This is what it's all about!!!

Winter Vaca....Finally!!!

Another semester down...by this time next year I'll already have a degree in hand!!!  Geesh, its been a long semester, not to mention I had to play a bit of catch up from our DisneyWorld trip, and I'm already signed up for my next classes but right now I get to kick off my shoes and relax my feet...party on down to the Escape beat...just kick it...just kick it!!! Hahaha...bringin back the old school!!!!  No, I'm not really just kickin up my feet, I'm really trying not to be lazy and get my booteh workin, thanks to my Beachbody!!!

Anyway...I'm letting the holiday spirit fill me, we've already hung decorations & did the shopping, now all we have to do is wait until its time to go home & be with family!

I can't believe how incredibly fast this year has gone by...its true: time flies when you're having fun!!!  Yesterday we celebrated anothe of Erik's birthdays and he was so stoked with his gift!!!  I know, I'm awesome! It was a nice night hangin with the peeps in the hood, thanks for a great night guys!  Time for some quality time with my OLD man!!!  ;-)  Get your head out the gutters, we're getting some food!!!!

Do you understand...

"As a relationship ripens toward greater intimacy, what becomes increasingly important is authenticity - our ability to give up trying to make a good impression and begin to reveal things about ourselves that are honest even if unsavory... If two people are genuinely fond of each other, they will have a more satisfying and exciting relationship over a longer period of time if they are able to express both positive and negative feelings than if they are completely "nice" to each other at all times."

- Elliot Aronson

"We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love"

- Freud

"True friends tune into one another's needs even when reciprocation is impossible."

- Clark, et. al

At its best, marriage is a friendship, sealed by commitment.

When someone loves you for a long, long time," explained the wise, old Skin Horse to the Velveteen Rabbit, "not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real...."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," [the rabbit] asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to the people who don't understand."

- The Velveteen Rabbit

Friend or Foe

"The Internet is always a willing listener, it's very seductive. You can do it in the middle of the night when you can't sleep, you can do it when you're tired without any makeup. And you forget who can see the things you're writing, you forget the impact it may have on your life and on others. To you, it's you and the Internet and the people you want to read it, not necessarily everyone who does."

-Parry Aftab

I've been thinking about this an awful lot these days, I don't know if it is because I have a daughter that is going to be a teenager soon or what. I see people mindlessly putting their ENTIRE lives online, down to what they are doing by the hour before it has happened. It's like they are inviting predators. That is incredibly scary to me and I know I'm probably being hyper dramatic about it. I know people get to be who they want to be and paint whatever picture they want for people but the fact of the matter still remains that there are no lifeguards on the Internet. It's still a very dangerous place to be. You think you're safe because you are in your own home typing away, but how many people put on here exactly where they live, what they drive, when they are home alone, when they aren't home. I don't want my kids to be naive to the fact that because they log onto a networking site it is personal. Nothing is personal online, except maybe the different personalities you take on in the cyberworld rather than in person. I know I'm not a victim to this, but it really is scary seeing what kids and people in general are willing to put online.

School makes me think about some crazy things!!!

I am Turbo!!!

This is soooo fun!!!! Just wanted to share!!! www.teambeachbody.com/daisymae

That's what's up!!!

Today I may be changing my mind about DirecTV Sunday Ticket, damn, do I really want to drop a couple of bills. The more I watch, the more the answer is yes...errr...

While I'm on the subject...

I truly do have the bestest kids in the whole wide world!!!

This morning I had a few things planned including cleaning last night's dinner dishes I was too tired to do. Well, instead of getting down to business I jumped on the web and turned on Sex and the City, isn't that the best way to start any morning anyway. Then, I needed to turn my growling tummy down a bit and headed into the kitchen only to find it sparkling from counter to sink. I was so happy my sweet sexy man woke up extra early to make sure the kitchen was clean. I texted him to find out when he had really done it and much to my amazement and surprise his reply text read: "Kaylah did it last night" My heart just warmed over again!!! How freakin oober fantastical is that little girl of ours!!! She became the first reason I live and breathe and each and every day that feeling only gets stronger.

Let me tell you, you will never ever be ready to be a parent but you will never EVER get to feel the greatest feelings of ♥LOVE♥ till you do!!!

