Growth

I have coffee and sleeping kids. Could it be any better? I don't think so.

Last year there was so much going on while Trey was gone that I couldn't write about. I would sign on here and try to write, but I just can't be fake. I couldn't come on and talk about shallow things when there was so much going on. All this to say, I'm just going to write about where I'm at. It won't always be witty and light-hearted. But hopefully, there will be lots of that thrown in.

I'm a sucker for a resolution. I love the feeling of the new year and all of the promises that come along with it. A fresh start. But I've learned over the past 10 years or so that, well, they just don't usually stick. I heard a statistic on the radio the other day that only 8% of people actually keep their resolution. Why do we start this one day out with such high hopes and motivation, only to go back to hold habits in what? 2 weeks?

So I didn't do it this year, per say. I made goals, yes, but I didn't promise myself any one absolute thing. This year I was going to focus on growing as a person in general. And I think I'm off to a good start.

Did I need to lose weight? My God yes. My body looks like.. ya know.. two kids popped out of it in the past three years. There is that. But I knew I could be doing so much more to be HEALTHY. And it's hard to not compare yourself to others, am I right? I feel like I'm SURROUNDED by women who bounce back after pregnancy. I see it everywhere. But really, I don't know how hard they may work to get there. All I knew was how hard I was not working.
While Trey was gone last year, I was doing really well with my eating habits. I was sticking to clean, real foods. I loved it and my body loved me for it. I was also doing Body Pump at the gym. And then.. well.. he came home and it all went out the window. Now my resolve has been gone. At the beginning of the year, I started a program called Bikini Body Mommy and I've loved it. I've worked hard at it, but I haven't been eating the way I should have been. I'm stronger and healthier, and that is great, but I know I can push myself harder. I know I can feel more comfortable in my skin. So I'm working on it. I'm improving. I'm not where I need to be, but that's okay. I'm getting there.

I also wanted to grow in my walk as a Christian. We're doing something now that we've never done since getting married. We've found a church that we love and we go (excuse the pun) religiously. I'm also going to PWOC every week and I love it. I'm purposefully surrounding myself around godly women. I'm praying more. I'm learning more. I know more about the old testament than I ever have thanks to PWOC. But I know my heart can do better. I'm doing all the right things on the outside, but I know my heart needs to be worked on.
The idea of getting re-baptized has recently been on my heart.. strongly. I started going to church with a friend in middle school and somewhere in those years, was baptized, though I don't remember if I did it for the right reasons. Did I really understand what I was doing? I can say for sure that nothing changed for me afterwards. I didn't spend my teenage years following Christ, that's for sure. So I'm doing some soul searching and wondering if that is something I need to do again... knowing for sure why I'm doing it. Either way, I'm letting God work and mold my heart this year. And every year to come.

I'm trying to accept myself for where and what I am. I've always struggled with comparing myself to others, but I'm learning to be okay with ME. It's my life and my walk, I can't live it for anyone else. It's taken me a very long time to learn this. But I'm getting there. With everything. I may be taking extreme baby steps, I'm progressing in everything I've set out to progress in, and I would call that a win!

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!

My time is coming, y'all. The extended forecast has nothing in the 90's in my near future. Well, it does say 93 for Monday, but what do they know? That's a while off.. it could still change.

I know there are strange people out there that LOVE the summer time. You thrive in those summer months and don't seem to mind temperatures that rise up to the triple digits. In fact, not only do you not seem to mind it, you actually prefer it. Look, we're all entitled to our own opinions, but I'll never understand you summer lovers. Or really, I don't understand how not everyone prefers fall!

It's the most perfect day ever today! See, Andrew thinks so too.

 

Look at him there, just basking in the glory that is 70 degree weather! I'm with you babe. I'll bask in it with you. Seriously, we can go outside without dying from heat exhaustion. We can walk to the park or around post without feeling like we're going to melt into the pavement. How do people ENJOY that?? I'll never understand. That hot air just takes it all out of me. Drop it down 20 degrees and we've been outside all day... comfortably.

 

We have our windows open! Enjoying the fresh breeze! They are closed up all summer and I feel like the house gets so stale. Isn't there just something about the windows being open with a fall scented candle going that makes you just want to freshen up the whole house? It's breathing life back into these lungs, I'm telling you!

 

Football, open windows, crock pot meals, jeans, scarves, fall scents, beautiful breezes, cuddling with blankets, new TV shows, pumpkin flavored coffees (heck, pumpkin flavored everything!), the decorations, the holidays and activities, the colors. I'm in love! Move me to some place where summer doesn't really exist.. the temps don't rise above 80-85 and I'll be the happiest little mama you've ever seen!

