and again.

Second time to blog today. Can you tell that I get super bored here lately? Get used to these rapid updates for the next six weeks! (Minus maybe next week; i'll be taking it easy at the beach!)

Today Mimi, Nason, and Megan came over for lunch. I told Ashia that patriotic holidays are quickly becoming my FAVORITE! I love to see American flags all over the town, hear the patriotic music, see the facebook statuses and tweets, etc. etc. etc.!

we had a spread! 

Daddy cooked shrimp...

Mamma cooked hashbrown casserole...

and corn on the cob...

and layered salad...

and rolls...

and she'd kill me for posting this because she said it was "so ugly", but those are usually the best ones, right? Plus, it was chocolate, sooo...can you really go wrong?

It was soo good. 

I enjoyed being with my family (and Megan, which she is basically family, HA!), and today it didn't hurt SO bad to swallow. The fatigue just seems to be getting worse though. 

Next, Ashia also told me that I should check out some "Coming Home" photos. Ya'll, let me tell you, they are all beautiful. I'm hoping that Clint & I get put on today's post =) Check them out, if you can! And add yours if you have one!

"& i won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me.."

I'm just going to be really honest for the next few minutes! 

 All over this country there are men and women who make up the branches of our military. Today, we honor those men and women who have fallen for our country, and those who still serve today. I never really took a whole lot of time to think about our military before September 16, 2008. I knew I was proud to be an American. I was happy to be free. I loved the fireworks, grilling, and sunburns of the Fourth of July, and of course the red, white, and blue was all right with me too. It all seemed so "go-through-the-motions" to me, until then. And now, I am ashamed to say that.
 On that date, my best friend, changed "life as i knew it" as far as how i viewed the military.

"July 19, 2009
 I want to tell you about a boy man. You probably wouldn't believe me, but he is a GREAT man. He's been my friend for many years, and he's given me so many reasons to believe in someone, to trust someone. This man has caused me to be the girl in a store eyeing the "Support our Troops" magnets while flipping through a magazine. He has allowed me to become the girl that sees (and can spot from FOREVER away) USMC stickers, flags, and license plates which also causes me to instantly feel connected to the owner. This man is my very best friend, and he has made me sooo proud. He has listened to me when no one else would here, and he's been my crying shoulder on countless occasions. He has made a bigger impact on my life than I believe he realizes. This man is so selfless, courageous, smart, willing, brave, generous, and I am proud to call him my best friend. 
 Most of all, this man is a United States Marine, and he is loved unconditionally by me."

So, as you can tell, (and if you follow my tweets, or are friends with me through facebook, or maybe even if you've read my blog for awhile) you'd know just how much I miss Clint, but I also know that there's a definite reason why he's so far away. I couldn't be more proud of him for stepping up to the call of bravery.  I stand behind him 100%, and I always will.
 Even if your best friend, father, mother, sister, or brother isn't in the military, I'm sure you know someone who is or was. Today is a day to honor those people and thank them for their faithfulness in serving this country. No other country enjoys the freedoms and privileges that we do. No other country can freely worship God or speak freely. There are so many things that we take for granted. The things that we do with our families is also often taken for granted. What about the families with soldiers overseas? They don't get to celebrate these holidays with their sons, daughters, mothers & fathers. So, while you're remembering the military, be thankful for your time spent around the table or on the couch with your family. It is a moment that you won't have back!
 Today, and every other day for that matter, I am thankful for these men and women because we wouldn't fully know what the freedom that we so freely take for granted is like without them.

 Happy Memorial Day! 

Clint Brown of the US Marine Corps

Cody Boykin of the Army National Guard

Hunter Brown of the Army National Guard

THANK YOU!!!

.."the sun's streaming in, and your eyes are shining like a full moon."

 Today has been semi-good for me, other than the fatigue! I finally slept all night, and I could not be any more thankful for that.
 I didn't make it to church, but Hollie came over to visit me after she got finished, and we watched 8 Seconds.
 I LOVE THAT MOVIE! It is so precious, but it makes me SO sad. Especially since it was based on a true story. I love the love that Lane and Kelly share, but I hate that they lost it for awhile and were just getting it back in line whenever Lane was killed by the bull. I can't help but feel SO sorry for Kelly.

 Anyway, that is just a movie. Later today, Mimi came over and picked me up to take me "out for the afternoon". Noah and Nason went fishing in Crawford, and I wrote Thank You notes at the barn.

 It was good to have a little change in scenery. Later tonight, Megan and Kyle came to see me, and they had some of Nannie's (newly) famous pie. It is SIMPLY AMAZING!  She made it Friday for Noah's birthday, and we went over to her house for dessert and fell in love. So, Saturday she texted me and said she was making one for me! How sweet! Love you, Nannie! I'll post the recipe at the bottom.

