Monday, January 28, 2013

Weekend stuff!

I had a great relaxing weekend I must say. Friday, it snowed its booty off and we closed the store early. Thank God I drove Jarrett's truck that day because I probably would have freaked out even more if I was in a normal car. The truck did so well in the snow. For those of you that do not know, about two months after I got my drivers license when I was sixteen, I had a bad accident in the snow when I hit black ice. Erica was with me, and thank God that neither of us were hurt even though my car was totaled. Ever since then, I have been terrified to drive in the snow. I was a trooper on the way home from work, even though I was petrified inside. I made it home in one piece as you can see.
 
Saturday, the store did not close because of the snow, so off to work I went. It was a boring day, but it was definitely better than being at home all day snowed in bored out of my mind. I would have probably read all day, so it would not have been that bad. Saturday night, the roads had cleared up a ton, so I went out and ran some errands and stopped by Bath and Body Works to check out their awesome candle sale. I am obsessed with BBW candles. I think I may like them better than Yankee sometimes. Sunday, the in laws and I went to church and then later on Leo and I walked over to their house for a scrumptious Sunday dinner. Perfect end to the weekend.
 
Heres to my favorite month coming on Friday, February! Exciting things in February: My birthday, two trips home to Maryland and preparing more for my upcoming trip out of the country in March! Oh happy day! :)
 
Katie<3

Liebster Award!

 
Yay I've been nominated for a blog award. Thank you to Roxy from An Island Girl's Life As An Army Wife for nominating me for the Liebster award. This is my first nomination for any kind of blog award and I am so excited! Granted I was nominated weeks ago and I am finally getting to my post. Not having a computer during deployment is kind of annoying, so I have to get to the library when I can.
 
 
The Rules
 
1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.
4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
 
11 Facts About Me:
 
  1. I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but was raised and grew up in Salisbury, MD. No matter where Jarrett and I live, I will always be a southern gal.
  2. I was a field hockey goalie in high school. Yes, it was hilarious to see me being swallowed up by all that gear, but I would not have traded it for anything.
  3. I love to run even though I rarely do it anymore. This year I am trying to put the gym and running back into my normal routine. I want to train and run a 5k(s) as well. Stay tuned for those adventures. 
  4. As I've stated before, I want to be the female Nicholas Sparks. One day I will be.
  5. I LOVE dessert. Any kind of sweet thing or dessert, I will eat it. I probably eat like three or four sweet things a day. I have a problem.
  6. I am obsessed with dachshunds. If I could, I would have a whole farm full of dachshunds. Seriously. I am in the process of trying to convince Jarrett of why we should get another dachshund, preferably a long haired female named Genevieve. Just saying!
  7. I am kind of obsessed with wanting to become a mom. I know that when the time is right for us, it will happen, but I literally wish I could just make a wish and boom, us have three kids already. Crazy huh?
  8. I am a Christian and I love God undeniably.  
  9. When I was a little girl, I did ballet. I was adorable in a tutu just so you know.
  10. I want to travel the world. My start will be in March when I visit another country to spend two weeks with Jarrett on deployment (I cannot post the country just yet).
  11. I want to have it all. Is that so bad? :)
Roxy's Questions:
 
 
  1. Where do you live? -Hampton, VA for now.
  2. Do you want to be living there? Why or why not? -Yes, I do want to stay here because our family is only three hours away and we love it.
  3. What is your occupation? - For now, I am a sales associate/pretty much assistant manager at Hallmark. I love the store, but cannot wait to have a full time job and career.
  4. Is it your dream job? - Oh no lol, as much as I love the store, it is not.
  5. What is your favorite food? -Chocolate :)
  6. What types of food are you afraid to try? - Nothing really. I'll pretty much eat anything.
  7. What are your hobbies? - Reading, shopping, running, working out, tanning(need to get back to it because I look like a ghost right now), anything with Jarrett or Leo, spending time with my girls and making the trip to Maryland.
  8. Do you like to workout? Why or why not? - Yes, I love to work out. I do have a hard time making it part of my routine though.
  9. What is your favorite type of workout? - Elliptical for sure.
  10. What are your goals for this year? - My goals for this year are to go to Maryland as much as possible, work on my career and education goals, travel, get back to the gym and tanning, be the best wife/fur mommy/daughter/daughter in law/sister/sister in law/friend/employee/aunt to Austyn/bridesmaid I can be! :)
  11. What does your typical day consist of?- Getting up early, letting Leo out and getting him ready for the day, getting ready, working until five, either going out to dinner with Jarrett or a friend, coming home and either watching my evening shows or reading the rest of the night.
My Nominations for the Liebster Award:
 
