Christmas Party

There is one work function of Terry's that I look forward to every year - the Christmas party! It is so much fun and they give away awesome door prizes. This year Terry was in another competition but he got 2nd place....it was a sad day. It was a scavenger hunt where every contestant had to find whatever random thing they called out - like a set of keys to a Ford, a receipt, chapstick, etc. It really wasn't a fair fight because our table was in the very back and the game was at the front of the building. We were smart and got one of the other guys at our table to run things to Terry so that helped a lot. We also dumped our purses out so we could be ready which helped too. I get so intense at these parties! The last thing they called for was a flip phone but we didn't get one to Terry in time. I was so depressed! haha But I did win a wine tasting party for 10 at Concho Valley Wines. I was so excited just to win anything!

Terry would NOT pose for a good picture...

The girls - Calli, Christy, and me

Anyway, we had so much fun and it was so nice to get out together! After the party we took Madeline to see the lights around the river which I am pretty certain was the highlight of her month! It was a fun day!

Good News, Bad News

Good News : I am done with school for this semester!!!

 

Bad News: 4 of my classmates didn't pass the semester and won't be graduating with us in May. It was a sad day yesterday when grades came out.

 

 

Good News: We had an ugly sweater party last night to celebrate the end of the semester. It was fun but this mama can't hang at a college party. I left at 9:30 when some people were just getting there! haha

 

Bad News: This is the only picture I took...my sweater was pretty awesome though. It was Auburn. haha - that's about as ugly as a sweater can get! Terry made it for me - he such a good husband!

 

My buddies Rachelle and Joana
 

Good News: I treated myself to a Shellac manicure after my exam. It's pretty awesome - it dries so fast. I got light gray with glitter - keepin it classy!

 

 

Bad News: I found out after I went that another place in town is way cheaper than where I went and just as good...

 

 

Good News: My sis-in-law got a puppy for Christmas .

 

Bad News: I have the worst puppy fever ever!

 



Good News: I am done Christmas shopping for Madeline.

Bad News: I have this to clean up before Santa can come. It's almost always like this...she just destroys her room every time she plays in there. I can't seem to find the balance between keeping it clean and letting her play so I just close the door!

Good News: Madeline is the cutest thing I have ever seen when she's sleeping.

Bad News: She's been waking up in the middle of the night almost every night and crawling in our bed. One night it was a nightmare - she was crying in her sleep saying, "Ariel, Ariel. I wanna watch Ariel." haha And the other nights I think she gets cold because she kicks her covers off.

Good News: Terry says we will have our next assignment in the next few weeks but no dates. This makes the control freak in me super happy!!!

Bad News: I am blogging instead of cleaning and packing! :)



B.O.P.

BOP in the military world stands for Base of Preference. It's a form you get to fill out when you're gearing up to leave San Angelo. Terry filled ours out last week. It's a little bit of a joke because supposedly you get to choose what base you want when you leave from here but you can only get stationed where they need people in your rank. They gave Terry a list of 6 bases to choose from and the options weren't all that appealing...unless Nebraska suits your fancy.

 

But on the list was Hurlburt Field in Florida. So that was our #1 pick and there's a really good chance we'll get it according to Twayne.

 

The good news - it's close to his dad (and rest of his family) - like 30 minutes, we grew up in that area so it's familiar, we have friends there, and it's super close to the beach - like 5 minutes. If you know me at all, you know that for 10+ years I have REALLY missed the beach. My parents are also about 7 hours away which is a lot better than 24!

 

The bad news -- my heart stopped a little when he called me and I was faced with actually moving. I am going to miss Texas...we have made some pretty amazing friends here...and it is kind of expensive to live there, especially compared to San Angelo. And if I am really honest, there is something so weird about the prospect of moving back where we grew up - I think it will be an adjustment finding where we fit in if that makes sense.

I am trying to talk Terry into a beach house but he seems to think things like hurricanes and homeowner's insurance would be a problem. :) If we don't choose a beach house, we will still live about 5-10 minutes from the beach itself so I think I can live with that. And I am not just saying this because we're from there, but they really are the prettiest beaches in the US...white sand, blue water...I am trying not to get my hopes too high. Our other choices are Ohio and Colorado. I have no desire to go to either place so my hopes are really high for Florida!

 

All that to say, that we are gearing up to put our house on the market next month which means a lot of packing and a lot of work for me! I'm a little sad to be honest to leave this house - it was the first home we bought and where we brought Madeline home from the hospital. Even with its popcorn ceilings and falling down fence, I am attached to it. Hopefully, it will sell quickly and we can get settled into a new place by the spring. We'll just rent somewhere until we get our official orders to move.

 

I cannot believe how fast the past 3+ years have gone by! Moving...it's one thing I love and hate about being a military family! So if over the next month or two you see me with bags under my eyes, frizzier than normal hair, or mismatching clothes you'll know why! haha

It Was a Sad, Sad, Day...

I know you already know what this post is about but I have to do it. I have to deal with the disappointment in my heart. Alabama lost to Auburn Saturday in the most exciting game of football I have ever seen. No more national championship talks for us. Oh well. At least these two are happy!

