Grab a Tissue!!

My brother surprised me with this video a few weeks ago. He had to do a slide show for a midterms for one of his classes. He was even working on it while we were home for Christmas and I had no idea. He sent me a text one day asking me to get on Skype and then watched my reaction as I watched the video. Needless to say.. there were ugly tears involved!! Hope you enjoy :)

A True Fan

I actually had a semi-important post to do today (and I still may) but this deserves a two-day post! When I heard this this morning it immediately trumped my "What in the world to do about housing, please help me before I go insane, post)

If you've stuck around my blog for a longer amount of time, you already know that I'm sports fanatic. You know that I'm a very dedicated Boston everything lover... especially my Patriots and Redsox. So you can assume I was glued to the tube on Sunday night for Opening night against the Skankees Yankees. Great game, btw.

When I did fail to see was this gem. It's definitely worth the next minute and 36 seconds of your life. You won't regret it, especially around the 1:16 minute marker. It doesn't matter who you're a fan of.. you can appreciate this!

The day before the day before we leave

In case any of you haven't notice ~ I'm just a little excited to go and visit with family and friends! I started getting ready for our trip today and got more done that I planned to. Did bookoos of laundry which was a pain in my arse. Apparently, Wednesday mid-mornings are a very popular time to use the apartment's laundromat! Finally got that done with a little cleaning of the bathroom in between. -this whole house WILL be spotless before we leave, down to fresh, clean sheets. Very important to my sanity to come home to a clean house.- I made my packing list and even got a majority of the packing done (clothing wise at least). I didn't plan to do that until tomorrow.
Trey's CO's are holding fast to the plan that we can't sign out until midnight Friday night. Seriously? You're really going to dismiss him around 2 and then we just have to sit around and look at each other for 10 more hours??? That's precious driving time. I'm still holding out hope that they get a touch of the Christmas spirit and let us leave early. Just in case though, we are staying up as late as our eyes will let us Thursday night and I will sleep as far into the day as possible on Friday. Trey will still have to get up at 5 for PT, but that's good for him. That way he'll come home and if we can't leave, he'll sleep until later in the night. Maybe I'll make some coffee around 9:30 - yes, pm - and maybe we can eat at IHOP before signing out.
Grrrrr while reading over my shoulder, hubs informed me that we absolutely are not leaving before midnight, so operation stay up as late as possible and sleep all day Friday is on. I might as well make the best of the situation - it'll be fun trying to stay up tomorrow night. Pizza and movies it is. Wish. us. luck.

edited to add: my bad! I forgot a little piece of vital information regarding our trip. Hubs leave doesn't actually start until Saturday, hense the reason we can't leave until 12:01. Teehee..
Army 1, Jessica 0

Sorry to bore you with all that, but don't you feel better knowing my sleep schedule for the rest of the week? I may post one more time before we leave, but after that, I'll be on a holiday hiatus we'll call it. I'll be back after the new year with lots more talk and pictures of our trip home. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones!! And if you have a spouse that is deployed during the holidays this year, I hope you are spending it with many friends and other family. Thank you so much for your sacrifices!!

Ohhhh yeah!!! How 'bout that SYTYCD finale??? I am more than in love with Russell. My feelings would not be hurt at all if either him or Katherine win! He has come so far, excels at every single style he attempts, and I just love his personality and heart out there. The only way I will be extremely ticked off is if Ryan or Ashleigh win. Ash isn't that bad, but I really don't see how or why Ryan is still on the show. And the whole "we're so much in love that we cry when we're together and can't stop hugging and kissing in front of the camera thing"? PLEASE don't tell me anyone is dumb enough to fall for that. THEY KNOW IT WILL GET THEM VOTES!!
End Rant. Seriously, each and every one of those dances warmed my heart to no end. My favorites were: Kathryn and Jakob's contemporary ( I admittedly shed a tear or two on that one.. beautiful.. but can't find it on YouTube), Kathryn and Ryan's Samba (she made it.. not him), Russell and Eleanore's Paso Doble, and Russell and Kathryn's hip hop. Now you know I have to show as many videos as possible because I want so badly for you all to be just as enamored as I am :) Aren't you all glad I learned how to post videos??

That hot little Samba I told you about:


Russell and Ashleigh's Lyrical Jazz. He is so so great in this one:


So many other great ones, but those are all I could find... for now.. muaahhahahaha

Tis the season

Colored lights or white lights? If you had asked me this as a kid I would have said colored, but now white.. hands down.. no competition.

Real tree or fake tree? I haven't had a real tree for years, so I guess I'll go with fake. I always think I want a real one, but really it's so much easier dealing with a fake one. You don't have to deal with lugging it up the stairs, making sure it's watered, dragging it down after Christmas and having dead pine needles everywhere. Just light some Christmas Tree scented candles and pretend...

What is your least favorite thing about the holidays? There's little I don't like about the holidays, but I guess I'd have to say going into any store around this time of year. Can we say panic attack?

What is your favorite holiday smell? Any Christmas related candle scent

Who is your favorite reindeer? Dancer... I imagine he'd be pretty fun

What is your Christmas Eve ritual? I just really love the time spent with family. Hanging out, eating, drinking, baking, with all the Christmas decorations surrounding us. I used to love opening one present on Christmas Eve, but I don't do that anymore. I want more to open the next day :)

Are you a Friday after Thanksgiving shopper? See above when I mentioned crowded stores and panic attacks... absolutely not!

