about 2 weeks ago…..

I found out that my Mamaw was in the hospital on a breathing tube because she could not breath on her own. Back up a few hours…. she went in on Monday for what was suppose to be a day procedure only to last a couple hours and she's be on her way home. After the procedure was done she stopped berthing on her own and her heart rate and blood pressure dropped. The Doctors did CPR to revive her and bring her back to, which at that point she was still not breathing on her own but everything else seemed to be working fine. They had to insert a breathing tube and sudate her because she tried to pull the tub out when she was awake. My mom called me Monday evening when I got off work to tell me what was going on. I didn't really understand everything at first, she was in a medicated coma that the doctors were controlling. They were not sure if her lungs would be able to handle it and her breath on her own so they were waiting a couple days to see how she progressed. My heart was breaking my Mamaw is my EVERYTHING and I was thousands of miles away. My race weekend was coming up that weekend and our anniversary I had to run I've trained so hard, she would want me to run. (and I ran, more on that to come) The next couple of day's passed by and there were no changes, no progress but she hadn't got any worse either. Thursday afternoon rolled around and my brother called me from the hospital and said that they had taken Mamaw off the breathing machine and she was breathing on her own. Things were looking up but she still had a long road to go before she was going to be able to go home. We found out she had blood clots in her leg because she did not get enough circulation in them while at home due to her struggling with breathing. (back story: my mamas worked in a factory were they built helicopter's for the military, the chemicals ended up tearing up her lungs which ultimately caused her to retire early and ended in results of her being on full time oxygen at home.) I asked my brother if I could talk to Mamaw, I needed to hear her voice and tell her I loved her. He wasn't sure if I could because she was in ICU and there were signs posted every were "NO CELL PHONES". He told me he'd ask and call me back if I could. A couple minutes later I got a call from my mom, she said ok Mamaw has the phone to her ear…The conversation went like this… (as I'm trying with everything I have to hold back the tears) Me: I love you Mamaw, I love you." Mamaw: "I love you to" Me: "I miss you, I love you Mamaw." Mamaw: "I miss you to, you going to come see me?" Me: "Yes, I promise I'm going to come see you soon I promise soon I promise, I love you" Mamaw: "Ok I love you and miss you" Me: "You get better Mamaw I love you so much and I miss you I love you Mamaw." Mamaw: "I love you" Me: "I love you Mamaw bye". Her voice was so soft and faint from having the tub in her throat, they didn't want her talking much because it was so swollen. I asked my mom if Mamaw knew who was on the phone and Mamaw said "Tiffany". I was so relieved she knew it was me. Little did I know that would be the last time I ever talked to my Mamaw. I went on about my day so happy that things were looking up. I called the hubs in tears telling him I got to talk to Mamaw and he was so happy for me. Friday came and went everything was the same, they were running tests and monitoring her. Saturday I received a text message from my mom saying that they moved Mamaw down to the heart floor to monitor her there. She was out of ICU so that had to be a good thing right?!?!? Saturday I ran my race, though of her the whole time. Sunday we had company in town so we spend the day with them. Sunday night after they left I was cooking dinner when I got a call from my brother at 5:15pm. He had just spoke with our younger cousin who had told him that Mamaw had stopped breathing again and she was back on the breathing machine. I immediately called my mom to find out what happened. 5:22pm mom told me she was back on the breathing machine, she had stopped breathing again and they had to do CPR for about a minute to bring her back to. They were not sure what caused it but they were running tests to see what was going on. She told me as soon as she knew something she would call me back and let me know. 7:11pm I received worst phone call of my entire life. My mom called to tell me that my Mamaw had just passed away. I'll never ever in my life for get that moment. I some how was as calm as could be and asked her again as I was standing in the kitchen of our home "do what?" She began to explain to me what happen and before she got to far into it she passed the one to her cousin Gayla to tell me. I made my way up the stairs of our house were my husband was, I remember what my cousin said but I was in such a state of shock I didn't hear what she said. She passed the phone back to my mom and I immediately hung up and fell to the floor. The hubbs came out of the office and asked what happened. I couldn't breath I was crying so hard it hurt in my chest I wanted some one to pinch me and wake me up from this horrible nightmare. I laid their on the stairs of our house crying my eyes out gasping for breath. Mad at the World, Mad at God, Mad at the Doctors, Mad at the Army, Mad at Myself. There in that moment was the worst my husband had ever seen me. I simply could not compose myself, I didn't know how to function. I didn't know how life would go on. My husband stood there and rubbed my back he had no words, I cried and cried and cried. I replayed every memory over in my head. She was there for so much of my life... 27 years of it but I wanted more. I was / am selfish, she wasn't suffering any more, she wasn't in any more pain but I wanted more. I wanted another year, month, week, day, hour…JUST ONE MORE. Please God I asked WHY? Once I was able to gather myself some I looked up at the hubbs and said "she just wanted me to have kids, that's it. She'll never get to meet my kids they will never know the wonderful woman that she is" She was already a great-grandma to so many but not my child / children. He reminded me that she had been there for so much of my life and seen me through the past 27 years. He was right but for me it just was not enough, I still wanted more.