My Questions:
  1. Where are you from?
  2. How long have you been a blogger?
  3. Are you a military spouse? If so, where are you stationed?
  4. What is your passion?
  5. Is your passion your career?
  6. Are you a parent? If not, do you want to be a parent?
  7. Do you have any pets?
  8. What is your most favorite hobby?
  9. Do you or did you play any sports?
  10. Chocolate or peanut butter?
  11. What is your favorite book?
     
Katie<3 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday's Letters!

Dear snow, Ahh you are so beautiful and I love you for finally showing up for real this time. However, I am a little peeved that you ruined my plans for the evening, but it's cool, you're pretty and I love you! Dear husband, I wish you were here to enjoy the snow with Leo and me. You could be cuddling with us on the couch and what not, but instead you are in 70 degree weather. Lucky! I really hope my trip to be with you works out considering how much bad luck I have with trips. Hence the fact that my W-2 still has not come yet for us to file our taxes. Blah! Oh we'll, I will still try to be optimistic regardless. I love you and I will see you when we Skype soon! Dear Leo, Seriously? You snatched my brownie right out of my hands? Ughhh you sly little devil you! I really hope you don't get sick from it! Please don't ever try to eat chocolate again! Mommy does not want you to be sick! Dear Ravens, I am still doing cartwheels over you guys going to the Superbowl! I can't believe how far you guys have come since the beginning of the season. You all are amazing and your fans are so proud! I am so proud to be a Ravens fan! Everyone else can keep their snide comments about you guys to themselves! Boo ya! Dear mom, I can't wait for you to come down for Super Bowl weekend! We are going to have so much fun! Then before you know it, it will be time for me to come there for my birthday weekend! I can't wait! See you soon!







Tuesday, January 22, 2013

January calendar quote!

So I have a new 2013 calendar, and the quotes in this calendar are just as awesome and inspirational as my 2012 calendar! This calendar is a Suzy Toronto calendar and it is called Life Is All About How You Handle Plan B! She also has other products other than her calendars. She makes coffee mugs, book marks, inspirational wallet cards, books, note pads and so much more. All of her products are centered around strong, independent women. I love it! Her whole calendar is about how we handle life when it does not go as planned. This is something I know all too well about! Like before, I will post the quote of the month for each month. It will be a little something to brighten your day when things are not working out like you had planned!

Plan A is always my first choice. You know, the one where everything works out to be "happily ever after." But more often than not, I find myself dealing with the upside-down, inside-out version where nothing goes as it should. It's at this point the real test of my character comes in... do I sink or do I swim? Do I wallow in self pity and play the victim or simply shift gears and make the best of the situation? The choice is mine. After all... Life is all about how you handle Plan B.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Weekend stuff!

This weekend was awesome. Friday and Saturday I worked and then came home both nights and was lazy as ever. I hardly ever get to be lazy, so I must say it was amazing. Being lazy is especially amazing when you have an adorable puppy being lazy with you! Leo has been one ball of laziness this weekend. He has been worse than me for sure. I guess you just need some laziness in your life sometimes!

Sunday I woke up not feeling too well. I have been around a lot of sick people lately plus this crap is just going around, so I knew it would be my time eventually. I then just rested and rented some movies. Later on the in laws came over to watch the Ravens playoff game. We won the game and are going to the Super Bowl against the 49ers! I am so excited for a Harbaugh Harbaugh Super Bowl! I do not even care if we lose because I am just so happy to see the Harbaugh brothers in it together.

