Christmas Update

Well, Christmas might have been 2 weeks ago.  But, I finally am sitting down to do a quick recap. 

We were very lucky this year to be able to spend a full week visiting family.  Thursday morning when Anthony got off work, we loaded up the car (think we might need a bigger car if we have a child, or another dog) and headed home.  We started off with my family.  And I was so excited.  We had a big surprise in store for Gran.  She had mentioned that she wanted a new chair for Christmas.  So, we took her to the furniture store when we were home at Thanksgiving to pick out her chair.  Well, while we were looking, she decided she might want a new couch, too.  Well, with some convincing, she decided to wait on the couch.  But, without her knowing, we went and ordered the couch and 2 chairs for her.  I couldn't wait to surprise her.  Anthony and I took her out to dinner and when we took her home, the new furniture and all of her family was there.  It was the best moment.  She was so surprised and so happy.  I didn't think to get a picture of the couch and chairs, but here are a couple from Christmas Eve.

Like I said before, I spent a lot of time with Gran while I was at home.  We made two trips to Walmart, I learned how to peel celery, and I helped her wrap a couple gifts.  Every year, on Christmas Eve night, we meet at Gran's house for dinner and gifts, and this year as no different.  It was, however, so much more special.  We realized just how lucky we are to have our Gran.  

Gran's Tree

My Gran and I

Anthony and I at Gran's

This year, all of the cousins drew names and bought a gift for each other.  This was the first year that we have done this.  My brother thought he would be funny and wrap my cousin's gift in multiple boxes, a whole roll of duck tape, and Saran wrap.  Well, someone leaked his "secret" and most everyone's gift included multiple boxes or duck tape. 

James opening his gift.

James's gift wrapping

My cousin Lane opening his gift from James

We spent the night at Mom and Dad's and woke up for gifts from Santa.  Santa was very good to us all this year!  Christmas Day, Mom's brother and his family come over to our house for lunch and gifts.  I have to say, this is my favorite holiday meal.  My mom was a Home Ec. teacher for 17 years, so she makes everything from scratch.  I hope someday to learn how to prepare this meal like she does.  We always have smoked turkey (she actually buys this from a man she works with, but it is amazing), broccoli rice casserole, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, homemade rolls and pecan pie.  She has a few other things, but these are my favorites!  I should have gotten a picture, but I couldn't wait to dig in!

Our family on Christmas Day

The day after Christmas, we met up with Anthony's family for lunch, gifts and visiting.  We are really excited because next year, there will be a new addition to this side of the family!  We are also hoping that next year we will live closer to home and can start a new tradition in our own place.

Rylie hopes so, too.  All of the Christmas excitement wore her out!







Saying Goodbye

The past couple of weeks have been full of friends and family as I went home to stay with my parents, but I have also had to say goodbye to a  very special man in my life. 

On June 17, my grandad went to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father and with Grandma.  He is pain free, healthy and able to hear again.  And while it brings such peace knowing where he is, I can't help but be a little sad. 

My grandfather was such a neat man.  He served in the Army and the US Army Air Corp.  He later owned and operated a five and dime store for more than 30 years.  Some of my  favorite childhood memories with Grandad were at that store.  In addition to loving his store, he loved to garden.  Even at 90 years old we could find him in the garden from spring until late summer.  He always had watermelon, cantaloupe and tomatoes.  I also remember times when he would have corn, okra and asparagus.  I'm sure there were many other fruits and veggies too. 

These are two pictures of Grandad at his store.  In 2002, the Dallas Morning News ran an article about his store on the front page.  They were kind enough to send these pictures to my cousin after Grandad passed.  I am very thankful to have the pictures as this was Grandads passion.  I am also very thankful to have had the experiences at the store and knowing what a five and dime store is.  This picture is just the front of the store.  He carried everything.  There were things people would drive over an hour to his store because it couldn't be found anywhere else. 

The serviced was the following Monday.  It was a very neat service because the officiate was a church friend of Grandads and knew Grandad on a more personal level.  At the cemetery, Taps was played and the flag was removed from the coffin, folded and given to my mom.  It was very touching. 

Today, as we celebrate our country's independence and remember those who have served and are serving, I remember my Grandad and the time he served our country as well as the stories he told. 

Home for the Holidays

Christmas at home was wonderful!  So wonderful that when it was time to return home, I bawled.  I've never had such a hard time leaving my family, even while Anthony was deployed and I was going home to an empty house.  I'm not sure if it was the fact that I had such a great time at home or that I knew Anthony would be working 48 of the next 72 hours that we were home.

So, what did I do?  I turned around and came back to Mom and Dad's the next day.  So, I am getting to spend an extra three days with my family!

Until I return to tell you all about my holiday, here are a few pictures to hold you over.