From that moment my life was for ever changed…………. to be continued…..

6 Year’s of PURE JOY!!!!

6 year’s ago we said our I Do’s. I can’t believe its already been 6 years. Sometimes it seems longer and then other times it seem’s shorter. We’ve defiantly made the most of the last 6 years for sure. We’ve had good times and bad times, hard times and easy times. All of which have gotten us through the past 6 years as a married couple and were we are today. I can’t say I would change any of it, even the deployments were hard but we made it through more in love and stronger than when we went in. I’m looking forward to the next 6 plus years and everything that they hold. I know greater things are in store for us in our future. 

To celebrate we were in Savannah for my big race, my 1st Full Marathon. (read about it here) As you may remember I ran it on our Anniversary. I was hesitant to sign up for it in the beginning with it being on our Anniversary but it was a great day. Having the hubbs there for it mint everything in the world. Of course the day holds a special meaning for many reason’s now. We had planned to stay a second night in Savannah until we found out about a month ago our dear friends the L family were coming down for the weekend. They were staying at our house so we decided we’d go back to Cola after the race. Of course I wanted to spend every minute we could with them event if that mint on our Anniversary night. We all went to dinner together, all 7 of us (they have 3 kiddos). I wanted to go to dinner some were different, some were we don’t go often. However we settled on Olive Garden and you know what it was pretty perfect. We had a fabulous time, we were able to catch up, there were tons of laughs and jokes and of course lots of celebrating. 

We even attempted to have a slumber party in the floor of our room. Now that’s love if you ask me. The hubbs in the bed and me and sweet Madi on the floor. She’s 4 almost 5 and wanted to sleep with us. However she some how had the hardest time turning her little chatting mouth off and well mom interfered and she went to sleep with them. Of course I managed to make my way back into my comfy bed. It may not have been everything I ever dreamed of for our 6 year celebration but for us it was absolutely perfect. I’m really big on celebrating our Anniversary’s and it will be one I always remember. 

I simply can not ever imagine my life with out this man in it and I’m so grateful I never will. He’s my world, my rock, my everything. He hold’s me together when I’m at my worst and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I have an entire life time with him ahead of me. Let the good times roll!!!! 

I love you baby Always & Forever and Thensome 11-09-07

These cutie pies almost make me want to have one of my own. But in the mean time I'll just enjoy everyone else's kiddos. 

Enjoying a great dinner with fabulous friends. 

My Mistress, I've missed her to pieces. 

Happy Anniversary Love!!!!! 

 A sneak peak of our 6 Year Wedding Anniversary shoot we had taken Yesterday. 

