Puppy Love

My mom commented that my last post didn't have any pictures, so here are a couple of pictures of the dogs enjoying the love they've been getting.

Danny petting Scout

Hanging out with the boys

Marlee giving Scout a good snuggle

Things have been good otherwise. The dogs actually discovered the chickens today, which was interesting. Thankfully they were in their coop, so the dogs couldn't actually get them, but they were really tempting flapping around in there. So, I don't think I'll be letting them off their leash anytime soon because I know they'll beeline over there (and they are let out of their coop every now and then). Or they'll go near the electric fence around the horse, which they are very curious about. They get so confused when he neighs and seem just in awe of him and how big he is. Pretty amusing. They're adjusting really well though and obviously love all of the attention. Good times.

6 Hour Drive

Yesterday I left my parent's house at noon and got to my in-laws at around 6pm. Ya, the drive is supposed to be about 4 hours, and I had the dogs with me, poor babies. When we stopped at the rest stop, Scout sat down on the pavement and pretty much refused to get back in the car. Somehow I got his 70 pound body back in the car, and we made it not too long after that. I know we were all glad to get here and relax.

They're totally loving it at my in-law's house. I know they're itching to explore the 11 acres, but they haven't been off their leash outside yet (no fence). They really don't know what to do with the horse and the chickens, other than barking. Rufus growled at the roosters for a good long while this morning. But we're having a great time! They totally love all of the attention from my sisters-in-law especially.

Spaz

So I had a fun adventure last night with some friends from college. I had called one of said friends and told her we were meeting at "the Grove"...not really thinking about the fact that there are 2 "Groves" in the L.A. area, about an hour away from each other. Ya, she called us from a payphone (she doesn't have a cellphone...didn't really help the chaos) from the other one about 20 minutes after we were supposed to meet up. I felt soooo bad! She said she was going to try to make it up, but it was a good hour drive and we didn't really have a plan, so I didn't want to have her drive all the way up for nothing. Granted, I haven't seen her in like 2 years, so I understand her wanting to come, but I just felt bad about the situation. I'm going to try and see if we can get together before I head back to Texas.

Anyway, the night turned out fine. We ended up getting some awesome frozen yogurt (Pinkberry, yum!), which Texas seems to lack, for some reason. Then I had a big spaz moment and realized 5 minutes after we had left the froyo place that I had left my purse there...awesome. Thankfully, the mall was pretty much closed down, so it wasn't like somebody would take it. A janitor ended up finding it and I got it back. Ya, that would have been really awesome since everything but my phone was in there. Don't know where that spaz moment came from.

So then we went and spontaneously saw a movie. We saw 500 Days of Summer, and it was really good! From watching previews and stuff, I thought it looked cute, but wasn't really motivated to see it. I'm SO glad we saw it! Totally funny and quirky and cute! So, it ended up being a good night, despite its hiccups. I still feel bad it didn't turn out exactly how we originally planned it, but it turned out alright in the end.

Tonight my great aunt had her 80th birthday party. A whole bunch of family was there (most of whom I haven't seen since Christmas), and there was lots of good food. Not too shabby. Obviously, it would've been better if Nick was there, but it was fun. And there weren't too many awkward questions about him being deployed, which is always good (and you know, people who I haven't seen in awhile always love to ask). Alright, I'm off to bed. I'm driving back to the in-laws tomorrow with the pups, yay!

...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!