I am an author and I get to go to California with my BFF! Woo!

This last week has been insane and awesome! I began simple enough. I did my chores and then met up with Kelley to take her adorable boys to the museum! we all had such a great time running around exploring the stuffed animals and giant dinosaurs. That was the last peaceful day I had for a few days. After that I had to solve a problem with the book I wrote for! For several days I did nothing but research and write with two other lovely ladies named Kelli and Kristin. Unfortunately, after the book Succession of England's Kings: Saxons to Stuarts was published, Kelli and I were informed that the third author had copied her work. We immediately threw out the copied work and replaced it all in a few short, very sleepless days. Kristin did a spectacular job at editing and making sure everything was perfect for the book. I am so happy with the finished product and I am so happy to finally be able to not only call myself a writer but also an author! How cool is that guys! The book was good before but now it is better! Please purchase the book here: https://thestuartnovels.weebly.com/succession-of-englands-kings.html please support Kelli, Kristin and myself in our hard work and dedication! It is worth the read!

On top of playing with two adorable little boys and writing until I felt like my eye balls would bleed, I got to hang out with my sister from another mister, Nikki, and Ava!!!!! They are here for 10 days and then I am driving out to California to spend 8 days with them! I could not be happier to see my bestie and my niece AND go to the beach! I will show Ava all the wonders of sand, sea and dolphins! It is super late (thanks Facebook for being down so long when I needed a link from you!) and I must retire! Enjoy my story this week after the adorable photos of my friends and their babes and don't forget to buy my book!! 

Week 4 (19-26 January 2015)

The Broken Sparrow

Sparrow was a free bird. She flew the fluffy skies, diving and dipping to catch bugs. She was a happy, carefree bird that loved nothing more than flying until her wings could not carry her. One day, Sparrow was flying over a pond catching tiny bugs when a fish jumped out to try to catch the same bug. The fish hit sparrow hard and she slammed into the nearby dirt. She tumbled over herself several times before landing at the base of a tree. Pain rushed through sparrow's body as she laid there covered in dirt. She whimpered and tried to pick up her wings but one of them wouldn't lift. Her wing was broken. She pulled her wing close to her body and whimpered in agony. Her sole desire in life was to fly and now she may not be able to fly ever again.

That night, sparrow slept under the tree cradling her broken wing. It was a cool, peaceful night that sparrow typically would love but this night was full of pain and dread for her. She wept all night and finally awoke as the sun was creeping over the horizon. The smell of thick mud next to the pond filled her nose. The buzz of nearby cars hummed through the breeze. The light, floral kiss of wild roses perfumed the happy pond and for a moment sparrow was happy. She felt no pain in this moment and stood up to fly away. One flap of her wing brought her back to the searing hot pain in her broken wing. She feel into a tiny heap in the grass and cried. Just then a squirrel was running by and heard sparrow crying.

“Little sparrow, what's wrong?”

“Yesterday I was a happy bird. I was flying over the pond and a fish knocked me out of the air. My wing is now broken and I can no longer fly. My whole life was flying and now my life is over,” sparrow was utterly depressed. Never had she felt so lost and alone. Squirrel was heartbroken for sparrow's desperation.

“Oh dear sparrow! My heart is heavy for you. Your grief and pain all palpable, sweet bird. I would like to help you. Please stay here and I will be right back!” squirrel darted off.

Sparrow was too sad to notice squirrel had gone. Her sadness over not being able to fly shattered her. Flying was her greatest happiness. She thought of all the blue skies she had flown thorough. Her heart warmed at remembering pink and purple sunsets, bears crossing streams, flying over butterflies in fields. She felt dejected and questioned what her purpose was in this world anymore. Just as she was feeling her worst the squirrel came running back.

“Sparrow! I have help for you!” announced squirrel. He had come back with several other squirrels. They bandaged up sparrows broken wing then they made a little lift to bring sparrow up into the tree, “Now sparrow we made this lift because another bird needs your help. You see a little baby bird was abandoned. She needs a mom to care for her. We can bring you food and help you with what you need for her. She just needs someone to care about her. Will you please help her and find a home in this tree?”

Sparrow thought about it for a minute. She was getting a second chance at life. She may not be able to fly but she could sit in a tall tree and still feel a breeze on her cheeks. The squirrels loaded sparrow into the tree and brought her to the abandoned baby. Sparrow was surprised by what she saw in front of her. There, in a little hole in the tree, sat a fluffy and sad baby owl. The baby was nearly as big as sparrow but so undeniably cute. In that moment, sparrow forgot about her suffering and felt needed. For the first time in her life she was needed. She hopped out of her little lift and snuggled up to the baby owl.