What is your favorite holiday food? I don't think we have all day to answer this one... but to name a few... cookies, cheesecake, dips, pies, apple crisp, celery and cream cheese. Every Christmas morning, my mum makes me a egg sandwhich. So what you say? What's so special about that? She fries the egg in bacon grease... lol... heart attack waiting to happen! Don't worry.. it's just once a year :)

How did you find out that Santa wasn't real? I don't remember exactly how I found out, probably some stupid kid at school. My parents always like to tell the story how I was sobbing in bed when I asked them and found out the truth. I yelled out afterwards through my tears, "I guess this means there's no easter bunny or tooth fairy either!"

Have you bought all your presents yet? I have 2 more to buy!!

Do you still make snowmen and snow angels? I haven't seen snow in years. If I had kids I probably would, but I don't do well with the cold so I don't see myself going out to make a snow angel just because.

Do you still have snow ball fights? Again, the whole no snow thing hinders me here. Yes, I'd probably do this. I'd deal with the cold to hide behind a car and whack Trey with a good snowbell when he least expected it!

What's your favorite Christmas movie? How can I chose just one?? Christmas Vacation, Elf, The Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, and if you can count it.. Love Actually

What do you plan to do for New Year's Eve? This year I have no idea. I don't even know if we'll be back home in OK or if we'll still be on the road!

What's the most expensive thing you've ever gotten for Christmas? Hmm.. I really don't know to be honest...

How early do you wake up on Christmas morning? Whenever my little brother wakes me up.. usually around 7 I think..

What do you usually get in your stocking? Candy, gift cards, socks

What is your favorite religious Christmas carol? Oh Little Town of Bethleham

What is your favorite non-religious Christmas song? I'll Be Home for Christmas (see videos below for my fav. versions) and Baby, It's Cold Outside

How long do you leave up your Christmas decorations? They come down New Years Day or the day after


This gets me every. single. time

• I'll Be Home For Christmas by Josh Groban

And this one is just plain pretty

More Josh Groban music on iLike

New Favorite Show

If there is anyone left out there who hasn't seen Modern Family - you are seriously missing out on some great laughs. The show just started this fall and has quickly become the highlight of our week. Sad.. yes, maybe. But don't judge until you watch this beauty. It comes on Wednesday nights. Last night was their Christmas episode and was HILARIOUS. I couldn't find any clips from it, but I did find this preview from before the show started. It'll help you get caught up a little because I know you just have to watch it now that you've heard my testimonial.


And because I really can't get enough and want your day to be filled with laughter... a couple more for your viewing pleasure:








Okay I'm done. Hope you enjoyed :)

This is nuts!

First let me say that I really appreciate everyone who commented on my last post. It meant a lot to me that you stopped and took the time to give me your opinion. I hope it was clear that I don't think any decision regarding deployments are wrong! I was just sharing what my decision will be since it was asked of me so much lately. Moving on...

... to a an email my lovely father forwarded to me today. Mmmhmmm.. enjoy. WARNING: at times I didn't know whether to throw up or continue laughing. The lady at minute 2 really does it for me!

Busy Beeeeee

I have NO spare time. Puppies apparently keep you pretty busy! Or it may just be that I'm kind of an over protective mom that won't take her eyes off of her child? Hopefully I'll get over this?

My trip was verry nice. Drama at the airport on the way up. OF COURSE. There's always a story with me and my adventures. Just as we made it through security, they shut the whole airport down. Long story short... someone left their bag unattended which caused the bomb squad, police, and FBI to come out. My brother missed his flight and my mother almost cried because he had to go buy a ticket by himself and consequently go through security again and make it to Boston by himself. He'll be 20 next month and made it through basic training. No crying allowed.

The day after I got there (Friday) I went to see my grandmother. NOT a good day for her. They gave her a biopsy even though she didn't want one without putting her down for it. *bastards* She was in a ton of pain. Tylenol 3 was no longer working so they gave her a Vicoden while we were there. Needless to say we didn't stay long after that.

We then proceeded to go to the VFW (a daily hangout) followed closely by a little place called Joy Asia that night. What is Joy Asia you ask? Just what it sounds like. A Chinese restaurant that has karaoke. Oh yeah. I sang my heart out. Absolute Mai Tais +cowboy hats and boas = a very fun but slightly embarrassing Jessica. Okay okay.. a blow up shark may have been someone in that equation. Not so much fun the next morning.

Saturday I nursed a horrible hangover that made me swear off drinking for at least a month. Saw my grandmother again. This time it was pretty hard for me because I knew it was the last time I'd see her for the weekend. I sat in bed with her and she rubbed my back for awhile. That time with her, saying not much at all, was a pretty big deal to me. I'll cherish that. She was doing much better in the pain dept that day.

We then made our way over for a big party at my aunt Carol's house... it was to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. Look at this crew...Can you find me???? Man I LOVE those crazy people!

Now for the good stufff.... i'm in serious love with my pup. She's perfect. Not to jinx myself but she's been sleeping through the whole night. What more can you ask for? Oh.. not to poo-poo on the kitchen floor? That would be lovely. She loves loves loves to cuddle which is great. So do I. She's a complete spaz but it wears her out pretty quickly. She knows no fear. She's made a few dogs already and I'm pretty sure she thinks she's a Rottweiler. Here is what she REALLY is thoughOur first cuddle time. That's us on the way home from the breeder. Immediate Love.

We made a stop at my in-laws. My MIL has a very life like little brown pup. More proof she's a cuddler.

And here's a video. She like this little piece of cardboard more than any toy I bought her:

Trey's already smitten and he hasn't even met her. He regularly refers to her as his princess and has toys waiting for her from the PX. They're meeting for the first time Friday!! She's very excited to give her daddy a big kiss!!
*sorry for the big time slacking in commenting. Honestly, it probably won't get any better until next week though. I'm still reading faithfully.. i just need about 2 more hours added to the day!*