Thankful Sunday

I am thankful that I have found some amazing friends here in Washington. Two of which are Lisa and Julia. One of my concerns with moving to Washington was that I wouldn't have friends. Well I am so beyond lucky and grateful that I these two ladies in my life!!!! I have made quite a few friends since being here but these two ladies are here for me no matter what. And with mama's angelversary coming up I am going to need all the love and support I can get.

                                   

St. Patricks Day FREE PRINTABLE

No special guest feature on this one. I found this subway art and thought it would be a cute printable


Here is a simple subway art for St. Patricks day.

8.5 x 11 FREE PRINTABLE 

*please be advised that the grid on the image will NOT print*

Letter to my future self

I came across the idea to write a letter to my future self and one to my teenage self idea on pinterest so I figured I would give it a shot. Little did I realize writing a letter to my future self was going to be so difficult. I had to google ideas of what to talk about. So this letter is going to be for exactly a year from now. The year is still going to be tough.

Dear Alyssa,

I am writing you this letter to show you the difference a year can make. You have not had the best 2 years but yet at the same time you have had some amazing highs. I wish I could tell you that the pain of the loss of mama goes away and that it gets easier but I can't. You only become stronger. And where you are right now I know a year ago you never would have thought that you could make it. With the love and support of the people around you, you have made it!!! That is something to be proud of its self. You are becoming stronger and stronger by the day and mama would be so proud.

This week has been a struggle emotionaly for you. Just know justice will be served to the person that has violated you in such a personal way. But I love that I keep walking and tell the devil he's not going to get me today. He has tested me so many times lately but i have yet to give up and i refuse to give up.

My goals for this next year are to get pregnant and start our family. As well as take Aly's Creations to a whole new level. I hope that we are able to push the barriers and take down those that copy our work and try to beat us. We can and we will make the best of this venture. I would love to be able to make Aly's Creations a full time career. But I know that we arent to that point yet so, even though I really like my job I pray that I am able to pass my certifications on the first go, and start my career.

I know that dealing with mama's passing is going to be a life long struggle but you can do it. Don't let this moment tear you down. You have greatness inside of you, let it shine and be the SUN. The SUN that mama knew you could be. Dont live your life in the shadows.

Hopefully by now our dreams and wishes of becoming a mama ourself are becoming a reality if not already is a reality. You are going to be an amazing mother because you had an amazing mother show you the way. Hold that baby close eveyday, steal extra hugs and kisses. Take in those sweet moments and make memories that will last a life time. Life is way to fragile to take it for granted.

Thats all for now
xoxo
Alyssa
02/20/15

Flat James' visit

Dear Justin and Mrs. Kauffman class,

I want to tell you all about my adventures with the Chance family. I am at Fairchild AFB in Washington. Holy cow I'm a long way from home!

                             

 

Here's a little information about this military base. Fairchild is home to a wide variety of units and missions. Most prominent is its air refueling mission, with two wings, one active, the 92d Air Refueling Wing, and one national guard, the 141st Air Refueling Wing, both flying the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. Other units here include the Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape school, medical detachments, a weapons squadron and the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency.

Fairchild AFB is named in honor of General Muir S. Fairchild (1894–1950). Born in Bellingham, he graduated from Olympia High School and attended the University of Washington in Seattle. Fairchild received his wings and commission in 1918, and served as a pilot during World War I. He held various air staff positions during World War II and received his fourth star in 1948, and died on 17 March 1950 while serving as USAF Vice Chief of Staff.

