Off to MeMe's

There are two types of grandmothers: sweet and ornery. Brian's grandmother is the latter. She is easily angered and holds grudges. Luckily I (and Brian) have managed to stay on her good side for the last almost-8 years.

Brian and his grandmother at our wedding in 2009.

Neither of us have seen her since our church wedding in 2009. We haven't been to visit her since before Brian joined the Army in 2007. Brian has been pretty good about calling her on a semi-regular basis, but I suppose we're due for some face time.

The thing is, neither of us is particularly looking forward to this trip. I work all day tomorrow and then we have to drive all the way there after that. We'll spend Saturday with her, but we don't have any plans so there's a decent chance most of the day will be spent staring at each other and making semi-awkward small talk.

So this visit may be more obligation than anything else, but it's one of those things you just gotta do. She loves Brian, has been incredibly supportive of his career, and never misses either of our birthdays. I think we owe her.

She also has some impressive collections of random junk. Maybe I can find some cool stuff to bring back with us. Plus, it's never a bad weekend when it is spent in Texas! :)

((Today is my FIL's birthday. Card was sent and received and the necessary phone call was made.))

In closer-to-home news, Brian made a work decision today that pretty much solidified the rest of our time here. There's a better than decent chance that we'll have Deployment #4 under our belts before we PCS. The good news for Brian and his career, though, is that we are officially on the downhill side of this duty station. I know I'll be sad to leave, but I don't necessarily mind. It's an adventure, right?

Where Does The Time Go?

Truly. It's already practically mid-April?

I really fell off the blogging train. I thought getting a new computer would fix that, but it just caused more headaches. I mean, why is my wireless-enable desktop not recognizing my wifi?? And Windows 8? How does that work?? How much does Microsoft Office cost these days? It took me longer than anticipated to sit down and figure the darn thing out. Honestly, I still haven't. I haven't used it nearly as much as I thought I would. The touchscreen is pretty cool, though!

So, how about I hit the highlights?

I just published my end-of-2013 posts....FOUR months late. Oops. So, those pretty much recap last year.

This year...

Disney World was equal parts amazing and exhausting. Those were some of THE longest days, but we packed so much into those five days. Not much had changed in the seven years since I had been there last, but it was incredible experiencing it with Brian for the first time. Plus, we got to spend quality time with my brother and his better, more handsome (haha!), half. I may have needed a vacation to recover from my vacation and I know I didn't take enough pictures, but it was awesome nonetheless.

I am six weeks away from the end of my second year of work. I'm not sure how many more years I have here (doubtful it'll be more than one) and it's hard to believe the last two have flown by. I signed up to do summer school in June, so I won't be completely free until July. The extra money will be nice though! Maybe I should start thinking of some way to treat myself.

Brian and I have been pretty rock solid. We have friends and go on dates (impromptu dinners out count, right?) and get away every now and then. I even agreed to go camping for his birthday. There was a fire a tent and everything! Now, I am in no way a camper now, but it can be fun occasionally. Next time maybe I can win a round or two of horseshoes! Ha!!

We celebrated seven years in the Army a couple days ago. It's gone by rather quickly. There's a possibility of another deployment at the end of the year, but Brian has a number of things up in the air, so we'll wait and see how it plays out. No matter what happens I know we'll be fine. I feel at peace about the whole thing.

Next weekend is Easter weekend. Instead of going home to see family or even to stay here and chill out (since I don't get a single day off between now and the end of the year), we are heading down to see Brian's grandmother. She's crazy, but she's always been good to us, so we owe her a visit while we're still relatively close. We're staying at a hotel about 45 minutes away from her and I doubt she's all that happy about it. She made sure to remind Brian that she has a bed and we can stay with her. Of course we know all of this and definitely made the conscious choice to NOT stay there. I have a feeling it'll be an interesting and probably tiring weekend.

Despite Brian being in the country this summer, I am ditching him in July to accompany my parents to the Northeast once again. I'm conflicted about leaving Brian behind, but the thought of two weeks on the lake again is too enticing to pass up. It is good for my soul to be there. By the time summer school is over, I think I'll really really need the break to recharge before getting back to work in August.

So there's the quick and dirty update. No promises moving forward, but I have high hopes.

Sunday

Today I:

• woke up with a sore throat.
• changed the cat's litter box and refilled her water.
• did the dishes and ran the dishwasher (it was waaaay overdue).
• returned library books.
• watched New Year's Eve.
• did a load of laundry.
• got stuff ready for work tomorrow (gift together for my supervisor and bingo game printed for my kiddos).
• walked a couple miles while talking to my best friend on the phone.
• returned a Redbox movie.
• opted out of make up and wore glasses all day.
• finished reading Shadow & Bone (good book).
• said goodbye to Brian.