 

 

 

Bama will always be #1 for me but I will be rooting for Terry's team to win the championship this year - especially if they play Auburn. Roll Tide!!!



Thankful...

I asked Madeline what she is thankful for this year on Thanksgiving. These were her answers in order: 

1. Tuesday

2. Cotton Candy

3. Christmas

4. Wrestling 

I didn't make the list. Neither did Terry so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad. Truthfully, she is completely confused - hung up on Halloween and trying to understand Christmas. There wasn't much room for comprehension of Thanksgiving despite my best efforts. I went to the book store to get a book to try to help enforce it and would you believe there were NO Thanksgiving books for her age? There were two and they were for school age kids. I was so disappointed.

 Anyway, we had a good Thanksgiving. Terry's family came in and we had such a good time while they were here. And I cooked the turkey upside down again. I do that every year, and every year I think I got it right. But it turned out good so I guess it doesn't matter.

Killing Me Softly...

This time change has kicked my butt all week. I have been ready to go to bed around 7pm...I've held out most nights to a whopping 10 but I have been so tired at night. I guess the bright side is we have been up and it super early every day this week! 

Anyway, that's not what this post is about. But to be honest, I'm not entirely sure what its about.

 If you've been following college football you are aware that Oregon lost to Stanford Thursday night. Oregon was the other major contender for the championship so it looks like as long as FSU and Bama don't lose, they'll be in the champoinship game. 

Bama still has a few hard games left so that makes me nervous. Although we did beat LSU which is always fun! They're one of my least favorite teams so I love when we beat them! And it looks like our coach is going to go to Texas (UT) next year. Major bummer. College football is so stressful! 

On an unrelated note, my car got broken into last night. I am assuming it was a kid because they ransacked my purse and threw it in my neighbor's yard several houses down. It still had my credit/debit cards in it, and nothing else was missing from my car. I'm a little shocked because I left my laptop in there in my backpack.  I'm guessing they were after cash but luckily for me, I didn't have any in my purse or wallet - that's how I roll - all unorganized and stuff! :) I did call and cancel my cards just in case. I am missing a check that I was going to deposit but I am hoping it won't be too painful to get it reissued. 

My dad suggested it was probably someone looking for drug money which makes me so uneasy.I know it sounds so crazy but we have just always felt so safe here but not as much anymore. I am so thankful that I got my purse and wallet back, and that it was my car not our house. Still, it made me mad and I want to be sure we're being more careful. Lesson learned - no valuables in the car. Ever. 

And on another unrelated note...

Graphic picture ahead...

I'd like to think of this as a PSA -- dryers are dangerous. I cut my thumb on mine putting clothes in it last Friday. It wasn't that big and didn't really hurt all that bad but it was a little meaty. It still hasn't closed all the way but it's getting better. So the point is, don't do any laundry. It could kill you. 

Halloween...

 We had so much fun with Halloween this year!!! I am certain we had at least 5 Halloween events and Madeline had the time of her life at every one of them! She wouldn't wear her owl costume this year - she refused to wear it last year too. She won't wear any costume that goes around her head. Thanks to the Halloween episode of Dora, she wanted to be a bumble bee! 

  

Trunk or Treat at church

 

 

 On Halloween Madeline had a party at school. They asked the parents to come for the "party" if we wanted to so I did. It was me and one other mom, and it wasn't much of a party. It was a bunch of 2 year olds eating cupcakes. Madeline saw me and immediately said, "Mom, I not go yet. I gotta eat my pancake". Pancake = cupcake. I felt so loved! :)

  

When we got home, we got our own party started. I decided that this year is the year we are starting our family traditions. I want every holiday and birthday to be special. Before I picked her up from school I did a little baking. I was making this popcorn candy corn thing but I burnt the white chocolate so that was a bust!

Burnt white chocolate = not very appetizing

 The popcorn survived and nobody knew the difference...except me.

I also made candy corn cupcakes...I have to say they were delicious and SO pretty. I don't think my cupcakes have ever looked so good! haha

 

Madeline helped me decorate the table. She had so much fun setting out the plates, cups, and napkins. She also put one of her forks and spoons on every napkin. It was so cute! We had Frito pie for our meal to round out the healthiness! 

 

 After we set up for our party, and Terry got home we went trick or treating. Our neighborhood is so crazy on Halloween. It was insane how many kids there were. Madeline had so much fun though and wasn't scared of anything. One guy brought a real chainsaw and cranked it and people were screaming. I thought it was so funny. Madeline wasn't even phased by it - she was in the candy zone. She is normally kinda shy but she was saying trick or treat, thank you, and happy Halloween to everyone we saw! She loved seeing all the costumes, and her favorite thing was seeing dogs dressed up. It was so fun!

Even Gizmo loved Halloween!!!

After the second street Terry came home to hand out candy, and we went down one more street. Madeline would've never quit but it was so dark, and she already had so much candy! When we got home we ate and had our little party. Madeline was going crazy - she was running laps and throwing napkins in the air one minute, and the next thing I knew she was passed out on the couch. It was hilarious! She slept until 9:45 Friday morning  and she looked pretty rough when she woke up. I don't think she has ever had so much fun - even at Disney World.