Operational history

Since 1942, Fairchild Air Force Base/Station has been a key part of the United States' defense strategy—from World War II repair depot, to Strategic Air Command bomber wing during the Cold War, to Air Mobility Command air refueling wing during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Today, Fairchild’s aircraft and personnel make up the backbone of the Air Force’s tanker fleet on the west coast.
Fairchild’s location, 12 miles (20 km) west of Spokane, resulted from a competition with the cities of Seattle and Everett in western Washington. The War Department chose Spokane for several reasons: better weather conditions, the location 300 miles (480 km) from the coast, and the Cascades Mountain range providing a natural barrier against possible Japanese attack.
As an added incentive to the War Department, many Spokane businesses and public-minded citizens donated money to purchase land for the base. At a cost of more than $125,000, these people bought 1,400 acres (5.7 km²) and presented the title to the War Department in January 1942. That year, the government designated $14 million to purchase more land and begin construction of a new Spokane Army Air Depot.
From 1942 until 1946, the base served as a repair depot for damaged aircraft returning from the Pacific Theater. In the summer of 1946, the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and assigned to the 15th Air Force (15 AF). Beginning in the summer of 1947, the 92nd and 98th Bomb Groups arrived. Both of the units flew the most advanced bomber of the day, the B-29 Superfortress. In January 1948, the base received the second of its three official names: Spokane Air Force Base.
With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, both groups deployed to Japan and Guam. After only a few months, General MacArthur released the 92nd to return to the states while the 98th remained in the Far East. The 98th was then reassigned to Nebraska. Upon its return to Fairchild, the 92nd was re-designated the 92d Bombardment Wing (Heavy). In November 1950, the base took its current name in memory of Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General Muir S. Fairchild, a native of Bellingham. The general entered service as a sergeant with the Washington National Guard in June 1916 and was an aviator in World War I. He died at his quarters at Fort Myer while on duty in the Pentagon in March 1950. The formal dedication ceremony was held 20 July 1951, to coincide with the arrival of the wing’s first B-36 Peacemaker.

Now onto my adventures. Mrs. Chance put me to work. She works at the hotel on base. I helped her count the snack inventory, I wanted to take the Orange juice home but she wouldn't let me. I even got to help her check some guests in.

 

 

 

Her husband is a cop and I got to visit the police station, however I was sworn to secrecy, so I can't tell you much about my adventures there other than I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! On their barets are the words Defensor Fortis.  The term "Defensor Fortis" means defenders of the force. This is the term applied to all Air Force personnel who serve in any of the different variations of security forces and force protection agencies.

 

 

I am leaving on monday to go to my next adventure at another Military base. I'm excited and I can't wait to check in with yall.

 

James.

 

 

 

*FOR MY BLOGGING FRIENDS AS WELL AS NONBLOGGERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE JAMES VISIT YOU PLEASE MESSAGE ME SO I CAN ADD YOU TO THE LIST*



 

 

 

Dead Sea Mud Mask Review

*POWERED BY BRANDBACKER*                                      

                                              

                                             

 

 

About the Product

InstaNatural’s Dead Sea Mud Mask is an all-natural detoxifier and purifier that comes from the renowned and sacred Dead Sea. More than a million visitors each year flock to this extraordinary body of water in the Mediterranean, which contains many minerals beneficial to the skin, such as magnesium, sodium, bromine, potassium and calcium.

Once applied, this mud mask treatment starts working to absorb excess oil, dirt and toxins from the skin. It is great to expunge acne, pimples and blackheads. It also helps to restore an even skin tone for a smoother complexion. When used as a body treatment, the mud mask can soothe and relieve muscles aches and pains.

Whether used on the face or the body, our Dead Sea Mud Mask is a superb in-home spa treatment that will reveal more vibrant, refined, healthier skin.

 

Learn About the Brand

InstaNatural is a leading online and global distributor of more than a dozen nature inspired beauty and cosmetics products. Our products are one of the top sellers on Amazon and can also be found in leading spas, salons and aesthetic centers in the US, as well as internationally in UAE, UK and Canada (coming soon). We are constantly in search of wonderful natural and organic ingredients from the around the globe, so we can bring you the absolute best products, no matter the cost. In addition, we strongly believe in treating our customers the way we would want to be treated. This is why our lifetime satisfaction guarantee and our customer service is unlike any other company in the industry.

 

My Review

So since moving to Washington my skin has not been happy with me. In fact I think it has officially decleared war. I have been trying so many things to help moisturize and replenish my face. So far Skin-1 Alyssa-0, that is until now!!!! I have used the face mask a few times now and my skin has started to feel hydrated. I am also using the emu oil as well. My dry patches seem to be subsiding which for me is a huge accomplishment. So far no new break outs or problem areas. I have sensative skin so I have to be careful with the types of things that I use. I haven't had any reactions to using any of InstaNatural's products as I've had an amazing and fun time working with this company.

