Getting up and Moving Forward~ Go DiAnn, you got this!

For those that know me and my family then you know that I am very blessed to have my Mother-in-law reside with us. DiAnn is the most gracious, caring, supportive mother-in-law I could ever ask for!

DiAnn has been in a wheelchair for 10 years now, due to some unfortunate circumstances. She detached her Achilles Tendon several years ago. She underwent surgery that ended badly in her case. She is diabetic and ended up with an open wound for 8 years. It's now completely healed up and she is well on the road to recovery!

We stared OT and PT about 3 months ago. She went from hardly walking at all to 200 steps today. I am so grateful for the care she is receiving and the supportive and encouraging therapist that have come into our lives. I am so blessed and honored to think that my daughter, Ashley will be helping people much like DiAnn one day. God Willing she gets into PT school with a lot of determination, prayer, and support. She also may be helping people walk again!

Like so many people, I never stopped to think of my surroundings, and the handicaps that people have. I am more selective with where I dine, movie theaters I go to, stores I shop at etc.. While they should all be handicapped accessible, they are not! If you can't get a stroller through an isle way, guess what, you can't get a wheel chair through one either.. Please don't place us at the back of a restaurant, while you have an empty table at the front. Please don't use the only handicapped stall in the restroom while there are others vacant. These are the things that happen daily to us on our outings. Never thought about them before, but now I do.  I think about all of these things now before I leave the house. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone did too.

Be courteous and respectful of others misfortunes, you never know what they have endured or if some day it may be you or a loved one going through it. Open doors, offer to help with a bag of groceries. Say a kind word and smile. It goes a long way!

Always remember, life  is short, don't take your good health for granted. We never know when an accident may occur, an illness may become devastating, or some unseen tragedy becomes a reality. Take care of yourself while you can, exercise daily, eat healthy, and see your doctors regularly.

I am so fortunate in my family to have very few illnesses or bad health. My grandparents are both in their 80's and in good physical health over all. Not until now did I ever give so much thought to my future and what I need to do to sustain good health.

Eat well and go walking~ Justin and I are starting now!

My Spring Break Adventure

Dog Sledding is a must! It should be on every one's bucket list! 

I recently went to Vail, Colorado and was fortunate enough to go dog sledding with my family. I must say this one of the most exciting things I have ever done. You see and hear the passion in each one of these lovely creatures, while they get ready to head out on this race. They were all jumping around getting very anxious and ready for the run. Richie our musher, said they are born to do this. Alaskan Huskies have to run and exercises daily or they go crazy. Mom and I were so lucky to have Richie as our leader. He has been racing since he was 5, originally from Alaska in a family of dog mushers. He has recently moved to Co to be closer to his son. Richie did his first race at the age of 5, it was a 300 mile race... WOW!!! He has also competed in the Iditarod, which is a 1000 miles race. Richie has a team of 10 dogs, but owns 16. We learned a lot about the races, the teams and his passion for the sport. For him it is a way of life. He hopes one day to get back to Alaska and continue with his racing and we hope him well. Richie was responsible for giving us one of the best days ever, not to mention my beautiful and gracious sister for allowing us this venture. Thank you sis!  I have to throw in this funny quote from my hubby Justin, "If you are not the lead dog, the view never changes". HAHA, so true... 

My new car

Hi everyone,

If anyone knows me very well, then they know I keep cars FOREVER..... It was time to retire my Oldsmobile Alero! I had her for 13 years and it was time.

I am so excited to have my new car, a Kia Soul. I have the Titanium color, black leather enterior, power windows, power locks and a keless entry, blue tooth, (again, if anyone knows me knows that none of my cars have had that, LOL).

I have always been just a basic, simple girl when it comes to cars. Something to get me from A to B.

HMMM, a walk down memory lane. My first car and probably my favorite until now was a Pontiac Lamanse Le Hatchback, Red and Black. Love it!!

Bought it when I was 16 and was FORCED to trade it in when I was pregnant for a 4 door Dodge Neon (yuck). My now ex husban'ds family owned a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership and he thought I needed to drive the families brand... I will just say, I hated the Iris colored (light purple) Dodge Neon...

My 3rd car was the Oldsmobile mini van that I soon traded for the Oldsmobile Alero (I am not a mini van soccer Mom). Have never liked mini vans, not sure why, just not for me. I enjoyed my Alero, it was just time to retire.

So, now it's the Kia Soul (not my dream car/ Mini Cooper) but it will have to do for now. One day when I am not having to shuffel people here and there or large amounts of food then the Mini will be in my drive way~ it may be considered a classic by then but that's okay. I think for now my dream car will be named Britt...

So, what was your fist car?? Do you remember the smell? the paint color etc? Would love to hear what your first and dream car is.. Do you name your car?? I never have, but my sister has named all of hers. I think that's cute.. Maybe I should name the Kia, what do you think? Taking suggestions for my new ride.

See you soon! Stacy