Took My Peaches To Georgia

It has been almost one year since I gave notice at my job of six years, packed up or threw out every last item I possessed, said goodbye to my family and amazing friends and made the move to Georgia with the MOMD. I have now been at my new job for nine months, in our house for seven months and married for six months.

We have had some hard times this past year; two family members had heart attacks, we were in two car accidents within a month of each other, I got Lyme disease, two family members passed away within a week of each other...the list goes on and on. It's been a hard year but a year of growth, not only personally, spiritually and emotionally but physically. Ha (we have both packed on a little "I'm happily married" weight)

I often miss my friends and my dad so much that I am careless with my words. So many times in the last year the phrases, "I hate Georgia!" and "I can't wait to move back to Oregon" have flown from my mouth. You have to keep in mind that it is nothing short of true that Georgia is almost the polar opposite of what I am accustomed, but that gives me no right to be so vilely ungrateful for this time in my life of change.

Moments of truth usually come to me when I'm getting ready for work in the morning. My most recent truth was that if I'm honest with myself, 'This is what I've always dreamed of'. I am living the main desire of my heart. This is my Psalm 37:4. That's when it hit me that again I have let the little things, you know those things you never remember a year later, get in the way of enjoying my answered prayers. At that moment I saw exactly what I had been doing. I had been focusing not on this amazing blessing of being a wife but on the terrible traffic, the sticky heat and a distance between me and those I love. Heartbreaking. I spent that day asking God for forgiveness and thanking him for Andrew. Things still get to me but since God has made me so aware of this, I am able to work on it a little each day.

As Andrew and I prepare for his deployment next year we cherish the small amount of time we have together. The little things seem much smaller and I couldn't be happier that God has allowed me to live my dream.

Party Like a Republican

Happy Happy Fourth of July!!

For the 4th this year I drove to Sacramento, CA to spend it with my family. My cousin 'Bella and I wanted to get some cute pictures, so here are a few that we got.

This red lipstick did not last long. After about an hour I spilled water on my face and wiped it with my hand, only to find that the lipstick had been transferred to my hand. Which of course only meant one thing....it was also all over my face. My Aunt laughingly told me to go to the bathroom and don't look at anyone. Once in the bathroom I saw what she saw. If only I would have taken my camera with me. Bahahaha I was HILARIOUS!!! Needless to say, that was the end of my patriotic lipstick for the day....possibly the year.

All the kids decorated their bikes for a very cute bicycle parade!

Here is a little snippet of the parade. "If you ain't first, you're last."

The general attire was very patriotic! (At least for the republicans)

Here they are in all of their matching glory.

Now I'm sure you are wondering, "What is that thing in the wheelbarrow, and what are they doing with it?". Well, that there is a home made water balloon cannon. This bad boy shot water balloons 5 houses down from the back yard with only 60lbs of pressure. Pretty fun I must say even though I did get rather wet from it's "friendly fire".

For your viewing enjoyment....

To end the night, what could be better than brownies and fireworks?!



As always, my trip was great and memorable. Who knows what next year will bring.

An Amazing Week...Period

Last weekend I went to a Luau with Bobbi, Tammy, Chelsi and of course little Kinley. The weather was rather warm but not so hot that those embarrassing under boob sweat marks appeared. We had such a great time eating some Hawaiian food, singing a little karaoke, and just sitting by the river.

Andy graduated from Tech School on Tuesday. YAY!! I am so very proud of him!

I put on the most American/Supportive shirt that I had when I got home from work.

When Andy arrived in Georgia his family was there with balloons and signs. A welcome home I know he appreciated.

Time Flys...Who Else Can Afford To?

Seems I haven't been diligent about keeping up this "big girl blog" I was SO excited to start. Just goes to show, well, that I'm a quitter by nature.

There are lists and lists of things that have happened in the past year that are blog worthy so I will try to catch you up on the important ones. (I will refrain from any talk about litter box disasters and work stories that could be million dollar episodes of The Office)

I will start with January and the fact that I am in complete denial with this 2009 business. Where have all the years gone? It seems like only yesterday I was sporting permed bangs, BUM sweatshirts and listening to Amy Grant. This year I will turn 28 which seems a lot like 30. My apologies to all of you who I used to refer to as 'old' when you were 30, I realize it soon will be me being called 'old'.

February brought one of the best gifts of my life. I met the man of my dreams! No, really, I did! He is my perfect match. He is also WAY wonderful! I could start a blog all about just him and the things he does that make me feel like a princess, but I will save you the taste of vomit...at least for now.

March and April were fairly uneventful. Oh, except that I was asked to be in TWO weddings!! I'm am excited that I get to be a bridesmaid for once in my life. Both weddings are in August and I know these girls will look amazing! Now if only I could get rid of some of this back fat...

May couldn't have gotten here fast enough. I traveled to Texas for Memorial Day weekend to spend it with Andy (aka, Man of My Dreams, aka, MOMD). We also celebrated his 30th Birthday, which he welcomed with grace I only wish I had. This was by far the best vacation I have ever had. Andy you are amazing and I love you to pieces! (Hey, I prefaced that with "at least not for now" so I don't want to hear it!)



That brings us to June. See how fast that went?! I spent Father's Day...with my Father of course. We didn't really do anything but it's always nice to spend a day with your hero!

I guess that's going to be it for today/my yearly update. Here I go again...trying to keep up on this blog thinger.

Running...it's the New Pink

I'm sad to say, today was the last day of adventure boot camp. I really didn't think that statement would ever come out of my mouth. Not only because I figured I would quit after the first week, but because I will actually miss working out at 5:30 am in the freezing cold. Something about the morning is so refreshing. Oh, and shaving off a minute nine from my mile in three weeks wasn't bad either. I am rather proud of myself! Eight months ago I couldn't run one lap around the track without feeling like I was going to DIE and stopping. Now I can run a mile in 10.15 (don't laugh...I'm new at this and that to me is a GREAT time).

I have to admit though, since I am doing a 5k next Saturday, I am worried. One mile is one thing....3.whatever is something completely different. I think it will be interesting to see how I do. I don't enjoy running but I know it's good for me. Something about that makes me feel better about life in general.

Well, tomorrow I get measured to see how much I lost (if anything) in the last four weeks so I'm going to try and stay awake to see at least 15 minutes of 13 Going on 30.

Night!

Here is the Beginning of a Whole Lot of Nothing

Well looky here. I have a big girl blog.

When I decided to create this blog a few days ago I didn't really think about what I would call it. That is until the first step where it asked me..."URL Name". My first thought of course was..."Ummmm, well...crap". So after asking around and walking on the fence of using the word wedgie, I finally decided to call it Shades of Nonsense.

Stay tuned for everything you never really wanted to know about someone you know nothing about.