...Ew...

So my parents surprised me the other day by telling me they still had the top of our wedding cake in the freezer...2 years later. I definitely remember them asking if I wanted it and telling them to throw it out. Ya, apparently they thought I might want it. Here is the loveliness:




It's an absolutely gorgeous cake, but one good sniff told me it definitely wasn't going to be any good after 2 years in a freezer. Not to mention, it would sit there until December or January if Nick wanted a bite (which he definitely did not). My mom apparently tried a little bit of frosting...and promptly spit it back out.

Ya, I don't know where that tradition came from, but freezing a cake really doesn't sound too appetizing. Maybe it would've been different if we actually would have had it on our one-year anniversary, but that would have involved taking it to Georgia, Kentucky and Texas...mostly in the car. Ew. So, alas, it is going into the trash on trash day (didn't really want it sitting in the hot trashcan for a few days).

Thankfully, we both got plenty of food and cake on our wedding day, and at our reception 2 weeks later. So, I think I'd rather remember how yummy that was than tarnish my memory with a frozen, 2 year old cake. Yum.

A Little Trip

I was obviously getting a little bit bored, so I talked to my in-laws, and I'm heading up there tomorrow after a pit stop at my sister's to help with the kids. It's funny because I originally asked my parents to watch my dogs for a few days, and now it turned into like 5. I can't argue with a little break though. And I'll be bringing the dogs up with me when I go for my extended stay with the in-laws at the end of the month. It kind of puts a damper on dog training though since my parents are keeping up the behavioral training, but I'm the only one that does the obedience. I can even see the difference in the 3 days I was gone last week (they're not as consistent and Rufus has been jumping on the furniture more), but it'll be all good in the long run. I'll have tons of time once I'm back in Texas to work with them full-time, ha ha.

I've been thinking and praying about my job situation and right now, I think I'm just going to stick to volunteer work. It doesn't really make sense to get a job, then take a month off with Nick, then potentially move around Juneish. So, I think volunteer work would definitely meet what I'm looking for- flexible hours, and I would still feel like I'm doing something valuable with my time. I'm kind of hoping I can find a non-profit or something where I can use my Animation skills (to help with a website or something), but I'm not too picky at this point.

Month 7 in Review

I can't believe we've made it to month 7! In some respects, I feel like we've gotten through a lot, but those 5 remaining months are still hanging over us. This month was alright, but the separation is definitely wearing on both Nick and I and we are both VERY ready for R&R in September (almost there!). Here are some highlights from the month:

-The month started out on a bad foot with my air conditioning breaking in the house....in 90+ weather. Ya, not so much fun. Especially since I had to live without any A/C whatsoever for a week. Yuck. Unfortunately, due to complications with Nick's Bronco & the ladder to the attic, it is still not fixed, but it's in the works!

- The beginning of the month involved driving from Texas to California with my awesome brother and dogs. It was a pretty uneventful drive, which was good. Everyone was amazed that we did it in 2 days, but it was only 20 hours. Not so bad.

- I met my adorable new nephew, Luke, got to do Vacation Bible School with my nephew, Danny & hung out with niece Katie! I've been lucky enough to spend a bunch of time with my sister and her family and help out. And I've gotten a bunch of really cute pictures too!

- I decided to quit my job, and put in my notice. My principal was really cool about it and I have not regretted the decision. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do next, but I'm just going to see where God leads me. And there is definitely not any rush with Nick coming home for R&R and then "for good" soon after that!

- Had a good 4th of July with the fam and saw some sweet fireworks!

- Have done a bunch of dog training (2 sessions with a trainer) and am way impressed at how well-behaved my dogs are getting! So far we've mostly just worked on my authority, and getting them to do what I tell them to do, but some of their problem areas (separation anxiety, barking, jumping) are getting better too! I don't know if Nick will even recognize our boys when he comes home!

- Went to the Rainbow Sandals outlet and got 2 pairs for me (I couldn't decide!) & one pair for Nick. Love them! Unfortunately, mine need to be broken in some because they gave me some sweet blisters. But I still looooove Rainbows!!!

- Went to an early 4th of July BBQ with my grandparents. I need to go eat lunch with them again soon! They are awesome & I love them to death. I think my gramma's hip is healing up pretty well too (she broke it in 4 places, ouch!).

- Have been to In-n-Out Burger (only the best burger place EVER!!!) 5 times since I've been home! Not quite as impressive as when Nick and I went 10 times in 2 weeks, but not too shabby either.

- Got to hang out with some old friends and stay up waaaay too late (for me at least!). It was great catching up and I hope to get to hang out with them again soon!!!

-Otherwise I've just had a lot of downtime hanging out at my parent's house with the dogs!

