4th with family and friends

This weekend was so.much.fun. It's just what I needed. There's something to be said about being around old friends and family. It's natural, you don't have to try. They can nap on the couch while you do laundry and watch an episode of a show they think is boring. My friend Nicole and her boyfriend flew down last week and stayed with us. It was tons of fun. We ate well, bowled, played tennis, the men folk golfed, and had a lot of pool time at my parents.

For the 4th of July, my parents hosted a pool party/cookout. Everything was delicious and it was a blast to be together. Everyone pitched in with making things and we were all super full by the end of the day.

{me and my momma}

{my sister put this as my iphone wallpaper....it's staying like that}

A lot of us spent most of our time in the pool. We played our own version of horse with the pool basketball hoop. We played USA because it's more patriotic and shorter. Everyone got really creative on how to make their shots. It makes it more difficult that the basketball hoop floats and can go anywhere in the pool.

We were home early enough to shower and relax and take care of Finley. Nicole bought some bottle rockets and sparklers and we had fun setting them off. We saw some fireworks that were set off around our neighborhood but not a massive show of them. It was a great weekend and I'm so thankful for the freedoms we have in our country because of the brave men and women that serve to protect them.

pinky's out

Sometimes it's fun to get a little dressed up and go out with your Momma for tea. So that's just what we did. Although it was Father's day, Mom and I went out and had ourselves a nice little girl time this past Sunday. We explored a new place in Tampa (the Oxford Exchange) ate wonderful finger sandwiches, scones, and treats, drank tea, and had great conversation.

 

I love having my mom literally minutes away from our house. On Saturday Dave and I were running some errands and what do you know but my Momma in the turning lane about to pass us. We all waved wildly and my heart about burst. I love that random things like that can happen. Feels like home down here, having her nearby. And that's great because this is our home now. I can't wait until my dad is down here with us full time too.

friends

It's been really fun to have one of my closest friends in town visiting this past weekend. I've missed the ease of this sort of friendship. Not to say that we sat around in silence the whole time but it's definitely different with someone that you feel comfortable enough around to change your mind, or tell them you need a nap. I've missed my girls so it's been fun to have Katie here for a few days.

 

It's difficult after college to make friends, especially when you work with older people. I guess what I need to realize is that Dave and I are going to be here for a long time so I need to really put myself out there and invest in new friendships. I think friendships after a certain stage of your life are going to be different in nature but it's another reason I'm so thankful for the ones I do have. The ones where we can talk through difficult times, reveal our hearts, share in each others happiness and pain, and take multiple trips to Target in a day. I do have a friend here where our relationship is growing and I am so thankful for that. I'm also so lucky and blessed to have my mom live here because we're close and I love hanging out with her.

 

To put myself out there I want to:

 

Attend this Florida blogger meet up

Find a church

Attend Yelp! events

 

How do YOU make friends when you move to a new place?

 

Thanks for visiting Katie, it's been wonderful being together. I miss you already!

grateful

Some things have happened lately and instead of staying angry and sad I'm trying to be grateful for all that we are blessed with. It's hard but I'm trying. I'm so grateful for our amazing friends and family. I'm grateful for endless prayers. I'm grateful for hope and for the future.

 

I'm thankful for:

stupid tv that takes my mind off things

sunshine

the beach

Finley dog

looking forward to things-cruise in 3 days

Dave and how beyond amazing he is

cheese

cookie dough ice cream

facetime with my sister

dinners at home with my mom

kind words

Give Thanks

{via}

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I pray that you're spending it with loved ones, whether that be co-workers, church family, friends, or family. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I love being surrounded by family, friends, and amazing food. I also like that it's a time to reflect on everything we're thankful for. I try to do that all year round but I love that everyone else is doing the same and slowing down, looking around, and being grateful for what we have (right before they wake up at the butt crack of dawn to get more things). Keeping with holiday tradition I've compiled a list of what I'm thankful for below.