Licenses and Ceremonies

I am officially a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in the state of Oklahoma! I got my card in the mail on Tuesday. Now I need to get my SLPA Teaching Certificate (paperwork and fingerprints already submitted) and I can FINALLY get hired. I am more than ready to be getting paid more than the peanuts and pebbles they're paying me now.

It's amazing to me that I am thisclose to Christmas break. Am I really halfway through the school year? Have I really been working with a 50 student caseload full time for 3.5 months? That's totally crazy to me.

I took this morning off from work to go get fingerprinted for my teacher certification and to attend Brian's deployment ceremony. Combined, those two commitments officially took 15 minutes. That's not counting the time I spent commuting, walking, sitting, or waiting. Five minutes to get fingerprinted and a swift ten minute ceremony. It wasn't quite as impressive as the deployment ceremony I went to in LA, but I'm glad I went.

It's real, ladies and gents. No matter how much I wish to remain in denial, the fact of the matter is that I will be saying goodbye to Brian soon. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm holding it together very well. I've been exhausted and can't seem to cook a real dinner to save my life. I also haven't done anything that resembles exercising in at least a week. I'm curious to see what kind of routine I fall into after the holidays.

So that's the update: I am licensed and another deployment ceremony is in the books.

A River in Egypt

I'm totally in denial.

I can't seem to make myself face this deployment.

It is now about two weeks away and I just can't deal.

I kinda want to curl up in a ball in bed and feel sorry for myself.

I simultaneously want the next three weeks to fly by and to slow down.

In three weeks the deployment anticipation will be over and I can go home to my parents' house and curl up in a ball and feel sorry for myself (while stuffing myself full of Christmas baked goods).

But in three weeks, Brian will be gone. Again.

At what point can I call foul and say that three deployments in six years is not fair?

And a nine month deployment may sound better (than a year) to civilians, but nine months will be the longest we have EVER gone without seeing each other. That makes me really nervous. Plus the timing sucks. No R&R and he'll get back right when school starts for me again next year. So no big vacation to look forward to. Again: not fair.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Letters

Dear J,

Why do you lie to me? Haven't we known each other long enough to cut the BS? Just tell me the truth. Own up to your mistakes. Don't make promises you don't intend to keep. Stop creating drama. Your life is dramatic enough. While you're at it, grow up. You are too old to be this dependent on other people. Learn how to manage your money. Figure out how to stand on your own two feet. It's time. I don't have many friends in this world, please stop making it so hard to maintain our friendship. Thanks.

Your friend,
S.


Dear B,

I'm not ready for this deployment. I've been coping by not thinking about it, but it's sneaking up on me whether I'd like it to or not. Another missed Christmas (this will be #4). I normally enjoy the unpredictability of this Army lifestyle, but it is so hard to thrive as a couple when we are apart. I just thought we'd have more time. I thought we've move to OK and get a chance to really settle in somewhere finally. I'm sad and I'm sorry if I mistakenly take that out on you. We can do this, right? I love you.

Love,
S.


Dear friend,

Just reach out and apologize. Please.

S.


Dear Cooper football,

Thanks for another fun season. I wish you had made it deeper into the playoffs, but there's always next year, right? What will I do on Friday nights now?

Love always,
A Faithful Alum


Dear Mom,

Thanks for making the best apple pie in the world. Will you make it again for Christmas?

Love,
Sling


Dear God,

Just get me to Christmas. Thanks.

Love,
Me

Round Three

October 26th marked the one year anniversary of Brian's homecoming from his second deployment. A lot has happened in those 12 months. We've moved a lot and I got a job (finally applying for licensure - hoping to be fully employed by Thanksgiving!). We've put countless miles on my car driving back and forth to our hometown. We are at a good place in our lives and in our marriage.

The Army is a cruel mistress, however. Deployment #3 is here, folks. Yes. Already. There is still a small chance it won't happen, but preparations are under way. We are planning on it happening. It's a weird deployment that will send Brian to various countries in the Middle East. He's not too excited about it. Did I mention there's a decent chance he'll be gone before Christmas? Or that by the time he gets back we will have literally spent half of our 6 year marriage apart?

I am not quitting my job or moving home. I will stay here and figure out how to do the working-married-single-girl-with-no-friends routine. Luckily my folks are 3 hours away.

