Rants, Raves and Reticulated Splines

I have been doing a lot of online reading lately and I have been inspired to create this journal. I credit this to an amazing journalist, Susan Stevenson, who has kept me entertained and amazed for days with her own online journal. She is also an amazing photographer as you can see for yourself since I am posting the link to her website.
I contemplated starting this first entry with my early memories and things of that nature, but in truth, none of that is what I really wanted to write about. Suffice it to say that there are many lovely memories and many that I would change if I could. I will instead start with just some basic information about myself so that no one gets confused with names and things like that! My actual name is Brandi. I am 29 years old and will be hitting the big 3-0 this April. I am married to a wonderful man named Jason who steals my heart and soul more with each day that passes. Jason retired from Active Duty Army about a year and a half ago, though he still serves in the Indiana National Guard. He is currently employed as a manager at a Family Dollar store not too far from our house. I am also mother to 5 beautiful children. Alisa is my oldest daughter and she is truly a beautiful child. She turned 11 years old yesterday. Although she lives with her father and step-mother in Louisiana, she is always in my thoughts and remains in my heart forever, despite the distance. John is my 2nd oldest. He turned 10 on New Years Day. Although possessed of a wonderful and sweet personality, he is by far proving to be "the difficult one". No more of that topic for now though. Sometimes it's best to concentrate on the good and remember that no matter what, we love him beyond measure. =) On December 21st, our middle child, Megan turned 8. She too is a sweet girl, but puberty will soon be upon us and we wonder when our little girl will become a slamming door object of curiosity for us. We can already see the evidence of this and Jason and I are never quite sure we will make it!! My smallest son is next. Matthew turned 5 on November 18th and I can't even believe it. He is the light of my days and never fails to request yet more cuddles and kisses. His imagination makes our days at home together seem like a new adventure every day. We refer to him as our politician. I will miss him beyond words when he starts school this fall. And then there is our youngest. Abbigail is the princess of the house at 2 and 1/2 and shows it in a million different ways. She was our "Baghdad Baby", so if you are at all associated with the military you may recognize that phrase. LOL Although not expected, she is in so many ways a joy to be around, and I am proud to be her mother. I also have to include here, our dog, Tessa. She is 5 now and I can't imagine a time when she wasn't with us. She is as much a part of the family as any of the rest of us are. Ok... Well, that covers the immediate family! The rest you will come to know in various posts, i'm sure. =) I am looking forward to this journal as an outlet for my sometimes insanely out of order and chaotic thoughts. Thank you for sharing it with me.
The link to Susan's Website is on the right side of this page, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!