I just accidentally spent...

$16 dollars on chicken.

Whoops.

Turns out those underneath the small price per pound is listed the actual price of the package (in bigger print too!). I figured that one out after I got home from the commissary yesterday. At least we won't be running out of chicken for awhile!

Also: I have a very serious case of Baby Fever, only compounded by the fact that everyone I know is/has been pregnant and there are sweet little munchkins everywhere I go.

I mean, this isn't a new thing. We've wanted babies forever, but it hasn't happened yet. I blame the 24 months spent apart of the 34 months we have been married. Just saying.

I know, I know. The smart thing to do would be to wait until we're debt free and less nomadic, but, PSH, since when has the smart thing ever been the way I roll?...

never.

p.s. EEEEK, CHRISTMAS! B signs out for his 30 days of leave today, and after a frantic packing catastrophe (I'm calling it.) we'll be boarding a plane to The Pine Tree State come Monday morning! YAY!

See ya on the flip side!

He's back!

And he's been home for a bit... sorry for the delay! Really though, there is so much to write about I'm a bit overwhelmed.

The homecoming part went by really quickly, partly due to nerves, and partly because I only found out about 5 hours before, instead of the 18-or-so I was expecting! B called me the morning of Nov 28th from an airport in New Hampshire (!!!!) saying that he'd be home that day. What??!?!? I mean, obviously I was crazy excited, but totally was expecting to have more time to get ready. I just barely had enough time to put myself together and head out the door!

Thankfully, a roster of the soldiers on the flight had been posted at the ceremony field, so I was assured that I was there at the right time. About an hour later the busses pulled up and the men marched on, a quick prayer for thanks, and bam, Brian!!!! And really, it hasn't felt crazy or awkward or anything like that yet. I think having another year of marriage under our belt has helped, but things are really moving smoothly so far.

(Except for the occasional 'No, we don't put bags full of garbage on the floor until later' and 'Yes, I know you've missed Taco Bell, but I'm pretty sure eating it that often isn't really healthy', and the one 'Just because I've done all the banking and bills for the last year doesn't mean that you are incapable of going to the bank and figuring this one out yourself, 26 year-old adult man that I'm married to...') Ha!

Really though, it is so amazing to have him around and safe. I am so happy that he survived unscathed, and we have 12 (hopefully) months of guaranteed time together. He is already back to work before his leave, and I am taking full advantage of days at home, catching up on schoolwork, housework, and becoming reacquainted with my crock-pot! In just a few short weeks we're taking an extended vacation to Maine, to spend the holidays with family and greet our new neice!

Yay! And thank you so much to the ones who have listened and offered advice during the sappy, hopeless, super-emotional craziness of the last 12 months or so -- I'm not sure how I would have done it without such an outlet! Thank you!!

Happy Turkey Hangover!

Haha! I'm so relieved this day is finally done! Unfortunately, B was stuck there, for a second Thanksgiving. He managed to scrounge up some 'traditional' Panda Express in lieu of fighting the masses of hungry soldiers, I'm pretty sure. It feels like that convo was just a dream, but my phone insists that he really did call at 2:30 this morning, so we'll go with that.

Me? I had skype-breakfast with my family in Maine. Alyssa is a dancing queen, and was giving the Rockettes a run for their money this morning! She serves up some fierce competition, with those size-3T legs of hers. I couldn't find any pre-cooked turkey at HEB, so Coco and I indulged in some rotisserie chicken with stuffing and cranberry sauce. As good as it gets!

So, as sucky as it was to not have Brian here, I truly do have lots to be thankful for:

1 - He is safe, healthy, and on his way home. Later rather than sooner, but on the way is better than not!

2 - Brian. He is the most perfect, crazy, calm, thoughtful, indulgent, kind, amazing, and just awesomest husband ever! And rugged, or so he tells me! (Yes, I am very thankful for the recreational time spent in the gym! Hellooooo, MUSCLES!)

3 - My family. If they weren't so fun, it wouldn't be so hard to be so far away from them.

4 - The evergreen room spray that I cleverly packed away with our tree last year. I hateeee fake trees, but we're not here for the real holiday, and I can't have nothing, so our place sports a 3-footer! The spray, however, helps to lull you into a sense of legit tree-ness. Awesome.

