Sanders' World Changing

I remember wearing a tankini when I was 12 and feeling good in it. Something happened over the next few years and I lost my self love. I lost my carefree spirit. I began to compare myself to others, and I never felt like I measured up. I hid behind a smile most days, but when I looked in the mirror I didn't see beauty... and I didn't have many people in my life telling me anything otherwise. Having daughters changed something in me. I knew I needed to change my view of myself so that they would be able to grow loving themselves. They are always watching and listening and replicating. It may have taken a while --- but yesterday I wore a bikini around relative strangers. I wore a bikini! I rocked my look. I am not perfect but gosh I am better than I was. It isn't about the bikini for everyone. And it certainly isn't just about a bikini for me. It is about living my best life now. It is about knowing I needed to get control of my health and my weight. I needed...

It is awkward to say that I am retiring at age 39. Yes, I will have completed 20 years in the Navy and, therefore, I will be retiring. However, I will not be done with my missions in life. I will be a stay at home mom. I will be a homeschooling mom. I will be a homeschooling mom, wife of a Sailor, home business running, retiree. I will be a homeschooling mom, wife of a Sailor, home business running, retiree, health and life coach. I will be a homeschooling mom, wife of a Sailor, home business running, retiree, health and life coach, international mission trip going woman. let me re-read this. No. I won't stay at home. I will be out. I will be out and about. I will be out and about, teaching and learning. I will be out and about, teaching and learning. Coaching and seeking. I will be out and about, teaching and learning. Coaching and seeking. Serving and earning. I will be out and about, teaching and learning. Coaching and seeking. Serving and earning. I will be out a...

Seven thousand one hundred eighty nine days have passed since I left my sleepy town to head for Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, IL. Filled with excitement for a life of promise, yet scared because boot camp would begin in a matter of hours. I was ready to conquer the world, yet briefly wished I would wake up from a dream and be right back in the warmth of my own bed. Every day of boot camp a video played while we stood in line for meals at the galley. Repeatedly, I heard, "the days will drag on, but the weeks will fly by". Those words could not have been more true. The nine weeks or so spent at RTC went so quickly, but the days truly felt like some of the longest of my life. Some days brought great joy, others sorrow. On graduation day my heart was so full with pride for a job well done and an accomplishment achieved, but I was alone. No one came to see me finish. I was one of about 4 people who did not have family or friends with them that day. I cried many tears b...

I can remember what I envisioned my life to be like eleven years ago. Almost nine months pregnant, I pictured a perfectly balanced life with one child and a lucrative Navy career, debt free living, incredible vacations and a relatively normal life. Eleven years ago I was not who I am today. I am not normal... and thankfully neither is my family. We are sweetly broken, awesomely flawed and exceptionally average. We embrace weird and we love it. Having said that, I am likely just like you.  Let me take you back... Eleven years ago, I thought homeschoolers were crazy. Who would want to stay at home all day with their kids? Who would want to be in charge of their education? Who would not want to work? Well, t hree days ago we celebrated our daughters' last day in public school.  We are officially homeschoolers.  Eleven years ago I was completing my Undergraduate Degree and getting commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Navy. I thought I would be the Captain of...