Monkey Business

Yesterday was quite the dreary day; this was no weather for hitting the gym as Jenny, my new friend and neighbor, and Annie and I had planned. So what are three fine ladies such as ourselves to do..........shop it was. On our trek to find bargains we stopped in at Old Navy and I found the absolute most cutest costume for my Nikelbutts!!! A monkey, for my monkey!!! I had to get it, I didn't know if he would like it as much as I did or if he'd even want to wear it for Halloween. I was overly ecsatic when Nikelis jumped for joy and said, "Is that for my circus party tomorrow?" Uh duh...I didn't forget!!! Phew...saved by the monkey holding the banana!!! He woke up bright and early wanting to wear it on the bus and everything. How freakin adorable...I hope he doesn't get too old for this kind of stuff too soon.

While I'm on the subject of my poopers...the other morning after the kids had boarded their bus and I straightened up a bit around the house I turned the water on in my shower. I was brushing my hair and looked over to find that the steam had made some new art visible. It seems as though my little monkey has been busy perfecting his artistry while he was supposed to be taking a shower!!!

Thank you to all the special peeps in my life.

A forwarded email that I thought should be posted.........

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person... When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

☺I won't regret the people that have walked out of my life, but I will learn from those relationships.

ஐI will never forget those that have passed, whether they know it or not, they have taken a piece of my heart with them.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

あAnd those memories will be cherished forever!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

∞Love and friendship go hand in hand...all my everlasting relationships continue to build solid foundations.

❤•Thank you for being a part of my life, Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.•❤

Slippery Landscaping

One of the greatest things about owning your own home is being able to do whatever you absolutely please to it. The peeps on our cul-de-sac are awesome in their own right: they care about what their house looks like and it's very nice to know that if we need a helping hand we have one or four!!! Since Erik is home to help out we've come up with many-a projects for our very temporary little nest egg. The greatest things we are attempting on our diy list is turning our front garden into a rock garden and putting up a gutter system so our garden won't get washed away in the next rain storm. Well, I am so stinkin proud of us, especially Erik, with the thanks of our stupendous neighbors. Not only do I have a beautiful rock garden that I love, but Erik dug a pond as well!!! Also, after a few trial and errors, advice from neighbors, and a few hours of cursing and tears Erik got the gutter system up! What a trooper...he sure knows how to woo me...haha...
Before...when the rain set in...
The truck was loaded down!!! Nikelis helped lay out the rocks!!!

I don't have a picture of the pond just yet because although it's complete, I'm not entirely satisfied so adjustments are still being made, but stay tuned...it'll pop up eventually!!!

ABC...baby You and Me!!!

A- Angels: What I was blessed with when I had Mikaylah & Nikelis!!!
B- Believe: Why not...!!!!
C- Cowboys Baby: It has to be our season!!! Romo better show us what he's made of!!!
D- Daisy Mae: Me!!! If I wasn't me I'd wanna be my friend...I'm fricken awesome!!! Haha...
E- Erik: The man that will forever hold my heart.
F- Food: I love to eat!!!!
G- Georgia: Where the Army sent us aka Home!
H- Hope: The one thing in life everyone should have.
I- Indescribable: The way he makes me feel!!!!
J- Just Joshin Ya: We like to jokey jokey in this house.
K- Kryptonite: One of my fav songs!!!!
L- Lucky: How very lucky I am in this life!!!!
M- Margaritas: I love me a good margarita...especially Mui Margaritas!!!!
N- Nieces and Nephews: Wish we were closer to them & wish my sis would have a baby already.
O- Open and Honest: I mean what I say and say what I mean, you'll never have to guess with me.
P- Positive: Is an optional way of life, I choose to be positive!!!
Q- Quick: You gotta be when you have kids...they keep you on your toes!!!
R- Relationships: I wholeheartedly believe they can last forever...always and eternity Love.
S- Silly: The way I am most the time, you can't take life too seriously.
T- Tiari: My sis...may God keep her safe....
U- Unsure: Of what life is going to bring but looking forward to it!!!
V- Viscious: I can be so it's probably wise to stay on my good side!!! ;-)
W- Wedded Bliss: Didn't know it really existed, but am glad I live it.
X- Xylophone: A very odd word...I thought it was the best word when I was a kid!!!
Y- Youthful: How I like to feel...and always will.
Z- Zach Morris: Thought he was the cutest thing when I was a kid!!! Haha

I'm taking a challenge...with all the craziness that life has I want to remember all the great times it also brought. This morning I'm going to take 5 minutes while the kids get ready for school and jot down some of my most heartwarming memories.