Now, I am just going to throw out my two cents because this is my blog and I will say what I want. Don't like it? Don't read it! I don't usually get fired up like this, but I am just so tired of it. Football is just a game, people! If we are excited and want to post a million Facebook statuses about our Ravens going to the Super Bowl, then we will! If you don't want to read it then block us! You all do the same thing when your team goes to the Super Bowl, so I don't want to hear anymore crap about us doing this or doing that. Everyone just needs to stop talking crap to one another! So, your team didn't make the playoffs? Okay, I'm sorry about that, but don't make fun of us because we are super stoked that we are going on to the Super Bowl! We haven't been in a really long time, so no wonder we are excited! You don't want to hear about how excited we are? Okay, then block us on Facebook or whatever social media you use! We aren't doing anything that all you other people wouldn't be doing if it was your team! Alrighty, end rant!

Anyways, I hope everyone has a fantastic week! :) Go Ravens! <3



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Weekend stuff!

My first weekend without Jarrett wasn't all that bad. It was real low key and quiet. Saturday I worked and then went to the in laws for dinner and the Ravens game. It was an amazing game of which we won. We are one final step away from the Super Bowl. We play the Patriots on Sunday and this game is a rematch to last years game of which we lost awfully to them. The outcome will be much different this year. You can count on that!

Sunday I did a bunch of stuff around the house and just relaxed afterwards. Later on I did some baking then Leo and I went over to the in laws again for dinner and football. It was so nice to spend time with family again, plus Leo had a great time playing with his grandparents.

Here's a little something for the rest of your week! Enjoy! :)

Friday, January 11, 2013

Friday's letters!

Dear Husband, this deployment is for the birds, but it won't be long until we are together for two weeks in an amazing country. After my visit, it won't be much longer until you are home. I will be counting down the days.
Dear Leo, you are driving me crazy! I know you're mad that your daddy is gone, but you need to be a good boy for mommy. Please and thank you!
Dear Mom, I am glad you are feeling better, but please never give me a health scare like that again! I want you alive and healthy for as long as possible. I love and miss you very much!
Dear Mommy in law, thank you for all your help with Leo. You are such a big help with checking on him when I'm at work for a long time. Hope you enjoy having him for two weeks. You might be happy to give him back to me after that long!

Katie<3

Thursday, January 10, 2013

New books!

So excited! I just bought some new books for my Nook! These books will definitely come in handy for my twenty hour plane ride in a couple months. Sleeping and reading will be my main mission on the plane. One of my resolutions this year is to read more consistently. I want to set aside some time every single day to just read. I want to read more and watch TV less/get on the Internet less. I also want to start book reviews on here so that I can give you a thorough review of some of the awesome books that are out there. After I finish a book, all I want to do is talk about it, so what better way to share my thoughts then on this blog!

Right now I am finally on the third book in the Fifty Shades of Grey series! Took me long enough to get to the last book. Yes, I have been seriously slacking. After I finally finish the last Fifty Shades book then I will start on my new Nook books. The books I just bought are The Host, The City of Bones series, Beautiful Creatures( I plan to buy the other four books soon too) and Safe Haven. Yes, my book tastes vary from science fiction to romance novels! I love a little bit of everything! I still have the rest of the Hunger Games books to read and a couple of Nicholas Sparks books to read that my mom let me borrow. All these books make me a happy girl. I cannot wait to share with you what I read soon!

Katie <3

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Weekend stuff and deployment!

This weekend was the last one with my hubby before he deployed so we made it count! Saturday after I got off work, we used our Cinebistro gift card from mom and went to the movies to eat a yummy dinner and see the movie Django. Jarrett absolutely loves Quentin Tarantino movies so since we weren't sure about what movie to see, we saw that. I can honestly say, it was amazing! I really liked it. I love that we're going to movies more because we use to go all the time and then we just got too busy and rarely ever went anymore. We've been so good lately with allowing time once a week for a date night. I love our date nights so much!

Sunday, we slept in, which was out of this world amazing, then we ran some errands to get Jarrett ready for his deployment. Later on we watched our Ravens kick some Colts butt and move on in the playoffs and then we cooked a fabulous steak dinner together. Perfect end to the weekend!

Yesterday, we finished some more errands and I attempted to apply for my passport for my upcoming trip to visit him in March, but oh no, you have to pay $110 as a check and the rest of the fees as cash or money order of which I had planned on just using my credit card for the whole thing. I now have to wait until pay day on Friday to get apply for my passport. So annoying! If I would have known all that then I would have planned out my money better instead of just using my credit card. Blah! Oh well, I will still get my passport in time if I apply Friday!