“Don't worry little fuzz ball, I will keep you safe. The squirrels will help me.”

Everyday baby owl grew bigger and bigger until soon owl was protecting sparrow. They would cuddle together at night and stay happy and warm. They were an unconventional family but a family nonetheless. One day owl cheerfully woke sparrow up with joyous hoots.

“I have a surprise for you mom! The squirrels helped me with it!” chirped owl. The squirrels were chittering outside the hole in the tree begging sparrow to come out. Sparrow agreed and was greeted with a lovely surprise. The squirrels had created a vest for owl to wear around her chest. On the front of the vest was a place for sparrow to sit so they could fly together. Sparrow had not flown in the sky for many moons and had dreamed of it since her accident. Never had she felt so appreciative in her little life.

“My wonderful family! Thank you! You have given me wings again. How could I ever repay you?” Sparrow, owl and the squirrels hugged and danced as they put sparrow into owl's vest. That day owl took sparrow back into her fluffy skies. They watched cars drive below, children riding bikes, bees making honey and deer walking through the forest. Sparrow felt alive again with her baby owl in the great blue sky. Her days of sadness were left on the ground as they soared through the warm air.

Happy birthday to my baby brother!

Today is my little brother's 19th birthday! Unfortunately for him he is in training and we can't even call him. Oh how time flies! I am so proud of him though and there will always be next year.

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Week 3 (12-18 January 2015)

The Girl in the Wall

I was born in a time when walking to school and playing outside were safe. Mother's didn't worry about their children being harmed by another human being. Children stayed home alone often and rode their bikes to run errands for their household. It was a quiet, simple time and that is why my disappearance was so rattling. One day, mother wanted me to take some eggs to Mrs. Alice. She lived alone and my mother cared for her like family. I filled up my basket and walked along my usual path. I preferred the unconventional route to Mrs. Alice's home. It was along the river and no one ever walked there. I could day dream and skip rocks without being bothered. Along my walk I encountered Mr. Noble. He was new to town and kept to himself. He worked in the pharmacy but no one really knew him very well.

“Hello Marie, this is a nice river here,” I thought it was an odd introduction from a man I didn't quite know but he knew my name and my mother taught me to be polite. He was an adult and I was just a ten year old girl. I respectfully said yes and we spoke for a few minutes as I walked. After some brief conversation Mr. Noble offered me a sweet. This was a time before parents warned their children about taking candy from strangers. I happily accepted the sweet and we continued our walk. After a few moments I remember feeling like a fog was settling over my brain. My vision became blurry and I blacked out. When I awoke, I was in a dark room. I did not know how I got there. I didn't even know where I was! Just as panic really began to set in the ceiling above me creaked and opened up. Mr. Noble's grinning face peaked through lit by a candle.

I was confused more than frightened. Why had this stranger just peeked into the dark room I was in? Why had he brought me here? Mr. Noble came down into my little holding space and explained to me what was going on. I almost feel like he expected me to be less rational; I was never that kind of child. He told me he was a killer. He kidnapped little girls and held them for a while then he smothered them or drowned them. He moved to my town because the police were catching on to him. Apparently too many little girls went missing and one was found in the lake by his home. He explained to me that he knew as soon as he saw me I was to be his next girl. I didn't even know how to process what he told me. All I could think of was how ironic his name was.

Over the course of the next week, Mr. Noble dressed me up like a doll and kept me informed on the efforts to locate me. Neighbors had found my basket full of eggs near the river but all other trace of me was gone. They would never find me. After three weeks I finally asked Mr. Noble if he would release me.

“I am so sorry my dear Marie but I cannot. You have been my most special girl. The other girls quivered and quaked when I was around. I abused them and hurt them physically but not you. You have been stoic. It'll be a shame to get rid of you but I must in order to not be caught you see?” he was delusional. After so many weeks I had succumbed to my fate. I never could escape because he kept me so close to him. If I didn't sleep then neither did he. I was designated to the kitchen and the make shift room below the kitchen. I had hoped that making him my friend would gain me my freedom but it had gained me nothing. He had not wavered in his grip of me and he had not changed his mind. Not once did he make a mistake. I knew the day had come when he brought me to the kitchen and there was a nice table setting with white roses, “My sweet Marie. I am so sad to say goodbye to you today but it has to end so I can find a girl I do not like as much as you. I have needs you know and I cannot bring myself to make you fulfill them. Because you have been the most special to me I will let you choose how you would like to go?” the smile on his face as he said this to me was pitiful. For the first time I experienced true fear.