Last week when this news was fresh, it would regularly take my breath away throughout the day. It hit hardest while driving to and from work. "It's not fair," I thought. "I don't want to do this again," I whined. I am better this week, though. Ironically Brian is in the field until next week so I'm already getting a trial run at living without him. So far so good.

I needed to wrap my brain around it before I wrote about it. Maybe something will happen and it won't proceed. Or maybe I'll put on my big-girl-Army-wife panties and deal with it like I dealt with the other two.

Here we go again...

Odds and Ends

Why are there magazines in the communcal bathroom at work? Are people really sitting in there reading them while doing their business??

It's disturbing how many of my male students are already little flirts. I have a couple that wear cologne to school to impress girls. They are 8. And adorable. And will be trouble in a few years!

I should be finished with my clinical hours required to get licensed in OK in about 7 more school days. That's right before Fall Break. Yeah, I get a 5-day weekend for Fall Break. I swear this is the greatest idea ever!

I got my flu shot this morning and it hurt. And it made me 15 minutes late to work.

I made one of my students cry today because I wouldn't let him play a certain game. I did however let them do the mindless activity of stringing beads. Obviously, I am the most evil speech therapist ever!

I want nothing more than to sleep in tomorrow, but I have a laundry list of errands to run beginning with hitting up the Commissary at 7AM. I'm holding out for a lazy Sunday.

Brian might be leaving for a month-long Army adventure in a week or so. Maybe. He also may be getting deployed. Possibly. You know how the Army is. At least they gave him a 4-day for Columbus Day (but not one for Fall Break when all children will be out of school...)!

Tonight is the Crosstown Showdown back home. I'll be listening to the radio feed over the internet. Brian will avoid me. I really hope it's not depressing. I did go home for the homecoming game last week. It will be my 10-year reunion homecoming game next year. Yikes. Surely it hasn't already been 10 years!

This little cold snap we're having has been pretty nice. I put the winter comforter on the bed yesterday and didn't want to get out from under it this morning! It also makes me want to be really lazy. I may or may not miss my old unemployed life today. Thankfully it's Friday and I have two days to recharge.

Happy weekend! :)

Lately

Lately we (mostly Brian) have continued battling with the boat. It is currently without an engine and awaiting the new one that is hanging out in the bed of Brian's truck right now. We officially have more money invested in the boat than it will ever be worth. At least it should be back up and running before summer is over. Then we need to use it constantly to get our money's worth!

Lately I have been obsessing over moving. Since we were the last people to move into our house (out of those affected by the demolition), we will be the last people moving to the new place. Yay! Not. We should supposedly be moved by this time next month. I'm hoping for a phone call by the end of July to set up a viewing appointment at our new house.

Lately we've been talking about the future of Brian's Army career. We're committed through the end of 2015 and once planned on spending the bulk of that time (if not all of it) here at Fort Sill. Now that we've been here a few months, it's starting to look like it wasn't the best idea as far as Brian's career goes. We both love the city/area (especially me) and it's amazing being so close to home and family, but the reality is that we might be looking to get out of here sooner than anticipated.

Lately I've been watching Breaking Bad on Netflix. I have heard/read only good things about this show and finally checked it out yesterday. Now I'm halfway through season 2. Yeah...I don't waste any time, do I?

Lately I've been reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. I've always known I was an introvert. I've always known I tended to be shy and anxious in social situations. I've always known I prefer quiet time at home with a good book to a rowdy time out on the town. I knew all of these things, but I also always thought that I should be different: outgoing, confident, talkative. I'm only about a quarter of the way through the book and it has already given such a voice to who I am. I highly recommend the book to everyone - extroverts and introverts alike.

Lately I have been getting up before 7 to walk. I had fallen so far off the exercise bandwagon until a couple weeks ago. I know walking two miles every morning isn't a lot, but it's still something. It's weird being up and out that early though. Unbeknownst to me, Army folk like to do PT around my neighborhood. I pass quite a few of them every morning. The sad part? I walk faster than probably a third of them.

Lately I have been counting calories. I've lost 4ish pounds since I started a couple weeks ago. I don't count every single day, but most days I do. I needed to do something before it got away from me and became a bigger problem. I was pushing a certain number on the scale that I will not allow myself to cross. I'm almost to my hit-this-number-and-you-can-drink-a-root-beer weight. Doesn't everyone promise themselves root beer at a certain weight??

