Missing Zack

This morning I woke up really missing Zack. I hope he calls soon. I miss him all the time, but this morning was especially hard as I expected to hear from him by now. I want to hear his voice. In my heart I know that he is doing well and I know he is right where he needs to be. When he was on medical for his shoulder, he couldn't wait to get back to the field and when he spoke about listening to stories from the Sergent Major, I could hear the excitement, the commitment and how proud he is to be a Marine when he shared those stories with me.
I am so proud of Zack and the commitment he has made, not only to our Country but to himself. To push himself beyond limits, to live by the Marine's core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment in everything he does.
From the little redheaded boy holding a baseball bat for so many years to a strong Marine now holding his rifle, swearing to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.... he is an amazing young man and I am so proud to be his Mother. Zack has taught me so much, he has taught me to really let go, don't just go through the motions, but really let go... we have raised our children to be independent thinkers, to discover and explore all aspects of life and we can't protect them from everything, nor should we. After Zack went to boot camp, I realized I "acted" like I was letting go, allowing Zack to make mistakes, letting him learn on his own.... but my words did not always back that up. Looking back, too often (because of worry and because as a Mother we protect our children) I probably lectured too much and "preached" too much when all he really needed from me was a hug and to hear I love you. Zack taught me to challenge my own beliefs, he is incredibly intelligent and funny, he has heart of love and compassion, he is loyal to his friends and family. Zack, we all miss you, we love you and we are so very proud of you. I look forward to each and every story, every update, and every thought you share with us as you continue to embark on your life's journey. Semper Fi.
(The picture above was taken on a train to Savannah, GA. in 2003. The picture below was at Zack's USMC Boot Camp Graduation, April 24th, 08)

Update: This same afternoon we heard from Zack. Rich asked Zack if he was done with Combat training... his exact words were "Hell Yeah" He called to let us know that he was done in NC and everything is going well. He is not having any issues with his shoulder and he will be in Pensacola on Tuesday. Zack and Rich talked about all the weapons he learned how to use... Zack didn't share those details with me. He was upbeat and sounded great! We are hoping to go visit him in Pensacola over the July 4th weekend. Once Zack gets to Pensacola he will let us know what's next.

Laughing... Does a body good!

Last night I went to the WH to have a few drinks and see friends and colleagues I had not seen in awhile... it was great to relax, laugh, get hugs and watch everyone smile and have a good time. Rich, Amy and I left the WH and traveled on to a friend's house (They left the WH earlier and invited us over). I told Rich how good it felt to have friends, to exchange stories, no judging just laughing, smiling and having a good time. It makes sense that laughing is good for the soul, how could it not be... when we smile, it just feels good! Here is what a couple researchers say. It was no surprise to me that laughing does a body good!
According to Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California who have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. To date their published studies have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.
So keep laughing! It does a body good!
Get a boost of happiness. You will get a boost of happiness – try forcing yourself to smile for thirty seconds right now. The great feelings that make you smile works in reverse too. By making yourself smile, no matter how you feel, your body will start to release all those wonderful chemicals that makes you feel happy. Try it right now and feel the difference. Have a great day!

Rebekah

Rebekah, my beautiful daughter is amazing. She is growing up so fast into a lovely, independent, strong, caring and beautiful young woman, inside and out. I am so proud to be her Mother. When I hugged her tonight as she was lying in bed, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and joy and at the same time wondering where the time has gone. It is such an amazing journey, being a Mother. The journey started for me from the moment I knew I was pregnant, that is when I first started talking, reading and singing to my baby girl and now sixteen years later I sit on the side of her bed and we talk about life, boys, what's next and so on.... I hope I have instilled in her to follow her heart, to live life to its fullest and to believe in herself in everything she does. She has taught me so much, I am a better person because she is my daughter and for that I am so grateful. She has a strong sense of self, she is centered and knows what she wants... and she loves with all of her heart. I am so blessed to be able to call Rebekah my daughter. Thank you Rebekah for being you! I love you, you are my SUNSHINE!

My Saturday

I'm happy to be home for the weekend. Bekah, Rich and I had a wonderful breakfast this morning at one of my favorite places... White Wolf Cafe. They started serving breakfast and this was the first time we had tried it, we will be back! It was wonderful. Bekah and I then were off to check out the YMCA and other gyms she is interested in joining then we did some shopping. It was so nice to spend the day together. She is a very busy 16 year old! I began making our vacation arrangements today, booking the flights to Louisville and Chicago. Searching now for the perfect hotel in Chicago as in Louisville we will be staying at the 21C Hotel. We have been to the museum and restaurant "Proof", can't wait to stay at the Hotel. Very unique.... the picture in this blog is of the entrance to the hotel. http://www.21cmuseumhotel.com/overview/default.aspx

This evening Rich and I are going to dinner with Fred and Amy, our very good friends. We are going to try the "Elephant Bar Restaurant"- I actually have been to one in Kansas City, but this is new for the rest of the group and new location for me. I have high hopes! All and all a very good day of spending time with family and friends.

Race to the Finish?

Race to the finish or is it just the beginning?

It is nice to be home. I am back in Orlando for the weekend. I have been going back and forth between Orlando and Louisville since February 08. I like Louisville, I like the job, but I LOVE my family! I look forward to being together every day of the week soon. I am glad I took the job, if we don't change and challenge ourselves we don't grow. I feel like I have grown in many ways these last 5 months, as a professional business woman, as a wife and a Mother. I have always appreciated my life and everyone in it, I am very blessed. This adventure has giving me a new sense of independence along with a renewed appreciation for friends and family. In the last 5 months, I have learned to drive in snow and ice, experienced tornadoes very close to me, awakened by an earthquake, I have been by myself more than I have in the last 20 years, I learned to bet on horses, I've met lots of new people and for the last two months I've gone without TV and I'm sleeping on an air mattress! (Because I was waiting for furniture) Oh did I mention I am also running a business? While at the same time being wife and Mother. Like when a replied to a text my daughter sent while I was at work asking me how much she was supposed to tip for a facial, I provided good motherly advice. And spending every possible moment with my husband when at home. We have good, meaningful conversations... all of us. I wonder what will change when we are together seven days a week? Am I ending a journey or just beginning one?

Need to Take a Break

I consider myself dangerous when it comes to being "tech savy" I know enough that is, to be dangerous. This is very frustrating at times. Like today, I know enough to know that everything should be working, my network connection that is, but for some reason it is not. I can't seem to get it working and it is driving me crazy. On Mondays I send out a weekly update to the CEO of our company and I can't seem to get logged in to do so. FRUSTRATING... now what do I do? Go to Starbucks to use Wi-Fi? There is not an exact time frame the the updates are due, but I like to be consistent... I am going to take a deep breath and keep trying. Let me be clear, my home wireless network is showing positive... it is my companies VPN that doesn't seem to be connecting to the gateway.
I think I will go paint a picture, take a photograph and leave this all behind. What do you think? I don't think this is "saving my sunshine"?

What is "Save My Sunshine" all about?

I don't really know yet. I want to post about things that interest me, topics that make me happy and hopefully others will also enjoy. When I think about "Save my Sunshine" I think of my environment, what I like, what I like to do, what and who I surround myself with, friends, family, music, art.... So, what does it mean to Save my Sunshine.... I don't really know yet, but I am hoping this blog will be an avenue to find out. This picture is a picture I took at Venice Beach, CA. I went there with my kids and we loved it!