 

 



Mil Spouse Blog Hop

Hey guys!

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day and I think I just barely made it in time for the blog hop hosted by Household6Diva and RidingtheRollerCoaster. Make sure you go on over and check out all the rest of the amazing mil-spouse bloggers over there... after you read mine of course! I think this is my first time participating in a blog hop. I'm a little excited and a lot clueless.

This is my husband and I. Husband - FA Guy who seem to always be leaving me to go play Army.  Alabama Football Lover. Wishes he had a big truck, but drives a Ford Focus. Funny and he knows it. Pretty hot if I do say so myself.
Myself - Stay at Home Mama to a toddler who never wants to leave her side. Ever. Coffee, Wine, Book and Food Lover. Scrapbooker. Blogger (obviously). Weight-Watcher-er. Just as enthusiastic over football as the husband... almost. Proud Van Driver.

And this is our boy, Andrew. Car, Train, Bus, Truck, Dirt and Rock Lover. Silly as all get out. Milk and Playground enthusiast. Almost 2-year old. Crazy, crazy, crazy. And Adorable.

My husband and I are about to celebrate our 5-year wedding anniversary, but have been together coming up on 10 years. And we don't always dress like that above. We had a Derby party this year.
 He's been in the Army for a little over 3 years and we love it.. on most days. Joining has been something he has always wanted to do, but to be honest, I know I held him back. Lucky for me - he loved me enough to put up with my stubborn ways.
Now here we are in Fort Bliss, Texas, far far away from our "home" in South Carolina. We are two of the few who love it here! It's really a pretty amazing place. We live on post and really, it can't be compared to anywhere else (so I hear). AND it helps that I have the most amazing friends ever.
We are working hard to grow our family (sorry for the mental, mom). We desperately are ready for baby number two. We went through a miscarriage a few months ago and I'm very open with the whole thing. SO - over in my little corner of the internet, you'll here me talking about anything from our hopefully growing family.. nothing TMI.. promise, our Army life, A LOT about our son (it's only fair that you're forewarned), and whatever comes across this little brain of mine.

I hope you stop by and say "heyyyyy". I'm looking forward to meeting more of you!

Good News and Bad

What a week I've had! Let's play Good News, Bad News.

Good news - I lost weight this week.
Bad news - It was only .4 ounces. WTH.

Bad News - Andrew has been driving me UP THE WALL the past few days and he is lucky I did his 20-month update when I did. It wouldn't have been so sweet and gushy had a waited another day. He's been full on defiant, cranky, whiny (I cannot stand the whining), not taking his naps, and he woke up 4 times during the night last night.
Good News - He's out cold right now. I may or may not have drugged him. He better be down for at least 2.5 hours. I'll take 3.

Good News - My parents are coming out next month. They haven't bought their tickets yet (GO BUY TICKETS!!!) but they've talked about it too many times to turn back now. I'm really excited. Now that I've blogged about it to the world, you can't really not come. Sorry Mum. Get your skinny but out here!
No bad news there!!

Bad News - My car failed me today. SO HELP ME GOD IF WE BOUGHT A LEMON. The check engine light came on once but then went away the next day. All is good, thought I. Not so much said the car. I was on my way out to bring Andrew to his follow-up appointment from his ear infections. Light came on and the car started trying to throw us out of it as I drove it down the street.
Obviously no good news there.

Good News - Trey and I have a new niece! His sister just had her second daughter yesterday. Her name is Reagan Ainsley (nice name, right Kara?!?) and was 6lbs 13oz. AND she's precious. Beautiful just like her sister and her mama!
Bad News - Said SIL is a bit of a freak about putting pictures of her kids up so I can't show you how adorbs she is. I'm kidding about the freak part. I understand.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekends and Happy Mother's Day... especially to the best Mama ever - MINE :)

Days 26, 28 and 29

I'm really ready to get back to regular posting!

26
My dream wedding? I had it. I was surrounded my an indescribable amount of LOVE. I felt beautiful. We had a blast. But. Most importantly? I married my best friend. And. In ways I never could have imagined on THAT day? We're better than I ever could have predicted. Sometimes crap got in the way. We've had our bad moments/spans. But right now? Right now, I count myself lucky to say that... almost to the day 4 years ago... I made the best decision of my life by choosing that man to be my husband. I'm thankful that he chose me too. Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful and a PIA to be honest, but if you can come out on the other side of that day and KNOW in your heart that it was the best thing you ever did... you had your dream wedding.