❤ Disneyland when I was a kid!!! I have the best family!!!
♡ My Grandpa & Grandma cooking the heartiest meals!!!
❤ Holding Mikaylah for the first time
♡ Realizing I fell in love with Erik
❤ Holding Nikelis for the first time
♡ Hearing Kaylah and Nikelis say "I love you" for the first time (however unclear it was!)
❤ Adventures in traveling from Hawaii to Utah with Tiari and Kaylah
♡ Thanking God that Erik came home after his first deployment
❤ San Antonio with Erik and Nick
♡ San Antonio with Erik and the kids
❤ D.C. with Tiari and ALL the kids!!!
♡ Virginia!!!!
❤ Carolina Beach!!!!
♡ D.C. for 4th of July with Erik and the kids!!!
❤ Welcoming Tiari home!!!!
♡ Welcoming Erik home!!!
❤ 3 spectacular weeks in Hawaii with just Erik!!!
♡ Road trip to Utah and Texas!!!
❤ Christmas in Utah!!!
♡ Vegas!!!
❤ Cali with the fambam!!!!
♡ Road trip with my big sis!!!
❤ Partying with friends I left in Hawaii...
♡ Meeting up with friends in the mainland
❤ Colorado!!!!
♡ My last birthday party, my hubby is the awesomest!!!!
❤ Monday and Tuesday dinners with Nick and Addy
♡ Taking Annie to Fort Hood!!! Hahaha....that's the only time I'll willingly go there!!!!
❤ Surprise visit from Annie made possible by the oh so talented love of my life...lol
♡ South Carolina!!!!
❤ First days of school for Mikaylah and Nikelis!!!

That's it, 5 minutes!!! Damn, I type slow!!! So those are just the ones that popped in head at this moment, there are so so many more!!! Although I haven't traveled too far from home I have memories to last more than this lifetime alone and people in my life that are simply irreplaceable!!! Thanks for the memories....

The wheels on the bus go round and round!

Bright and early this morning the school bus rolled through the neighborhood, picking my wee ones up to start a brand new year of gaining knowledge. Incredibly, I didn't completely break down when they drove off. I won't deny that tears did stream down my face as I watched my little boy climb those steps after his big sis and wave goodbye. What am I supposed to do now that both my babies are in school full time? I don't even remember what its like having days to myself. I actually might go insane trying to keep myself busy. Maybe that job thing will find its way to me, who knows...what I do know is that I am NOT ready to have both my sweet tarts doing big kid stuff like going to school by themselves. Believe me, it was very hard to let them get on the bus let alone drive off without me losing it entirely, after all, it is Nikelis' first day of big kid school. Its a good thing Erik was able to have the morning off. Yes, there's no doubt in my mind that I may have serious mental issues, but I don't care. I still made Erik drive me out to Nikelis' school just to be sure that he made it there safely. After seeing Nikelis walk into his classroom unharmed I finally breathed a sigh of relief. But seeing him as nervous as he was made my heart sink. Why is being a Mommy so hard? When Kaylah went off to her first day I can't say I was this scared, I was more proud. I loved watching her walk off like she had no care in the world, like she knew exactly what she was doing. How are the two so different? Maybe I'm just a little heart broken that I won't ever be doing this again.

I gotta love that hubby of mine, he sat there with me waiting till Nikelis arrived not saying one word about how silly I was being. And when we walked out of the class he squeezed my hand, kissed my head, and said, "feel better?" I told him the truth: not one bit. I know that under Erik's sturdy exterior his heart was breaking into tiny little pieces just as much as mine was. I guess we'll just have to accept the future and everything it holds together.

