Love And Hope Thursday

True Love

(July, 2005)

Travel Tuesday

Linderhof Palace: Oberammergau, Germany
Part Three

The gardens throughout the Linderhof Palace are a magnificent creation of beauty and harmony with nature. Since the gardens are nestled in the Bavarian Alps, it is even more appealing. The gardens are very formal and are of a baroque style with Italian Renaissance flair. It is divided up in about 5 sections with many sculptures and fountains. Below are just a few of my favorites pictures!!

The Moorish Kiosk Pavilion

Monday Memories

Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. - Oscar Wilde

(Jayce, March 2008)

Fashion Friday

Fashion Billboards

The fashion industry likes to shock us, especially in Milan. This image was shot while shopping with the girls at the Galleria Vittoria Emanuelle II, better known as just the “Galleria”. Beautiful. (The Galleria and Beckham)!

Love And Hope Thursday

In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more. ~Palms 72:7While roaming through a park in Austria I took this picture. It speaks volumes to me. I took a college course on visual and performing arts and had to analyze paintings by Van Gogh, and even though the photograph I took is not on the same scale as his expansive works of art, I can look at this image with comparison to my own life.

The blooms of the flowers reflect the growth of my family. The two in the middle honor BJ and myself. Far left being Jayce, standing strong and soon fulfilling his own purposes in life. The smallest bloom on the right being Lana, she has much growth to accomplish. The two in the middle are the foundation for abundance of love and flourish; all the blooms are connected, but it’s evident that the outer two will eventually branch out and prosper on their own.

Yellow shines with warmth of love, optimism, enlightenment, and happiness that carries the promise of a positive future. Green is the promise of peace and health. I can only imagine what our lives will unfold, but I know in my heart it is a promise only God can keep.

Thanks be to God.

For my wonderful little family and all the beauty of this world.

Olympic Material

I know I have already made a post today, but I just had to share this…. so funny! Okay, those of you who know my husband know what a sports fanatic he is.. Not just one particular sport, but ALL SPORTS!! There is not anything this guy has not attempted, played, or mastered.

Thinking back, while on a date when we were just teenagers we stumbled upon a fortune telling machine, and his read something like.. blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, you have a sunny disposition and are OLYMPIC MATERIAL!! Oh-boy, he still has an ego trip over that one… LOL… because I am frequently reminded and I quote, “You married Olympic material baby!!”

Well, my husband received an early birthday gift and he’s been putting it to great use!!!

We have always ridden bikes and it’s something we all enjoy doing together, but now it has become a new obsession for my husband. I think he wants to join the Tour de France!! All these years prior he would just ride a “normal bike” for fun, but since we have moved to Europe, it has become a quest for him to be a marathon bike rider. I do tease him, but that is only because I think he’s cute… It is actually a great workout and since he’s soon to be another year older, he needs all the low impact he can get!! I love ya babe… If the truth be told, he just can’t keep up with my running!

Oh, I forgot to mention… Ever since the LIVESTRONG bracelets became available, Jayce and BJ have worn them religiously. In time, they had worn down and we could not find any here in Sicily, but when BJ went to the states over spring break he brought back enough to last a lifetime. What a great cause to support!! What causes are you supporting?

Lazy Days Of Summer

I love summer time!! I think it’s the greatest because I don’t have to worry about alarm clocks or homework, etc… the list goes on and on. There is something very special about the simplicity of just hanging around the house in PJ’s and finding ways to occupy time, in our household we are normally doing one of the following: reading books, playing games/computer, listening to music, drawing, watching movies, or talking with friends. It’s a breath of fresh air from having jam-packed days…. Oh, the joys of lazy summers!

We were on the same page with our neighbors today, because after Lana woke up from a nap (2pm) we were outside (in our PJ’s) and our neighbors came over and they were still in their PJ’s! I had to get a picture of the boys because it totally reflects the contentment of relaxation. It’s just a little reminder that we all need to slow down sometimes and enjoy the simple pleasures of life!