I don't have a good original picture of the city I live in, so I'm skipping day 27.

28
Do we have a year to sit and read about everything that stresses me out? No? Okay, I'll just list a few things. Not having enough time in the day. Money. When I KNOW something is just not right with my baby and I can't figure out what it is. Getting lost. Worrying about when/if I'm every going to live in the same city as my parents again.

29
Three wishes.
1. I wish I could magically lost 34 pounds without having to do any of the work.
2. I wish either ourselves or my parents were rich so they didn't have to work and could fly out and see us whenever they or we wanted.
3. I wish/hope that I'm the best mum ever and I'm doing all of the right things for Drew. That he will grow up to be super smart, never make bad decisions because he will instinctively know better, and will be a well-rounded individual with no emotional hangups caused by his parents.

I may or may not do Day 30. I did well enough on this challenge, right? Even though it took twice as long as it was meant to and I picked and chose the days I wanted to complete? Yes, I did wonderfully? Thanks, I thought so too :)

Day 24 and 25:

Blah.. I'm skipping Day 22 and 23. I've already covered both of those things. We already know that I have way too much crap in my purse/diaper bag and I've definitely already talked about my favorite movies.

Moving on -

Day 24: Something I've learned?
I work better when I take the time to be organized. I swear I have undiagnosed ADD. It's way too easy for me to get distracted when trying to stay on a task. (I just had to turn the TV off because I couldn't choose whether I wanted to pay attention to The Doctor's or blog... blogging won). There are so many things I want to get done throughout the week and if I don't write it all out by days, it will never get done. I have to break it all down. If not, I'll start something and never finish it because with my mind racing, thinking about everything else I want to do... if I go into another room.. forget it!
Knowing this about myself and accepting it, we bought a dry erase board with the days of the week on it. On Sunday, I can write out what I want to get done on which day and my week runs much, much more smoothly.

Day 25: Ipod
This is either going to be funny or embarrassing, depending on how you take it. I'm very random with my music taste. I'm supposed to put my Ipod on shuffle and let you know what the first 10 songs are... here we go!

1. Flashing Lights - Kanye West
2. Lot of Leavin' Left To Do - Dierks Bentley
3. Santeria - Sublime
4. You Are Not Alone - Michael Jackson
5. Calling You - Blue October
6 Poker Face - Lady Gaga
7. Good Directions - Billy Currington
8. The Bucket - Kings of Leon
9. Prom Queen - Lil Wayne
10. Patience - Guns N' Roses

*that was really fun for me, so I think I'll do 10 more, yes?*

11. Fairytale - Sara Bareilles
12. Songs About Rain - Gary Allan
13. All My Rowdy Friends (have settled down) - Hank (haaa!)
14. Red Sam - Flyleaf
15. Paper Planes - M.I.A.
16 - Falling Slowly - The Frames
17. Lose Yourself - Eminem (greatest song to work out to ever)
18. Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
19. ATLiens - Outkast
20. Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas

I loved that! Off to go sweet and mop with the Ipod going strong!

Day 20 and 21

I didn't feel like I could write enough about nicknames and since I'm more than a little behind, I figured I'd combine two days!

This nickname section is going to be pretty boring. My name is Jessica..duh.
My husband calls me Jess.
Most of my family calls me Jessie, which is only excepted by them. I will look at you like you're insane if you are not a member of my family and you call me Jessie. It's happened only a handful of times in my life, and it's weird.
Except my brothers... they call me Jess too.
Then there's this other lady that calls me Corky sometimes. Yes, Corky as in Corky from Life Goes On. Remember that show? She's a little Corky-ish herself.

And that's about it!

I have two favorite pictures of myself. That are saved online at least. Here they are :)

Minutes before I was to walk down the aisle to my hubby. I love the anticipation you can see all over my face

Me and my boy. So happy. Self explanatory.

Day 19: Something I miss

I'm going to be real honest here.
I MISS waking up when I WANT to wake up.

Trey and I were laughing the other day about this. Joking around *kind of* that I have the most demanding boss in town. We pictured him in a little Stewie voice:

"I'm awake, come get me mother"
Feed me, I'm hungry
I'm sleepy, put me to bed.
Fetch me that toy.
I've peed myself... change my undergarments.

Ha! I love being Andrew's mother, but yeahhh... just for one day I'd like to do things (specifically, sleep) on my time.. not his. I know this is just a time though and before I know it, I will be missing these times!

