song will always cheer you up?
Barbie Girl (Don't judge!)
5. What Disney character do you resemble most?
Ariel (just because the hair is red now!)
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1. Birthdays are: AWESOME! I love having your own special day and the feeling you get from people remembering it.
2. My favorite birthday memory was in 2003 when Ben came to my birthday party. He was in full swing flight school and even though he should have been studying he came out. There was a few other funny memories from that night that I am going to plead the fifth on too!
3. A birthday tradition I (or my family) has is ice-cream cake!!
4. If I had to choose one birthday meal to eat for the rest of my birthdays hence forward, I would choose a nice big ol' steak, loaded sweet potato, broccoli, and some ice-cream cake.
5. My birthday is on August 13th.
6. If I could take a birthday trip I would go to Germany and/or Greece.
7. The best gift I've ever received for my birthday was a scrapbooking program. I really don't know but since I am sitting at the computer and looking at it.......
This week’s questions are:

1.What is ONE thing you’d like civilians to understand about being a military family?We don't take one single celebration for granted. You learn the hard way when your spouse has missed not one, not two, not even three but FOUR of the same holiday in a row.
2.What is your favorite mistake?Most definitely involves Ben. I wasn't supposed to be out the night that he had to "save me" and if I hadn't been we might not have ever started dating. I'd like to believe it was God leading us to each other!
3.What indulgence could you give up for a year? Hmmm....going out to eat?!
4.If you could be a winged animal, what would you be? Easy one! Eagle
5.What is one question you’d like to see asked in a future MFF??????
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And...here we go!
1. Music feels my heart with joy.
2. A shower is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: thank-you baby (when Kendall greeted me with a big un-prompted Happy Birthday Mama!)
4. Red Robin; it's what's for dinner tonight.
5. It's all been fun!
6. Stretching is what I feel like doing right now.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my birthday dinner with my family, tomorrow my plans include relaxing with the family, church, & life-group and Sunday, I want to have a good baby shower at church then a great pool party with friends!

Friday!

MilSpouse Friday Fill in
for more visit http://wifeofasailor.com/

1.What is your spouse’s best feature? Physical feature would have to be his baby blue eyes and his smile. Sorry I can't seperate the two :-)
2.Mild, Medium or Hot sauce? If any sauce, it would be mild. I am not a spicy kind of girl.
3.What is the worst uniform you had to wear for a job? Hands down my nursing school uniform. It was as old school as you could get!
4.You have invisible powers… where is the first place you would go? Hmmm...good question. It has stumped me. Maybe behind the scenes of "The Bachlorette."
5.What’s left on your “to do” list for this summer? A better question would be what's not? I made a list that I really haven't worked on much. I am trying to enjoy the kids & then when school starts I will tackle that list!

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And...here we go!

1. I'm going to Gatlinburg, Tennesse at the end of August to hang out with my mother-in-law!
2. My son is full of adventure and daring.
3. Perhaps today you can make it a point to read my blog :-)
4. My husband has a true adventurer’s spirit.
5. Compassion is a blessing and a curse.
6. Pray to God no matter how difficult it seems at the time.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to small group, tomorrow my plans include Lissa's birthday party & church and Sunday, I want to work on some house hold projects!
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1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?
I had a raggedy anne & andy blanket and also a doll (named phyllis) I was inseperable from them & yes I still have them in our storage.
2. Do you dream in color?
Yes, I miss my vivid pregnancy dreams.
3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?
I am roughly 5 foot 3 inches tall. Some days I wish that I had longer legs but overall I am pretty happy with God blessed me with.....
4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?
I would have my hubby's big ol' loud voice doing it!
5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?
RETURN it!!! It annoys me to no end how lazy people have become.
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Friday,friday!

Way back in 2005 during our first deployment. I was lucky enough to visit with Michelle (second from right) during the past trip to PA and Claire (second from left) on my trip to AZ. The Marine Corps may seperate us but it is so great to know that I have wonderful friends around the globe!

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And...here we go!