 

DON'T LAUGH AT MY PICS, THIS IS WHY I DONT LIKE POSTING SELFIE CANDAD SHOTS ON HERE. As you can tell with the after picture my face looks and feel hydrated.

 

 

 

Mud mask just applied / after 15mins

                                      

                                             

Before mud mask / after mud mask and emu oil

 



                                          

Thankful Sunday

On this Valentine's weekend I am thankful for my valentine. He deals with my crazy and everything that I am going through better than I could ever ask for. 

Tonight we went to The Melting Pot to celebrate Valentine's. It was an amazing much needed date night. 

I love you to the moon and back 

5 pet peeves

Lets face it we all have pet peeves. After coming up with a very long list I realized I hate alot of thing so I narrowed it down to only 5 for this post.

1. People who are Narcissistic!! Let me make this real clear to those that are a narcissist, the world DOES NOT I repeat DOES NOT revolve around you! You can do wrong, you can't always be right, you are not God. Everyone was not put here to be your punching bag, nor to "be mean" to you. Everything doesn't have to be about you at all times. Get over yourselves and come back to reality. There is no such thing as "perfect".

2. People that are mean and rude for no reason. Ok I get it you are having a bad day but that gives you no right to take it out on the person you are ordering your food from, or the cashier at the store, or the Guest Services Rep at the hotel you are checking in at, ect.

3. People that are wanting a handout for free. I bust my butt everyday to work hard to help my husband provide for our family. I honestly see no reason as to why freeloaders cant do the same. Stop waiting for the check from welfare and get off your butt and make yourself a productive member of society. *Now I am not saying that this is everyone, I am only taking about the abusers*

4. Cow chewers. Yes I totaly just refered to loud gum chewers as cow chewers. It is so freaking rude to be loud with your gum, Nobody wants to hear that. I know your mama taught you better.

5. Liars!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do you have to lie? When you lie you have to keep your stories straight, the thruth comes out sooner or later. Just tell the truth. Yeah so what it might hurt someones feelings but in the end they will respect you more for telling them the truth.

Somewhere I'd like to live or visit

Yes I know this is probably everyone's dream to visit or live in Hawaii. But I actually have my reasons

1. I feel at home on a beach. 

2. I want to get leid

3. There are endless amounts of things to see and do

4. I want to go to the Dole plantation 

5. I would be at the beach everyday 

6. Aulani, OF course!!!!

7. The views are breath taking

8. Pearl Harbor

9. Polynesian cultural 

10. Luaus 

11. Rainbow Falls

12. I'm a MERMAID so it's only natural that I want to live on a beach. 

Letter to Mama

I am now seeing a specialist one on one in conjunction with my grief group. One of her suggestions was to keep a journal so when I told her that I have a blog and already write she was glad that i have been doing awesome on my own and am doing all the right things. So she gave me an idea to write a letter to mama. Excuse me if this post is all over the place as well as a tear jerker. This one is going to be very difficult for me to write.


Dear Mama,

I miss you so very much. I am still having a very difficult time dealing with coping with you being gone. I still remember that fateful day like it happen yesterday. In my mind it did happen yesterday. Daddy is doing ok, I talk to him on a daily basis. I have taken on your roll in some aspects with daddy, I make sure he has refilled is meds. When he's packing for a trip I remind him to pack the things you normaly would. We he fells like everything is going wrong and it wont get better I remind him that it will.

The day you passed away is forever etched in my mind. I was on the phone with you on my way to work and you hung up so you could feed Maryrose. Literaly withing 30mins I got a phone call from daddy, I couldn't really pick it up so I texted you asking you what daddy wanted. By this time my phone beeped for a voice mail, to this day I still havent listened to it. Daddy called back a few minutes later. I instently knew something was wrong when I heard his voice. All I knew was it looked like you passed out and hit your head that you stopped breathing. I literally scrambled to get my stuff and leave. I make it into the hospital parking lot and got another phone call from daddy, your were gone. Everything went numb, I have no idea how I managed to park. Next thing I know is I was in daddy's arms. Everything was all a blur at that time. I rememeber calling Nikki screaming and crying, a nurse trying to move me and I yelled at her to not touch me while Adam blocked me. I remember daddy saying to grandmom on the phone that he didnt know what to do, and intantly I knew I needed to be the strong woman you and daddy raised me to be for him and Joey.