“Mr. Noble. I will not beg you for my life as I feel you would gain satisfaction from that and frankly I do not want to give that to you,” I could tell he treasured the death moment in his girls but as I said this his smile faded, “I am afraid to die. I have never had to think about it as much as I have these past three weeks. Since I am your special girl I would like to die a special way. Being suffocated or drowned is terrifying. I do not want to feel fear for as long as that takes to die. Please just shoot me in the head and end this for us both,” if he was going to kill me I would resolve to have it be done in the most horrible way possible for him. You see, Mr. Noble is not one for blood. We did not eat red meat because of it and he nearly fainted when he cut his finger once. If he hadn't immediately made me go to my holding room I could have escaped then.

“If that is what you want my Marie,” Mr. Noble gulped and led me upstairs. He tied my hands, placed a blindfold over my eyes and put gauze in my ears so I would not hear it and jump. He was very thoughtful for a murderer. In those moments my fear subsided. What was I supposed to do? Cry and give him what he wanted? My family would be okay, life in the world would go on and I would make sure Mr. Noble did something different that would maybe stop his sick reign of terror. A flash of white filled my eyes. A feeling of relief washed over me. I awoke once again. I thought maybe it was a dream but something felt different, I felt different. I felt as if I was there but not there all at once. It was then that I realized I was in a wall. I shook as hard as I could and jutted out of my deathbed. Mr. Noble had plastered me up in the wall where no on wold find me. He bought stuff to embalm me so I could live forever in his home. This made me feel more angry than I had ever been. I was furious he was not suffering. I had come back and I would finish this once and for all.

Mr. Noble came home with fresh flowers, he made a pot of hot water for tea and he whistled like he hadn't a care in the world. I waited until it was dark and he was off to bed. As he settled into sleep I presented myself at the end of the bed. “Mr. Noble... Mr. Noble... Oh Mr. Noble,” I chanted. His eyes burst open and terror was shining through them. I disappeared in a giggle. For a week I continued my charade, whispering to him as he dozed off and disappearing before he could see me. He was on edge the whole week and hardly slept a wink. On the final night I did it again. He had gone to his room and kept the candle lit. Eventually he passed out from sheer exhaustion. I whispered his name, “Mr. Noble... Mr. Noble...”

“Who is there?” he yelled and immediately he saw me, “Marie! My sweet Marie,” he sighed, “Oh what have I done to you?” I presented myself in a most gruesome matter. The gun shot in my forehead could be seen and blood trickled from it.

“You did this to me Mr. Noble. You killed me. You took me from my family, from my friends. You have done this too many times,” I bellowed at him. He wept and wept begging me to forgive him, “I cannot Mr. Noble. My family will never have answers.”

“Oh my Marie, please, I beg you to forgive me. What can I do to make you forgive me?” he begged and pleaded.

“Sir, I wanted nothing more than to live. Now I can't so you must pay. End your life and end my misery,” at that I remained silent as he cried tears of shame. After a few moments I disappeared, leaving him to ponder his pathetic existence. An hour later I heard a gun shot. Mr. Noble had killed himself. He left a note telling the police he had killed me but did not tell them where I was. He died clutching the shirt I had worn the day I was taken. Unfortunately this would not be the end of Mr. Noble. His sacrifice to me had lent him a new existence in the paranormal world. One that ruin the lives of the next several families that would move into his house after his suicide. It wouldn't be until Morgan and Terra moved in that Mr. Noble's murderous reign of terror would end.

What happens when a grasshopper decides to be an astronaut?

If you read my story you will find out!

Yesterday was terrible. Let's pretend it didn't happen. Instead let's find joy in these pictures of Ava. Apparently, if you tell her she has sweaty feet she makes these faces! Gotta love her! 

Also if you guys get some time, please visit the Facebook page called The Fly On The Wall. If you love history you will love this page. You learn something new everyday there!

Enjoy the pictures and stories everyone!

