Currently

1// Home Improvement

Ryan and I spent a day this weekend exploring the aisles of Walmart and Target and even a bit of time last week at Home Depot.  We're reorganizing our craft/gun room and we're planting some veggies for this summer. I tried a plot in the community garden on base last year and failed miserably.  I would spend hours after alerts and training trying to get vegetables and fruits to grow but nothing worked. We're trying our own potted plants in our backyard this year instead. I'm hoping that awesome soil and easy access to water will be in our favor.  I even have a set of adorable mini planters for our kitchen window.

2// #redballoonsforryan

Last week my heart broke for the family of a little boy named Ryan. They're from southern California and through a horrible accident, he was hit by a truck.  The blogging community has always been a resource for news but this time around, it has been a source of support.  I have been wanting to have a baby for a long time and one of my favorite things about blogging is to see my online friends from this community grow and prosper with their beautiful families.  In a way, it builds up the anticipation to one day having a child and simply loving my friends with my whole heart.  To see a family lose a child was terrible.  Last week I also had my first termination hearing as a CASA.  It was strange to see this spectrum of parenting.  On one end you have a loving family who lost their child by the will of God.  On the other end, you have parents who are struggling to maintain their families.  To see that comparison was very emotional for me.

3// Wicked by Gregory Maguire
My book club (yep, started an actual book club) has Wicked as its May read.  I'm really enjoying it and I could definitely see why I had a hard time reading it when I was in middle school lmao.

4//Young Life
This week is Senior's Club where we get to dress up like senior citizens and we celebrate our graduating seniors.  In my short time being a YL leader, I have loved every moment of it.  I know I am meant to be a mentor for them, but I also feel like each one of these young adults have mentored me.  I'm hoping that my leave for this summer gets approved because I can't wait to go to Young Life camp!

5//Erskine Anniversary Games
I've planned and dedicated so much of this month to little activities and challenges to bring Ryan and I closer together.  This month's focus is not to overwhelm one another but to simply each other's company and to remind ourselves what is love.  We do silly games and goofy challenges, but each little moment offers an opportunity for us to simply be with one another.  It's also given us an opportunity to communicate more effectively.

6//Broken by Laura Hillenbrand
One of our anniversary month challenges and something I'd like to incorporate each month, is to read a book together.  Our anniversary book challenge is to read Unbroken.  We chose it because it shows a man's struggle as he overcomes adversity and since we're both military, we were really interested in this best-selling novel.  PLUS, Angelina Jolie is directing (?) the movie version.

7//Sole Hope
As the Public Affairs officer for Malmstrom's CGOA, I come up with events and projects that allow us to contribute and reach out to our local community.  Well we're going international with this month's project as we are cutting out shoes for Sole Hope.  They'll be sent to Uganda for children to prevent small insects, called Jiggers, from infesting their feet.  Anyone can help with this campaign and I highly recommend folks checking it out!

8//Smash
I love the show Smash but I wasn't a big of the start of the second season. However, I was on a long alert the other day and watched the entirety of season 1 all over again.  When I got home I ended up downloading the soundtrack to the songs that are actually part of the Bombshell musical.  Now I've got a window tab up for Hulu and I'm ready to tackle season 2.  The CGOA is also looking to do a musical fundraiser where we host a concert filled with covers of Disney songs.  My obsession with musical theater is only enabled ;)

9//Heroes
I just started watching the show with Ryan and I love the characters of Hiro and Ando.  They're seriously the best! I love the idea of having super powers!!

If you liked this post, share it with others! If you feel particularly moved by it, leave a comment because I love feedback and discussion. Social media links are provided below and thanks for reading!