Lately I have been working on making old thrift store bed sheets into a rug. When I purchased and ripped the sheets I wanted to make a big ole rug for my big ole kitchen. Buuuuut I won't be using this kitchen for very much longer. Now I'm just making a rug with no real purpose in mind. The new digs are carpet-less on the first floor, so I'm assuming I'll use it down there somewhere. I'll wait and see how big the thing ends up (I have a lot of sheet strips....) and where it looks best.

And...lately I have sucked at blogging. Sorry bout that. I'm gonna get back to Breaking Bad now. Have a good weekend, y'all!

Guess What?

Our house is being demolished!

Yup, the house we moved into about three months ago is going to be demolished to make room for a new neighborhood center. This was broken to us in a hand-delivered letter. Of course they delivered it after business hours so I can't call with questions until tomorrow. It seems we'll get some money and be moved into a new-construction house on the other side of post.

New house pros:
--almost 2,000 square feet
--single-car garage
--everything is brand new

New house cons:
--two-stories
--a lot of shared walls
--small backyard
--farther from commissary, PX, library, and post office
--will most likely have people directly behind us

There are a few things I'm not too excited about in the new place, but I'm hoping the *new* factor makes it worthwhile. There's a "neighborhood talk" thing next week where we'll find out more, but I'm going to call tomorrow anyway. I can't wait a week not knowing especially since they purposely used flowery wording in the letter. I know they were trying to sell this as a good thing, but it just confused me. I wish they were just straight forward about it.

For once my procrastination has paid off, though! A lot of stuff is still in boxes and hardly anything has been hung on the walls. Brian and I both hope we can get this done sooner rather than later.

This will be our 4th address in less than a year. Geez!

And I just realized we'll have to forward our mail again. And change our address everywhere again. This had better be the last move for awhile!!

Good Things

1. Lawton -- I have been pleasantly surprised to find that this city has quickly become home. It lacks a Target and many other things I associate with the comforts of my Texas home, but it is enough. The layout of the city makes sense and I have always felt safe. We lucked out in finding our apartment in a good part of town (if we planned to live off post, this is where I would want to live). Something just feels right about living here.
2. Fort Sill -- I miss the brand new PX at Fort Polk, but the Commissary and library here more than make up for that! I will start my sixth library book tonight (that's in less than two weeks). I am a total library nerd/junkie and the library on post is amazing. Huge tables to do school work on, couches everywhere to curl up with a book, and so many book options! I know I'll be a regular visitor. Every time I drive on post (which is relatively often) I feel overwhelmingly thankful for my life.
3. Housing -- Two days ago I was complaining to my mom that we didn't seem to be moving on the housing list. We had been hovering around #73 for awhile and I just didn't see how we could get a house on post anytime soon. Our apartment is a little sketchy and the thought of showering in our leaky weird shower for another few months was starting to depress me. Plus, I really didn't want to keep doing laundry in the scary laundry room at $2.50 per load! Well, whaddaya know, I got a phone call this morning telling us they have a house for us. That's how it always seems to go, right? Hopefully we will have the keys to our place on post by Tuesday evening. Then we can move...again.
4. People -- We have run into a number of super accommodating people who have made our lives here infinitely easier. Most of our belongings are in storage at the most fantastic storage place ever. Seriously. The couple that owns that place is the nicest duo. I want to keep stuff in storage forever just because we like the owners so much. We also stumbled upon the manager of our apartment complex who quickly offered us a furnished month-to-month apartment for an incredibly reasonable rate. It was waiting to be remodeled so it needs paint and, well, really it needs everything to be replaced, but it was exactly what we needed at the time.
5. Brian -- He turned 25 this week. I met him when he was still a teenager and here we are. Sometimes I don't know where the time has gone (2+ years to two deployments, that's where!). His belated bday gift from me arrived today: a big neon Shiner Bock sign for his man cave in our new house. He isn't one to get excited about things, but I'm pretty sure he loves it...in his own subdued way. He's still getting used to his job here since it's muuuuch different than how he spent the last almost-five years. It's been a lot of change for both of us, but he's been a rock. We've had fun and somehow managed to navigate this whole PCS without really fighting. Now that's a miracle!
6. Vacation -- We were so used to being at the mercy of block leave dates in LA that the idea of putting in a packet for leave dates here seems odd to us. That's the word on the streets though: put together the packet and if it doesn't conflict with anything, you can have whatever time off you want (so long as you have the leave days, of course). If everything works out, we should be able to spend a glorious 10 days up in New York with my parents this summer. Key words being if everything works out. We'll see.