Day 18: Eating out!

I LOVE to eat. Really, it's one of my favorite past times. Which is why I'm joining Weight Watchers on Saturday. It's the only thing that works for me. I've tried multiple things since having Andrew, and really most of my adult life. Weight is something I always have, and I believe always will, struggle with. And WW... is my answer. I'll be going to meetings every Saturday morning for a while. After a few weeks maybe I'll just do the weigh-ins, but this girl needs the accountability. WW online would not work for me. I plan (you all know how that goes, so don't hold your breath) to do weekly updates... even starting by telling you my starting weight (eeeks... that will be embarrassing), but wish me luck.

Anywhoo... sorry! Got off on a little tangent.

Right now, I would have to say that my favorite place to eat is Taco Cabana. I really have simple taste. This place is cheap, but oh so amazing. I eat there at least once a week. I need to get that in in the next few days one more time... after that I'll have to look at the dreaded nutrition information. Lord, please tell me that the #2 meal, which consists of 2 beef tacos in a soft tortilla shell, plus chips and queso are only 2ish points! :)

Calm down mum, Andrew's 8-month post is coming soon!

Day 17: I can't wait!

Today I'm supposed to blog about something that I am looking forward to. Easy!

We have been on the waiting list for housing for almost a year now and we are so close to the front of the list! I always knew that I wanted to get the experience of living on post at least once. If we don't like it, fine, but we have to try it, right? And there is no better place to try it out! The officer housing here at Bliss is amazing and I don't think it can be beat. Not for lower ranking officers at least. They are beautiful, stucco homes!

When we moved here last year, it was very hard to find a home to rent. The market is crazy here with the rate that the city is growing, they can't keep up! Landlords are taking advantage of the situation and raising the prices of rent. Sadly, they can get away with it I guess... we all need a place to live! We were lucky to find the home that we did, but we aren't overly happy with it. We only have about 1000 square feet and the neighborhood isn't the greatest. Very busy area and we have to dodge broken beer bottles far, far too often while walking. Plus, we have no storage areas besides the garage. Not even a linen closet! No bueno!

When we move on post, we will gain at least 700 square feet. Trey will be closer to work. We drive on post at least once a weekend, so we'll save some gas and time there. We'll be closer to everything... doctors offices, the hospital, commissary, etc. We'll be right in the middle of the city, so it won't be as big of a deal to drive "all the way over" to the west side (we LOVE it over there). I'll feel like I'm a bigger part of the Army community. We'll have GRASS IN THE BACKYARD! Air Conditioning! No more swamp cooler :) :) I'll have a nice 5-mile track to walk. I cannot wait!

I'm not so much looking forward to the whole moving process, but I really think it will be worth it!

Day 16: Dream House

Oh heyyy... the last post was my 400th post. 400th!! Never would I have thought :)

So, my dream house. I think about this all of the time. Trey and I talk about this all of the time. We have big plans.

We don't want to buy again until we are settled somewhere. Selling our house in SC was a nightmare and we don't see the need to put ourselves through that mess again when we know we'll be moving every few years. That being said... we have a while until we get to live in this dream house of ours.

I've never put all of our thoughts together to organize,so this will be good for me!

It has to be somewhere between in the middle of nowhere and in civilization. Trey would be happy if we didn't have neighbors for miles. I need to be pretty close to at least a grocery store and would like to live in general vicinity of people. I want our child(ren) to be able to ride their bike to a friends house. Sooo.. yeah..that's where we'll start.
A wrap around porch is a must. Two rocking chairs. Very comfy patio furniture in the back with a built-in grill and lots of shade in the backyard. My mom will plant me a beautiful garden.
I'd like 5 bedrooms. A luxurious master suite with the perfect bathroom.. must include garden tub. I've still yet to have one of those. I'd like a bay window where I could have a little reading nook. A bedroom for each kid. A playroom. And a guest room.
The kitchen will be very big and open. I would like an island with that thing that will hold your pots and pans above it.
Trey wants a fireplace in the living room, it needs to be open (so you can walk around it). I'm not sure which room will be on the other side of it. Dining room? Another sitting room? We'll see.

And that's all I have for now!

Day 15?: Faith

Ohh my gosh... who woulda thunk that it would take me so long to get through this? Ohh.. all of you? Because I never really follow through with anything I start? Grrrrr... I WILL finish this. I'm determined.

Anywhoo...

