Lovely Springtime

I love Springtime, minus the pollen, but luckily I think we've passed the pollen stage. lol Anyway, it's really fascinating to watch the trees bloom with the stinky white flowers that turn into beautiful green leaves. It seems to happen overnight. One day the neighborhood is full of white trees, the next day everything is green. Love it! I'm out in my backyard almost every day once I get home from work since I have to take Sally outside. One of my favorite trees has leaves! I swear they weren't there the day before. lol. I love seeing green trees everywhere and not bare ones. Not sure if you remember my post back in October when we planted 2 new trees, but they've started blooming as well. Our October Maple hasn't bloomed much but hopefully soon. When I got home today from running errands I noticed the Kwanzan Flowering Cherry tree has blossomed! We saw buds the other day but overnight they blossomed and are so pretty! It didn't have flowers when we planted it so it was exciting to see the kind of flowers that bloomed. They're so pretty! I'm so excited to watch this tree grow and see it covered in these flowers.

We also bought 2 boston ferns the other day. I love how they look and have been wanting some to hang on our porch. We lucked out and found some the other day. After looking around for a lower price, we wound up buying 2 from a store nearby. I love them!! Our house looks and feels more like a home now. We changed the light fixtures and put up curtains a few weeks back before the in-laws came to town and that drastically changed the home-y feel. We also rearranged the living room so the TV is neither in front of the fireplace or the windows. So we have more light in the living room, no glare on the TV like before, and the living room is more open. Love it! We transformed the inside and now the ferns help transform the outside. Now to figure out what to do with our flower bed area...

Beach Hair!

For some of you this post may seem silly, but I'm excited I was finally able to give my hair the "beach look". Ever since I was little my hair has been super straight. It does not hold curl well, especially the longer it gets 'cause of the weight. At my brother's wedding last month we curled it, put lots of hair spray in it, and even though my hair is somewhat short with layers (to keep it light), the curls still slowly fell a few hours later. At my wedding I curled it and used TONS of hairspray but due to how long my hair was and the heat, my curls fell in 20 minutes. Anyway, after I shower I've noticed my hair has some sort of wave to it until I brush it or blow-dry it. So I bought mousse last year to try on my hair when it was short. My first attempt failed. I don't think the mousse had dried so my hair was rather wet and, as it dried, the "wave" fell and my hair was a mess. I gave-up and figured this was one hairstyle I wouldn't be able to do. I still have the mousse so I tried again this morning after I showered. This time I kept scrunching it until my hair felt dry and it looked the way I wanted it. Then I sprayed some hairspray. It actually worked!!! I was so excited!!! I have another hairstyle other than straight. lol. (I've never curled my hair so if you see a picture where it's curly, my mom did it. lol)

Songs

A few years ago somehow all of the songs on my iTunes were erased. I had a mixture of songs that I had downloaded (not from iTunes), some I had imported from CDs I owned, and some from CDs owned by others. It had taken me an entire weekend the first time to import songs from CDs when I got my first iPod in 2005 and over the past several years I've added songs to it so I could only imagine how long it would take to get my iTunes fixed. Plus, I was afraid to plug my iPod into my computer thinking it would automatically sync to iTunes and would erase all the songs on my iPod as well. So for several years I've kept a list of songs I want to download and put on my iPod but I can't update my iPod until I fix my iTunes. Long story short, that is what I've started today. All the songs I've downloaded are on my iTunes so I'm going through my iPod alphabetically re-listening to every song to see if I still want it. The ones that weren't downloaded that I want to keep, I'm making a list in Excel so later I can go through ALL of my CDs and import the songs back to iTunes. Whichever songs are left I'll have to download. So this is definitely going to be a process. lol.

Point of my blog is about some of the songs. I'm only in the B's at the moment, but it's amazing the memories that are attached to songs. I hear some that remind me of high school that I would blare while driving home from school or around town my senior year. There are some songs that I downloaded when Scott was deployed so they're all about missing him or him being gone. Some I can even remember buying the CD back when CDs were popular. Those songs were all part of a certain time in my life. They have meaning but majority of these songs I don't like as much as I once did. The songs have memories but newer songs have come out since then that I'd rather have on my iPod. I almost feel a bit guilty deleting songs. lol. I'm glad to finally start updating my iPod. I just thought it was interesting how just hearing a song can take me back 10 years.