Today was not such a good day. On top of Jarrett deploying, this morning I got a disturbing phone call from my brother about my mom. She has type two diabetes and she had a huge spike in her blood sugar and had to go to the hospital. They had to run all kinds of tests and put her on an IV for a while because of dehydration. They also gave her insulin shots which brought her levels down a ton. She was then able to be discharged and the doctors upped her medication and the dosage and also gave her another medicine. If the medication works well for her and she makes some more life changes then she should not need to be on insulin. Thank The Lord!

Hold the people you love close to you tonight and never ever take them for granted!







Friday, January 4, 2013

Happy New Year!

 
And I'm also a little late for my New Years post, but it's all good. I cannot lie, 2012 was a pretty good year for us, and I believe that 2013 will be even better and even kinder to us.
 
2012 in review:
  • In February and April, Jarrett and I celebrated our 25th birthdays, plus our car insurance went down tremendously. Score.
  • In March, my blog was finally born. After literally years of contemplating starting a blog, I took a leap of faith and started it. Although my blog is not well known yet, it will be. As I learn more about the blog world and everything that it has to offer, I am hoping that this will be crafted into a masterpiece. Look out in 2013 as I shape and mold it into something amazing.
  • In April, Jarrett's parents moved here to Virginia and moved in to our apartment complex for the time being. His step-dad's job transferred him to our area which was so perfect. They missed us and we missed them. It has been such a joy and blessing to have them be here, especially during deployments.
  • In June, Jarrett and I became parents to our sweet and handsome mini dachshund, Leo. Leo has been the perfect addition to our family and we cannot wait to get another dachshund maybe this year or next (and grow our family even more within the next two to three years).
  • In August, Jarrett was sent to Georgia for two months, so I was able to slip away and visit him for a long weekend. It was an accomplishment for me because I had never flown by myself, so knowing me, I was scared out of my mind. The whole flight and trip worked out perfectly though. One of the best weekends of my life.
  • When Jarrett got back from Georgia in September, we sold my crappy Honda Accord and bought a brand new Ford truck. My Accord was getting old, falling apart and was high mileage, code for it might die soon, so my husband, being the truck loving man that he is, knew we had to get rid of it and get a truck again. Jarrett got his truck and I got his Impala, which is a much newer car. It was a win win situation. The two car payments are no fun, but the fact that we both have nice vehicles is definitely a plus.
  • 2012 also included many visits to Maryland and many visits from family and friends, including our first Thanksgiving get together at our house. Between my mom, mother in law and myself, we cooked an amazing Thanksgiving dinner. We also had a wonderful visit in Maryland for Christmas as you saw in my earlier post.
     
