Weekend update

Madeline left Saturday to stay with my parents for the week. I always knew the day would come when summers would involve at week with Nana and Big Papi's house and here we are! 

She wasn't nearly as sad about leaving as we were about her going! It is SO quiet around here...I am not quite sure what to do with myself. 

We had big plans to celebrate our anniversary after Madeline left Saturday. But then the key to my car wouldn't work - like at all. So we had to have my car towed to the dealership so they could fix it tomorrow. Talk about it raining on our parade - what a pain! 

We finally made it out of the house and went to downtown to eat. Terry took me to this swanky Italian restaurant and all I wanted to do was take pictures of my food! haha #maybeIshouldgetoutmore

I resisted though and just took one of the entrance. It was delicious and we had such a good night together! 

Terry loves selfies - can't you tell? :) 

It has been storming all day today so we've just watched movies and had a lazy day. I did get a lot done around here but it still feels like I did nothing - I guess because we're alone?  It's so weird not having Madeline here! Terry ran an errand or two and came home with these beauties - I LOVE the vintage-y vase! 

I cooked a big breakfast and we ordered dinner in - it was pretty much a perfect day! 

Fairy Tale

I always thought I wanted to marry Prince Charming and have the fairy tale ending. 

They don't tell you that sometimes Cinderella gains weight and Prince Charming doesn't take out the garbage. Fairy tales don't mention that loved ones pass away, raising a child is demanding, and grocery shopping isn't romantic. 

They also don't tell you how deep you can love a person, how one person has the power to take your hand in an unbearable moment and get you through it. One person cheers you on more than any other, and picks you up when you're down. One person sees you at your worst and loves you anyway. One person can take your breath away for a lifetime. One person can change your life forever...through the good, the bad, the ugly.  

Lucky for me, I didn't marry Prince Charming...I married You. 

 Thank you for sharing this beautiful, sometimes crazy life! I love you...

Happy 12th Anniversary, Terry!

This and That...

Well, it's been a good week around here! 

Terry found out Wednesday that he got promoted. The official list came out yesterday but his commander found out a day early and called him Wednesday morning to tell him! Y'all it was the best thing ever...he kinda scare Terry at first and told him he need some counseling (military language for you're in trouble). Then he said, you know counseling on how to be a Master Sgt! SO awesome...

It's kinda a big deal when the commander calls! :) 

The way promotion works now you have to make a certain grade on the written test and then if you do that, your file goes to a board and they decide who to promote. I knew if Terry could pass the written part - which is a LOT of information to know, that he would be a shoo-in for the board. He has always worked SO hard and been dedicated wherever we've lived or whatever job he's done. He did pretty awesome things in San Angelo so I knew his file would look good. 

The week Terry tested was the week his dad had surgery in February - it was crazy and Terry would go out to his truck to try to study since we were still living at his Dad's house at the time. I am so proud of him. He's had a tough couple of years. He told me on Monday that we would find out his results this Thursday. I prayed out loud that God would promote him despite the impossible circumstances he tested under. God listens...I am so happy for Terry! 

We had a little party last night to celebrate...if you look close you can see that I turned on the wrong burner while I was making dinner! #oops

I had to order the cake from Walmart since they were the only place that would make it the same day. What it lacks in prettiness, it made up for in taste! It was delicious! 

Yesterday we  met with the surgeon (ENT) who will take Madeline's tonsils and adenoids out. Turns out the ENT is married to the anesthesiologist who did Terry's surgery. So she's going to do Madeline's anesthesia and her husband will be taking out the tonsils. They are wonderful and they're Christians. God has such a wonderful way of putting me at ease. 

She just really loves the doctor's office! haha

She'll have surgery in September. And I will be a wreck. 

Finally, my mom and sister are here this week! Madeline's having a blast with her cousins...she's leaving tomorrow to go spend a week with Nana and Big Papi and her cousins. Somebody hand me a kleenex! 

Happy Friday! 

Besties...

Madeline's BFF Lexi and her family came to visit last week. Those girls are a MESS! I am still so sad about leaving our sweet friends in Texas, but it did cross my mind while they were here that those girls would be t-r-o-u-b-l-e together when they're teenagers! :) I'm not sure that Brianne and I could survive them living in the same city! 

We had such a good time while they were here, and it made me miss San Angelo. We made such wonderful friends there...hopefully this fall we'll be making a trip that way! 

We spent a lot of time at the beach, and when we were taking a break from the beach, the kids were in the pool! We had pretty weather last week although it was HOT! I didn't get a whole lot of pictures because I accidentally washed my phone with the beach towels the first day...oops! Luckily, it was in a ziplock bag and I have an ugly otter box case on it. I put it in rice and it survived! 

Madeline helped me pick out some little welcome presents for them the day they came...she was beside herself with excitement and then she wouldn't talk to them when they got here. haha They brought Madeline a fancy Barbie car, and got us the cutest "R" and coffee mug! 

