Team Running For Mona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday May 11th was the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure at Cal Expo!

Though this was my 4th year participating in the race for the cure, this year was particularly special for me, as it was my first year on a team, and as a team captain at that.

The last three years my aunt and I have celebrated the survivors and honored those lost by sweating through the 5k together.

This year was different for a number of reasons, the first I already mentioned I was captain for a team of 12, another difference was I was in much better physical shape this year and averaged a 10:40 mile (still not amazing, but an improvement for me). The team who helped me celebrate and “race for a cure” wore very specially designed t-shirts containing our team name….

“RUNNING FOR MONA”.

I suppose this was the biggest difference, that I was running for a very special and close to my heart lady. Every year prior I kept close to my heart before and during the run, Mama Nelson down in San Diego, who has been a survivor almost 5 years now. The difference, running for Mona was that she was only diagnosed 3 weeks before the run.

We ran, walked, and rolled, only 2 days before her mastectomy. Now, a few weeks later I am happy to report recovery is going well and she is on her way to being the happy, healthy, spunky new Mona we all love so dearly… And with a new hot pink “survivor” flare about her!

Athena’s 2nd Birthday!

I can’t believe my “baby”, aka my youngest puppy is already two years old. It’s so true that “parents” develop a special kind of bond with each of their children, a uniqueness to each relationship. For Garrett and I We knew Athena would be our last puppy. There is a three dog quota in the city of Sacramento, so it’s not necessarily by choice, rather design. Nonetheless she represents a lot for us, after brining Athena into our family two years ago we also decided to move around the very same time. We needed more space if we were going to have 3 dogs. It was also around this time we decided we needed a space of our own. We had lived in under 600 sq ft with 2 dogs and three people, myself, Garrett, and a roommate. It was after when deciding we couldn’t live without Athena that we realized living on our own as newly weds may also be a great life choice. And so here we our in our perfect little home, with our perfect little family, celebrating our perfect littlest puppy, 2 years later.

Happy birthday Athena!

So proud

Below is an excerpt from a blog that Garrett recently published on the company website. I was just so impressed with him that I had to share with our personal network as well.. So here you go!

The ever changing role of private security and how it effects you.

Private security is a very fascinating and unique industry. The role of private security professionals is ever changing.

Let me explain one easy diminstration of this. Often after engaging in conversation with individuals in daily life the question “so what do you do for a living” will pop up. This is a chance for a little experiment that I often do. My reply I am in the private security industry.

I pause and wait for them to fill in the blank.

Everybody has a deferent view of what SECURITY does.

Some people say o like the guard in front of Walmart?

Or like the guys who carry cash to banks?

Or like some bodyguard?

The reason for this is that the role of private security is ever changing. Now why should you read any further? Because whether or not you are in the security industry your life is impacted greatly by people in this industry and you may not even know it.

Why is the role of private security changing?
There are many reasons why the role of private security is changing today. This industry is still customer service, And with customer service comes the need to change and adapt to the needs of the current times. Recently we had the Boston bombing at a large event. Security officers nation wide witness individuals who are plotting and planning things such as the Boston bombings and what they report can cause a capture long before they even happen. Information is the key towards homeland security and information is what security officers hold.

Individuals are becoming targets of ransom harassment sexual assault and the list goes on. So the wealthy and powerful are also looking towards the help of security. The field of executive protection commonly known as bodyguarding is ever expanding. Private military contractors are expanding worldwide and are in charge of holding peace in volatile areas before during and after military conflicts.And security guards are breaking into many sub categories as the job duties expand. We have night club doorman or bouncers, armed guards /unarmed guards, cash transporters, and the list goes on and on. Security consulting is helping business’ learn how to apply good security practice on the daily basis. Government agency’s are contracting with private security companies as law enforcement is also expanding duties. At this same time they are shrinking due to budget cuts.

The use of private security has been used since ancient times and has been reformed dramatically since then. The uses have been changed and duties as well but It has become a much more honorable profession. I hope this article has given you a little more understanding of this ambiguous industry and respect for those who play a role in our nations security everyday.

Itches …

As we approach our 2 year anniversary Garrett and I are settling into our life together very well. We are finally feeling fully settled into our home (we will celebrate our 2 year live-a-versary in June).

Our “babies” are growing up so quickly, Athena-Bear is approaching her 2nd birthday this May, Mister will be 3 years old this June, and Diamond-Little is turning 5 years old in July!

Garrett and I will celebrate 5 years together in July as well.

Guardian Protection Force will celebrate it’s 3rd year in business in August of this year.

 

As you can tell, we have a very busy summer ahead.

And yet, all of these great earmarks to celebrate and I’m feeling “itchy”. This happens quite frequently to be honest, I am so busy looking towards what’s next I sometimes forget to be present in the moment.

I have a travel bug, a baby bug, and a nesting issue.

All of these bugs and projections are good things, yes I know, however, I also have this strong yearning and desire to be present.

Physically, emotionally, and spiritually, Present.

