Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have

Carolyn:

My "Watch out!
I am analyzing you right now"
look!

I have MANY habits that I wish that I could get rid of.  The worst ones are worrying and over analyzing.  They cause more trouble than I really know and they are a waste of time.  I over analyze pretty much everything and anything that is said or done.  I try to figure out what was "REALLY meant by that".  Usually, my mind turns to a negative conclusion, and then my insecurities set in; I end up causing more of a ruckus than intended.  I feel that this is a product of 4 years of Psychology at UW-Milwaukee. If I was involved with that line of work, over analyzing would not be such a bad thing, but I am not. I constantly struggle to not worry about would could have been and what will be. I also struggle to just let things go, not dwell on them and look too much into things. At least I am working on it though, so props to me on that :)

"Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!" - unknown

I believe I just got done
dominating a bocce
game at my family get together

If I have one ridiculously bad habit, it would be SMOKING.  Not only is it disgusting, it is also ridiculously bad for me and for those around me.  Over the past few years, I have been doing a lot more reading on health and wellness.  I understand that I need to make changes in order to improve my quality of life.  While attending a seminar or meeting a while back, the speaker said to look at your body as if it were a car.  In order for a car to run properly, you need to do regular maintenance to prevent damage.  He noted that people will spend the money to ensure that the car is kept running properly, but are not willing to invest money in the prevention of their own bodies from damage. The thing with a car is that you can trade it in for a new one if you would like.  The same doesn't apply when it comes to your health.  I need to focus on providing my body with the nutrients it needs to function properly.  If you think about it, what good are you if you don't have your health.  If you are unhealthy, you won't be able to work.  If you can't work, you can't provide for your family.  When you can't provide for your family, your stress level will increase, and lead to further health problems.  It is a vicious cycle that I need to do whatever it takes in order to prevent myself from becoming part of.





Day 03- A recent picture of you and your friends

Carolyn:

I have always been one of those girls that has been friends with everyone.  I have never excluded people and try my hardest not to judge anyone.  I love getting to know new people as well.  I have a lot of old friends that I miss pretty much every day, and a lot of new friends that I am soo thankful to have in my life. 

With all of that said, I am supposed to post a picture of myself with some friends.  Well. . . below are the most important "friends" in my life . . . my family.  They are the ones that are there no matter what and the ones that I can't go without.  They have all my love and I consider them to be my "Best Friends".

From L to R:
Me, my Mom (Tina), "Brother" Ryan, my Chris, my Dad (Dave),
and my sisters (Samantha and Jessica)

Chris:

True friends are the one's that will support you no matter what.  They will always encourage you to be the best that you can be.  They don't tear you down when you make mistakes.  Instead, they point out your strengths and  all the positives you have in your life and keep you moving towards your goals and dreams.  I know I don't have to worry about these two people in the picture below.  I can always count on them to be supportive and uplifting.  Thank you for being what I call a "true friend."  I want to give a special thank you to Carolyn (no offense Ryan).  Without her, these past couple years would been too difficult to overcome by myself.  Her strength, courage, compassion, and love have given me the strength to overcome many obstacles and numerous set backs.  I love you and appreciate you. 



(Left) Ryan Cable, (Middle) Carolyn Chatmon, (Right) Me

Day 02- The meaning behind your blog name

 RELENTLESS: that does not relent;  unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh; unrelenting

This definition describes the relationship that we have and our struggle towards a future that we long for.  We know what we want, we can see and taste what we want and we are willing to work as hard as possible to achieve what we want.  This, our dream to our struggle to our victory, would be the hardest road if we had to travel it alone.  We constantly strive to be our best, dream big, learn as much as we can and work our hardest to have the best relationship we can.

We truly are "Relentless Together" (sounds kinda corny. . . ha ha ha)

Day 1-All About Chris

 All About Chris

1.  My favorite food is peanut butter (Skippy)

Annual Golf Trip

2.  My favorite sport is golf.  It has been a staple in my life since I was 4 years old.  It is a great way to relax, but more importantly it is quality time spent with my Dad.

3.  I strive to keep growing mentally and spiritually.  If you aren't growing as a person, you are going backwards

Dad and I at the Jer Bear Golf Outing

4.  I have a huge desire to travel the world.  The only problem with that is it requires me to eat different types of food.

5.  I am deathly afraid of trying new food.  I'd rather stick a needle in my eye.  It isn't a taste thing, it is a texture thing.  I won't go in to detail, you just have to trust me on it.

6.  Even though I was born and raised in Wisconsin, I only eat cheese on pizza, doritos,  and cheez-its.  My sister used to eat so much cheese when we were kids that she smelled like it.  It was enough to turn me off for good.

Jenni and Sarah (my sisters)

7.  I have two amazing sisters.  One is an aspiring interior designer/mother and the other is a paralegal/mother.  Both have been inspirations in my life.

8.  Knowing what I know now, I would go back in time and kick my own a**.  I made some pretty poor decisions that have cost me financially and mentally.

9.  My favorite color is Orange, but my favorite color to wear is blue.  I have been told that it brings out my eyes.

10.  I have learned that being a man isn't measured by how tough you are or how much money you make, it is measured by the relationships you create, the example you create for your children, and the legacy you leave behind.

11.  I try to live my life based on priorities not obligations.

12.  I realized that I can't worry about what other people think.  If you actually knew how seldom other people actual thought about you and what you are doing, you wouldn't worry about what they thought.

13.  In order to have a great relationship, I believe you first need to learn to serve the person you are in a relationship with.  I don't mean be their servant, but ensure that you are making them happy.  It may mean doing things that you don't want to do or going to functions you don't want to go to (i.e. family gatherings, chick flicks, etc...).  In the end those actions speak louder than any words you may say.