Countdowns: 58% done with the deployment (on the downhill slide...)
77% of the way to R&R!!! (ALMOST THERE!!!)

Deployment Goals

Get in shape- I can't say I've worked out every single day (hey, I'm on vacation!), but I'm doing alright, and at least haven't gained weight (surprising considering all the In-n-Out Burger!)

Dog training- Obviously this goal has been really successful this month due to the professional dog trainer that is helping me out! I feel like we've made major strides though, it's awesome!

Go to church every week- I think I missed one Sunday (right after my drive), but I've been going with my brother to his church on Sunday nights. Oh, and I started watching a sermon podcast that Nick is going through with his Bible study in Iraq

Cook 2 new meals each month- I'm going to kind of cheat on this one. I definitely made one meal, but just watched my mom make another one. I had my brother teach me how to make guacamole since he is a master. Mmm, so good! And then I watched my mom make Hasty Hots, which is basically bread with a yummy mayo & garlicy topping. But they're so easy I could probably make them in a second.

Read a new book each month- I finished Harry Potter 5 & 6 this month. Ya, I've had a lot of downtime. I'm debating reading Twilight next...I know a lot of people have said it's really good, but I don't know. I feel as though I should resist the urge

Get on a Budget- Ya, the only thing I'm really spending money on here is gas (sooo expensive!), so not a problem!

Prayer Requests

- For time to go by a little bit faster. Nick and I are both really ready for him to come home, and the whole deployment is just wearing on both of us.

- Praise that Luke is doing so well at home and for the best possible scenario with his development

- Healing for my gramma's hip (she's doing really well considering!)

- Making sure God is the center of our marriage and relationship

- The safety of Nick and his platoon

- One of Nick's guys currently has kidney stones, so relief from the pain for him, and that they would pass quickly

Upcoming Events

- A couple of visits to the in-laws, yay!!!

- My A/C finally getting fixed

- Spending more time with my family & friends in lovely California

- More In-n-Out Burger

- And, of course, R&R coming up in September!!!

Flashback Friday

So some of my blog friends do Flashback Friday, and I thought I might join in this week (not sure if I'll do it every week or not). All day on 4th of July, I couldn't help but think of how Nick and I spent 4th of July last year (probably the best 4th I've ever had). Nick's unit offered a week of leave over the 4th of July, which we gladly took! We took a trip down to the beautiful Florida Keys and spent a week relaxing in the sun. It was awesome! Definitely one of the best trips I've ever been on. We flew into Miami and drove down the awesome Overseas Highway on the 4th.

The awesome Overseas Highway...just goes on and on and on with water on both sides

We checked into our hotel, and asked around about some fireworks shows. There were a few near us, and we eventually decided on one. However, when we pulled up, we found out it was $10...per person! So we scoped out our other options and ended up finding this:

Our sweet (FREE!) view of the fireworks

One of my favorite pictures ever

This is what we saw (I have like a million pictures like this...Nick got a little picture happy)

Not too shabby, especially for the price, ha ha. I absolutely got eaten alive by mosquitoes (while Nick didn't get a single bite...ya, mosquitoes love me), but it was sooo worth it and so much fun.

Very happy about our sweet fireworks spot

It was a really sweet trip and I think I'll remember it for a long time. Too bad the Army doesn't have a post down there, because I could definitely live in the Keys...ahhh.

We took this picture on our last night. We left our chairs on the beach for someone else to enjoy. Hopefully we'll make it down there again sometime soon!

Bad Blogger

I have been a bad blogger as of late. Honestly, there is either absolutely nothing going on (so nothing to update about), or I'm super busy. There is no middle ground. Like, last week, I spent about 3 days doing nothing except hanging out with the dogs, and then last night I was out with friends until 1:30am. And I wanted to put pictures but had been to lazy to upload.

But, finally, here is an update on the past couple weeks:

- I spent the 4th of July with my family. My sister & brother-in-law (and my niece and 2 nephews) came down to Newport Beach for some fun activities during the day, including a fair and a little boat cruise:

Patriotic Katie being way too cute

Danny & Katie helping my dad drive the boat

-Then, that night (4th of July), I hung out with my brother & sister & their friends, most of which were Brits or Aussies, which definitely made the night interesting. We watched fireworks from the roof of my gramma's house on Balboa Island. Lots of fun! I also decided the dogs needed to be patriotic:

Rufus wearing his patriotic scarf

Scout showing his Texas pride (don't worry, someone gave this to me, I didn't buy it!)

- Have done a lot of dog training (with the dog trainer) and my dogs are improving significantly. So far we've worked on a lot of basic stuff (strengthening their obedience/my authority so we can use it in "problem situations"), but I've also gotten a lot of great tips about barking and separation anxiety.