Week 2 (5-11 January 2015)

A Grasshopper on Mars

The day I was born the people of my lovely state of Florida launched off a rocket into space. I was born with stars in my eyes and all the possibilities the universe could hold were tumbling around in my thoughts. I don't know that my family intended on living so close to a space center but it happened nonetheless. I was reared on the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center. No one else seemed to enjoy that but I felt like one lucky little grasshopper. I determined very early on that I was going to be the first grasshopper astronaut. Most of my bug family laughed at me but my mother, father brothers and sisters told me it was achievable. They would go with me to the space training grounds and we would watch the people train for the extreme limits of zero gravity and space travel.

One day, my mother hopped home with great excitement and pride with my sisters in tow. They bounced around me laughing and giggling, telling me they had a surprise for me.

“It's a lovely surprise!”

“It will make you look so handsome!”

“We worked so hard on it!”

“Oh what a joyous surprise I have for you son!” announced my mother as my sisters parted for her.

“What is it?” I chirped with glee.

“Close your eyes! Close them tight!” declared my sisters. I did as they said and could hear a rustle, “Don't you dare open those big eyes!” It seemed like my eyes were closed forever as giggles filled the air, “Okay astronaut brother, open!” To my delight, there in front of my eyes, was a real life astronaut suit.

“Oh my sweet family! How did you do this? Thank you my darlings! Thank you!” I could not believe my eyes. My mother and sisters had worked tirelessly to create a real suit for me to take to space. They had gone to watch how the human suits were made, they took snippets of materials to make me a real, working astronaut suit. My dream of becoming a space grasshopper was coming to fruition. I learned of an upcoming launch so I trained night and day to prepare for blast off. My brothers took me to a pond so I could get used to feeling weightless. My sisters made me grasshopper space food so I could eat like the human astronauts. Everything was in line and I was ready for my first mission.

The day of the launch came and my family wished me well. The human astronauts were going to Mars to take supplies. They had already been to Mars and a few astronauts had settled there temporarily so they could study the planet. I was excited and scared to see this new land. I snuck onto the space craft in the wee hours before dawn after I gave my family a tearful goodbye. It was astonishing to be on such an enormous ship! In a few hours I would be launching into space so I spent my time getting acquainted with the place I would call home for a few weeks. It was oddly peaceful before the bustle of launch preparations began. Eventually the rocket was loaded up with the human astronauts and everything was set. I nestled into my make shift holding spot and awaited the launch. I knew my whole grasshopper clan was waiting below and were anxious enough for me so I calmly took some breaths and made sure to brace myself.

The launch was incredible! Everyone inside was so calm and professional that I could not help but feel the same way myself. We successfully arrived in space and the sight was unlike anything I had ever seen! A Black abyss seemed to engulf everything surrounding our space ship. Earth looked like a gentle blue orb slowly but gracefully gliding through an unknown universe. I was at a loss of words. After some time we made our way to Mars. Mars was a rusty red color. There was not a single spot of what looked like life or any sign that anything could live there. It looked pock marked and generally uninhabitable. We buckled up and made our way to the red planet. We descended with as much grace as could be expected and successfully handed off supplies.

I am from a lush, green land with oceans for miles and humidity that could moisten a dry cloth. Mars was nothing like my home. It was dusty, rocky and seemed so dry. There was no life outside of the astronauts that were exploring the harsh terrain. It was so foreign to my home. I walked the terrain a bit then peeked around at what the humans were up to. They had all sorts of land roving vehicles, test stations, labs and a secure building to conduct all their studies in. We spent the night on Mars but the next day we refueled and headed back to Earth. Our take off was smooth and in no time we were back into the dark abyss. Watching Earth get closer and closer was mind blowing. Swirls of white, puffy clouds seemed to tickle the blue oceans that took over the round Earth. As we glided toward home and prepared for a fiery landing I couldn't help but think of my loving family that had helped me get to where I was.

We crashed home and spent time acclimating to Earth again. My family was nearby to greet me and I was so happy to see them. I had no company on my travels through space so I had been a little lonely. All my grasshopper clan cheered and chirped at my safe arrival. They had no way of knowing I was safe since they couldn't communicate with me but they did keep an eye on the news which said our trip was successful. I brought back heaps of Mars dust and told stories of what outer space was like. As everyone looked up to the sky they could not imagine how the the great blue that surrounded us could be surrounded by so much darkness. My world was forever changed after such an extraordinary trip to space. I was respected by all and called an astronaut by the other grasshoppers. My siblings even wanted to join my training and become grasshopper astronauts. I opened up an insect training facility near the Kennedy Space Center. On future trips I would have some company and friendship. What a blessed life I have as a space traveling grasshopper.

I'm back!