1. For Dave. He is my everything. I was thinking back to our first Thanksgiving spent together and how there was a question about whether or not I would be around the following year to participate in their family gift exchange. I love the feeling of certainty I have with him now. That no matter what, through the hard times, the FTB (feed the bitch) times, he sticks with me and loves me till we get to the good times again. I'm so very thankful that God made him for me and that we found each other. 

2.For my amazing friends. I am blessed with some of the best friends a girl can have. In life I think if you're really lucky you find people that make you a better person, love you for who you really are, and care for you genuinely. I'm one of the lucky ones because I've found some of these women and not only do I get to share my life with Dave but I get to share it with them as well. No matter the distance, we will always be in each other lives.

3. For family. You find throughout your life that family IS the most important thing. They are there for you when others aren't. They know you through and through. You may have your ups and downs but they love you unconditionally, no matter what. I love the family I was born in to, my parents and wonderful, giving, loving people and my sister is one of my best friends with the biggest heart. I'm also thankful for the family I married into. They are the sweetest, most thoughtful people that can cheer you up with a random text or card. And I'm thankful for the little family unit that Dave and I create just the two of us-three including Finley. 

4. For financial stability. There was a time when I just took this for granted but I am more aware now of our financial situation. I'm thankful that I have a husband that provides and allows me to stay home with our puppy while he needs me. I'm thankful that I don't have to stress about finding a full time job just yet and that I can still buy things that I want and need. I'm so thankful for all that I have and am striving to be more content with the things I do have instead of wishing for more when so many in the world aren't as lucky.

5. For faith in God. Without it we would all be lost. He knows the desires of your heart and He will love and protect you. He is an amazing God and though I forget that sometimes he is always there, arms open, when I return to him. I love that through the storms we weather he is always constant, you can always be sure of his unending love for you. I may break down and get angry at him at times but I know he has a plan for me and my life. It may not echo the desire and plan I have for my own life but his plan is greater. I have faith that the Lord will take care of me and I'm so very thankful for his love.

AND 

I'm so thankful for my best friend Megan, whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday Meg, I love you so very, very much!!!

girl time

I have some amazing friends. They're thoughtful and kind...like sending text messages to see if I'm ok since they haven't seen me online in the afternoon (I'm a big gchatter!) or praying hard all day for me. So I'm really excited to go spend a couple of days with some of my sweet girlfriends exploring a new city. 

Friday's Letters

Happy Friday! December is tomorrow and I still can't believe how close 2013 is. I'm home sick today trying to recuperate before the weekend and being responsible so I can get all better and let my body rest before infecting people at work. You're welcome co-workers and everyone else. Since I sit at the front I see EVERYONE so really I'm just helping by staying home drinking water, tea, and catching up on Grey's Anatomy.
Now on to my Friday's letters:

Dear Nicole, I love our friendship and I'm so impressed with how strong you are. Even though you may not feel that way at times. You're amazing, try not to forge it.

Dear tea and honey, you're so good to my throat. I love that I get to use honey given to me by a friend at work. He keeps his own bees, how cool is that?!

Dear grump cat, Oh my word how I love your little face. You seem to be everywhere on Pinterest and you seriously crack me up. However, I hope that you are happy and loved and this is just your face. I can't believe I just wrote that. If you watch big bang theory you'll get this meme. 

Dear sick day at home, It sucks to be sick and not feel so great but I'm happy to be able to take off work and take care of myself.  I'm excited to see my mom TONIGHT too so she can take care of me. I don't care how old I get my mom is the best person and really the only one I want when I'm sick.
Dear Dave, just because I said that, doesn't mean you don't take care of me well. It's just not a momma's touch.
Dear Grams, I'm excited to see you this weekend and to celebrate your 80th birthday. It's going to be fun seeing all the family again!

Dear Germany, I miss you. I miss your Christmas markets. I miss your food, your traditions and living there. I can't wait to take Dave there and show him where I grew up. 