That's all for now, folks! :)

OK-LA-HO-MA!

We made it! I should have probably gotten a post together yesterday, but, well, it was a looonnng day! We rolled in around 12:30, checked into the hotel, unloaded the traumatized cat, and immediately set out for the PX so Brian could get a haircut. After that we secured our storage unit (super friendly owners at the storage place!). We ate a late lunch/early dinner and spent 3 hours unloading the rental truck and packing it all into the storage unit. By the time we finished it was dark. I was in bed and asleep early last night!

We were up by 8 this morning (after I couldn't sleep from 4-6am - not fun!), got ourselves together, and ate breakfast. We got the rental truck weighed (empty weight) and turned in. The nice man at the truck turn-in place looked like he was off of Deadliest Catch. He didn't charge us for the extra day we had the truck - score! Also we have 4,700 pounds of belongings...that's kind of disturbing. Back to the room after that so Brian could throw his uniform on and go get the housing ball rolling (and start his 10-day leave before reporting to his new unit). He was told to expect a 3-5 months wait, so we reluctantly started the search for a temporary place to stay. We spent all afternoon calling and looking at apartments. We stopped for another late lunch/early dinner at Applebee's and to finally get Brian a new iPhone to replace the craptastic phone he's been using since getting home in October. After a million phone calls, we think we found a place. Brian's not to thrilled about the commute (15-20 minutes without traffic), but it is cheap, furnished, and in a decent neighborhood. Plus, they're letting us do a month-to-month lease so we can move into housing on post whenever it's available. We need to ask about included utilities and we want to try to look at the furniture they would be providing for us before signing anything. If we can get all of that taken care of tomorrow before noon we will be heading down to Texas for awhile. Hopefully it all works out because I'm about done with calling every apartment complex in town!

I guess that's it. So far I'm liking it here. It reminds me a lot of our hometown which probably helps. We've encountered really friendly people everywhere we've gone, too. I think we can be happy here. We'll see.

Goodbye, Louisiana!

It's our last night in the not so great state of Louisiana. We spent the last day and a half packing up a 15 foot moving truck. I have the bumps, bruises, and sore muscles to prove it. I had worried that Brian and I would bump heads while packing, but we've done well so far. Big accomplishment for us!

My cat doesn't really know what to do with herself without furniture to hide under. Ha!

Tomorrow we'll sign out of housing and hopefully hit the road by noon. We're splitting the drive over two days so tomorrow we'll spend the night in the great state of Texas. Tuesday we'll be in Oklahoma and Wednesday we can start figuring out the housing situation. By next week we should be able to take a little drive down to our hometown for a few days before Brian starts working again.

A lot is still up in the air (*cough*housing*cough*), but I'm excited to see how things work out for us in OK.

So, thanks for the memories, LA...it's been fun, but I hope to not be back too soon!

What Comes Next

We have known for over a year where we are going next (since Brian reenlisted last winter). I purposely kept it off the blog because we didn't have official orders yet and it just seemed so far away. Well, now it is staring us in the face. In 6-or-so weeks we'll be saying goodbye to Louisiana and Fort Polk for good and making the move to....

Image Source

We are both ready for this change and excited to see what the future holds for us. We also can't wait to be a little over three hours from home instead of seven. The moving planning has begun (we're moving ourselves) and we'll give our notice to housing on Friday. The time has flown since Brian got back in October and I know the coming weeks will be behind us just as quickly.

There were times when I cursed this state and this post, but I know I'll miss it when we're gone. We built our marriage here. We figured out this whole Army thing here. But, after 4+ years, it's time. I have really high hopes for Fort Sill and for 2012! :)

Looking Back: 2011

((This is an amazingly picture-heavy post. Just FYI. I took a lot of photos this year apparently...))

JANUARY

I got new boots for the new year...

I hung out with my favorite little man (and his mother!).

I went on a Diana Gabaldon bender for a few months, too.

FEBRUARY

It snowed....a lot!

We took a few long walks in the snow/ice over the 4 days we were snowed in.

I started observing at my old high school.

My parents and I flew to NYC to attend my great-grandmother's funeral.

The famous castle house (it's a family thing).

Playing Monopoly Junior with two of my cousins at my grandparents' house.

What do ya know - it snowed there, too!

I hung out with my brother (and the rest of my family) at three wakes.

The funeral home before the funeral (it was SO cold!).

Almost my whole extended family on my mom's side.

We were able to spend a day in Manhattan with Keith.

Obligatory subway station picture...

My favorite picture I have ever taken. Lady Liberty sure is pretty.