Memories

Do you ever get a whiff of someething (good or bad) and you have a flashback? 

I had one of those moments yesterday (and do every other Friday at school).  Every other Friday, our students who haven't missed a day or been tardy or had a behavior problem are rewarded with popcorn.  Since we are a school of 600 + making bags of popcorn isn't logical.  So, they use one of these:

For most people, you might think of a movie theater.  But, I'm reminded of times spent at my grandfather's Five and Dime.  I'm assuming most people my age are not familiar with Five and Dime stores or may have heard for Ben Franklin's.  Now they are almost unheard of.

Anyway, how does this relate to popcorn?  My grandfather had one of these old fashion machines (his was really old fashion) at the front of his store.  When there were events downtown and on the weekends, he would make up some popcorn and sell it for a quarter a bag.  The smell of fresh popped buttered popcorn would fill the store.  I have so many wonderful memories of his store.  When we didn't have school he'd let me "work".  I'd mark items with the price gun.  I'd check people out.  I'd wrap presents.  I loved wrapping presents because it meant I got to make bows with one of these

(picture found here)

I also remember buying school supplies at his store every year.  And on Christmas, he'd give us money to "buy" Christmas presents for all of our family from the store.  His store was around until around 2006 when he was 87 years old.  But, competing with WalMart is just too much for a small local business. 

My grandpa has always been a special man and I cherish my special memories I have with him.  And on Fridays, when I smell the popcorn popping, I can't pass up a bag for myself.  And every Friday, these memories come flooding back and I can't help but smile.

Thanksgiving Vacation

My Thanksgiving break has been absolutely wonderful.  Just what I needed to get me through until Christmas.

Wednesday-I got my hair highlighted and cut.  Then picked up a few last minute things for Thanksgiving.  My parents got into town around 5:30.  We went to eat at Outback and then came back to the house and started cooking for Thursday.

Thursday-Mom and I started cooking around 10 while Anthony and my dad slept in.  We had a wonderful meal.  I had every intention of taking pictures, but I completely forgot.  My mom brought a smoked turkey and pecan pie.  We made dressing, sweet potatoe casserole with pecans and brown sugar on top, brocolli rice casserole, and macaroni and cheese.  And to so that my husband would have a dessert to eat, chocolate swirl cheesecake.  It was a wonderful meal!  After the meal, we watched both the Cowboys and the Longhorns win!  It was such a great day with my family.  It sure makes me wish they weren't 4 hours away.

Friday-Mom and I got up at 5:30 and headed out to shop.  I didn't get anything big, but I did get my Christmas shopping almost finished and got a wonderful fuzzy blanket from Target.  We shopped until around 1 and then they headed home.  I went out and did a little more shopping, then took dinner to Anthony and the fire station, made one more run to WalMart and Target which resulted in me being very frustrated and disappointed, but I'll keep that story to myself.

Saturday and Sunday-I've cleaned up the house, wrapped presents, addressed and stuffed Christmas cards, done laundry, unloaded the dishwasher twice and got some wonderful relaxing in.

I'm sad that it had to end, but I'm excited about what is to come.  I only have 2 weeks and 4 days of school left before the next break.  I will get to do fun Christmas activities with my kiddos including a Christmas breakfast and Polar Express in our PJs.  I will get to give all my kids their gifts and watch their eyes light up as they open then.  I have a work Christmas party this week and another with my team in 2 weeks.  I will get to celebrate 2 of my teammate's birthdays.  I will get to drive around town and look at Christmas lights.  I will be having sinus surgery on the 18th and I'm super excited about the fact that hopefuly I will start feeling better after this.  I will get to spend 3 days at my parents and 3 days with my husband's family over Christmas break!  Anthony and I will be going to ICE at the Gaylord.  I will get to see my best friend who lives way too far away.  And we will go ice skating outside!  Wow...I knew had a lot to look forward to, but just now realilzed how much is going into the next month!  Wow...I can't wait!!!! 

And on top of all that excitement...they are forecasting the possibility of snow on Tuesday! 

Trip Home

While Anthony was gone, Frankie and I would go home to see my family about twice a month. It was just about a 90 minute drive. I love being around my family and in a safe and familiar place where I have no responsibilities. I find it pretty relaxing. Since moving, I've gone home a couple times, but Anthony hasn't been able to go. He only has three days off in a row once every 2 weeks. Other than that, he works 24 on and then 24 off.

Well, we finally found a time that we could go. So, when Anthony got off work on Monday we loaded up the car with our stuff and the dogs stuff and started the 4 hour drive. Sam did great, however, Frankie refused to be in the backseat with him. Here are a couple of pictures from the drive. Sam only rode in the front for a couple minutes. He wasn't impressed, and was much happier laying across the backseat.


