I don't have photos to show our not so good times but those are memories too....

Today my blog is more of a journal entry!

Our family is real, we have good times & we have bad times!  I enjoy taking pictures of my family and sharing them with friends and family.  It just so happens that the photos are always of our good times!  I don't think to stop and take a photo of my husband sending my son or daughter a long distance text with a look on his face that shows the pain he feels about the not so happy news the kids have been given.  

Life has many disappointing moments, sad and bad days but these moments make us who we are. Sometimes even make us stronger & better than who we were!  I do not have a picture to share what is happening in our family these past few weeks but I know that God is good and everything truly happens for a reason!  Something positive will come from the decision and I cannot wait to see what that positive is!  The BEST is always yet to come and even though I do not have pictures to show our toughest family moments I think it's important that we remember what happened and how it made us better!

-paula

Cheers to twenty-seventeen!

As the new year approaches, I think back to the past year and how I had started so many things that I didn't finish or that I neglected and this blog is one of those neglected things.  I really have so much to talk about and share but I get so wrapped up in daily life that I just fail!  It really takes less than an hour to share a little something and I'd rather be in bed by 8 PM than open up my computer and do something for me.  

I think I say this every year but I want to start doing more for me!  I'm not saying that I don't do anything for me, I just want to take a little more time to do small things that make me happy.  I might have to stay up 30 minutes later than my family to do this but if that's what it takes then I will give it a shot!  

The new year is a blank page that I'm ready to fill with new adventures, old traditions, more travel, more cuddles, healthier everything & just more of what makes me happy!  

Wishing you all good health & prosperity in the new year!!  

Happy twenty-seventeen, Cheers!

What is the origin of your holiday tradition?

Hello Everyone!
As the holidays approach, I know we all have holiday traditions that we stick to, and I am an AVID listener to Elvis Duran and the morning show.  Literally Obsessed.  They were talking this morning about how soon is too soon to take a trip with someone that you are dating and it really resonated with me because me and Kyle went to Washington D.C on a whim 3 Thanksgivings ago and now it is a tradition that we plan to do forever and ever and take our kids to the same stops that we go to every year (literally cannot wait to hear "Mom we have heard how Abraham Lincoln died 12 times now)  CANT WAIT

Funnily enough.. we were in the "Talking phase" for like 3 months before we started dating.  I even called him my boyfriend to other people when I was talking about him before he "officially asked me" hehe.  2014 I decided I would go home for fall break rather than Thanksgiving because flights were cheaper, and I got more days off school, and it didn't interfere with track meets or finals.  Which meant I would have to find someone or something to do for Thanksgiving.  One day in October me and Kyle were hanging out at his house and he started telling me how much he loved Washington D.C. and wanted to go back there, he was surprised when I told him I had  never been and we talked about going together one day.  I then exclaimed, let's go for Thanksgiving!  I needed somewhere to go and I just kindof figured why not.  Kyle was taken by surprise when  I pulled up hotel information (probably freaked out because we barely started dating) but he went with it and we took 10 hour road trip to D.C and spent our first holiday together within the first month of being "official" all because I needed something for Thanksgiving :)
BUT it became our very favorite tradition, and we talk about how we will do this every year and bring our kids to the exact same sights we visit every year and one day we will tell them how the tradition even came about, which is even better than the actual tradition because of how funny it is lol

What is your favorite Tradition and how exactly did it come about?!?

XoXo Jordan 22

Faith in Humanity Restored!

A couple weeks ago my faith in humanity was restored.
Now, I typically have a very "half glass full" view of the world. Some might call it a naïve view but never the less, I expect everyone to be as happy go lucky and friendly as I am!
That being said, I have been in a couple fender benders in my 6 years of driving and my counterparts have not been the most forgiving or friendly to the young teenage driver.  A couple weeks ago, my University had its homecoming celebration.  Homecoming has always been my favorite Wittenberg holiday and this was my first time coming back as an alumni.  I had many responsibilities planning our track team tailgate and most of my friends were back in town what could possibly go wrong?!

Well, after I got done cleaning up the track team tailgate (which was a success btw I can't wait to plan one every year) I wanted to go home rest and freshen up a little before the evening festivities.  I was the first to park in a grass lot by the field (that no one is really supposed to park in) and I come back to the lot to find out that everyone followed my rebellious suit!  I was crammed from all angles into my spot in this illegal grass lot.  YAY!  I wasn't too concerned I have a pretty "Oh everything is okay" care free attitude most of the time, so you know I just back out of my spot like normal and what do ya know CRUUUUUUNCH.