    Excitement in 2013:
    • February: I'll be visiting Maryland for a long birthday weekend with my family and friends. I cannot wait. Then, the following weekend I'll be back in Maryland for my best friend Erica's baby shower. I cannot wait to spoil miss Austyn. :)
    • March: Jarrett is leaving for deployment soon and I have an amazing opportunity to fly out and spend a week and a half with him. Thank you loads of tax money that we'll be getting back. At this point, I cannot broadcast where he is going or for how long. Jarrett does not even like me putting it on here or Facebook that he'll be gone, but it's a little difficult to keep your husband's deployment a secret sometimes. I'm sure many of my military wife friends think the same way. All I can say is that where he is going and where I'll be visiting is an amazing, beautiful and quite interesting country. The fact that I'll be flying for twenty hours to a different country scares the crap out of me, but heres to getting out of my comfort zone and taking more risks.
    • April: Miss Austyn will be making her arrival into the world. I cannot wait to meet this little princess. Her Aunt Katie will surely be spoiling her very soon.
    • May: Back to Maryland for another fun weekend. My younger brother, Chris, will be graduating college. It seems like just yesterday I graduated from college and there we'll be watching my little brother walk the stage too. My dad, my brothers and me will then all be Alumni of Salisbury University. So exciting. I cannot wait to see all of the things my smart brother will accomplish. Watch out world.
    • August: My other best friend, Brooke's wedding and I'm a bridesmaid!!!! Ahhhh! I was a bridesmaid before in my friend Kristin's wedding and I loved it. I am so happy to see another best friend tie the knot. It will be once again another awesome weekend at home.
    Resolutions 2013:
    • To OBTAIN and SECURE a full time position. I mean really? It's taking this long to secure a full time position after college. I have had many, many set backs, but I am confident that this is the year that a really decent full time position will come in to my life.
    • To get on the ball with grad school. Doing more research, finding the right online school, figuring out the right major and direction and actually applying and starting classes. Then hopefully handling working a full time position while juggling grad school and actually juggling both with no major issues.
    • To be a stronger military wife during deployments. I tend to get a little mopey and annoying to be around when Jarrett is gone. He needs to know that I am holding everything together while he is gone and not drowning my sorrows in wine and The Notebook. I mean, I'm sure that's normal for most military wives to do that when they are missing their husband, but I want to be better than that. Jarrett needs to be focusing on his job and his mission when he is gone and he needs to know that his wife is holding down the fort at home for him. I'll miss him so much, but he has much more to miss, so I need to be a huge support system for him.
    • To take more risks and jump out of my comfort zone as much as possible. A trip to another country will be just the start.
    • As cliche as this may sound, I want, no, I NEED to get back in the gym ASAP. Ever since we got Leo, I have been slowly getting out of my gym habit. I was doing so well for the longest time and then BOOM, stopped going all together. Not cool. I mean, I don't really need to lose weight, but I do want to be and stay fit always. I want to be healthy period.
    • Drink only water and 100% cranberry juice. I made it a habit to not drink sweet tea anymore and I have not had a sweet tea in over six months. If you know me, you know that's an accomplishment in itself. Now, soda and coffee drinks are another story. I am having issues giving them up for good. I am already a water fanatic and I drink it constantly, so that is not an issue. I started drinking cranberry juice daily because it is delicious and so healthy for your body and your digestive system. I wanted to allow myself to drink something else besides water all the time, so cranberry juice was the perfect choice.
    • Update my blog at least every other day, learn more about the blog world and the technical parts of it all, meet and talk to more military wives, market my blog better, make it look even better, become more involved and become more noticed.
    Three cheers to an amazing year ahead for all of us,
    Katie<3
       

    Wednesday, January 2, 2013

    Home for Christmas!

    Hello all. I know I am just a little late updating on our Christmas in Maryland, but I have been so so busy. It is a new year, work is crazy, I am hunkering down with my full job search and demanding to find my job soon and we just found out last week that Jarrett is deploying next week, so life is just a bit hectic once more.
     
    So, as I said before I was able to get three days off from the store to go home for Christmas. Jarrett, Leo and I had a wonderful time with our family and friends. Leo met so many people and was completely exhausted. Although our three days at home were completely packed, they were amazing and I didn't want to leave. I was able to spend time with my family, Jarrett's dad's side of his family and my three best friends. I still cannot believe that we were able to see everyone in that short of time. Here are the pictures from our visit.
    Leo bored on the drive to Maryland.
    Leo and Sophie just hanging around.
    Matt's alien cat Zoe.
     
     Presents at mom's house.
    Lots and lots of presents.
     Leo opening his presents.
    He loved his ball, Christmas tree and snowman.
     Leo also got an awesome Kong bone.
    A pooped Leo asleep in my duffel bag.
    Favorite gift #1: North Face coat courtesy of the husband and little brother.
    The perks of having a brother that sells the brand.
    Favorite gift #2: Dachshund necklace from my best friend, Christina.
    Favorite gift #3: Five new charms for my Pandora. 
    Favorite gift #4: Vera Bradley purse from the older brother, Matt.
     Dad's Christmas tree.
    Dad cut down mistletoe from his backyard.
     Of course we had to kiss under it.
     Our little family on Christmas. I love us.
     Daddy and my brothers
     I love my family so much.
     My sister in laws. Aren't they gorgeous?
     Husband, sister in laws and puppies.
    Take two.
     
    Hoping your Christmas was as blessed as mine was.
     
    Katie<3
    
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