I couldn't help it when I told him I needed to see Kaylah in her class, of course he amused my irrationalities. After sitting in a gross amount of traffic I got to watch Mikaylah sitting with her legs crossed, listening so intently ;-) for a few minutes before she saw us staring at her through the door. And when she waved us in I realized that my little girl is growing up. The only thing that was running through my mind at that instant was how in the world did this happen. One day you're a crazy new mom with a tiny little thing in your arms and the next she's in the fifth grade. Ugh...anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Makes me melt

Even before our move Mikaylah was not happy about leaving her friends in Texas, she was just sure the kids out here would be mean and she'd have a hard time forging bonds. Well, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect scenario. Our neighborhood is about 95% military families who are just as disgusted as us with on post housing. Kaylah has made friends with the girls and rides bikes and just hangs out nearly every single day. I enjoy seeing her grow into this beautiful little girl, but Nikelis on the other hand wants things to go back to just him and her. Yesterday I told Kaylah that if she vaccumed, put away her clothes, and cleaned her room she could go out with her girls. Nikelis assumed I was talking to him as well and both kids got down to business. The house was near perfect and Kaylah was headed out when Nikelis' face completely dropped. He said, "What about me, I cleaned my room too." Ugh, my heart broke into tiny little pieces. Mikaylah, being such a good big sis told him she loved him and would be back later to hang out, do whatever he wanted to. But the tears were hard for him to hold back as he said, "I just wanna play with Kaylah, why does she have to go outside?" I guess the age difference is starting to make a difference. Poor little boy. When I told Erik about it we both had a hard time fighting back the tears. Its crazy what these little poopies can do to a parent's hearts!!!

A heart tormented...

When you are in a relationship and start to have problems when do you throw in the towel? Whether you are 10 years or 2 years together is there a point when there really is no sense in fighting for one another? I'm so confused, I don't know how a relationship could go so wrong. Everyday seems to be perfect and then all of a sudden your significant other who's supposed to be the love of you life says they just don't think this is what they want anymore, YOU aren't what they want anymore. There are so many emotions that go through your head and the only question seems to be "how the hell is my life going to be okay without you?" Your friends try to console you, your family does their best to keep you busy but nights are freezing even though its the middle of summer and days are gloomy even when the sun is scorching the rest of the world. Helplessness isn't just a state of mind anymore, it's become your life. Each day passes and all you are wondering is "is this really the end?" Tears continue to fall and no one is good enough to wipe them away except that one person who ultimately still holds your whole heart. All the while you're breaking in pieces every time that person looks at you and says "I have to go because I want to hold you but I just can't". Its unimaginable to try to explain what those simple words do to a person. Does the word commitment mean nothing anymore? Does commitment only come with vows or does it come from the heart whether vows are said or not? Do vows even mean commitment? What does commitment really mean? In this day and age is anything sacred anymore?
All these questions are just mine...I can't imagine what she must be feeling. I want nothing else but to take that pain from her and beat him to a pulp, but the only option I have is to listen to her cry and be strong for her and let her know that come hell or high water I'm not going anywhere. When he comes to his senses will it be too late? I don't know, I hope not. Then again, does he even deserve her? Should she just say goodbye and try to start over before she is truly crushed? How the frick did this happen. If only she knew every detail about him, would she still think he is worth crying all those tears, NO. He doesn't deserve to feel the love she has to give, it should be saved for someone who will appreciate it and NEVER tell her she isn't good enough! If they stay together will he eventually find something else that he doesn't like about her and want her to change again. If you love someone do they have to change in order for you to stay happy? I didn't think so but apparently other people seem to. Growing together and supporting each other is what couples are supposed to do, not being the same kind of people. Having differences and loving one another because of those differences is what makes a relationship so great. How could he think that she needs to be a certain way to make him happy. How could he do this to her? Why would he do this to her?

~~I know that I've been truly lucky to have found the love of my life at such a young age and I couldn't imagine things any differently. While others are going through such strife I am comforted by My ♥Love's♥ sweet promise that that'll never become us!!! Thank you for the years of undying love, comfort and support!!!

