Finally getting out

I felt well enough today to actually get out of the house and go do something!  

We went up to Frederick to my favorite vintage shop, and then got food and saw a movie.

It was so very nice to get out again after being a sick shut-in.

This little jar with bird eggs got me in the mood for spring... and next to it is Hannah's flask.

To my future self and my future kids

So that none of us forget this miracle cure, I am going to write about it and put a picture of it.

This week I have had the worst cold I have ever had in my life.  My congestion was so bad that I felt claustrophobic and couldn't seem to focus on anything but the fact that I couldn't breathe.  After two days of this I started to get really crazy and anxious.   I felt like someone was holding a pillow over my face and I could only get just enough air to survive.  

I tried absolutely everything.  Afrin.  Mucinex D.  Twelve showers to try and open me up. A visit to the urgent care late at night.  Flonase. Antibiotics.  I even tried acupuncture on my face! Essential oils.  Hot compresses on my face.  Shower tablets.   Nothing worked. I was extremely miserable.

Then I remembered apple cider vinegar (thanks to a conversation with Maria, Matt's girlfriend.)  I looked it up on the internet and read many reviews with much success, so I tried it.

I put mint tea, four tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of vinegar in a cup and sat down to sip on it, praying over it, believing in it, worshiping it... haha  But lo and behold!  Within minutes I could feel drainage happening and within 30 minutes or so I could breathe again!  It was a miracle!  It even lasted all night and I was able to sleep!  I have been sipping on it all day to day just to make sure it doesn't lose it's effect, but it hasn't!  I can breathe!

Okay, so my ears are clogged pretty badly now, but I can breathe! haha

Oh and a side note - one might think that drinking all this vinegar might bother my stomach or give me heartburn (which I fully expected but didn't care) but it didn't!  And this is someone who takes a daily medicine for acid reflux!  But no - not one tiny bit. 

Tweaking

Hannah working on her kneeling position...

Jacob, that was her position right BEFORE you started helping her!  haha

Snowy Day

We ended up with somewhere around 10 inches of snow today.  It was beautiful as it snowed all day long.  It wasn't until after dark that it turned to sleet... and freezing rain...

I wasn't feeling well today, and we were snowed in, so the only logical thing to do was puzzles!  

 View out the pantry window

Early in the day Danny braved the snow to go to the store so we could have a delicious meal of steak, potatoes, and salad, all cooked by him.  THANK YOU Danny!!  We had snow billowing outside, a fire burning inside, and full bellies to go along with it.  

Yea Hannah!!

Got her team patch!!

Big Congratulations to Jacob!

Today this man,  Colonel Dennis Malfer, called Jacob into his office to deliver the news that he had been selected to receive the highest level In-College Scholarship that the Air Force can give!  He was awarded $18,000 annually in scholarship money, along with money for his books,  and on top of that a $300 per month stipend for the duration of his college years!  

He is now officially in the US Air Force and will be sworn in next week as Colonel Malfer administers  the oath of office.

Of course, this scholarship money is on top of the Presidential Scholarship worth $15,000 that he had already earned.

We are SO PROUD of Jacob!!  Yes, ole pops is pretty darn happy and proud tonight.

Embry Riddle Detachment 028

Poor Mom...

"Feeling sad for mom again today... she had another day of nothing.  Ryan and Hannah are still sick and in bed.  Day number five.   Or is it six..?  Mom had nothing to do.  She started to go a little nuts.  She desperately searched around for something to do and ended up starting a puzzle all by herself."

-doggy diaries

Let's hope Ryan and Hannah get better soon!!!!!!!

The amazing Hannah strikes again

So today was a bit less of a nothing day for me, but not much.  Ryan is still recovering, thus resting in his room most of the day.  Hannah had insomnia and literally did not sleep all night - so she finally fell asleep at 9:30 this morning, and then slept the day away.  I felt like a childless mother!  

But one good thing came from Hannah's insomnia.  

This AMAZING sketch.  It is mind-blowing to me that she can draw so well.

Honorable mention for today is this - I asked Danny to pick up some little treat for our sick ones at the store.