...and the plane ride back (we were the first row of coach).

We got back to TX to find my dad's truck had been broken into - fun fun! (not.)

MARCH

I continued to observe at my alma mater.

I said goodbye to my explorer (after 8 years) and fell in love with my new Fusion.

I hopped on another plane headed for NYC to see my beloved brother.

I ate the best pizza in the world.

I lounged on a pier on a 75 degree day.

Lincoln Center.

Battery Park.

Radio City.

I sent Brian a fun Easter care package.

I enjoyed a (very) windy zoo day with my bff and favorite little boy.

APRIL

Baseball came back!!

I discovered the local frozen yogurt shop - yummmm!

I took a quick trip to Austin (because my in-laws were in a serious motorcycle accident).

It was really hot and humid, but downtown Austin is pretty darn beautiful.

MAY

More baseball. :)

Brian was finally home for R&R!!

We went to the zoo.

We saw a dolphin show at the Texas State Aquarium.

And took a self-portrait overlooking the water.

We stayed in a fab condo on the beach.

And then I had to say goodbye. :(

JUNE

I washed/folded allll of Brian's clothes from R&R.

I perused the sports hall of fame downtown.

I bought super fun birthday presents for a certain 3-year-old I know.

The Dallas Mavericks became NBA Champs.

Mom and I sweated our butts off watching 7-on-7 football.

I took Dad to see Jeff Dunham as a birthday gift (hilarious!).

JULY

July was the month of our epic family vacation. First non-Texas state: Arkansas!

This was a really cool arch on a small country road marking the Arkansas/Missouri state line.

Street art in downtown Louisville.

The Louisville Slugger Museum!!

All the way to Pennsylvania, baby! (Almost finished driving.)

I went on a Wicked date with my brother (super awesome).

Coooouuussins!

We returned to the place of my (and my brother's) birth and where my parents met. We also devoured Michigans at Gus'. Yummm!

We hiked through Ausable Chasm.

We visited Rulf's Orchard.

We stood where one of our houses used to stand.

We drove up White Face Mountain.

And then hiked to the peak.

I had the best adult beverage ever!

This is a Michigan.

I cautiously put my feet in the cold lake water.

The view from our rental house.

Our last morning there.

We had to swing by the Basesball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY (on induction weekend)!

We took pictures outside of every hotel where we stayed.

We stayed at my mom's college roommate's house on the Potomac River. Gorgeous.

We toured the Jack Daniels Distillery (and purchased our fair share of whiskey).

Finally we made it home and I spotted the new football slogan for my old high school.

AUGUST

It rained! (It required dancing in it, obviously.)

I dog-sat for Happy...

Sparky...

and Lucky.

I received this pretty package for my birthday from Brian.

It rained some more (you know you're in a drought when every time it rains you take pictures and/or dance in it).

I turned 26.

On the last day of the month, I quickly drove to LA and signed the lease on our new place.

SEPTEMBER

High school football started!

Belated birthday flowers from Brian.

Mom made me.

A rainy football game with Mom.

This little darling wandered into my life...

...and stuck around.

I baked Mom a special cake for her birthday (she totally turned 29).

OCTOBER

My parents helped me empty our storage unit and move into our place in LA.

We ate at the local steakhouse.

We went to more football games.

We had one last BBQ meal before I headed back to LA to wait for Brian's return.

I attempted to put our humble abode together.

And finally: the welcome home ceremony!

He was finally home, in our place, and didn't have to be anywhere for 4 whole days!

NOVEMBER

Veteran's Day in our hometown.

Dallas trip with my in-laws (that's a jug of beer).

Medieval Times!

That's our knight. He didn't win. :(

We went to a big ICE exhibit (yes, that's ice).

Keith came home for Thanksgiving!!

We jog/walked a 5K on Thanksgiving morning.

Then we got dressed up for Thanksgiving lunch at the in-laws'.

DECEMBER

We got back to LA and I decorated for Christmas as best I could.

I love Christmas decorations!

I also LOVE this tinsel wreath I scored for half-off.

I attended Brian's official redeployment ceremony.

Brian's in there somewhere.

Afterward I babysat this little guy. We watched the Christmas parade together! 

I'm not sure what we are doing here...but we're back at home for Christmas!

Scarlett invaded my mom's snow village.

We ate Christmas Eve Eve dinner at Dairy Queen.

And we talked to Keith on Skype on Christmas morning.

I have high expectations for 2012 and can't wait to see where life takes me (and us)!