- I E-mailed my principal on Monday and officially put in my notice. Very exciting! I haven't heard back from her yet, but I think she might be on vacation. I don't really forsee any problems though, and am still very confident in this decision. I still don't really know what I want to do next, but I figure I don't really have to figure it out until after Nick comes home on R&R (which is about 60+ days away!!!).

- I've gotten to hang out with some friends over the last couple days, which has been great. I went out to a bar with some college friends last night and didn't get home until 1:30am! Totally crazy for me nowadays and I am exhausted, even though I slept in until almost 11am. My voice is a little raspy too because it was so loud in the bar. Then, today I went out for froyo with my best friend from high school. Nobody can make me laugh like she does. Love it! Then, tonight I'm going to a movie with another friend from college. I guess I'm just a social butterfly!

- I've spent a few days helping out at my sister's house with the kiddoes. They are absolutely adorable & I'm so glad I'm getting to spend time with them. I think one of the hardest things about living so far away is missing seeing these guys grow up. But it's like I was never even gone! Love it!

Katie stole my shoes

...and clomped around in them for like a good five minutes

Luke & Bob

Danny at this sweet park

Katie all ready for the park

Luke is very sweet and snuggly!

Danny was all tuckered out after the park

-I'm having a great time though! The weather is great (not any warmer than like 85), although I freeze at night (60, brrr!). The dogs are doing really well, and I have a few more adventures and fun stuff planned, like visiting the in-laws.

Honesty Game

There is a little game going around the blogging world right now, and I was tagged by Courtney to do it. So, here are 10 facts about myself:

1- Nick and I have always joked that we want 4.5 children (because we're not sure if we want 4 or 5)

2- Before Nick left on his deployment, the plan was to try and have babies as soon as he came home. The plan has definitely changed. After a year of being apart, we definitely want some quality time along for awhile. Not sure when we'll start thinking about it again. But, we have nothing but time! I am only 23 after all.

3- I am completely obsessed with Pixar and would LOVE to work for them one day. I actually met John Lasseter (one of the major Pixar gurus) at an event for my school and totally nerded out. It was AWESOME!

4- Since I was little, I've always wanted to run a no-kill shelter for dogs. I'm the biggest sap when it comes to dogs, you have no idea. Maybe someday...

5- My dogs sleep in bed with me. My parents hired a trainer for me (we've been having some behavioral issues, like separation anxiety) and he suggested I stop doing that...we're working on it, but that is definitely going to take some getting used to. Although Scout is not allowed in the bed when Nick is home anyway.

6- I'm a really routine person. My morning routine consists of: waking up, feeding my dogs, spending some quiet time with God, and drinking a cup of Chai, (although lately I've added walking my dogs, & working out). Without fail. If I can't do this, I feel all out of whack.

7- I'm a compartmental eater. I don't like my food to touch (if fruit has juice, it goes in a separate bowl) and I usually eat one thing at a time then move on to the next item on my plate. There are definitely exceptions, but I don't like to mix tastes.

8- Since living in Texas, 70 degrees feels cold to me. I was so excited when I was packing for California that I could actually wear jeans!

9- I took 3 years of Spanish in high school and can barely speak it. I can actually understand a lot though.

10 - Nick and I want a "pack" of dogs (like probably up to 10 dogs) one day when we can have a lot of property. We have even made a list of dog names for them (with breeds in mind). Although we have a mental list of baby names, the dog names were written down. I think our priorities are pretty clear at this point.

I Think I'm Going to Scream

So it's been pretty uneventful around here. I've been spending a lot of time hanging out at my parent's house with the dogs. I met with a dog trainer yesterday and am going to do some training with my boys (working on jumping, barking, etc.). Other than that, there really isn't much going on.

Well, there wasn't until this morning, at least. One of my friends offered to help with my A/C getting fixed while I'm gone, since the part finally came in for them to fix it. Well, she called me at 6:30am this morning to tell me that it was impossible for the A/C repair people to get into my attic because Nick's Bronco is completely blocking the way (part of the ladder to the attic is even detached because the truck is in the way). It wasn't a problem last time they came because they just had to get into the attic. Well, this time they're taking out my unit and putting a new one in. And climbing on top of his truck to get a new A/C unit into the attic (like they did last time) really isn't an option. Awesome.

And this car is completely immobile. It hasn't run in like a year, and Nick's dad put it on jacks. Oh, and did I mention it weighs like 10s of 1,000s of pounds? So at this point its completely up in the air as to what's happening with my A/C. I'm so frustrated, there aren't even words. Even if I were there, I wouldn't have a clue what to do, but it's just that much more frustrating that I'm not. I just feel so powerless.

Great start to my day, wouldn't you say? Is this deployment over yet?