1. I feel wonderful after last night. It is always good to catch up with your girlfriends! Thanks Roni!!
2. I need to call several friends to catch up.
3. Do I really look that tired?
4. Each person is completely unique.
5. It's hard to know how much food to make for dinner parties.
6. Convince one friend and the others will follows suit.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to GASP, relaxing at home with my family (I will miss our Friday night fellowship but a break is certainly welcome every once in awhile!), tomorrow my plans include probably something with the house and Sunday, I want to get into trouble!
Actually, maybe we will take this opportunity to have a date night :-)
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1. What were your school colors?
kelly green and white!
2. What's the best compliment you ever received?
That my children were such a blessing and adorable
3. Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?
midrange (did I just classify TP as midrange?!)
4. Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? Or have you had one for someone else?
I have thrown a few for Benny. (One really big one & one small one)
Becca threw 2 or 3 for me in Pensacola!
5. What is one material possession that you "can't live without"?Probably the tv or computer :-)

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Friday on steroids!

Friday Photo Flashback

February 2006

Right before Ben left on his second deployment to Iraq & my barely there baby bump of our first born.

For more flashbacks visit
Alicia at

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This week’s questions are:

1.Tell us about your dream job… one that you could do regardless of pay. Regardless of pay, I have had my dream job. I love working with oncology patients. Sound morbid? Most people think that it is but it restores my mind about humanity. My dream job was working one day a week so I could be home with the kids and still do nursing. I am sad that I can't do that anymore!
2.What is your most prized material possession (kids and pets don’t count!)?A toss-up between my engagment & wedding bands and my new canon camera. I have happy memories every time I catch sight of my rings on my finger AND I love recording our families history with the camera.
3.What has been your favorite duty station and why?Hmmm.....a toss-up between Jacksonville, NC, and Pensacola, FL. Both for a wide variety of reasons. It was definitely not Camp Pendleton!
4.What is your least favorite household chore?The litterbox, emptying the dishwasher, pooper-scooping the backyard, weeding the many planter boxes, Oh wait was it supposed to be only ONE?!?
5.If you could give one piece of advice to a teenager today (not specifically a MilTeen), what would it be?
Make the most of your youth (Seriously!) Don't wait until you are old COUGH ok maybe middle-age.
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1. What is one thing you miss the most about childhood?
Carefree days with no responsibility!
2. Are you still friends with your friends from high school?
Some of them thanks to Facebook!
3. Is there a catch phrase, cliche, or word that just drives you bonkers every time you hear it?
"This too shall pass." (Mostly while I am in the midst of a crisis while Ben is gone somewhere....seriously that is all you have? I just want you to listen to me!)
4. What is one thing that you think symbolizes America...besides "Old Glory"?
Eagle
Bumper stickers if you are in Jacksonville (just saying!)
5. What are your 4th of July weekend plans? Our normal weekend plans & a get together at a friends house for the 4th!

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1. This weekend for The 4th of July I will be going to JT & Kelly's for a little bit.
2. Fireworks are are beautiful!
3. Nothing says summer like the happy screams of my kiddos and splashes from the pool.
4. My favorite summer memory is spending ALL summer at the pool babysitting for one of my nursing professors. Seriously! Pool pass paid! Paid to watch 2 sweet boys in the sun! Who could beat that?
5. My favorite thing about sumer is lazy days with the kids that aren't over-scheduled with "stuff."
6. Summer in a word is WONDERFUL!
7. If I could choose to have summer or winter year round I'd pick hmmm....that's really tough. I guess I would probably say winter. You can always add layers but really cannot take them off!

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And...here we go!

1. When it's quiet I am normally looking for the kids to see what has gone wrong in the house!
2. My baby girl turned 4 years old in what seems like a month of time.
3. My heart is wrapped up in loving my hubby, kids, family, & friends.
4. I get to go home to Pennsylvania in July.
5. In the town where I was born, there is a small town love.
6. Integrity is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to small group with awesome friends, tomorrow my plans include church in the evening and Sunday, I want to have a great picnic at Kel's!