Life Happens....

and sometimes things just get in the way or you get busy and some things get put on the back burner. Such as updating this here blog of mine. Normally I do it on the weekends and put post's together through out the week and catch up on all the ones I follow. But with my weekends full of running insanely long distances and then spending what little time the hubbs and I have together out enjoying life. Some times the last thing I want to do is come home and sit in front of a computer while the hubbs is siting next to me or out playing with the puppies. So I've compiled a group of pictures that sums up what we've been up to over the month of October to share. (mainly for me to have to look back on in the years to come.) Speaking of October, can you seriously believe that its already almost over?!?!? I'm excited and nervous at the same time because once we hit November 1st that means I'm in single digits till my Marathon. YIKES!!! I'm so ready to sleep in on Saturday mornings again instead of getting up at 5am to get my runs out of the way. After my race I'm planning on getting back in to blogging regularly. Don't worry I will still be running regularly but I wont be training for a marathon lol. thanks for sticking around and following along. We may or may not have some big changes come mid next year which I still don't know how I feel about but we will see and only time will tell. Life as a Army Wife right?!?!? So on with the pictures because I've kept you this long already. 

Aloha Friday = Spirit Day & Skinnies at School. 

Homemade Banana Crumble Muffins, which were fabulous. 

Evening 10 mile run along the Congaree River. 

Evening Family Cuddles after a long week. 

Just Completed my 18 mile training run. 

Core / Spin Class w/ my girl followed by a trip to Whole Food for Smoothies :) 

Homemade Pizza Night 

Root Beer Floats for dessert for the Birthday Girl 

Battalion FRG Bowling Night, I won highest score bowler on the first Game. My date and I for the night, Rebecca. 

I combined a race and my mornings long run to get in a 20 mile training run. 

Kelly Congratulated me by decorating my car, that happened to be parked at her house. 

Spending the morning in Charleston at a GSSF shoot with the hubby. 

We always make a stop at the Fountain when we are in Charles-town. 

I was recognized last Monday for all the volunteer work I help out with within our battalion. It was a true honor. 

Co-worker Lunch date to the fair.  Military gets in free,  but everyone else pays $5 between 12-2, leave by 2-pm and you get your $5 back. We enjoyed a yummy lunch and it was a day of first for me. 

22 mile training run and now to let the tapering begin. Only 2 weekends left before the big day.


Thanks again for sticking with me and always for those that have encouraged me along while training for such a big day for me. I'm super excited about our Anniversary as well!!!! Next big adventure after this is Thanksgiving which we don't really have plans for since hubbs will be working then NYC for NYE. I'm so excited and can't wait it will be his first time to the city.

Snoopy & Lucy go to the SC Fair

 Today was the final day of the SC state fair and we decided to make a girls date out of it. The hubbs was suppose to go as well but with a busy up coming week in the field I have him a pass. lol We had so much fun, road lots of rids, had loads of laughs and enjoyed a yummy corn dog. The fair any were makes for some great people watching and the SC did not disappoint there. Kelly and I hadn't had a girls trip out in a few weeks aside from our runs and so it was great to get out and have some fun. It was much needed after a long weekend. As we were headed to get our yummy corn dog we ran in to one of my other favorite families in the South. I was so excited to see this little Red Head and Lucy was to. They are the best of buds!!! Today was my first full experience of the SC state fair since we've been here over the past two years. I've always loved going, of course the food is my favorite part. We'll def. be going back again next year if we are still here in the south.

Sweet 16!!!

