Rooted in Trefoil to Rooted in Sand

**SPOILER ALERT** (Hopefully I do not give too much away) "In India, over 80,000 children go missing each year and there are over 11 million children living on the streets." After watching Lion, I literally cannot imagine living on the streets of India. Being lost for over 25years. If you have not seen Lion, I highly suggest it. A movie that touches on the feeling of not just actually being lost, but missing that part of you. I don't remember anything about India. I'm as American as I can possibly be, but some are not as lucky. As the movie portrays the real-life journey of Saroo(Sheru) Brierley and him being lost, adopted, lost, and finally searching for his old life; you can't help but feel every bit of sadness and uncertainty as the movie moves along. Its themes are universal. Everyone has a home, and everyone feels connected to it, no matter how far they travel. I too have felt that lost feeling from time to time in my life. The 'what ifs'. I...

How do I look my husband in the eye, and tell him “it’s ok if you want to deploy?”? Of course, I support my husband in all his endeavors, but lets back up 6yrs before I knew him. I watched a lot of my classmates enter into the military upon graduation. You could say my freshman year of high school was quite impactful in many of my friends decisions. 9/11 happened. It changed everything for us. The way we got out of bed every morning, weary of another attack. I knew older classmates that changed their college bound plans, to make the ultimate sacrifice. I’ve been blessed to be able to see them return to their families, and live out their future. Fast forward to meeting Tyler A. Schmidt and falling head over heels so fast, jumping straight into a long distance relationship for 10months, and then packing everything up to move in and start a life. I knew Tyler had previously deployed and while we were long distance, he was finishing up his service term……but I guess, you never really a...

Well tomorrow is inauguration day for our 45th president and I stand with so many people who have concerns and doubts of this incoming administration; but are hopeful for the best and those are my thoughts on the incoming administration. Let's be real, we're replacing an eloquent man with a crass, women-objectifying man that speaks before he thinks and tweets too much. Cest la' vie for four years. I hope we don't run our country into the ground. MOVING ON.....

Welcome back to a new beginning!! Tyler and I arrived home on Sunday around 10:30p. Not too shabby after a turbulent flight. I ended up falling asleep on the way home (figures). Let me just say 'thank you' to everyone I saw, spent time with, etc. It was so wonderful to see each of you! The hospitality that was shown towards Tyler and I was unbelievable. Maryland is truly home for me and it's always wonderful coming home. We had a whirlwind of a trip and you can see it all over my Instagram page...but I'll just post a smattering of photos here too. Enjoy. Headed home to MD.....Giant ornaments at Indy Airport

Real quick, just want to say my piece that family for me is anyone who holds value to my life and/or has been placed in my life at such an integral point in my life and seen me through. I have no "blood" family (yet), and that doesn't mean you and yours is more "real" than mine. To state such falsifying things really shows that even in your 40's, you are still ignorant and hateful. I feel sorry for you that you cannot accept what is. I hope you grow out of your hate and move on with your life and leave me and mine alone!! Besides, why would I come for a visit to be verbally insulted and degraded to my face, when I'd rather enjoy insults on Facebook? Don't be daft. Trust, you don't want me to visit and I truly don't want to see your face. I wish your parents raised you better b/c there are people in your family who have welcomed me with open arms and have been loving and kind. They certainly did the best they can, but sometimes even loving pa...

Tyler and I don't do missions all the time. As avid shoppers, we've always been about getting the best deal on the best product as are most people these days. Well, this year we threw that out the window, and swiped our cards left and right regardless of cost. Why, would we do that!??! Had we lost our minds? Did we win the lottery? No, we did it because it was the right thing to do. So let's back track real quick, when buying items that give back be sure to check your sources. I initially pondered buying from TOMS. I'll site the following link: http://www.whydev.org/some-bad-news-about-toms-shoes/ Read it if you wish as to why I avoided them.We considered Patagonia as well. Nothing wrong with them, just wasn't up our alley or interests. We were looking for something different, more family or individually owned, no big name or big reputation that a company of massive size had to live up to for the sole purpose of making sure their warehouses stayed stoc...

DECEMBER 1ST IS HERE!!!  🐧🎅🎄🎁 Ready to spread some holiday cheer! I love this time of year. In all seriousness, this is truly my favorite time of year. Baking, giving, snuggling, and so much more. I am still a kid at heart when it comes to the holidays. I have very specific routines when it comes to Christmas and decorating. Over the past five years I've had to compromise on some of those routines b/c I live with a guy who honestly is not a decorator by any means. He's my own personal Grinch.  The house is MOSTLY decorated, but this year we decided to give away our tree to a family that really needs one. Which while very generous, it gives me the excuse to buy a brand new one next year. I like new. So no tree this year, we shall enjoy the tree my mom put up when we get home to MD.  The girls, are enjoying the "cooler" weather right now. Mosa(aka Maya) is poofing out a bit more. Her undercoat is getting thick. She looks so funny when we put her collar...