Mom and Dad

14. My parents have been an absolute blessing.  They haven't been perfect, but they always strive to be.  Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.  I didn't think that way when I used to know everything, but now that I know, I know they were blessings in disguise.

Carolyn and I starting off the New Year together

15.  I have saved the best for last.  I have been truly blessed, honored, a lucky to have Carolyn in my life.  She is my support and my motivation to pursue excellence.  Without her, I wouldn't have started dreaming again.  Nor would I have the guts to stretch myself and step off the beaten path.  She is my everything and I will forever aim to please her and provide for her.

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Carolyn

1. I LOVE to  do "DIY projects"

Chris Playin Ball

2. I love to watch Chris play Basketball.  It brings me back to the old days of when we were little and first met.

Samantha & Jessica

3. I have 2 younger sisters that mean the world to me!

4. I used to work 3 Full Time jobs, but am down to 2 by now :) woo hoo!

5. I can't handle scary movies!  I can't even watch the commercials! lol

6. I have a stuffed teddy bear, that is purple, that I have had since early childhood.  Still have it.  Still sleep with it.  Chris is ok with that.  Its name is "Purple Bear". . . go figure, so creative.

7. I would secretly love to become a professional photographer, but that has always been my baby sister's thing and I never wanted to step on her toes :)

8. I say a lot of words in funny ways.  Chris says that when we have kids that I am not allowed to teach them how to talk :)

Lindsy

9. According to my girlfriend Lindsy, I have a Mid-West accent.  "Don't Ya Know" . . . I never noticed. . . Funny!

10. I am deathly afraid that I will get eaten by sharks or fall down the stairs and that will be my demise.

11. The Carpenters and Garth Brooks will always remind me of my dad.  The Judds and Pat Benatar . . . my mom :)

12. Was secretly obsessed with Princess Diana after her death.  No worries . . . it has passed.

Leadership Convention with TEAM

13. I love to better myself and to learn continuously

14. I like to get dressed up and hit the town, but my fav is to curl up in 'jammas, Chris and a good movie.
*Note to self: You find out who your true friends are when you stop partying every night and start to grow up.  Look back at your "Bar Friends" and see if they are still in the same place you left behind years ago.  You will be surprised.*

15. I am extremely happy with my life and Chris.  Can't wait for all the "firsts" to come. . . first home, first baby, (my) first wedding, first pet.  Scared that "contentment" will lead to "standstill".  Change and Progression are great words. . . embrace them.

Love and Peace,
Carolyn

So, one of the blogs that I follow, called Sybil Law, is doing this daily "about me" checklist.  I thought it would be cool to do for Chris and I, plus it gets us posting more frequently.

Here are the tasks:

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 02- The meaning behind your blog name

Day 03- A recent picture of you and your friends

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Day 06- Favorite super hero/fictional character and why

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends

Day 12- How you found out about WordPress and why you made one

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

Day 16- Another picture of yourself

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else

Day 23- Something you crave for a lot

Day 24- A letter to your parents

Day 25- What I would find in your bag

Day 26- What you think about your friends

Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned?

Day 30- Who are you?

wow

Soo. . . I said that I would post everyday or at least 2x per week.  As you all know, that has not happened.  The past few months has been kind of like a roller coaster.  A lot has happened, so I'll give you the brief breakdown. (not in any particular order)

Sent my sister Samantha off to Maui, HI.  She now lives there.  I miss her every day.

Painted some pottery with family and friends at Alpaca Art (check out their site -www.alpacapottery.com)  So much fun and very relaxing:

Pat and Sarah now share the same last name:

Kyle and Kara also tied the knot!

 The Themer's are introduced to family and friends that couldn't make the tropical wedding:

 

 

 
 
 

 

And don't forget the Thompson Wedding!

Went to an event to support "Leo the Lion" being in remission.  You can check out the website/blog created by his parents, Len and Jen.  This is an amazing family and we are so proud of the strength every one of them has had throughout this whole ordeal.  YEA FOR LEO!!!



Cousin Ana, Auntie Angie, Auntie Fil



Uncle Mike, Chris and I

 

Sang some Karaoke with some out-of-town friends:

Went out a couple of times:

4th of July celebrations!  Went to the fireworks with some friends and got to spend some time with my friend Carrie's nephew before he passed away from cancer.  Also watched the parade for the first time in years with the family and some close friends.

Chris had his 10 year High School reunion!  Of course I played the annoying camera girlfriend!  Wow is he OLD! hahaha (The Lonely Ninjas played at the party - check out their site, they are awesome! -http://www.purevolume.com/thelonelyninjas)

Can't forget about our camping trip with TEAM EAGLE!!  We went to Westward Ho for the weekend.  We bought our very first tent, which may not be a big deal to most, but we were really excited!  There was also a tour that stopped to play there that weekend called Nashville to You.  Got to see Jordyn Shellhart and a couple others.  It was a blast!  Check out Jordyn's website -www.jordynshellhart.com

And last but not least, throughout those past 3 months, we were pregnant and didn't even know it!  When we found out, we were already 12wks along!  We were soo excited for the news and couldn't wait to tell everyone.  It was very stressful making sure that everyone knew in a specific order, but once that was done we finally got to soak in the fact that we were going to be parents!  Unfortunately, 2 weeks later we lost our special surprise to the Lord above and 14wks.  Needless to say, we were devastated.  Our favorite quote has now become, "God's delays are not His denials.  They are His Preparations"

With love,

Chris and Carolyn