I know its been quite awhile since I've posted anything but I have great reason....we STILL don't have Internet.  We were supposed to have been hooked up on Tuesday but wouldn't you know Murphy's law interrupted life & we didn't.  Oh well, all that means is I'm stuck with no more episodes of Scrubs to catch up on & Direct TV that is out of range of local channels.  Its a good thing I have a super dee duper awesome little fambizzle otherwise I'd really be in the crapper!!!!  Anyway, I haven't taken very many pictures these past few days, minus the damages that came with the movers, but I am excited to report that our house is nearly complete.  There are just a few minor details that need attention.
Tonight, though, was one of those nights that reminded me just how incredibly lucky I am.  We bought a new washer & dryer since our old washer is on our claims list and believe it or not I was overly ecstatic to do laundry when we got home.  However, I did have a mini "woe is me" moment at the shoppette since this was the first time in quite a long time that I had to pick out my own alcohol; usually Nick does that kind of heavy thinking for me.  Once back home Erik finished cleaning the garage so we could park the truck in there again.  Then he got a wild hair & made a ramp for the Kaylahnator to do mad tricks off with her bike.  The bad part is the neighbor's five year old daughter wanted in on the fun.  She did great at first but eventually her training wheels couldn't handle the excitement and she fell, she's okay.  We sat down for some din din and laughed and joked for almost two hours.  Then Erik thought it would be funny to poppy my toesies.  Bad move on his part.  I retaliated where it would hurt him most: Mikaylah!  I tickled her till she threatened to pack her things and move out.  LoL....she had Daddy-O near tears!!!!  It was mildly amusing watching him as his ♥heart♥ broke in pieces trying to get me to stop making her writhe with laughter.  Truth be told all he did was pick me up with those things he calls arms.  After my Kookerbutts got her satisfaction we all reclaimed our seats at the dinner table for more joyful banter.  And now we are (okay they are) enjoying the first Matrix in each others arms.  My kiddos asked and told us the most off the wall things tonight all we could do was laugh our guts out.  And we did......all night long!  What an amazing life I lead....
I know the future is going to be something of the legends.....soon I'll post pics and be in contact more.  Till then, laugh till you cry and love like you don't know hurt....

Some much needed Clair-ity!

We're hitting the last leg of our incredibly long drive to Georgia and our final stop off is with our fave fam...the Clair's!!! Erik hasn't seen them since right before he deployed in 2007, lucky me they came to Texas when I needed a saving grace! I just wish we had more time to spend with them this trip, but since Erik left our camera in D.C. we had to push our plans back a day. We arrived at their house just before they got off work, giving us time to just hang with Lexi-Lou and Kale. Man, I missed them. It really bites when you know and actually love kids but don't get to see them grow everyday. Its always such a shock to realize that when you're far from each other time does nasty things to kids' height. I think Lexi is just about as tall as I am dammit!!! That's okay, I'll let her slide since she even more gorgeous than I remember!!! Not to mention, Kale nearly towers over Mikaylah and she is the older one by a couple of years...hahaha... We spent that night with Mexi food and margaritas!!! And lots of catching up!!! Steph and I used to talk for hours and hours when we lived in Hawaii, but the distance and that thing, um what's it called, oh yeah her job (hahaha ;-)) make it harder to keep in as good of touch as we'd like. I don't mind since we get to gab till our jaws can't take it anymore when we see each other. Erik and Dustin were, as Steph put it: gay as ever when they took each other in their loving emBROce!!! They didn't leave each other's side except to sleep the entire two days we were there!!! It was good to be with them, it felt just like old times, old times that I miss so much. We spent two days with them, but I'm going to be selfish and keep one of those days to our memories only. I miss them already so much that as I write this tears trickle down my cheek. We've already made plans for our next visit and I can't wait. We are so blessed to have them in our life. There are people out there that say their friends are their family but it takes time and a special bond to actually know that. With these peeps, they truly are family and I am comforted knowing they will always be in our lives!!!
I took pictures but only of their killer (just joke!) lizard and the kids. We were too busy talking to remember to be snap happy, it was an awesome visit...love and miss you guys!!!

It's the PiTTs!!!