 Next, I ordered some more off of Amazon & Walmart yesterday. Here's what I've got coming, and I'm so excited!

 annnnd.... 

Yesterday, I also bought another Wii game at Walmart, but I got it in store (Mom & Dad had to go, so they picked it up for me) It really brings back my childhood, and Kyle and I played tonight and had the best time! 

LOVE IT!! Hahahahahahaahaha. 

I believe that's all I can come up with for today, so i'll leave you with this mouth-watering pie recipe! It may be a good last minute thing for Memorial Day! I hope all of my readers have a wonderful & blessed Memorial Day! Remember as you packed your lunches, soak up the sun, and laugh with your family, that there are families who lack a member due to their faithfulness to our country. They are across the oceean serving our nation. Take a moment and thank them! 

Seeing Clint for the first time after three months at Parris Island for his graduation :) Happy, Happy, Happy day!!!

Pillsbury Strawberry Fudge Pie 

Crust: 

1 box of Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box.

Brownie Layer: 

1 (10.25oz) pkg. fudge brownie mix

1/4 cup oil

2 tablespoons water

1 egg

Cheesecake Layer: 

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened.

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

Topping: 

3 cups fresh strawberries halved.

2 tablespoons hot fudge ice cream topping.

DIRECTIONS

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Place pie crust in 9-inch glass pie pan as directed on package for one-crust filled pie.
2.	In large bowl, combine all brownie layer ingredients; beat 50 strokes with spoon. Spread in bottom of crust-lined pan.
3.	Bake at 350°F. for 30 to 35 minutes or until top is shiny and center is set. If necessary, cover edge of crust with strips of foil after 15 to 20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning.
4.	Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and 1 egg; beat until smooth. Working quickly, drop cream cheese mixture by small spoonfuls over partially baked brownies; carefully spread to cover brownie layer. Bake an additional 18 to 20 minutes or until cream cheese is set. Cool at least 1 hour.
5.	Arrange strawberry halves, cut side down, over top of cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 1 hour or until serving time. Immediately before serving, place ice cream topping in small microwave-safe dish. Microwave on DEFROST for 45 seconds. Spoon into small resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small hole in bottom corner of bag; squeeze bag to drizzle topping over pie. Store in refrigerator. **my tip for the fudge on top would be just to heat up enough for   your piece of pie because to me, it "makes" it to have warm fudge on top of the strawberries. MMM!! It's delish!

love is unstoppable.

 I haven't done this in awhile, but here's my "Show Us Your Life". Kelly wants to know what we like/love! Here we go :)

i love taking photos. I especially love going to the refuge to do it because God really shows just how great He is. It is truly a place of peace and serenity, and it is oozing with His wonderful Works of Art.

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”

i love my best friends, and the support they give me. I love that they trust me to give their advice, and I love that I can trust them with my secrets. They are always only a phone call away, and that is more than I can ask for.

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things."

I love Lance Corporal Clinton Ballard Brown of the United States Marine Corps. He's not only my friend, he is my best friend. He is a pro at being a good friend too because he can be there for me and be ten hours away at the same time. He helps me understand that I am capable of doing anything I want to do, and he has so much faith in me. I'm so very thankful God has allowed him to be such a huge part of my life. 

"Semper Fidelis."

I love my (basicallysisterinlaw) Hannah! She and I can have some pretty long talks, especially lately on Sunday afternoons (Sorry for ruining your naps!) She is also pretty amazing at giving me hairdresser advice! 

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget."

to sum up a handful of people, I love my family. I believe that love for a family is everlasting, and irreplaceable. There are so many things I could say about each of these people, but it would take SO long, and I fear that I would leave something out!

"Family is a haven in a heartless world."

I love my labrador, Marlee. 

"Dogs are miracles with paws."

Other serious loves I have:

 

(Beaufort, South Carolina)

and last, NOT least by any means, I love to...

fourth time's a charm?

Well, it's been an interesting past couple of days!

Since the last time I posted, I have been to the doctor three other times! Until today, they didn't know what was wrong.

Monday I went and they took blood and gave me two shot (a sinus one and some other kind?), they told me to keep taking the antibiotics, and they sent me home!

Yesterday I went because nothing was helping, and the antibiotic wasn't giving me temporary relief. I still couldn't sleep at night, and swallowing liquid was becoming extremely difficult. They took blood from my finger, then from my arm, changed my antibiotic, and gave me another shot. They also tested for mono.

Last night, I started having a shooting pain all the way down my neck into my chest. The medicine that had been prescribed earlier hadn't eased any pain, and the shot didn't seem to phase me either.

So, this morning we went to a different doctor, and he said that he believes it IS mono, but the test results won't be back until after lunch sometime, so we're still waiting to hear about that!

It's a relief to me knowing that they may've figured it out (not that i have some rare disease!). It's been so frustrating to not feel good, and especially to not be taking a medicine to make the pain a little more bearable.