Madeline and Lexi started the first night out like this, and all you could hear coming from Madeline's room was nonstop giggling. It was so cute but they did have to be separated so they'd sleep! 

Best friends necklaces...I know I'm biased but I think they're pretty much the cutest 4 year olds I know! 

The girls with Addy, who might be the most well behaved child on the planet! She's so sweet! 

Pretty beach...

These two were checking out some fish in these people's cooler. Madeline couldn't get over the fact that they were still alive in the cooler. She had to pet the big fish. 

Duane caught 4 at the same time while we were up there...one for each kid! 

Karter isn't scared of anything...fish, crabs, he didn't care! 

Sweet Lexi carrying the fish with her purse on her shoulder! #mykindagirl

Madeline wanted to keep the fish, but reluctantly took him to the bucket! 

#bowbooty

Hitchin' a ride down the pier cause they were sooooo tired! 

Pool time! This was seriously the best I could get...

Nap time...it only took them 2 and a half hours to give up and go to sleep. They were so cute once they were asleep! 

Stylin' in matchin sunglasses! 

I didn't get one picture of Brianne and me. :( How did that happen? We ate at Crab's, went crab hunting, hung out here talking and visiting around the pool. I am so thankful for sweet friends who will drive forever to come see us. It did my heart good to see them! 

We love y'all, Killam family! :) 

Bubbles....

"Dog's lives are too short. Their only fault, really." Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Before there was Gizmo, there was Bubbles. 

When I was 17, I wanted a poodle more than I wanted anything. Well, my parents surprised me that Christmas and got me a puppy. He was a champagne colored toy poodle, and I named him Bubbles. 

My sweet Bubs was there for my first prom with my first love...

He would get so excited when I would come home that he'd pee and chew on my hair the minute I picked him up. Nobody's ever been that excited to see me. 

He'd put on his best tie and go to work on Thursdays with my dad...

He's been there through the good hair days...and the bad. 

Most importantly, he loved us. Each of us differently, unconditionally. 

He was the best dog...it's the loss of a friend, a family member, and a part of my life that bridged childhood and adulthood. The best things that have happened in my life happened while we had him. He'll always be my sweet Bubs. 

Rest in peace, sweet boy. You gave us nearly 15 years of the very best a dog could give. We'll always love you...

Stay-cation

The past two weeks we've had company...Stephanie and Adam and then our friend Josh from the military. Josh was Terry's friend all the way back to basic training (boot camp) so we've pretty much grown up together. We haven't seen him in a few years so it was nice to catch up! 

Sorry not sorry for the picture overload...we had the best time while they were here. I keep calling it staycation when our friends come...really it's just an excuse to have a good time! :) 

One day while they were here we rented a pontoon boat. It was the best day...

These two are best buds...

All Madeline wanted to do was fish...she's become quite the fisherman. She fishes in room, in the pool, in the living room, at Papaw's house...she's gotten pretty attached to her fishing pole! 

 Be still my heart...my baby is turning into such a beautiful little girl! Her happy place is for sure on the water! 

We stopped a couple of times so the kids could swim - the sound isn't nearly as pretty as the gulf but the water was still pretty clear. They found LOTS of hermit crabs! 

Steph and I practiced our selfies. Let's pause for a moment to appreciate the frizz on top of my head! haha 

We stopped a little so Terry could fish...he caught this spade fish and I got so excited! I thought it was an angel fish but he corrected me. Still looks aquarium worth to me! 

Then this happened on the way in...she was falling asleep and grabbed his hand. Nobody loves her like Steph's kids. They are so good to her and she adores them. My heart melted! 

That night we went to Crabs to eat...seriously my favorite restaurant and Madeline's too. The night we were there they had hermit crab races and a balloon artist! So fun!!! 

Aden got a scorpion, Brynn got a dolphin, and Madeline got a mermaid! 

Stephanie and I got a little jealous so we had them make us Best Friends crowns...You can't see it in the selfie but I was Best and she was friends! She is my person...I'm telling you, God knew my heart and how much I needed a good friend in San Angelo. 

Seriously the best day ever!!! 

We also went to the Gulfarium while they were here. It's pretty cute and they have some interactive stuff. 

I had to stress to Madeline to keep the starfish IN the water! 

Sharks and dolphins...they just had a baby dolphin born on 4/29 and she is adorable...Sadly, I failed to get a good picture of her! 

This turtle looked like he was doing a little yoga...pretty sure it was just too hot to put his feet down but it was funny! 

We also hung out at the house some too! 

Swimming in the rain! 

We  ate too much good food, played lots of Mario Party and Mario Kart, and just had the best time while they were here! So thankful for good friends and a break from reality. Can't wait to do it again next week - Brianne hope you're packed! :)