So I don't even know where to begin as far as an update goes...it seems I "forgot" about my blog as of LAST October! Yikes! Here goes:

• Graduated with my AAS in Health Card Administration and Microsoft Office Specialist
• Joined the Army Reserves as Human Resources
• Graduated from Faces Etc. of MN as a Professional Multimedia Makeup Artist :) and have been working in the cities doing short films, webseries, and makeup at a blowout salon!
• Briahna graduated from Cracker Jack Preschool!
• Tuan came home and suprised Briahna for her birthday in June, she had no idea! It was prefect!
• I spent a month in Massachusettes for Army training, it was a blast!
• Briahna turned 5 in June and just started kindergarden yesterday, the same day I happened to turn 26!
• I have taken up running, training for a half marathon and eventually working my way towards a full marathon: currently I am up to 7 miles!
• Ran a 5k in August, 4th in my age category, 28th out of 124, with a time of 25 minutes! 
• Briahna played hockey last year and this summer she was in swimming and gymnastics! And will be starting dance next week!
• I sent my 83 year young Grandma Adeline on her first airplane ride last month :) She loved it!
• I had auburn hair for a while <3 li="li">
• We spent Christmas with everyone present (except Tuan)!!
• Molly went and came back from Kuwait and is soon to head overseas again :(
• Briahna had her tonsils and adenoids removed in April, she was a trooper!
• Tuanand his unit are scheduled to come home this month from his deployment, Briahna sure has missed her daddy!

For now, I think that should be enough! My blogs from here and out will be current and will most likely refer back to what's been happening and what's coming up!

I hope everyone had a lovely summer. Be back soon...stay tuned!

"Live in the moment!"

And a year later...

So wow. I had no idea it had been almost a year since I last blogged! Boy oh boy is there so much to tell! Honestly, I have no idea where to begin! So let's just say this is the 1st blog of the year, give me some time to get the first "real" blog ready and typed up.  I guess it may be a quick update to current time and shall go from there! :)

Be back in a flash...I promise!

Life.

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. you just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.
-Unknown

I probably could have come up with something very similar to this on my own, but I read this, and it simply says it all. There comes a time in one's life when you begin to see the big picture. As we get older, the importance of some things just don't matter anymore, & appreciating what you have been given in life becomes easier. Everything happens for a reason, a reason in which we may never know why but know that everything will be alright. Smile at the end of the day knowing you did what you could to the best of your ability. Overcoming adversity will, indeed, make you a stronger and happier person.

I have so much I want to say, so much I feel, and so much that I just don't know. Life is the greatest gift I have been given, and learning and know how to make the best of it, really is a challenge! There are days when I just to do what I have to and be done with it. I think back and wish I would have taken more time, enjoyed those small moments, and strived to be something great. I am currently on my way to make my life 100% worthwhile with no regrets! Though we make mistakes, and I have made my fare-share, I am ready to go into the world headstrong, pushing away those fears, and pulling forth the strength and ambition to be ME.

I may not have a lot of friends. I may not be the most liked person. But I do know I am a good person inside and out. Every person who has taken the time to get to know me, be true, support, and care for me, I want you all to know, from the bottom of my heart, how important you are to me. We may not even talk anymore, but if we did once, believe me when I say that you still are a part of my life and who I am today. If we've lost touch, I hope someday to reconnect. Life is short, feuds are pathetic and should be put to rest. Clean slate. Bitterness and jealousy pushed aside. 

As of late, it seems young folks are being called up to the big man. We may never know the reason. Prayers and thoughts to all the grieving family and friends who've lost loved ones. Remind your loved ones you love them. Be nice and smile, even to strangers. Live today to the fullest, because as much as we don't want to believe it could never happen to us, tomorrow isn't a guarentee. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love unconditionally. Embrace life and everything you have been blessed with! :)

Keeping my love, Tuan and his unit, in my thoughts and prayers are they are serving our country in the sand land of Afghanistan. Stay safe and come home soon! We love you!  

A Few Snaps

 Dinner at BJ's in Huntington Beach, CA! Best pazookie ever (cookie with icecream)!

Nana, Grandpa, and their one and only! :)

B practicing her boogie-boarding. We rented the board for her to use, but little did we know, she was afraid of the ocean! She dipped her toes in just a few times, but the sand was where it was at for this girl! She spent time burying her dad, dumping sand on his head, building animal shapes, and playing with the fam!

 My dad and I walked out into the ocean! It was freezing! Once we adjusted, we decided to attempt to "withstand" the waves. They were pretty strong, but it was one of those things...waiting for the next one hoping it was bigger than the last! One day we'll get on the boards and do it!

 He's special. Our first family trip in quite a while.   This day was a good day at the beach with the family!

Here we are introducing my parents to Vietnamese food, aka, Pho (rice noodle soup). This restaraunt was the first restaurant T took me back in 2006! I wasn't impressed the first time, but the Pho this time was off the chain! :) Can't wait to go back and eat it again! My dad seemed to enjoy it as well! Nana on the other hand is still afraid to try new things! I don't blame her, it took me years to try some of the stuff I eat now!

We had a great time in Cali with my family! I was glad we all got to spend time together without all the extra stressors in our lives!

We've been busy with school, work, preschool, and all the other extras! Its nice to have a routine and stay busy! Can't wait for December when this girl graduates finally! But...I still don't know what I want to do! So many options, so little time! Hopefully I'll have the answers some day soon!

Hope everyone who reads this is doing well! Have a good weekend~

Another month...

Wow! It is been way to long since I have blogged! Another month has come and gone! Boy oh boy did it fly by! :) I guess it has been a rather exciting past 30 days! We went on vacation, started school again, spent time mending an almost broken relationship, and just simply enjoying the last bits of summer and family time.

Perhaps I am much more emotional or sensitive than other people, but honestly... I am nowhere near perfect and I don't ever plan to be! I make mistakes, have my moments, and try the best I can at everything I do. I do what I can for B and to give her all she needs. But sometimes, I wonder..."what about me?" Once you get married, become a mother, student, employee...you wear more than one hat! But somedays I just want to where MY hat. So tonight, celebrating my birthday (which is tomorrow) will be spent wearing my hat. And last I checked, the birthday girl gets to decide! :)

September is here, another school year has began! I can only hope for a quick semester! B starts preschool again this week, I am excited for her to get back into the groove of school, kids, and learning! :) She is my little beauty and can't believe I am another year older and she is another year smarter, making my day EVERY single day! Love her!

pictures and more updates to come...