You know what you miss out on when you live in Hawaii your whole life? The rolling hills throughout the country, the wind on your hand driving down the freeway for hours at a time, and the road kill! Yup, we hit the road again, next stop Pittsburgh to visit Erik's lil sis, Alicia. He hasn't seen her in about 4.5 years now so needless to say this visit was long overdue. We only have a day to spend with her so we did what any other good tourist would do. We ate at a true local fave called Fuel and Fuddly, scrumdidliumptious!!! Then we had Alicia give us a short tour of her thumping grounds. Little did we know that we would see the tallest school in the world, we won't count the one that beats it by a beam or whatever they put on there. The view was magnificent from way up there. It reminded me of Harry Potter's school, Hogwart's. It was that kind of great, it was castle-ish. And I also experienced a first: the school had a 13th floor! I was a little weirded out by that but we didn't stop on it so all was well. We stood on the exact street where the riots took place when Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl, pretty sweet. Then we went back to the house for some drinks and good catching up. Not to mention midnight takeaway from the nearby chinese was a Godsend! I was afraid to go in the basement because the house reminded me of Kevin Bacon's house in Stir of Echoes. What's with the movie connections you ask, I don't know, it was probably the atmosphere. However, it was so great to see Alicia, I see her a lot more than Erik does and he was just in heaven getting to spend time with her and see how she lived her oh so exotic city life. I can't wait until she comes to visit us in Georgia, its definitely not going to be soon or long enough.


Sadly though we had to leave early the next morning to make good time while stopping back in D.C. for our camcorder that Erik left in the hotel. On our way we stopped off for some gas and a potty break, inside a convenience store we found a jewel. A tiny diner that served home cooked meals, so we had to indulge. Had we known it was going to take nearly two hours to leave there we may have thought twice. At least it was some good grub! We recovered the camera and made it back to Tiari's house in just enough time to chat a little and say our goodbye's since we are making our way to South Carolina to see Dustin, Stephanie, and the kiddos. I'm going to miss hanging out with my sisters but I know I'll get to see them again soon. Hopefully they can make it down to Georgia before T and David are stuck across the world again.

Happy Independence!

We woke up Friday and loaded up both the trucks with probably much more than any of us 7 would need for the weekend. We started our trek east. After Erik's skillful and irritating☺ driving we arrived at David's sister, Zulma's, house, who makes me jealous with her cute little 8 month preggers belly. I sure wish I looked that cute with either of my two poopies! David's momma, Adale, was anxiously awaiting us because that sweet little lady had been slaving over the stove all day making the most mouth watering pork tacos! Tiari is so spoiled, Adale made her a special bowl of salsa sin onions because she turns her nose up at anything that even remotely has traces of onion smell. Okay, not that bad but pretty darn close! After Erik and Tiari took a little catnap we headed to a reservation, which I can't remember the name of. We got to get up close to a family of deer, not for very long though because Stryker kept scaring them away. We walked through what was supposed to have been the home of old war hideouts but we didn't see any. Nikelis gave the gift of his slipper to the lake Gods for no real reason except to see it float away from us, his booteh paid for it. It was so serene and beautiful, there is so much to see out here and every new place takes my breath away. Later that night we had every intention of taking all 7, 8 including Darrylynne I guess, kids bowling. Much to our disappointment the bowling center on Fort Eustis closed for the holiday. That seemed a bit excessive since the 4th wasn't till the next day and obviously people are going to want to go bowling that night. Well, leave it to Erik, Mr. Fix It to punch bowling into his handy dandy Magellan. After twists and turns and loop dee loops we found ourselves in neighborhoods that couldn't possibly harbor bowling centers. Yes, and what's worse is, it wasn't one, but two; we humored Erik by letting him lead after his first attempt ran cold. Turns out the GPS, ignorant as it is, guided us to private bowling associations, exasperated and not interested in joining a league we all headed back to Zulma's house, we had a busy morning to wake up to, we were headed north.