Jayce, Nathaniel, and Joshua (July, 2009)

Travel Tuesday

Linderhof Palace: Oberammergau, Germany

Part Two

As I mentioned in my previous Travel Tuesday Post, I cannot articulate enough the calmness and beauty of the atmosphere in Bavaria. Being in Germany was far more than I could have ever expected or dreamed of. This vacation was beyond my highest expectations. While in Germany we did many things around the resort that I will touch on in further post. Additionally, we went on some day trips offered by the resort then we ventured out on our own while renting a car. The vacation was splendid!

I must say, visiting the castles in Bavaria is a wonderful reminder of quintessential girlhood, It brought back many memories of dressing up and wearing a tiara while imagining being a princess, and the desire of living in a castle with beautiful gardens and enchanted forest!!

The first of the three castles in Bavaria that we visited was the Linderhof Palace. Although it was the smallest of the three castles built by King Ludwig II, it was our favorite.

This picture and the one below is the surrounding area that leads to Linderhof Palace, while walking to the Palace, the atmosphere is best described as the utmost ease and tranquility known.
I loved all the hidden small pocket streams of water. The sounds were so refreshing!

Upon entering the Palace with a tour guide, we were told that pictures were not allowed, but I managed to get a few. Not the greatest images, but good enough that you can get the idea. This statue is in the main entrance of the Palace.

This image is from the room known as the hall of mirrors, and was the King’s reading room due to all the candles. I can’t remember exactly the total amount of candles the guide mention, but it was in the thousands range.

The tour guide mentioned that there was over 5 kilograms (about 11 pounds) of gold within the Palace, but in my opinion, I felt the inside of this castle was a bit over the top!! However, this was King Ludwig’s favorite castle of the three he built. He spent most of his time at Linderhof, it was the only one that was finished to completion before he died.

This image is of BJ and Jayce near the steps of the front entrance of the Palace. The image below is the view while looking outward from the palace… Unbelievable!! Can you imagine this being your front lawn!?!



I tried to capture some images without the entire tourists, but this shot was not going to have tourist in it… it was impossible! Never the less, it is still incredible!

On the hour, the fountain erupts for approximately 10 minutes or so. It was very awe-inspiring, to say the least.

I captured this shot before the fountain stopped. I have more images to share from the gardens (the back lawn of the Palace), so check back next week….

Monday Memories

This picture was taken in Virginia Beach in 2006… Jayce was talking on the phone with his Dad while Regina (BJ’s mom) and I were hanging out at the beach. Fun time!!

Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles

I’ve become a slacker this past week in the blog-world… But, things have become increasingly busy since my new term of classes has started. I’m hoping this picture will make up for my absence, it’s such a wonderful picture of Lana & the bubbles, and I thought everyone could enjoy a smile…

Birthday Wishes

Today is Jayce’s day!! Oh-my, where has the time gone?! It just seems like yesterday I was holding baby Jayce in my arms. Jayce owns my heart and has since the day I first set eyes on him. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such a fine boy. I hope you enjoy this special day Jayce… May all your birthday wishes come true! I love you!

(Birthday celebration boat-cruise, 2005)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYCE!!!

Love And Hope Thursday

This photo was taken the summer of 1993. It is hard for me to believe that in the next couple of months we will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. My husband is a pretty incredible guy- he knows how much I love going on road-trips so he has planned this amazing road-trip to Pompeii, Naples, Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice. I may be forgetting to mention a few places, but you get the general idea. I’m so excited for our upcoming anniversary and celebrating it exploring Italy. Knowing my husband, I’m sure he has a few surprises planned as well!!

Travel Tuesday

Edelweiss Lodge and Resort

Germany Part One

Hello everyone… I only have a quick moment to blog about our vacation to Germany, and because I have so many pictures to share I will probably be breaking it up over several weeks and focus on the key points of the vacation.

I cannot express enough how astounding and picturesque the country-side of Germany is. Our vacation was utterly incredible!!! I must add that the military lifestyle definitely has it perks at times. Each of us was pleased with hotel accommodations and all the resort had to offer. We stayed at a military resort called Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. It is for military and their guest only. The resort is nestled in the Bavarian Alps.

This was the first picture I took of the mountains. The scenery is unbelievable.

Entrance to the resort.

The main lobby.

Another amazing view of the mountain.

I’m sorry I have to cut this post short, but my new term of classes has begun and I have so much to get done. I’ll continue on next Tuesday….