We did very little while we were there. Just lots of being lazy. This was Sam's first trip to my parents'. Their dogs (2 miniature schnauzers) were not at all impressed with him. They spent most of the time hiding from him. Here's a picture of our little family while we were at home.


I'm very excited. Tomorrow we are heading back to Arlington to go see a Rangers game. I lived there 6 years and never went to a game, but now that I don't live there, we decide to go.

I hope everyone's having a great weekend!

The Past Week

I realize that since posting my list of things I was looking forward to, I haven't updated you on how any of them were. I'm sure you are all just dying to know. Ha!

1. I was not impressed with Harry Potter. I haven't seen any of the other movies nor read any of the books. I just couldn't get into it. I did enjoy lots of good junk food at the movies though. I was excited to see that the movie theater here has bulk candy (even if it did cost $10 a pound). So, I had some sour cherry strips, popcorn, and coke. This was preceeded by Bagel Bites before leaving the house and followed by fried mushrooms and stuffed jalapeno poppers. Yeah, I had nothing healthy.

2. Mom's visit was great. Anthony and I cooked for her while she was here and I really think she enjoyed that. Sam and Frankie were super excited that she was here. Sam showered her with kisses. Frankie cried at her bedroom door in the mornings. We watched Confessions of a Shopoholic which we could both relate to in a sense. We thought it was cute.

3. Monday we drove down to Fredericksburg. It rained off and on during our drive. We enjoyed lunch at a cute cafe along the way. When we arrived we shopped for a while. We checked into our Bed and Breakfast just in time for the rain. Once the rain passed we headed to dinner. It was then that we realized most things in the town were closed by 5 or 6. We both wanted ice cream so we decided on a trip to HEB to pick up some Ben and Jerrys. Tuesday we walked around some more and did some window shopping. We headed back around 11 so that we could spend some time with Anthony.

4. Anthony's birthday was great. Atleast I thought so. You can read about it in the previous posts.

So, now most of my fun events are over. We may make one more trip home before the summer is over. Hopefully I will find a job soon and will start work in the middle of August. Then, our anniversary is coming up at the end of September. I'm really hoping he will be able to get off work for the weekend so we can take a short trip.

Hopefully I can find something fun to blog about since all I seem to do now is lay by the pool.

My Wonderful Week

I spent this past week visiting my family in my hometown, and I had a really great time. Now that I'm 4 1/2 hours away instead of just 1 1/2 hours away, I don't get to see them quite as much as I'd like. Perhaps that's why we were stationed here first, to prepare me for being farther away from my family that I love so much.

I won't bore you with a daily schedule of all my fun. Instead, I'll just recap some of the highlights. I got to see my 91 year old grandfather every day I was home. Every time I went to visit, I was sent home with home grown tomatoes. They were wonderful! I really enjoyed my time with him since I'm not able to talk on the phone with him while I'm away (he can not hear well). I plan to start sending him letters so he can keep up with me while I'm away.

I saw two movies while I was home. First, Mom and I went to see The Proposal. I loved it. It was full of funny scenes and the story was great. Then, the next night, my parents, brother, and I went to see Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D. We all loved it! I'm a big fan of the Ice Age movies, and I loved it being 3D.

In addition to my parents, brother, and grandfather, I also got to visit my grandparents on the other side of the family, an aunt that I haven't seen since our wedding, an uncle and some cousins. It was so great seeing everyone. I had a lot of fun just hanging out with my family. I look forward to my mom's visit in a couple weeks as well as my next trip home.

Until then, it's enjoying time by the pool, working on a professional portfolio and searching for a job.

Happy Father's Day!

Today is a day to celebrate dads and the things they do for us and the love they give us.

This is my daddy giving me away at our wedding. He joked that there were no returns, but I know he was sad to see me go. I was always a daddy's girl. But, that's not to say that our relationship always went smoothly. As I've grown older, my relationship with my dad has changed and matured. He's taught me a lot and has helped me to make some smart decisions throughout life. He's even taken in Anthony and loves Anthony as if he's his own son. He's a wonderful father and my life just wouldn't be the same if he wasn't my father. Although we've had our ups and dads, I will always love my daddy.

Dancing with my dad at our wedding was a ton of fun. We danced to Tim McGraw's my little girl. Neither of us could listen to the song without tearing up. We instead focused on our attempt at dancing and the attempts and not stepping on each others feet. Neither of us have any ability to dance. But it was the best dance I've had with my daddy.
And this is my wonderful grandfather, and one of my favorite wedding pictures. This was just after the wedding and I hadn't had the opportunity to see him yet so I went over to give him a hug. When this picture was taken he was telling me that his marriage lasted over 60 years and he hoped that we could outlast them. Grandma had just past away 3 months before the wedding so it was an especially touching moment.