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It's Friday again :-)

Friday Photo Flashback

Since father's day is coming up this month, I decided to post this picture of me at 2 weeks old with my dad feeding me. 1977

For more flashbacks visit Alicia at

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1. If you could go back to college would you change your major? Or, if you were to go to college right now...what major would you choose? I wouldn't change a thing! I loved the experience and knowledge that I gained in getting my Nursing and Psychology degrees. (I firmly believe that I am using both of them in raising my children.....I am just not getting paid for it!)
2. What do you love most about your home?
I LOVE our big wrap around porch. I fell in love with the house as soon as I saw it!
3. What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)?
I LOVE to read & I will mostly read anything. (I think that I tend to be more drawn to fiction though!)
4. What is the grossest thing you've ever eaten?
Squid!
5. If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be?
Rachel or Monica on "friends."
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And...here we go!

1. ANYWHERE is my favorite place to travel to.
2. When I think about my childhood, I often remember fun-filled, carefree days outside with friends.
3. A good listener makes for a good friend.
4. The wind in the trees, the rain on my skin, a rainbow in the sky to follow the rain.
5. Being in love is so exciting!
6. My best friend knows too many secrets, all my heartbreak, and most of my joys.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to small group, tomorrow my plans include downtime with the family, some sewing projects, church, and life-group and Sunday, I want to have all of my crafts done so I can present them to the VBS group!

Friday!! (Happy Memorial Day weekend!)

At our renewal of vows ceremony.....May 29, 2004

For more flashbacks visit Alicia at

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And...here we go!

1. Pre-made anything is -- the best food to take on a picnic.
2. Summer is time for fun.
3. I adore flip flops.
4. To love someone is to accept them just as they are & not try to change them.
5. I love a long hike when it is cool and the kids are out doing something else.
6. When I crave food, it's usually too late to eat it!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a date night with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include a trip to the beach, church, and life group and Sunday, I want to have fun at our Memorial day picnic!
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1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet? Sky-diving (Seriously) I probably won't do it until the kids are old enough to take care of themselves now because I wouldn't want to orphan them but......
2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?
Photography supplies, scrapbooking materials, sewing stuff, purses, jewelry......just to name a few!
3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child?
the slide. I loved to go fast!
4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast?
just depends on the day and the time. Probably a "hearty" breakfast would include something sweet in my world.
5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy?
I am a neat freak. I have a specific place for everything and like it to be kept there. I can often tell if things have been moved in my house!

Friday!!

Show us your life
Today at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/
Show us your life: Hometown

A little map of Pennsylvania so that you can figure out where I am talking about!

I am from a small town in western Pennsylvania called Elderton. In hunting for images, this is all that I could find. This is a view of Keystone Lake about 2 minutes from my parents house.

I also spent a large amount of time in Indiana, Pennsylvania for college, work, and to hang out with friends. Here is how we see main street a lot of the year.

My College

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Friday Flashback

Well since we were by ourselves when Ben proposed, there were no pictures. Here we are on our renewal of vows day in the Oak Grove on my old college campus.

For more visit Alicia at

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1. Do you have an iPhone and, if so, how do you get apps and what are your favorites? Nope but I love my blackberry!!
2. What is your fondest memory of K-3rd grade? Mostly playing with Rhonda and Joyce. I am happy that I can still call them friends today!
3. What makes you cringe at the thought of touching? Spiders & spider webs, poop, HAIR
4. If you could have any celebrity show up on your doorstep who would it be and why? Matthew McConaughey.....just to look at. Sorry Benny!
5. What would you say is your best physical feature? My smile
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And...here we go!

1. Isaac saying please (& signing it) and Amen without prompting never fails to make me smile.
2. I'm looking forward to picking up Benny after nearly 9 LONG weeks!!
3. Blues clues & the kids playing is what I'm listening to right now.
4. Potato salad must have some crunchy bacon in it!
5. My cereal was the best thing I ate today. (Ok give me a break it is still early!)
6. Today was started early with preparations.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to small group with friends, tomorrow my plans include hugging the hubby, Seasme Street live, church, and life group and Sunday, I want to enjoy the Cherry Point air show with my entire family!