As I stated yesterday, I have given myself a new writing challenge. It keeps me fresh and gives my friends a taste of my writing. Here you go, but before you do here is a picture of my sweet little niece! Let me know what you think of last week's story.

Perfection!

Week 1 (1-4 January 2015)

The Fear Touch

It was late. The stars were twinkling and a warm breeze brushed Lilou's cheek. She sighed with happiness as she walked home from her friend's house. She felt safe and joyous this clear night but it would prove to be a fateful evening. As she was walking, Lilou could hear footsteps behind her. At first she thought nothing of it but the steps followed her at every turn. She decided to stop and the footsteps stopped. When she began walking again the footsteps began again. Like a cougar stalking it's prey, someone was following her. Lilou turned around to see who was following her but no one was there. She turned back around to continue walking and standing in front of her was a tall, dark figure. She screamed and jumped back from the figure but as she did so she tripped on the curb and fell in the street. The last thing she saw were the lights of a car. She shielded herself from the car but to no avail. Fear washed over her as she closed her eyes for impact.

Lilou woke up in the hospital. It took her a moment to realize where she was. She squeezed her hands. Okay I can feel my fingers. She clenched her stomach. I can move my upper body, that's good. And finally she wiggled her toes. I'm not paralyzed! Relief washed over her but so did confusion. She remembered being hit by a car but she felt fairly intact. Nothing really hurt except her backside from laying on a hard hospital bed. Sleeping in a chair next to her was her mother.

“Mom, wake up,” she whispered to her mother. Her mother stirred awake then shot up out of her chair when she saw Lilou talking to her.

“Lilou! You're awake! NURSE! Honey! You're awake!” she screamed.

“Yes mom, I am fine! Please calm down.”

The nurse came into the room and saw that Lilou was awake. She made sure Lilou was stable then explained that the driver of the car that hit her brought her in. She had been in a coma for two months but surprisingly she didn't suffer from any physical injuries. She had no broken bones, no internal bleeding, she had nothing but a few scrapes yet she was out for two whole months without explanation. Lilou's mother was overjoyed with the fact that her daughter was awake so she leaned in and hugged her. As soon as her mother touched her Lilou could hear bees and an overwhelming feeling of fear filled her body. She could see bees and hear her mother screaming.

“Mom, are you afraid of bees?” she jolted away and asked.

“Yes honey, I am. I am terrified of them. When I was child I watched one of my friends die after being stung by bees. They have scared me ever since. Why are you asking me such an odd question?”

Lilou did not know how to answer that. She just knew that when her mother touched her paralyzing fear took over her. She could see it, she could feel it and hear it. It was strange. The fear just materialized in front of her from a single touch. She shook off the feeling and told her mother it was probably just the groggy feeling from being asleep and on meds for so long. She convinced herself that was the truth, until it happened again. The doctor put his cold hand on her arm and suddenly she heard screaming. Her vision was shaking and she felt like she was falling. She looked around her and could see she was in an airplane as it was crashing. When people touched her she experienced their fears so intensely it was as if they were her own. Lilou was scared. She didn't know what was happening or why but she was literally living in fear.

Lilou let her mother go home and sleep. She couldn't process what was happening to her and didn't want her mother there to question why she was acting strange. Every doctor, every nurse, every single person that touched her bare skin would cause nightmarish flashes before her eyes. She would feel their fear, hear it, see it and even smell it. The night nurse who was terrified of being raped and killed after work. The MRI tech who feared drowning. Lilou's sister who feared heights. All the fears of the world filled her head. She didn't know what to do, she just knew she needed to stop touching everyone.

Once she got home, she spent several days alone. Her family didn't think much of it. They assumed she needed her rest but Lilou really just needed a reprieve from her fear flashes. Over time she learned to control the sights. She could touch someone and not be seized in visions and feelings. The only thing she did not understand was why it happened. She researched and looked up if anyone else had ever had the same feelings but nothing came up. Lilou decided to just live her life and learn to control her visions. Life was happy after that, at least for a short period of time.

After a couple months, life got back to normal. Lilou went back to work and the daily grind while controlling things she saw when people touched her. She became more sympathetic to those around her and felt a greater sense of being human. Oddly enough, the fear made her feel more at peace. That all changed one day after work. She walked home like normal, everything seemed so normal! When she got home, Lilou noticed the door was ajar. That was strange but not strange enough to stop her from proceeding inside. She opened her door and stood in shock in her doorway. Her house was in complete disarray. Holes were busted in the walls, the couch was thrown upside down, all the cabinets were open and everything was shattered to pieces.