I get out of my car and see that I hit not only someone's car, BUT a shiny nice black Cadillac (which funny enough I called my mom and said BMW). I knew it wasn't a huge deal because I only bent the license plate but I know people that drive nice cars don't always have the nonchalant attitude that Nissan sentra drivers have. I look around and ask the men tailgating in the illegal lot if they know whose car I just hit and no one knows but we are all curious to see what the blond bimbo does next.  I call my mom, and kyles dad wondering what on earth to do, if I leave a note, if leaving is considered a hit and run, how much Ohio license plates cost, just freaking out really.

So we all decide to leave a note with my number and just hope I don't get a really mean voicemail.
I go home and sit on my couch sad and defeated, staring at my phone waiting for an old man to call me and yell at me and threaten to sue me, the whole 9... and suddenly I get a text message from someone named Justin saying "Hey it's Justin with the black Cadillac.  I figure this license plate isn't worth much more than a beer at Mike and Rosies.  Lol, in all seriousness though no worries and thanks for the note and your honesty."

What. on. Earth.

I then call my friend, tell her I have to go to Pressbox and buy this man a beer because I hit his car, and hope I don't get kidnapped.

I metup with Justin who turned out to be a very understanding, nice, young man and we had a couple drinks on me as we laughed the whole situation off!

It was wonderful and Id like to think it is how I would act if roles were reversed.  Pay it forward everyone and don't be too quick to assume the worst in people, they might just surprise you! :)

T w e n t y y e a r s a p a r t

This is our blog twenty years apart.  We are a mother and daughter exactly twenty years apart and we are realizing 
that we are going through so many different life 
experiences, and have so many different perspectives, but 
we both are truly blessed, happy, and positive about our 
lives!  We have such a diverse range of topics as one of us 
is about to begin her life and is still figuring out who she is and who she want to be, is very career oriented, athletic, 
and at the very beginning of her life adventure....and the other is very family oriented, has had a successful career, raised two young adults, and is embarking on her second time around in the mommy world with two toddler boys.  
We hope you enjoy all the different perspectives, topics, and experiences we have to share and we will do our best to show you life 
twenty years apart.

Matthew's Homecoming Proposal "Rocked"!

This weekend Matthew asked his girlfriend to Homecoming & these days it's not just a question but a proposal!!  

He surprised her at Seven Magic Mountains which is an art exhibit in the middle of the desert.  He hid behind one of the rock structures with huge balloons and a sign that said "Homecoming would ROCK if you went with me".  It was adorable & his girlfriend was so surprised which made it that much more special!!

If you are in Vegas and have a chance to go see these rocks, do it!  It is a fun place to take pictures and just enjoy being in the desert especially now that the weather is perfect!

I am so excited to start planning the actual Homecoming date with Matthew, it's his first and last Homecoming so I want to make it special for him!  Thanks for reading and make sure you check back to for more about Homecoming 2016!

 

-paula

The three day diet!

So Matt & I tried the Military three day diet this past week.  I do not do diets, it is one of my life rules!  They just suck but I wanted to do something to get myself back on track.  I stopped working out and I started eating and drinking whatever whenever and I felt ugh!!  So anyway, Matt decided to do this with me.  It really wasn't that bad, we didn't starve or anything but it was hard not being able to just grab a snack or go to Starbucks whenever & I wanted to quit many times but Matt helped me with the mental issue and I survived!!  

This was suppose to be a fast way to lose up to 10 pounds in three days.  The menu includes meat, hot dogs, ice cream, bananas, coffee, tea, lots of water & tuna.  I felt full after eating the meals and I was so thankful for the ice cream dessert!  I only lost 4 pounds and Matt lost 7 pounds.  I worked out two of the three days and Matt did not!  I am happy for him but so frustrated that I gave up Starbucks for three days to lose only 4 pounds!!  

It was fun doing it  together and we might do it again just because we felt better eating less than we usually would and we loved the ice cream and banana dessert!  I slept better and honestly even though we had a small steak and two hot dogs in the  three days, I did feel better!  I noticed I had more energy and I wasn't bloated probably because I wasn't overeating and having Starbucks twice a day!!  

So I would recommend this diet if you have a big weekend coming up and you want to lose a few quick pounds, I don't know what I could have done different to lose more weight but the four pounds came off my waist which made me happy!!  You can find out more about this diet at http://themilitarydiet.com/military-diet-plan/

If you try it, please let me know your results!!  

The best part of the diet was the ice cream & banana!

Happy Dieting!

-paula