I tell you, my kiddos just don't realize how fortunate they are. This is the first 4th of July I got to spend at our nation's capital and my lil poops are experiencing it at such a young age, the glory of it all is that this is just the first for them, they will most likely find themselves back here later on reminiscing. Knowing it would be packed we tried to get there early so Erik could see most of what we already had. The kids couldn't stop asking when we were going to visit the Smithsonian (all of them!) but Erik was dying to see the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. It was a pretty muggy day making rushing around all that much more uncomfortable, however the endless grease pits they had eased that a bit! There were hot dogs galor, the worst sangria I ever had, and mexi food that was severely overpriced; we swallowed it all with huge smiles! The museums were just as amazing as I remembered and the kids were still awestruck the second time around, as was Erik. We took a bit too long walking the mall, though, by the time we thought to find a suitable place to watch the fireworks we were all out of luck. Once the sky started to be lit up by the amazing spectacle of glitz we didn't care that we were standing. Our "oohs" and "ahs" were at an all time high today, another memory for the books. How lucky we are to be able to show our kids these truly incredible things/places.

:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:•☄•:*:

Happy Independence America...God Bless us all, especially those that selflessly serve to give us that right

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On the road again...

The last time I was in North Carolina it was to welcome home my big sis from Iraq and as luck would have it, this visit is sort of a farewell for her next upcoming deployment. I love the life we are building and the places that the Army takes us, but it always makes me spite the Army when I have to watch one of my closest family members trek off to do their job. Anyway…
So here we are. We’re only going to be here for a short time, but man, are we packing in adventures. Tiari and David wanted to take us down to Carolina beach and let me tell you, I do not like the Atlantic. The Pacific ocean will do for me until I am thoroughly shown proof that the Atlantic has more to offer than brown water and sand so fine it actually looks like salt. Of course that didn’t stop my kiddos and Darrylynne from frolicking the entire day. Watching them all together made me realize how lucky we are to have each other. In a sense my sisters are what make our family. We aren’t that close to our mother and our dad is so busy it’s challenging to keep in good contact, although he tries. I love that my kids know their aunts and are as close to them as they are. It’s funny, the things I remember the most this trip are the feelings I experience not the places we have been or seen, don’t get me wrong we’re having a grand old time doing all that we’re doing.
Back to the beach – we bbq’d on the beach and spent the majority of the day sitting under our makeshift tent made of a tarp and Tiari’s explorer trunk propped open. Erik even got Stryker to get into the water. He is so funny, for a big dog he sure is a scaredy cat! We wanted to spend a good part of the night out there but a freak storm trampled all hopes for that. There was excitement on the sea when the wind capsized a small sailboat, no one was hurt but the drama was high…lol. It was also quite entertaining to watch cars get stuck in the sand and have to be rescued by bigger trucks and albeit more skillful drivers!
Later that night us four adults went out for a drink stopping at a couple of pubs in what I guess would be called the party area of Carolina beach. We did get a really cute bartender at the last pub we went to to make me a white gummy bear and I have to admit it wasn’t half bad. The best part though was stopping at a little mom and pop store to suck down some mango ice cream…yum! We came back to the hotel that night to find that the hibachi we used for dinner had been stolen from the gazebo while we let it cool. Lesson learned, secure all personal belongings before heading out to drink.
We spent most of this past week doing pretty routine things. Tiari and David had to work and Erik and I actually tried to sleep in, they have really light curtains leaving us sleep deprived at about 6 every morning. We took Darrylynne to the gym in the mornings and played with the kids in the afternoon, and had dinner ready when Tiari and David came home. On Thursday we all made our way down to Fort Bragg to go to Tiari’s brigade picnic. They sure know how to feed a community, not once did they run out of food or drinks. The ribs were pretty darn scrumptious considering it was from the DFAC! However, the kids were pretty bored because the only entertainment they thought to have was a dj and food. We had to play keep out of the sun with all of the five branches growing out of the ground in that huge field. That night T and David had a dining out so instead of cooking we opted for fatty hamburgers at Five Guys, Erik had to refrain from eating everything in sight, it was that good. No night would be complete without some ice cream. Since there isn’t a Cold Stone here we had to settle for some DQ, which really is the next best thing. Tomorrow we’re waking up and heading east to Virginia. Like I said the adventures never cease!
I have to let you know that during our cross country road trip I only had to drive a total of maybe 4 hours. That’s right, my knight in casual civilian clothes is here to do all the heavy steering. I am back on cloud 9 with him here with us. It seems like we’ve had to wait a lifetime or three just to be able to be a family again. Now that we are I can’t imagine us being anything but together, I know those dreams will be shattered eventually but right now it’s us. Together. And I couldn’t be soaring any higher! My hubbster is the bestest!