5 - That I don't do Black Friday. 3am? Seriously? Y'all are nuts. There is no shopping deal that would make it worth it for me to get up that early. Seriously. Good luck if you do it though. I'm impressed by your hard-core retail expertise.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday, however you celebrated!

So, it's been awhile, eh? Sorry! It turns out that I will likely have a husband come Thanksgiving, you know, in two days!!!!! I am literally freaking out! Of course, he may be home later, but I'm planning for soon. The date has been changed quite a few times in the last weeks, but things seem to be moving right along on his end! I'm so so relieved that this deployment might actually be over. 2009 really has been so long, and even though I've accomplished quite a bit, I feel like mostly I've been just waiting for him to come home so we can continue to be our happy little family again.


The past few weeks have been full of substitute teaching, not nearly enough school work, some house cleaning, and lots of distraction with other wives. We finally went to see New Moon today, and it was really good! Not as good as the book of course, but much more true to the story than the Twilight movie was. Also, I got glasses! I really just need them for reading/computer use and driving at night, which isn't much of an issue now, but will likely be one when we move to Alaska and it is dark for 6 months.

They still feel weird, but I kind of love them! I'm totally wearing them next time I sub! Maybe those dang sixth graders will quiet down now, ha! (p.s. I know I look like a wicked scrub in the picture. Today is my 'super-clean the apartment' day. Don't judge.)

I Love Bath and Body Works!

So, YAY! I've gotten to talk to Brian twice in the past two days (which is kind of a record these past few months) and it has been nothing but good news!


His re-deployment date has moved up again, and is in the reallysuperclose range! Like, before the yogurt in the fridge expires...!! I drove by Cooper Field where the homecoming ceremonies are held, and all over they had big signs that said: 'Welcome Home Brian's Brigade'! I kind of freaked out in the car and it's quite miraculous that there were no accidents, it couldn't be helped. (also, I found out that the field is like 1/4 mile down the road from where the shooting happend... so crazy, and so sad!)


Anyways. I went to BBW a couple days ago and got my delicious leaves, and winter, which is my new favorite home fragrance scent. While I was there I found a new line, called 'Winter White' with tons of different scents and they all smelled sooo good, and were 50% off! The floral one was my fav, so I got the pretty shimmer roll-ons as stocking stuffers for my lady family, and may have also gotten the ginormous body spray for myself! I do not regret it though, because it smells so freakin' amazing!

So, my apartment smells so delicious, and I've gone into full-on homecoming preparation mode! Today I deep-cleaned the carpets and am doing all of my laundry and refreshing some of Brian's that has been in storage. Next week I'll go to the grocery store to stock up on all of his crazy things! I just hope I have enough time to get everything done before he gets here! (I'm he won't really be too concerned about how clean it all is though, just makes me feel better!)

And last but not least, Steph at Watching Airplanes has given me another award 'cause she is the nicest blog friend ever! Thank you! I'm going to do it soon, I haven't forgotten!

Hope you're all having a lovely Saturday!

Jealous.

I just learned that my friend's husband snagged a spot on the advance party and came home Monday. I am so so excited for them, truly, because they did a 15 monther last time, and have been having a rough patch these last few months. She deserves to have him home, and he definitely deserves a break.

But.

I'm jealous. And I hateeee it, but I am. You see, this guy left with my Brian. Like sat next to him on the bus to the airport. I think this would be easier if homecoming were sooner.

Maybe it is supposed to make me more excited? It's hard to feel excited when I haven't talked to him in 3 days, and I know, for certain, that he is still in his spot, running his missions, and is too busy to call.

It's ridiculous, I know. It just feels neverending. Yea, I might be having a pity party for myself, and it isn't pretty. I apologize.

On the bright side though, I did pick up two tough boxes sent from Iraq today! One from Brian, and one from his soldier. They were superheavy, but I brought them in and stacked them up in my kitchen to cheer myself some. Also, I got tons of homecoming home fragrance from BBW and I'm in love. Leaves and Winter, I can't quite decide which is my favorite!

So, yay for homecoming! Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later, 'cause I'm going a tad crazy finishing up these 12 months!!!

Vaca Pictures!

I got back into Texas last night, and have spent the day chillaxin' with my pup and doing laundry, thus, I am too drained and un-fun to write things. So, pictures!

my pregnant sister Meg, and her husband Tyler

Meg's baby shower!

my neice enjoying her cupcake




Alyssa again, stealing bites of smashed potato from Uncle Tyler





Alyssa and I on the playground