So Much to be Thankful for

I don't even know where to begin.
Although I spent most of the day catching up on sleep, Thanksgiving was a nice, relaxing day at my parents house. I don't know what my mom did to the turkey, but it was delicious. I took mine to go and it made for a delicious meal at work. Other than eating, we took a family picture that will be used in this year's Christmas card.

The following day was one I was anticipating for months. Drew came home for his 4 day pass! I picked him up late that night at the airport and he was home until Tuesday afternoon. It was so nice to see his face and hear his voice in person. The days were spent catching up with family and playing with Lexi. (Starting a fire with his cousin/mini me Thomas.)All I asked for was to go ice skating and he didn't let me down (he never does!). Although, it wasn't quite as romantic as I anticipated... but it was a great time, just the two of us. But, boy, did it those couple of days go by quickly. Dropping him off at the airport was one of the hardest things I've had to do. I didn't realize how hard it would be to say goodbye. But, at the same time I would do it all over again if it meant being able to see his smiling face.

Lexi was fun to watch interact with Drew. She was SO excited to see him when he first walked into the door. And, throughout most of the weekend, while she did spend some time at Drew's sister's house, she was very well behaved.All 103lbs of her!Come Tuesday... she definitely knew something was up and was NOT happy about it. She's never destroyed anything in the house before, but when I returned a couple of hours later, she had made her feelings show. She shred a kitchen hand towel to pieces - so much so that there were strings stuck in between her toe nails. All I could do was laugh. I couldn't be mad at her. It was only a hand towel and I just knew she was upset.

Now, I just hope the next 9-10 months go by as fast as the last four days...

Girls Weekend

That's exactly what it was last weekend when I was in Chicago celebrating Emily's last month and a half of bachelorette hood. I can't believe she is getting married next month. Time has flown by since she and John got engaged. It was a relatively low key weekend considering, but wonderful to catch up and see Emily. We had dinner and at "our place" - The Sit Down - where I was even able to order a sandwich. A sandwich! I can't tell you the last time I got a sandwich from a restaurant. The rest of the weekend was spent having her bachelorette dinner and hitting the town to do some karaoke. Let me tell you, Emily was a star on the "stage".It's funny, we went two years post college seeing each other for maybe an hour. Fast forward to this year and we've already seen four times, with another two days planned next month when she gets married! It will be a great way to wrap up 2010.

Prayers Needed

To all of those who are reading this I am asking for your prayers. It's been a rough day here for some family and friends of mine and I am trying to send as much love and support their way as possible. In no particular order...

My mom had surgery on her legs today (Tuesday). It was scheduled, but from what I hear it took a lot longer than both she and my dad had originally thought. Everything went well, but from what my dad told me, it is going to be a long recovery.

Drew's cousin could also use some prayers and support. She is pregnant and during her recent trip to the doctor the news was not what she and her husband expected. From what I understand, they have some tough decisions ahead.

And lastly, I learned today that one of the soldiers in Drew's battalion has died. He was on the home base team, stationed here in town (NOT in Oklahoma) and was apparently involved in a car accident.

I know this is not the most uplifting post, but as with anything the more prayers, the better. I hope everyone else is doing well and staying safe.

Football frenzy

This past weekend was full of football - ugly football to say the least. My brothers and I went to UC's homecoming game Saturday (terrible, terrible loss) and then the Bengals game Sunday. We did our best to scare away the competition but it just wasn't enough. The Bengals are AWFUL! I can practically predict when an interception will be thrown or when someone will fumble. But, I go and try to at least have a good time. I made the black mask in the first picture and found us all the orange and black ones. (I couldn't root for the Bengals on Halloween without A LOT of orange and black.) There is some light in all the darkness.... I am leading in my fantasy football league and I have the cutest ballerina at my house!
Miss Lexi even inspired some of Kevin's friends to get a dog. Whether or not that is the best decision, well, only time will tell. But, she was obviously on her best behavior when Kevin was watching her Saturday evening.
Lastly, I had to include this picture from last year - I just couldn't decorate a pumpkin (and win the contest AGAIN) without you this year :)

Unemployed to engaged

It's hard to believe that exactly two years ago I was planning my escape from Washington - trying to decide if I should interview out west or come home. Fast forward to present day and I am planning a wedding. I have to thank my mom for reminding me how quickly time can pass and the surprises and happiness it can bring. It's definitely an important concept to keep in mind as this deployment process gets underway. So far, it hasn't been too awful (some days are better than others - God bless Drew for dealing with my crazy emotions), but once the actual overseas process begins I know it's going to be a whole new transition. But, the sooner it gets moving, the sooner the months will pass and the process will be over - and we'll be gathering with friends and family to say, "I do".

Seriously, who owns a monkey..?

OK, this story is a week or two old, but I can't believe I didn't blog about it earlier. I had to stop by David's Bridal last Friday to get fitted for a bridesmaid dress. For those of you who haven't been there, you walk in and there is a desk in front where a woman/consultant sits and can look items up for a particular wedding. And then to the left is the main desk with a register, etc. This particular Friday the consultant was working with a bride and there was a group standing at the register checking out. I stood between the door and consultant dress to wait my turn. It was late, I was tired and only half paying attention. Well the group next to me went to leave and as they passed I felt something smack my thigh. I figured it was just a kid and ignored it.

(The following conversation happened in a total 15 seconds)

I hear the consultant say, "O my God! Did you see that, it jumped on her!"
I turn around to watch the group leave and out of the corner of my eye I see a leash and something furry. Thinking it was only a dog I turned back around only to hear someone else say, "Did you see that! The monkey jumped on her!" Pointing and looking at me.
I turn around again and sure enough almost out of the door is a monkey - on a leash - wearing a diaper!!
I of course became the center of conversation because the monkey apparently jumped on my leg as the group was walking out. Still half a sleep, I never did find out why the monkey was in David's Bridal. But, it had been the talk of the evening before I got there. Seriously though, I didn't think you were allowed to own a monkey, much less bring it to David's Bridal. But, for all of you men out there, I guess it is legal...

It's About Time...

..I update this blog.

..that Lexi begins cheering for the Bengals and joins us at a tailgate (the day before Drew left).. that I spend time with my best friend Emily and celebrate her upcoming wedding...that the Reds have a winning season and make it to the playoffs (FYI: it's been 15 years since they've made it to postseason play. Let's just hope tonight's game two is better than game one).

I don't know where the time goes each day but for some reason I just can't seem to sit down and update this page. I'm working on it though. These are the big three things that have happened since Drew left. I took Lexi to PetsMart yesterday to get her out of the house and pick up a couple of things. I decided I want to weigh her each month and possibly take a picture of her on the scale to send to Drew. It's been 2 months since she was last weighed so I was curious to see how much weight she has added. Drew and couldn't remember exactly, but we were thinking she was about 72 pounds when she was spayed at six months. At nine months now, miss Lexi is a whopping... 95lbs! Yes, she is coming up on triple digits! It's so funny to me because now that I see her every day it's hard to really gage if she is growing at all.