This morning I was set out to run my longest run to date ever. I've mentioned before how I've started running with a running group on Saturday mornings. This has got to have been the best decision ever, running with them that is. I've gotten in some extra long runs that I may not have been able to other wise. Its helped me do a good amount of the training on my own because K isn't able to train with me as much because of her job change. I've also found a few new area's to run in with longer straight stretches and that's so much nicer than the constant turn here, turn here then turn here. Its worked out great and because we were scheduled to run 8 miles today and I needed to run a total of 16 miles. YIKES!!!! K suggested that I park at her house and run the 3.5 almost 4 miles from her house to the school were we meet up and then the 8 miles with them and then 4 miles back to make a total of 16 miles. Ok doesn't sound to bad right.....except for the fact that it means I had to get up a hour earlier than I normally do because I had to meet the group at 7:30. I figure if I started at 6:30 I could get more than the 4 miles in and have less to do on the back end on my way home. It still sounded way to freaking early but you know what I sucked it up and did it. I was a little ok ALOT nervous about running so early in the morning before the sun came up by myself. I tend to freak myself out way to much but you can't help it with all the crazy people in the world now days. I got out of the neighborhood as quickly as I could and on to the main streets (which aren't super busy that early in the morning so that's a bonus) just rounding the 2nd to last long stretch before the school the sun started to come out a little and it was getting brighter out. I started seeing more people out running and it made me feel at ease a little more. I met up with the running group and we headed out right then on our route. I was able to stay up to pace with two other runners and we chatted the whole time at a good pace which helped the time and mileage go by pretty quickly. Once we finally made it back to the school I simply looped around and knew I was on the home stretch back to my car only 4 miles to go and I was good. I ended up having to take a gu pack at mile 12 and a quick sip of water from a water station another running group had set up. (I don't run with water) I was golden for my trip back. I made it all the way with only having two short red light stops. The last mile I was struggling a bit as it was up hill a good amount of the way, my knees were hurting and I wanted to trough in the towel but I sucked it up and did it. I avoided going by my car till I was right at 16.00 miles because I didn't want to be tempted to stop. Although I'm a very determined and strong willed person I wouldn't have given in early still it was tempting. I was so proud of myself and relived that it was over and I had just run my longest run ever, but the disappointing part about it was there was no one to celebrate it with. See the hubbs was home asleep at CQ (24 hour duty) so I dare not call him, K was gone and wasn't getting back to me, I called my brother but he was asleep. My excitement was short lived as I headed home to get cleaned up and then out to the commissary for my month grocery shopping trip. But I'm proud to say I ran 16 that's SIXTEEN miles straight for the very first time ever and I felt great 85% of the time. That's something to be proud about and talk about right!?!?!?!? This next Saturday coming up is my 18 mile run, just adding on those miles, 2 at a time from here on out. I've got exactly 5 weeks to go and that means CRUNCH time. My goal is to get to at least 23-24 miles before my marathon, I'm not going to try and make it all the way to 26, as I want my marathon to be my first 26.2 miles. After Saturday's run I feel as though I CAN run the entire race. Prior over the last 3 weeks or so I've had a game plan to run 6 miles walk .5 miles, run 6 miles walk .5 miles etc, that sounds do able right?!?! But I "think" I can possibly run the whole 26.2, I've said all along I just want to finish strong and proudly but I would be lying if I said I didn't have a goal time to complete the race in because I do. We will see, I still have just over a month of training left and I'm talking full advantage of it!!!

I know you are all probably so board and over my running post, and I'm sorry. I've always wanted to keep track and be able to look back on my life (our life as a couple) and this has been a huge part of my life over the last few years and it will continue to do so as long as I can run. I promise though we have some exciting things coming up our way over the next couple months and I plan to fill you in on all of that as well. I'm still contemplating taking the rest of November off from running after my race but I probably won't. I don't know we will see how I feel. Thank you to each and everyone of you for sticking around and supporting me and following along as I train through the pain, the good and the bad..... for my first half marathon (which was this past March) and now for my first full marathon. 

Your support and encouraging words mean more to me than you will ever know. 

Life Lately!!!

Life has just been so busy here lately, well not even that but when I do get some down time to blog it seems as if 20 more things come up that I have to do or take care of. So here's a bit of a recap on what's been going on over the last month. 

*Proudly supporting the Gamecocks as this may be our last Football season in the South. This is officially one of my newest favorite tanks. On my South Car. bucket list is to go to a Game and get my picture taken with Cocky!!! This picture below was taken after I got home from Charleston (see below) and had just run 12 miles across the Cooper River Bridge. I got a tad bit sunburned, plus side of running I can work on my tan loo. 

*My favorite little red head and I had a play date with my bestie Jenna and her little guy the other night at Chick-fil-a. I simple love this girl to pieces, she almost makes me wanna have one of my own. If only I could 100% guarantee I'd have a girl I might not be so hesitant on taking the plunge right now but since that's not possible I think I'm happy just the two of us and pups for a little longer. 