My Best Shot Monday

I absolutely love, love, love, this photo. Hey, did I mention that I love this photo?! Seriously, I think this picture is cool. The lighting rocks just like his t-shirt! I took this photo while we were touring a museum in Austria! I just love it!

Monday Memories

My two cousins, Pamela and Jeannie, and I at a birthday party when we were younger. Such a cute picture... We always thought we were the Charlie’s Angels! LOL!

Here's What I Love List

Random list of 100 things that delight me…. Just a little reminder to myself that life is good.

1. My family
2. Inside jokes with my hubby
3. Finishing a work-out or run
4. New car smell
5. A clean and organized home
6. My favorite blue jeans
7. Wearing pajamas
8. Road trips/Traveling
9. Crisp Autumn nights
10. Hot summer days
11. Coney Islander in Tulsa
12. Swimming
13. Puppies breath
14. My cat sleeping next to me
15. Movie night
16. The sound a basketball makes as it swishes through the hoop
17. Watching the snowfall
18. Thunderstorms in Oklahoma
19. Reuniting with an old friend
20. Rollercoaster rides
21. Holding hands
22. Boat rides
23. Mountain biking
24. Hugs
25. Hearing someone brag about me in the distance
26. Playing in the rain
27. Blogging
28. The first drink of a coke-cola
29. Root beer floats
30. Chocolate
31. No alarm clocks
32. Cash
33. Scary movies
34. Music of all sorts
35. Campfires
36. Candles burning (especially at night with the lights off or dim)
37. Dancing while cleaning house or brushing my teeth
38. A great haircut
39. Pedicures
40. Massages
41. My platinum card
42. Seahorses
43. Hearts
44. Smiling
45. Making a difference for someone
46. Charity work
47. The door being held open for me
48. Laughter
49. Building a new home
50. Jet skis
51. Riding 4-wheelers
52. Walking on the beach
53. Talking on the phone
54. Songs that make your eyes fill with tears when driving
55. Art galleries
56. Investing money
57. Looking up at the stars while laying on the hood of a car
58. Drive-in movies
59. Being skinny
60. Finding the perfect present for someone
61. Getting ID to buy alcohol
62. Praying
63. Driving in The Alps
64. Summer vacation
65. Drinking bottled water
66. Soaking in a hot bath
67. Drinking hot cocoa made with real chocolate (especially Italian style)
68. Reading bedtime stories to my kids
69. Telling old stories with family and friends
70. Giving gifts or notes just because
71. Fresh flowers on the table
72. Living in the moments
73. Being admired
74. A single orchid in a vase
75. Reading books
76. Gumball machines
77. Picnics in the park
78. That feeling you get when you fall in love with someone for the first time
79. Cave exploring
80. Completing a task
81. Walking along a college campus and believing in all the possibilities
82. Not engaging in gossip or lies
83. Being confident and truthful
84. Live Sports events
85. Riding in a train/subway
86. Going to a Ballet Concert or Opera
87. Kissing
88. Daydreaming
89. Being inspired
90. Following my heart
91. Great hotels/room service
92. Hand sanitizer
93. Wrapped up in a blanket and sitting outside talking with family or friends
94. Snuggling
95. Learning a dance routine
96. How the car dashboard lights up at night
97. Eating candy
98. Computers
99. Watching the drag-races
100. Eating warm donuts on a chilly morning before the sun has risen

Sprinkler Fun

I hope everyone has enjoyed this 4th of July. I know that we have had a relaxing weekend. BJ grilled tilapia and steak for dinner and it was mouth watering delicious!! As I said before, we arrived home yesterday and after we got settled in it was about 3 in the morning so we slept for a few hours, then I worked on getting a tan while Jayce and Lana played in the sprinkler! Today, we have pretty much been lazy and have done nothing but eat and play on the computers!! I actually went for a run yesterday evening so I don’t feel so guilty. Monday I’m back to the grind with my studies!! Until then, I'm going to enjoy a little more R&R~

Jayce and Lana sneaking up to play in the sprinkler...

It's a work in progress, both the tan and becoming more fit!

Lots of laughs while having some sprinkler fun!

She totally loves the water.

Don't you just love that smile?!

Come on' daddy-join us!

Okay... enough being lazy, it's time for a run!