On a totally different note! I have gotten all of my "online" purchases in these last two weeks, and i'm so thrilled that i haven't had to send anything back!

  i got those two lenses from here. Kyle Hancock recommended me to it, and I'm really excited about trying them out! 

 i ordered these two from Amazon! (THAT is my new favorite place!!)

 and (probably my favorite) purchase is my new non-pandora Pandora charm! 

That's all i can think of right now, but i'm also looking into some Waxing Poetic things, and then i'm sure i'll take the rest to the beach and to Montana! 

Have a great holiday weekend, and don't forget the reason for your day off work. We live in a country with men & woman selfless enough to give their lives in order to protect and preserve our rights and freedoms as Americans. I am so grateful to have such a close friend in the military, and I hope that he knows just how proud and thankful I am for him. Thank someone in the military this weekend if you have a chance! I know it will mean more than you could ever believe! 

Semper Fi, foralways.

.."i don't want to forget come daylight."

This weekend hasn't gone "as planned", and although there wasn't really any sort of plan, I was not anticipating being sick!

My throat has been hurting for the past couple of days, along with my left ear. So, last night Hollie "advised me" that I should probably see the doctor in the morning, but I am so stubborn and I hate the doctor. Ya'll just don't know, me and needles are NOT close companions!!!

This morning when we woke up, I asked Hollie to check & see if my throat was red. She looked and noticed a little more than that (totally nasty, but there were little pockets on my tonsils). I told mom, and of course, she made me go on to the doctor.

Once I got in the doctors office, I breathed a little sigh of relief because there was only one car in the parking lot, figuring that I wouldn't have to wait too long. . . . . . . WRONG! Anyway, after waiting (forwhatseemedlikeforever) 30 minutes, the kind nurse took me back, did her routine exam, and left the room.

I fell asleep in the waiting room waiting on the doctor, but she came in fairly soon (I guess!). She was a sweet woman, and she didn't like the looks of my ear or throat. She had a strep test done that came back negative.

She then told me it was tonsillitis, and sent me home with 2 antibiotics and a shot. I guess the shot has had a weird affect on me because I didn't really "feel sick" (other than throat and ear, I hadn't really missed a beat), but today I have just been "sluggish".

Maybe it's just been my poor attitude about today. I wanted to go fishing with Matt & Hannah, I wanted to go to Columbus with Megan and Hollie, and I wanted to spend time with them tonight before they leave for a week tomorrow. =(

i will remember you, will you remember me?

Ohhh... we've graduated. 

we've turned our tassels, thrown our hats in the air, unzipped our gowns, and marched down the "aisle" for the final time. 

The blue & gold will run thick through some of us because in a way we've left something behind that will never be replaced, but for others, they walked out and didn't realize what wanted to look them in the eye. The memories that are inside those four walls will often creep up on me, and i'm okay with that. Fighting back the way things used to be isn't something I want to do. I enjoyed high school, I loved being a part of  a team, a class, a family. I wouldn't take any of those years back. 

 It may be too early to say this, and I promise I will come back and blog if I change my mind - BUT know this: I understand that there comes a point whenever you just have to move on. Being stuck in the same place for too long isn't good for anyone, especially when they know they need to be doing something else. I am excited about what the future holds, and I cannot wait to start a new chapter in my life! 

No, onto another (lighter) subject. 

SO SO SO many people have asked me if we're going on a Senior trip. 

The answer to that is YES!

The class is leaving Sunday going to Ft. Morgan to stay at the beach until the following Friday. 

Am I going? No! 

 This was totally my decision, and it had absolutely nothing to do with "who all was going", "being away from home", "the beach" (because, as many of you know, i'm really not IN LOVE with the beach. I do like it, but not quite love), nothing to do with any of that. I would have probably had an amazing time being there with the class, and I know that there are so many memories to be made next week while they're there. But my senior trip will also involve many memories for me as well, and although it won't be beachside with my class, it will be something that I know I won't forget.

 Since I adhered to love of the outdoors, I have wanted to kill a moose. I know, I know, "there as big as a house", "what would you do with a moose?" I've heard it! Ha! I honestly don't know why i've always wanted to kill one, but lets be honest, his antlers would make for storage space if all else failed! HA, kidding. 

 Anyway! My senior trip is NOT going to Alaska to kill a moose, but I am going hunting with my daddy. 

  

 I AM THRILLED beyond words. After watching countless hunting shows (partially my fault, partially dad/brothers fault), the Milk River has become somewhat familiar to me because so many people enjoy going there to hunt.

 One in particular would be my (personal) favorite, Michael Waddell that hunts for Realtree Outdoors. 

a few shots from MR.

So, that's my senior trip story! I will go to the beach this summer with Mom, Mimi, and Meg. I look forward to spending time with Mom & Mimi at the beach. We always enjoy ourselves!

Have a great week! :)