I think he is having a hard time accepting that the kids are grown up.

(That, or he is out of touch with who they are!!)

He then proceeded to enjoy them himself.  With a glass of milk mind you!! haha

A nothing day

Today was a nothing day.  Nothing picture worthy to post.  Ryan has been sick and just came down for the first time today, and only for a little bit.  Hannah hasn't been feeling well either, so she spent most of the day in her room.  Danny went to the grocery store.  Hannah and I watched her Chemistry class and laughed at the teacher for 45 minutes.  My dinner turned out horrible.  So, I'm hungry.  The dog followed me around all day.  It's supposed to snow 6-10 inches tonight, so we will be stuck at home.  Again.  It's really cold and no sap is running.  Talked to Matt for a few minutes.  

And that, folks, is literally the extent of my day.

A whole lot of nothing.

Hopefully I will have something tomorrow!!

Jacob at the Grand Canyon

“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.”

Unknown...

Valentine's Day

Danny and I went to the store today and had a great time strolling the aisles looking for food and snacks for the kids so that we could go home and snuggle in during the deep freeze and windy snow that was coming. Danny blessed us with a cup of coffee to sip on as we shopped.  We had celebrated our Valentine's yesterday so there was no pressure today as we walked by all the soon-to-be-discarded roses and soon-to-be-discounted chocolates.

At the checkout, we got into a conversation with the young man checking us out.  When asked if he was doing anything special on this day, he said kind of sadly that he was single and would just be going home.  He opened up and shared how discouraged he was that he couldn't find a girl who would be committed to a relationship and be willing to work through difficult things.  He seemed to be such a fine young man.  I felt for him.

He asked us how long we dated before we got engaged, and when we said six weeks he seemed shocked.  Then he asked how long we had been married and when we said twenty years, he seemed genuinely delighted, and he said he was so glad to see that there are marriages that can work.  He felt inspired. He felt hope.

It was so nice that our 20 year long love story could inspire someone else on Valentine's Day.

I really hope this young man can find the same ending to his story.

For my hubby

Can you please bring me home some of these bits of Colorado?

Some of Jacob's comrades at the top of Granite Mountain.  So beautiful!!

This is the Air Force ROTC sabre and drill team.

Take me back to Arizona.

Ordinary Day

As I sat at my desk today Indy came in and joined me, watching all the birds, cars and people out the window. 

Cuddling Hannah.  Lucky dog.

And last, but definitely not least, a beautiful surprise in the mail from my absent hubby.

That time of year again

Left behind

 Today Hannah and I drove Danny to the airport to send him off to Colorado to find - us - a - house!!!

I wanted to get a picture of him but was too late, so I ran to the airport window and took this shot.  He is all the way to the right in the picture...

Leaving the airport, I was nervous for the drive home.  I almost always take a wrong turn somehow and end up where I shouldn't.

As I pulled out the printed mapquest my thoughtful husband printed out for me, I found his little note of encouragement there at the top right of the page.  SO SWEET!  He always knows just what I need.

So, I texted him and told him that since I wasn't able to get a picture of him, could he please take a selfie and send it to me so I would have a picture of him.

This is what I got back.  I laughed so hard I nearly crashed!! haha

Misc. Happenings

 A nice, cold, berry smoothie to warm me up as I sit by the fire. 

Both made by my husband.

Maybe this summer we will sit by the pool with hot chocolate!

Jacob sent me this picture today and it is just too good to not post.  This is what happens when you go out into the desert to shoot!

Winter Day

Best time to go to the grocery store...

 is during the Super Bowl.

Colorado here we come!

I spent some time today looking at homes for sale that Danny and I have been pondering in the past months.  As he heads out next week to look at some of them, moving out to Colorado Springs is strongly on my mind.  It's all becoming so real now!  So, here are some beautiful pictures of Colorado Springs to keep us motivated as the next days and months get more difficult.

 The Broadmoor - world famous and world class resort

 Garden of the Gods - breathtaking beauty

 University of Colorado - Colorado Springs - where Hannah hopes to attend college.  It just doesn't get any more beautiful.

Famous Pikes Peak