I'm doing this from phone so forgive any errors....lol ;-)

Georgia bound...but first°o.O °o.•´¸.•´¨¤

We had the heartwrenching task of telling the family and friends in Texas goodbye, God, it was nothing short of horrible. I will miss them all more than they know, they helped me through such a hard time and they truly mean the world to me. Waking up on Tuesday morning having to say goodbye to yet another great friend, Angela (along with Pat and Austin ;-)) made leaving all that much more difficult. We are already planning trips to return to Texas and to have peeps from Texas come visit us, can't wait!
Our first stop of the road trip we have planned was in Kentucky/Tennessee to see my cousin Jeannette and Daymein and a couple of my greatest friends, Jackie and Erin and their families! It was so so nice to see them all again. It's amazing that no matter how much time passes there's always that bond that keeps us close, I'm so thankful to have them all in my life. We ate dinner at the Black Horse where they serve my oober fave drink, white gummy bear, which no one anywhere has been able to reproduce. The next night Erik, Jeannette and I took the kiddos to watch Transformers. We had planned to watch it after dinner, but as luck would have it all the shows were sold out. I will say it is a movie that must be watched ASAP...it was awesome! That Shia LeBouf, he sure is getting better looking as he gets older, what, he's of age I can say that...lol. It was sad to say bye bye to them, but we had another leg of our trip to get started...next stop, North Carolina to see my sis'! Love to all our fambam in Texas and Kentucky/Tennessee...till we meet again!

Been MIA

I know I haven't been on here much these days but I wanted to let you know I'm still kickin.  We've definitely been busy little peepsters!!!  In a nutshell Erik came home, he threw me the best birthday party a girl could ask for, we went to his high school reunion (yes, 10 years lol), packed up our house and moved out, and had the heart wrenching task of saying goodbye to people I really did not want to.  Its exciting to embark on yet another journey but its also painful having to leave behind what was once our life.  So as I sit here while Erik steers us toward our future I'm a quiet ball of emotions hoping that the peeps we are leaving know just how much they mean to us and how much we love and will miss them.  Thank you for the memories.....till we meet again......aloha oe.

I'm a lucky girl

June 18th I turned twenty-something (as Erik stated on the invites no one got lol). Right before Erik came home he blurted out that he had been planning a surprise birthday party. With the surprise ruined I was debating on going through with it, but I figured it would be great to get to see everyone before we leave; one last hoorah. The day before the party Erik said that he had to run to the airport to pick up his friend who was ETSing from Hawaii. I opted to sleep in and roll out of bed only till Erik practically forced me to get ready for breakfast. When he arrived at home I nearly fell out of my skin to see Annie standing at my front door (with a cast!). I couldn't believe these two sneaky snickers kept this from me, they did a good job. It was already starting to be the best birthday!!!
As part of Erik's grand scheme he instructed me to go shopping with Annie and find the most colorful, full of life dress for the party. No problem, I'd been wanting to go to the mall, however finding the perfect dress was harder than I thought it would be. After nearly a whole day of perusing the mall we finally settled on a cute little yellow dress, which suited me and the occasion nicely. The day was not over, though, Erik advised me and Annie that we were barred from the house due to another tiny detail he was clanging away at. So we met up with Pat and Angela for some On The Border. Of course everyone at the table knew what Erik was trying to accomplish and all I could do was roll my eyes at how erroneously long it was taking him.

The next day was more than just perfect. I had my fav peeps surrounding me, minus a few I so wish could have been there, and all those peeps were helping to make my day special. I got my nails did with Kaylah and did a whole lot of nothing before heading to BlackFinns at the Highlands. The words that I would use to describe that night would be: fabulous, awesome, super, great, incredible, and one of the best nights of my life. Erik made that night all about me, but it ended up feeling like it was about the blessings this life has given me. I received some awesome gifts, but the one that meant the most was being loved by such amazing people, especially my hubbster. Oh, that surprise that Erik was peddling away at was huge pictures he had blown up of me and placed around the restaraunt. Gangsta Daisy was a major hit!!! I keep wondering what I did to deserve these incredible people in my life. Thank you for a wonderful birthday and the memory that will last my whole life...