Dear movies, I keep talking about going to see you but I'm really going to this week. Whether I have to go alone or not. I have about 4 movies I've got in mind to see. Argo, Anna Karenina, Skyfall, and Life of Pi.  

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Gobble

Our Thanksgiving weekend started with a football game at Dave's work. Officers vs enlisted, and again the Officers took the trophy for the fourth year in a row. It was great to meet some of Dave's co-workers and to support him during the game.

me and my stud

The football game was the only thing we had to do before we could get on the road to Dave's hometown of Rochester, NY. We got in in time to go get me a garbage plate before going to his mom's house. Below is what they call a garbage plate, and although it doesn't look so appetizing at first, it's delicious. Home fries, macaroni salad, hamburger, onions, hot sauce, mustard. What's not to love?

Thanksgiving day was spent at Dave's aunt's house with all his aunt's, brother, cousin, girlfriends and some extended family. The  meal was delicious and we're always so happy to be able to spend time with family. It was a quick trip so we could come back home to see one of Dave's best friends and his 14 month old that he had yet to meet. It worked out because we got to see The Harrises twice and they were able to come to our house for dinner. Coming home early allowed us to be able to see my best friend Megan and her husband as well. She's so cute with her pregnant belly! Dave and I also had the time to decorate our house for Christmas....but I'll save that for tomorrow.

 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends.

Nutty

I've already started listening to the Christmas station on Pandora radio. The other day I baked some banana nut bread to take to Rochester when we go for Thanksgiving. I love the way our house smells when it's baking in the oven, such a homey smell.
Sometimes I still can't believe that this is my life and I get overwhelmed with the love I feel for it. I have bad days, as we all do, but I hope I'm not taking things for granted and I'm living for the moment and showing the people in my life how much I love and cherish them.

Friday's Letters

Linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters...

Dear Momma, I'm so excited you're visiting this weekend. I'm excited to have some quality time and show you Dave and my place.

Dear Breaking Dawn II, OMG! Finally, it's here. Kind of bittersweet actually. 

Dear NYC, you're always fun to visit but I'm glad to be home. My feet hurt from all that walkin.

    

Dear mini mini cupcakes, I love you, you're just my style. One little bite and that's enough for me. Yum.

     

Dear Dave, I love you. Every day I find more things I love about you, your personality and our relationship.
Dear Spaz, I'm so glad we were able to Skype the other day and that you received your package. It makes my heart smile to make you happy. Love you sister friend. 
Dear iPad, you're so fun, i like you a lot.


Hope you all have a great weekend! 

Hooah Announcement

Dave and I have some exciting news (no I'm not pregnant, slow your roll people)....
He's submitted his packet to get out of the Army. We still have to wait for it be accepted and approved, but dang is this a relief.

We can now plan things without the Army getting in the way. No more deployments, no more worrying about whether he'll come home to me safely or when I'll hear from him again. I'm excited to find a place to call our own and to put down roots for the first time in my life. It's exciting and scary and I'm so ready for this new adventure with this amazing husband of mine. I honestly feel like we have the world at our finger tips with all these possibilities and I'm beyond excited to start taking steps towards this new future together.

So please keep us in your prayers while awaiting the acceptance of his packet.

Thankful

Today I just want to give thanks. I don't think I take enough time to be thankful for all the things I'm blessed with.

I'm thankful for my amazing husband who puts up with all the "crazy" I dish out.

I'm thankful for my family and for Dave's family that have accepted me as their own.

I'm thankful for my body. You may not think about it daily but working where I do I see Wounded Warriors with missing limbs, (they are amazing and inspiring) but I'm so grateful that I have the ability to get up and walk and run. I should take better care of myself.

I'm thankful for my friends. I'm blessed to have some really great people in my life and even though Dave and I live wayyyyy up in Maryland now I'm thankful they don't mind coming to us from time to time to get together.