“Get out!” screamed her mother as she darted around the corner with a bat, “Oh my God! Lilou! You have to leave! They are looking for you. Go!” her mother ran up to her and hugged her. A new vision flashed before Lilou's eyes. Men were taken Lilou and were killing her.

“Momma, calm down! Calm down! What happened?” asked Lilou.

“They kicked open the door. They were looking for you Lilou! They tore everything apart looking for you,” she was panicked, trying to rush Lilou out the door.

“Who mom, who?”

“I don't know Lilou! You need to leave here! I haven't called the police yet, I wanted to make sure you were okay if you ever came home! I tried calling you! I thought they had found you! Your phone went straight to voice mail,” Lilou's mother was in tears now realizing her daughter was okay. Lilou noticed her mother had been beaten and knew she was serious, “I gathered some things for you and put my savings in a bag for you. They tore the house up looking for you and they missed the shoebox full of money I had in the closet.”

Lilou had so many questions, one of which was why her mother was hiding money, but she only asked one question, “Momma are you okay?” her mother shook her head yes and was about to say more when a young man entered the house.

“GET OUT!” screamed her mother as she shoved Lilou behind her and raised the bat and began chucking any object she could grab at him.

“No, no, no! I am not here to hurt you! I need to take Lilou to a safe place! Please stop throwing things at me!” the man said as he held up his hands in surrender.

“How can I trust you? Do you not see my house?” Lilou didn't recognize him from her mother's fear flash so she calmed her mother and let him speak.

“Because I am like you,” he calmly stated and put out his hand. Lilou nervously stepped forward, ready to fight if he grabbed her, and touched his palm. She saw the same men killing the young man in her home, “We have to leave now and I will explain everything.”

“What does he mean like you Lilou?”

“Momma I will explain later. Please call the police. Don't tell them they were after me. Tell them I am away visiting a friend in another state. I will call you and explain everything. Please Momma call the cops, I will be okay, he is safe,” Lilou hugged her mother and followed the young man. Once they reached a safe hiding place she finally asked him who he was.

“My name is Averett and there are more of us than you think. You need to rest and I need to organize our next safe spot. I will explain everything else once you get some rest. I need you on top of your game.”

Lilou agreed but couldn't sleep. Her life was in chaos and she wasn't even sure what to do about it. Her family wasn't safe and it was her fault. She knew she needed to sleep but that would be difficult. She closed her eyes and relaxed as much as she could. Averett was correct, she needed her rest because life was about to go full speed and she still had no idea who was looking for her. She closed her eyes and dreamt of the happy life she didn't have anymore.

To be continued...

Teaser: New Year New Challenge

Hi everybody! It has been a couple months but I am back. I desperately needed a creative break but that is over. As you know, last year I started a challenge to write one short story or poem a day everyday for a year. That was so tough at the end but I stuck with it and finished the year. This year I have challenged myself to write one story a day every week for the year. That is much easier than one a day. I will do 52 longer short stories and not get burnt out after a couple hundred short short stories. This will allow me to expand on some older stories and create some interesting stuff. I am taking requests so if there is something you would love to read please let me know!

Before I go, here are some pictures of my life the past couple of months (just a few I promise) and I would also like to give a shout out to the group The Fly On The Wall that I am a part of on Facebook. We post any and all topics having to do with history. It is a great page and I am happy to be a part of it, so, if you love history go like the page!

Happy New Year everyone!

My sister from another mister taking fun selfies with my little niece. I just adore this picture.

Miss Ava everyone! She's such a gem and my sweet little nugget.

She loves her aunt so much she puked on me. Mmm... breast milk puke!

She LOVES me! I held her all day and she was so perfectly happy with that.

My brother is the one smack in the middle in the back row. 

First selfie in 3 months!

I could live on the beach. Mission Beach is just serenely beautiful.

Seriously Colorado? Could you be any more beautiful? I would like to add that this is not filtered. Colorado is just that gorgeous.

Not only did my brother become a Marine but my bestie became a Sailor the very next week!

I got to hang out with this pretty lady!

I love this picture of my handsome husband peering at the cat under the tree.

I bought Humans of New York (go get it and read it!) and my copy had the author's signature and he drew a dinosaur!

Best Christmas gift ever from the best husband ever!

First picture of 2015

I hope everyone had a great 2014! Now let's make 2015 incredible (preferably with a Broncos Super Bowl win!)!! Tomorrow starts story 1 of 52.