I miss our lunch dates, eating and watching Grey's Anatomy on lifetime. (BTW Christina left, she now has her own hospital and Derek went to DC to work on his program with NIH. Cali and Arizona are divorced.) I miss seeing how excited you would get when you had Maryrose, you would light up a room with your smile. I miss seeing how proud you were of daddy and all of his accomplishments. I miss being able to pick up the phone and you being there no matter how stupid the reason for me to call or text was, you were there.

I am so sorry for taking you for granted when I was a teenager, I probably said and did things that I should have never done and now I cant take them back. I wish I would have said I love you one more time. I wish you could be here to watch me have babies. Andrew and I made you one of those smushed pennies you like of the baby panda BoaBoa that sunday before when we were at the zoo, I wish that I could have gave it to you. It has been in my walet ever since. 

I regret being stuborn and not having an actual wedding. For not giving you the chance to see my walk down the isle with daddy. I regret not giving daddy the chance to actually walk me down the isle. But I promise you I will make that up. You WILL get the chance to see me walk down the isle. 

Since you've passed we are now at Fairchild in Washington. Its a huge change. Its been tough. Having my mama to talk to definetly would have made things so much easier. I feel that you had a hand in picking my new friends, and from the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you.

I finally made the step to try again with seeing a counslor, I think she is a perfect fit. She kept calling me kiddo, which right there was the sign I needed, since thats what daddy calls me I have a funny feeling that was you putting that word into her mouth. She said I was doing everything right that you were proud of me. Everyone has been telling me that but I think that I needed to hear it from an unbias party. I am taking things day by day. I am looking forward to the memoral that I have planned for you, although I know that day is going to be very emotional. I know you will be looking down and see the sky light up just for you.

 Andrew and I are hoping to be able to tell daddy that he's going to be a grandpa again. I know that you will make it happen when its time. I believe that you are up in heaven taking care of your future grandchild until it is time to give it to us.

Until I see you again.
I love you with all of my heart
Alyssa

Be Mine FREE PRINTABLE

New to the blog, FREE PRINTABLES!!!!!! I will be creating printable as well as having featured guests. For our first printable I would like to welcome Melissa from MKCreated, you will learn a bit about her business. As well as there will be hyperlinks make sure you click on those to see all the amazing products she has.

Hi! I'm Melissa, the owner of MKCreated. I am engaged to a wonderful man, currently serving in the Army & we are planning a September 2015 wedding. We are also looking for a house & I'm looking for a new teaching job in the area we want to purchase our first home. Yes you read that right, planning a wedding, buying our first home & relocating my job all in the same year. Not to mention, I finally, at the urging of friends, family & local customers, took the plunge & opened my Etsy store. Besides all the things going on in my personal life, I'm the sole force behind the Facebook, Twitter & Instagram accounts for MKCreated. Make sure you are following us everywhere to stay updated on all the happenings using the links below.

When Alyssa approached me about sharing some printables with you, I loved the idea. Printables are offered exclusively through the Etsy store & with Valentine's Day right around the corner I was excited to create something new. The link to the listing is below, but for the lovely readers of Alyssa's blog, I'm offering it FREE here for a limited time. I chose this design because in Greek my name, Melissa, means honeybee. It's actually the perfect description of me, a little sweet like honey, but will sting you if you cross me. I hope you all enjoy & have a very Happy Valentine's Day. If you do take advantage of the free printable, make sure to snap a photo & share it on our Facebook wall and tag #MKCreated on Twitter or Instagram (@MKCreated). ❤

5x7 FREE Printable  

*please be advised that the grid on the image will NOT print*

New feature

I will be adding a new feature to my blog. Still working out all the kinks. I will be designing FREE printables!!!!!! I need yalls help though, what kind of printables would you like for me to offer? Comment or message me what you'd like to see.