*The hubbs and I went out to dinner for my besties (Jenna again) birthday dinner a week or two ago and I decided to sport my boots with my Garnets and White Dress. Couldn't of been a better evening. 

*Of course you know I've been running my booty off like crazy, with just over a month left to go till my First ever Full Marathon training is in full force. I did a little weekend getaway 2 weeks ago in Charleston to help a friend and her family during her sisters wedding. So before I headed home I decided I'd run the Cooper River Bridge. Not just once but 3 times totally out to be 12 miles. I'm up to 14 miles total for my long run and I'll be pushing that up this coming weekend. This past weekend I ran my first race since the end of June and I finally beat my 10k time which I was so stoked about. This weekend I have a 16 mile run ahead of me, please pray for me if your the praying type.

*Two weeks ago I took off a day and a half early from work to go to Charleston to spend the weekend with these 4 cuties below. One of my mom's sisters was getting married and they had asked me a couple months ago if I would be willing to come down and help with watching all four kids on Thursday afternoon-evening and then all day Friday and help with bringing them to the wedding and then back to the beach house. They paid for my hotel to come down as well as paid me to help with the kids and we got to hang out on the beach on Friday before the wedding and had a wonderful time. Four kids under 5 was def. a handful at times but I was up for the challenge. From running into the ocean with no fear to jumping from one bed to the other and search through 5 bathroom trash cans for toilet paper rolls to make telescopes we had a blast. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Kids say the craziest things and these little guys didn't hold back at all. Do the boys not look adorable in their wedding attire below? 

Just a little recap of what's been going on here. The hubbs is back to work they picked up a new cycle about 4 weeks ago so we are half way through this cycle almost. Graduation day is Halloween which means my race is only a week and a half after that. YIKES!!!!! I still can't believe that next week we will be in October, talk about crazy!!! 

Fiestaware Collection

 It's no lie that I love my Fiestaware collection and I'm always adding to it. I also working on a Fiestaware wish list post, coming soon. But in the mean time I though I would show case my current collections. I love cooking, hosting and having people over for the Holidays or a simple dinner. This was our Christmas evening Spread this past year. We had the In-Loves in town and another couple from the Battalion came over. 

I have two of the many I'm sure Christmas Ornaments. 

Vintage Gray Paper Napkin Dispenser. 

Sunflower Spoon Rest 

Flamingo Soap Dispenser 

Scarlet, Sunflower & Shamrock Canisters 

 Scarlet & Peacock Salt & Pepper Shakers 

Tangerine Utensil Crock & Cooking Utensils 

Two Full set's of Utensils (one of each style)

Dish Cloth, that we don't use. Its a "look at" one. 

Peacock & Sunflower Oval Serving Bowls

Peacock Cake Pan, Tangerine Casserole Dish, Lemongrass Bread Loaf

Sunflower Oval Platter 

Scarlet Pie Dish & Heart Bowl 

Drinking Tumblers 

Cereal bowl Periwinkle, Flamingo, Sunflower, White, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, Peacock 

I have 12 complete place settings, each has a dinner plate, salad plate, cereal bowl and mug

Paprika & Peacock Large Soup / Cereal Bowls 

Mugs Flamingo, Sunflower, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, 

Peacock 

 

Two Tea Cup Sets Periwinkle & White 

Ivory & Brown Large Mugs 

Peacock, 11 Piece Knife Block Set

Salad Plates Flamingo, Sunflower, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, Peacock 

Multi Colored 6 Piece Steak Knife Set w/ Block Tray 

Dinner Plates Flamingo, Sunflower, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, Peacock, White, Periwinkle 

Scarlet 11 Piece Cookware Set

Peacock Set of 3 mixing bowls 

Retired Piece- Juniper Covered Casserole Dish 

Vintage Yellow Toaster - my most recent purchase. 

After compiling everything together into one post it doesn't seem as if my collection is that large. Guess that just mean I need to keep adding to it and that I will do. I have a few wish lists made on random sites with different items so I'll have to compile them all in to one post soon. My favorite part of my kitchen is my Fiestaware. My ultimate goal one day is to have hutch or buffet of some sort to display my collection and have it easy to access for using.