Just as soon as I start to approach presence the phone rings, the door knocks, the dogs bark, the TV comes on, the song changes, and that’s it I am gone again. I think I need a yoga class and prayer session. 

I’ll continue to work on this and let you know how it goes.

2-0-1-3 & Real Holidays

Its almost hard to believe that 2013 is upon us. Already, a week in at that. 

But as my handsome husband described on New Years Eve,

“What is New Years Anyways?”

Garrett went on to explain that New Years isn’t a “real” holiday. We often have this debate, as living in Sacramento we are overwhelmed with State Employment practices have become part of our culture, despite us working in the Private Sector. Namely, the practice of holidays. Here’s just a few:

New Years Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

President’s Day

Cesar Chavez Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veteran’s Day

As you can see this list feels a bit extensive for anyone not working in the Public Sector, however, for anyone in the Public Sector it becomes the “Norm”.

So as Garrett and I were heading to work on New Years Eve, shifts that were scheduled well into New Years Day, we were laughing about the authenticity of “New Years”.

Although, its true it serves as a great marker, New Years in many places throughout the world marks

356.4 Days, 12 months, 4 Seasons, and a full rotation of the Sun around the Earth

All meaningful markers for us and our human nature, however, that’s about all of the significance the New Year brings in the reality of all things.

Nonetheless, in our culture it is a holiday, and it has significant meaning, and so here we are seven days into a new year. Garrett & I welcomed it in providing security for an event at a Hilton Hotel here in Sacramento and we had a blast.

And we’re excited to reign in what the next 259.5 days has to offer.

 

 

What’s in a Name?

So over a game of Call of Duty this evening Garrett, Shane, and I began discussing the idea of Names.

Shane explained that a coworker was pregnant and working on baby names for her unborn son.

She started with Jerimiah, the explained an alternative would be “something Mexican” or like a fellow coworker, she could name him Coleman, after their supervisor.

Shane explained this really got him thinking about the importance of names, and how to a great extent they help determine your path in life.

Garrett and I laughed as we discovered the irony of this coming from a man named,

“Shane Rogers”

Shane agreed that he knows how many endless opportunities his name has given him. He almost always gets call backs for interviews, and has had great opportunities.

Garrett and I agreed weather intentionally or not to some degree this happens when sifting through resumes in a hurry, as employers.

Shane Rogers
Logan Brown
Thomas Jones
Micheal Simmons
Johnathon Lowery

These are “strong names” why? What makes a name strong? What makes a name weak?

All of the above mentioned names scream, “Im a straight shooter. I’m going to show up to work, on time and ready to work”. Why is that?

Not sure, but below are the names Garrett and I have discussed, he now says he isn’t a fan of a few, but back I September we did in fact discuss all five of them:

Divina Renee Thomas. Divina, “Faith” in Portuguese. Renee, Garrett’s mom.
Garrett picked this name out when he was 13. Garrett has promised his mom a Divina Renee for years, and whenever we in the Thomas house mention or allude to the idea of a little Ashlette, it is automatically a “Divina”.

Anthony Phillip Thomas. Anthony, the boy name Garrett chose at the age of 13. Phillip, my Grandfather. Although my grandfather went by “Phil” all my life, the full name, “Phillip” what I was talking about earlier, it has strength, much like my papa did. This son will have lots to live up to, I am sure he will rise to the task.

Christian Lawrence Thomas. Christian, a favorite of both Garrett and I and a symbol of our Christian faith. Lawrence, Garrett’s Grandfather. I love the combination because “Papa”, Lawrence, had many names growing up, and through his adult life, however he has the most solid faith of any man we know.

Jacob Ryan Thomas. Jacob, a biblical name of Abraham’s grandson. Jacob’s story touches Garrett and I because it is one of imperfection, Jacob teaches us how an imperfect man can be greatly blessed by God. Ryan, my baby brother, who is hardly a baby anymore, and one of the strongest men I know. This name is also the one Garrett has started to question, because he says the combination sounds too much like the 80′s Star, Jake Ryan from The Breakfast Club.

Elleanor Bell Thomas. This is my absolute favorite girl name, possibly ever. Elleanor, as in my all time famous-role model, Eleanor Roosevelt. Bell as in my all time not-so-famous-role model and Grandmother, Carla Bell. Although she really dislikes her middle name, I have adored it since I was a small child and my father would say it to thoroughly annoy her. Not to mention I love the nick names, “Elle”, “Ell”, and “Elly Belly”.

Getting Back to Business …

When I created this blog I had a goal in mind. This goal was to accomplish a few of mine and Garrett’s favorite things:

1) Share life with the people we love most.

2) Share our thoughts, struggles, and goals with all of you.

3) Share my (Ashlee’s) most favorite hobbies, photography & crafts.

We will work to get back to this, in addition to sharing all of my favorite photographs for 2013. I am excited to utilize this blog to share all of these things.

 

Lots of excitement in gearing up for a new 2013.

Demie’s Princess Party