In-Laws

My in-laws are coming into town tomorrow. All of Scott's immediate family are in Indiana and some distant ones in Florida and Michigan. We usually make the trip up to visit his parents in Indiana but this time they've decided to come visit us. :) They haven't been to SC since we got married almost 3 years ago so I'm excited to show them around and enjoy spending time with them. They leave Friday morning so I hope the days are long so their visit seems longer than it is. I lucked out in the in-law department. I've heard horror stories from friends about their in-laws, especially the MIL, but I have no problem with them. Since the day I first met them they've made me feel right at home with jokes and laughter. They're a 2nd family to me and I hate we only get to visit twice a year (July 4th and Thanksgiving). When we were stationed in KY we were only 3 hours away so we visited often. I was out of school for the summer and Scott had weekends off so we had the time. Then we moved to SC where my family is and we're now about 11 hours away from them. So it's a very long trip but worth it. Scott is from a very small town in IN so it's fun to visit. I cannot wait to see what the next few days have in store for us!

Leap Day Wedding ♥

My brother, Greg, got married on leap day. It was such a beautiful wedding. It was a small, intimate wedding with only immediate family and aunts/uncles. Unfortunately including cousins would make it too large of a wedding and they were paying for it themselves. They have been together since Oct/Nov 2010 and engaged July 4, 2011. After seeing them together a few times and observing how my brother acts around her and how gentle he is with her compared to his past relationships, I knew she'd be permanent one day. Her name is Kayla and she is such a kind, sweet person. She's very similar to my mom which is rather funny. lol. I love her like I would my own sister if I had one. We can talk about anything. She grew up with 2 older brothers and I grew up as the middle child between 2 brothers, so we both finally have a sister. I was honored to be asked to be a bridesmaid. She was a very laid back bride. Our only instruction was find a black dress and red shoes. She didn't care if they were different lengths and our shoes didn't have to match.

Once the day got here it was full of excitement. I think I was just as excited for their wedding as I was for my own. lol. I'm not much of a crier but I was a mess during the wedding. I always tear up when the bride enters, but the vows are what got me. They wrote their own and my brother went first. He started talking about how difficult it is to put into words how much he loves her, that he wasn't sure how to put into words the comfort she makes him feel, etc. It was so sweet, especially knowing how far he's come to finally get to this day. We never thought he'd get married, but Kayla made him a better Greg. Her vows were just as sweet, talking about how she loves that he knows exactly how she's feeling without her having to say a word. They are so perfect for each other and I'm so thankful to have been a part of it. It's been 2 days and I'm still on a "love high" from all the amazing-ness that night. Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Harmon! ♥

The Girls

Sweet moment

First Dance

He kept kissing her cheek! Seeing them together, you know it's love.

Cake-cutting

Guns 101

My older brother, Greg, bought an AR15 the other week and has been wanting to shoot it. Well, apparently those aren't allowed on any of the ranges here. So we decided to go to my aunt's lake property out in Gilbert last Sunday. He also brought his 45 caliber pistol and an older style 22 that belonged to our grandfather. I've never shot a gun so it was my first time. The only thing I've shot was a BB gun 15+ years ago at the YMCA with my dad. lol. I shot the 45 first and all I could picture were the Youtube videos of the tiny girls knocked on their butts by the recoil. Luckily I was fine; I handled it like a pro! He showed me how to line up the sights and told me to pull slowly on the trigger. My first shot hit the bull's eye! No lie! Total accident though lol. No one else hit it either. I shot it a few more times until it was empty. I didn't realize it was empty nor did I see the barrel slide open, so Greg decided to test me. He wanted to see, once I pulled the trigger, if I'd pull my hands down expecting the recoil or if I'd hold my hands still. I held them still and he was so proud! So I'm very proud of myself. I'm a natural lol.

He offered the AR15 to me and I was hesitant at first. That thing is rather intimidating looking and I was nervous about the kind of recoil that thing would have on my shoulder since it's 2-3x bigger than the pistol. He kept assuring me that it's not as bad as the 45 so I gave it a shot. Once again he showed me how to line up the sights and keep my left elbow tucked in tight. The recoil was definitely not as bad as the 45. Also learned I don't have the upper body strength to hold a rifle like that for a long amount of time. lol. That barrel gets heavy. After shooting those 2, the 22 sounds like a child's toy. *pew pew, pew pew* lol The 22 is a single load so you have to put a bullet in every time so it was fun to do that. It was a fun evening with Scott and my brothers. I wish we had taken pictures. I bet I looked BA with the AR15! Since I don't have pics, these can give you an idea of what we shot.

AR15:


45 caliber:


22 rifle:

Movie Critique

I'm a major movie buff. We mainly rent from Redbox or use Netflix. If we really want to see it, we'll go on a date to the theater and dinner afterward. In fact, we're planning to go to dinner tomorrow night and see The Vow, but that's for another time. We recently rented Courageous, The Help, What's Your Number?, and The Change-Up.