Favorite Bible verse. To be honest, I'm not as disciplined and studied as I'd like to be with the Bible, so I had to look a few up (because you know I can't just do one). There was one I was specifically looking for and haven't been able to find, but when I do find it, I'll let you know!

Psalm 91:14-16
"Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Ephesians 2:8-9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

1 Peter 4:9-10
"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

I could go on and on and on really, but here is one more..

1 John 8-10
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

Day 14: Reminiscing

Today's post calls for a picture of me from this time last year. Here we are at his BOLC graduation:

Trey looks like a fat bastard. His words, not mine.. ha! I think he looks adorable. He's pretty hot now though. I was five months pregnant and, ironically, in better shape than I am now! How's THAT for motivation??
Beyond our appearances, this was such an exciting time for us! Finally finishing up BOLC, which Trey was miserable through, and for the first time, on our way out into the big world of the Real Army. This seems like it was just yesterday.
We have been feeling very nostalgic, realizing that it's coming up on a full year that we have been here in El Paso! Armed Forces Day is in a few short weeks. That time last year, we had just been here for a few days and still living in temporary housing on post, not having a single clue where we were going to live. Fort Bliss did a big outing to celebrate that day (including a chili cook-off, which I love) and were able to walk down to the park for our first Fort Bliss "event". They are holding it again this year, over at Biggs Park, and we can't wait to go. Last year, we were so new to the area and I was wobbling around with Drew in my tummy.. this year we can walk around with him in his stroller and celebrate being in the same place for a year!

Day 13: Goals

First and foremost - lose 30 pounds. It's awful. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I need to change this lack of motivation ASAP. I refuse to have another child on top of all this weight.

Get my Bachelor's degree. I have my Associates, but never finished because I didn't know what I wanted to do and wasted enough time as it was. I think I have it narrowed down now, so hopefully this will be in the near future!

Volunteer more with Trey's unit and other functions I've gotten myself involved in. Here's my secret.. I really am shy deep down. I know.. those that know me best are probably laughing right now, but it's true. It's hard for me to put myself out there. Fear of rejection, maybe? I'm not quite sure. I desperately want to get over it.

Find a home church here in El Paso and really get involved as a family and better my faith. Learn more. I've started going to a weekly Bible Study with PWOC every week (which I'm skipping this morning, but that's neither here nor there)

There you have it!

Day 12: I will not leave the house without..

Usually, the baby. He's on my hip at all times.
Luckily, my purse doubles as a diaper bag. It's pretty sassy and awesome for a diaper bag.
In that contraption, there always HAS to be the following: diapers, wipes, food of some sort for the monster (#1 - he's always hungry. #2 - what if we broke down or locked ourselves out of the car and were stranded for hours. Fed baby = Happy baby), toys, water bottle, wallet with debit card and Mil ID, Berts Bees chapstick, cellie, keys, and sunglasses because I live in the sun city.

Y'all... I'm getting better, but it does take me about 15 minutes to get out of the house. And that's after we're both dressed and "ready".

Day 11: TV

I don't watch as much TV as I used to before Drew was born. The ones I STILL won't miss though..

Army Wives
Parenthood
Modern Family
The Office (I don't know if I'll still like it as much with Michael gone. I'm usually a big Will Ferrell fan, but I'm not sure if I even laughed once during his first episode. We shall see..)
So You Think You Can Dance (coming back soon!)

That's it! A year ago this list would have been a mile long.

Day 10: Scaredy Cat

I have strange fears. I think we've touched on this a few times, so I won't dwell. But for the sake of any new readers, here's my list:

1. Insects. This is a huge fear. It effects my quality of life. Ask my SIL about the bee that decided it liked our flowers and tormented us as she is saying her vows. I about ran away. It would have gotten the same reaction had it been a fly or moth though.

2. Clowns. Creepy.. 'nuf* said.

3. Bridges. I do feel like I am overcoming this one. I can look at the pretty water if I'm not driving with only mild hand sweat. I'm convinced a simple overpass is going to come crashing down if I'm the one driving though.

Those are my biggest fears, so we'll stop there. Losing the people I love most are back there nagging at my mind, but I don't know if that could be quite labeled as a fear.. maybe more so something I dread.. because it's going to happen, right? Although, I could list losing Andrew.. because that's NOT supposed to happen and I can't even fathom the thought.

What a depressing note to end on.. Off to watch Just Wright. The husband is thrilled. Serves him right for making me sit through Hot Tub Time Machine last weekend!

*'nuf is a real word according to spell checker.. whoddathunkit?

Day 9: BFFs

In this area, I am beyond blessed :)

This is Sara. We've been friends for 25 years. Yeahh.. a long time! Our families were close before we were even born. She lives in Massachusetts. We were in each other's weddings. I.love.her.

My SIL, Melissa. We've been through a lot together. She is definitely my sister in every sense of the word. We have a lot of fun together.. sometimes too much fun. We can talk to each other about anything and everything.

Julianne is another friend that I've had for a very long time! For almost 10 years now actually. We started dating our current husbands within months of each other and the four of us have many, many fun, wonderful memories to last us for quite a while. I can go to her with anything.. she has many a times been my shoulder to cry on. I love our inside jokes. The things we could laugh for hours about that no one else would understand. Strawberry Wine will forever be "our" song. Look at us as mamas now!

Here is Emily circa 2007 (not quite sure why the photo says 2006) at my lingerie shower. I met Emily when she was 17? 18? Trey's BF, Brandon, pretty much robbed the cradle (but that's okay because they are married now and expecting their second child) and I met her very early in their (2nd) relationship. It was love at first sight. She's one of my favorite people ever. I love everything about her, but especially how much she values the people (like me) in her life and her sense of humor.

Second person from the left (like if you're looking at the picture, left) is Ashleigh. (I could not get the only picture I have of us one on one to upload quickly enough, Ashleigh, and I just got too impatient) I met Ashleigh in quite the same way that I met Emily. She started dating Trey's other BF, Matt. She wasn't always around because she went to college in Charleston, but she has grown to be one of my dearest friends. She quite possibly could be the sweetest girl that I am lucky enough to know. She makes sure that her friends know just how much they mean to her. Trey and I were beyond touched that she and Matthew flew out to see us after Drew was born. Now she is expecting a sweet little girl of her own and I cannot wait to meet her!!

Jennifer!! Jenn and I were friends back in high school. We had some very memorable moments working at CVS together. Life got in the way and throughout college and life afterwards, we lost touch. Thanks to FB we were able to catch back up. As fate (or the Army) would have it, we were placed back into each other's lives when Trey and I were stationed at Ft. Bliss. Jenn ended up marrying a soldier and came here less than a year before we did and we now live within walking distance from each other! God knew what he was doing when He brought us back together. I'll never ever forget how much her and her poor husband were there for me when Drew was born. She was right by my side in the hospital so Trey could go to the hospital Drew was transferred to and I wouldn't have to be alone. Her poor husband got to know me real quickly and lets just say there aren't many secrets between us any longer. He was such a trooper and will be very prepared for the after-effects of birth when they have a baby of their own! Jennifer makes being miles and miles away from my family bearable!  Side note Jenn: We need to take more pics together.
Another side note: Jenn makes the cutest things for children. Dresses, bows, boys clothes.. anything. Girl is super talented. You should check out some of her stuff here

Day 8: Travel

I'm so behind! It's not totally my fault.. our internet has been down. Turns out a few wires were going bad down the street. To anyone that happens to live in my general area, you're welcome if your internet is running a little smoother now.

I'm just going to pick up where I left off instead of putting all of those days in one post. I know.. I know.. my month long assignment will probably take three months. This is why I never excelled in school.

Sooo - A place that I've traveled to. I'd have to say that the most exciting place we've been to would be Cancun, Mexico for our honeymoon

We stayed at the Moon Palace Resort - great choice

Sadly, I have no pictures uploaded on my computer of our 7 days there. Trust me when I say it was the most amazing, relaxing, fun 7 days of our lives. We never wanted to come home. Who would?? All-inclusive is the way to go! (but you will gain at least 10 pounds) Beautiful resort, friendly people, loads of entertainment, never-ending free drinks, more food than you can even picture in your head, gorgeous pools, swim-up bars in said pools, cabana boys who come to serve you drinks while you're sprawled out on the beach, fun excursions.

Is it time for a second honeymoon yet??

Day 6 and 7:



 Today, I'm supposed to post a picture of something that makes me happy. Only one is not possible for me :)


Getting to see Trey as a Daddy. He is wonderful with Drew and it warms my heart to no end



Gerber Daisies are my absolute favorite flower. How can you not smile when you see those bright, fun flowers?

Fireworks! They are just magical to me :) "ooohhh" "ahhhhhhh"

Day 7 - My favorite movies.
I was a little busy yesterday and couldn't finish the Day 6 post, so we're just cramming these in together, okay?

I have other favorites. I love hang-on-the-edge-ofyourseats thrillers, but these are three that I could watch over and over... and over again!