Courageous: It was such a great movie! It's a Christian film so the acting isn't amazing, but it's still good. I loved Fireproof and Facing the Giants so I knew I had to see this one. You definitely need a tissue for this movie. I'm not a cryer but I teared up a few times. It's very family-oriented and encourages fathers to be there for their kids and be great Dads. There were some scenes when I busted out laughing as well. Definitely a movie to watch with the family.

The Help: Another amazing movie!! I had planned to read the book before I watched the movie but I heard they're both equally as good. I enjoyed learning more about white vs. black and how things were decades ago. Very unfair, rude, and mean times. I learned about black history in school, but this movie gave me a better understanding of what blacks have gone through. Honestly, I hate how they were treated but I can't change the past and, luckily, times have gotten much better. Anyway, once again there were times I was doubled over laughing and other times it was very serious. I highly recommend this movie.

What's Your Number?: I wasn't sure what this movie would be about, I only knew it was a romantic comedy and I had to see it. Basically the main character has slept with 19, then 20 men and studies show women who sleep with over 20 are unable to settle down and marry. She has her hallmate hunt down all 20 guys in hopes that one of them is Mr. Right. We all know how romantic comedies end so I predicted the ending, but it was still a cute movie.

The Change-Up: Good movie. It's rated R but had way more nudity than I expected. Cute movie about how long-time best friends switch lives thanks to making a wish in a fountain. It's funny but don't watch around young kids.

Fun Evening

Tonight is the Mother/Daughter/Friend banquet at our church. My mom and I have gone to this every year since I was born. Sometimes my aunts would come as well. The banquet is a very popular event so the church has limited the amount of tickets to sell. We get all dressed up and are served delicious, amazing food cooked by the men of our church. Not to mention the men get all suited up and serve us all night. :) We have some form of entertainment, whether it's a show or a speaker. Last year it was a magician who did a great job. We always end the night with door prizes! That's my favorite part. Items are donated and each year they're different. I've only won once or twice but it's fun! It's a tradition that I look forward to every year.

Afterward I'll meet up with my future SIL somewhere downtown for her Bachelorette Party. The wedding is Leap Day. Can't wait! I knew the day I met her and how my brother acted around her that she would be a permanent member of our family one day. They're perfect together! I have no clue what we'll be doing but I know drinks and dancing will be involved. Tonight will be a blast!

Packages!

I love checking the mailbox to see that I have mail, even junk/spam mail (although I hate having to go through it lol). What I love even more than mail, walking to my doorstep to see a package sitting there. :) I will admit I have a slight online-ordering addiction, but I've gotten better over the years. lol I love seeing a present for me on the doorstep! Yesterday the light attachment to my kindle came in and today I had a box of Scentsy on my doorstep! Yay! Cannot wait to get it opened and start using them. I love getting things for our house. Little things like this make my mind start wandering to what else I can do to turn this house into a home. :) So many ideas and things I want to do, so little money.... Not to mention, just checked our bank account to see that our tax return finally was deposited. It's much smaller than our past returns thanks to me working all year last year, but I'm glad we don't owe anything! Thanks to paying interest on my student loans and Scott being military we have some "fun money". So now I have to find a safe compromise to pay some bills, get some things we need and would like to have (and not go overboard) and still put a good chunk into savings. Hmmm. It sucks being an adult some days. I'm so tempted to go crazy with it, but I need to be responsible with it. lol

The Little Things

Sorry I've been MIA for months. I'm rarely on the computer much anymore and when I am I only check a few websites. Nothing majorly exciting in my life. Sleep, Eat, Work, Repeat. Story of my life. lol. Since it's a new year I did make some resolutions that I'll admit I haven't stuck to, but I plan to stay on track all year! I will not give up. Some of my resolutions are:

- be a better wife, don't sweat the small stuff
- thoroughly clean & de-clutter the house and keep it that way
- live a happier, exciting life: date nights with the hubby, weekly game nights
- read the bible in a year
- stop being lazy and make dinner! (that way the kitchen stays clean b/c, even though I'm grateful that he helps out and makes dinner most nights, Scott isn't too good about cleaning up messes and putting dishes in the dishwasher. lol)
- eat at the table, not on the couch
- read more books
- watch everything on my Netflix queue (I keep adding new stuff and it keeps growing!)

There may be others but these are all I can think of. I'm determined to keep them this year.

In other news, Scott's reserve unit just got back from AT (Annual Training). He's been in Iowa with 3 feet of snow for the past 2 weeks. So glad he's home. :) You definitely don't know how much you miss someone until they're not around. I greatly missed the small things he'd do in the mornings to help me out so I wouldn't be late. Anyway, I need to figure out dinner plans and enjoy the night with my hubby. :)