{Awkward and Awesome Christmas}....yeah Santa's out of the bag

After a long vacation in California we actually liked being all alone on Christmas Eve.
Of course we were late to church so we had to go into another room and watch everything on a screen. But by the the time we got home I had some super tasty carnitas in the crock pot. That's right we had ourselves a little Mexican fiesta for Christmas Eve. That's how we roll! I've made one time before I got it off of Pinterest from Skinnytaste.com too so not too fattening. You can find the recipe here.

We did our one present then watched It's a wonderful life with some egg nog of course. I keep forgetting that it's like 3 hours long. I totally fell asleep during the main "Angel Clarence" part.

AWESOME: During the movie we get a call that we are going to have another niece/nephew getting us to double digits now. A total of 10 nieces and nephews.. AAHHHH I'm sure there will be more to come too!

 

AWKWARD:

Ok so I have to admit that I don't do Santa... there are so many reasons of why I don't but my sister and I never believed in Santa and we were fine with it.. so I just don't see the point in it. Well of course every single kids Christmas movie these days is about Santa.. so Miss Riley starts to catch on and what's to ask Santa for a present and what not. I just ignore it, because I don't want to encourage it. Well Christmas Day comes after all the presents are opened Riley says "where's my present from Santa?" .......Uhhh YIKES! Exactly what I wanted to avoid. I quickly just say uuhhh that zebra. Then Dad (the husband) swoops in to save the day. He goes "Riley... Santa's not real!" I wasn't going to tell her that just because I didn't want her to ruin if for other kids. She wasn't bummed or anything she was like oh ok! We told her it was a secret though she couldn't tell anyone. But of course shes a 3 year old and as soon as Grandma asks what did you get from Santa... (don't know why my mom asked because we don't do santa lol) Riley says "Grandma Santa's not real!" like she was silly for even asking. Ohhh this kid cracks me up! She's so resilient! Don't have to worry about that now.. except other kids in the future maybe. OOPS!

{ Happy Thanksgiving }

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you are all filling those bellies with some yummy food! As I am busy making my pies (one chocolate, one pumpkin of course) I decided I would still give you a bit of awkward and awesome to enjoy with your meal!


A little Celebrity version of "awkward and awesome"  did anyone catch the American music awards on Sunday? Did anyone catch that awkward moment of Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj
grinding during "Beauty and the Beat".....He may be 18 now but he still has a little kids body and that was just way to awkward.

So now that Breaking Dawn part 2 is now out and Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are supposedly back together. I thought I would comment on the awkwardness of Kristen Stewart, Ruper Sanders and his wife Liberty Ross. They look almost like twins in these blue dresses. Right? Did Rupert really have a fling with a woman that looks exactly like his wife?

 Then there is this awkward photo from the premiere of Snow white and the huntsman. Why are they dressed in exactly the same outfit? Just bizarre this whole situation.

For the awesome here are {10} things I am thankful for!

1} I am thankful for my amazing husband. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile. He's an amazing father. He's my support system, my best friend. He's literally my everything and I am so thankful he came into my life!

{2} I am thankful for my baby girl Riley. After losing my first child I was scared to have another baby. I wondered if I would be able to love her the same. If I was capable of being a good mother to her while I still grieved. I was amazed at how my heart grew as soon as I held her in my arms and has gotten bigger through every single day with her. She is so precious to me and I cherish her and every moment I have with her. I am thankful that God saw fit to bless me with such an amazing, sweet, beautiful child.

{3} I am thankful for my parents! Over the years they have become more like friends to me. That I can talk to, confide in, and have fun with. I do not know what I would do without them in my life.

{4} I am thankful for my son Elijah! Even though we didn't have much time together he taught me more about myself than anyone. I am thankful for the sweet moments I had with him, just us. As he grew in my belly. When I would sing to him, when he would move (or dance according to me) when I drank chocolate milk. His precious little face! He's with me every single second of the day and I am thankful for those memories.

{5} I am thankful that My husband has a steady job that pays for everything we need and more. That a house is provided. That we can afford food, clothes, gas, to be able to pay all our bills. That we don't have to worry about medical, or dental bills. Which allows me to be able to stay home with Riley and pursue my dreams.

{6} I am thankful for my friends and family. The close ones that have stood by me through everything. That know me for me and love and appreciate me for me.  I don't know what I would do without them.

{7} I am thankful to be {3} years cancer free now! I am thankful that God brought me out of that unscathed. Another chance at life. A life with my family and loved ones, and to be a better person.

{8} I am thankful to be able to travel the world without much cost to us. The opportunity to see amazing things and to meet amazing people. As well as experience new adventures with my family next to me.

{9} I am thankful for music. It is is my lifeline, my outlet, my therapy, my absolute everything. I know I've been blessed with talents and I am so thankful and appreciative of them.

{10} Last but not least. I am so thankful that I know Jesus as my own personal savior. That he came and died on the cross for not just everyone but for ME, little ol' me! That he knows every single hair on my head. That he knows my heart and my true desires in life. That he is there to comfort me and give me strength through this life that can so often feel like Hell! Nothing is impossible if I have him on my side!

{awkward and awesome thursday} ...or just a plain old thursday

Nothing really exciting has happened today or this week very much. I finally got a better fitting denim jacket and some scarves...thank you WetSeal. However, that may not interest most of you, if not all. Miss Riley and I had a fun time at the store. She's really getting into taking pictures lately. I am constantly finding weird and random pictures in my phone that she has taken. We tried on ear muffs, scarves, beanies. She wanted me to hold up all the clothes she liked to take pictures of. She cracks me up! It's officially cold now! It's been in the 30's - 40's brrr and we finally got some snow. I am not a fan of the cold or snow anymore. A couple years living in Colorado will do that to you. So far it's better than the humid summers out here though. I am grateful for that! Happy Thursday!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday {Random}

 

{5} Random Facts about me:

{1} I have an unusual memory for all things celebrity and Hollywood. For example Justin Timberlakes' birthday is January 31st 1981. See! I'm weird!
{2} I'm a huge comic book/movie nerd! Spider-man, Batman, Superman etc. I love action!
{3} I have an irrational fear of being mugged, getting lost, or getting kidnapped in a foreign country.
{4} I used to perform spice girl songs with my cousins.. a lot! I was Posh spice :)
{5} I love to eat raw cookie dough...sometimes after a bad day. Who doesn't?!


{Awkward}

For those of you who don't know this. Living on a military base comes with its perks. Then there are the bad parts. That's where the awkwardness comes in. When they do any type of annual maintenance they are supposed to give you some sort of warning before they come to your house. Usually a paper in your door or a call. If you aren't home they are allowed to just come in. I didn't receive one this week.
So as I get out of the shower I hear a mans voice, which took me a second to realize that it wasn't the husband. I peek out of the doorway (Shower cap and all! Yes I do rock the shower cap!) as the maintenance guy is walking up my stairs! How are you even supposed to act in that situation? If it would've been a second or even few minutes later he would've been practically in my room while I was in the shower. The guy felt so bad, which made me feel bad. AWKWARD!


{Awesome}

I don't know about you guys but it is pretty exciting that Urban Outfitters has brought back Lisa Frank! I used to love Lisa Frank growing up, with the crazy, bright colors! Pretty awesome find if you ask me!

Happy Thursday everyone!





 

{Awkward and Awesome Thursday} Chaos

Well it has been quite an eventful day! After trying to fight off the beginnings of a cold, and taking some nyquil the night before. I had a hard time waking up this morning to get Little Miss off to her very first day of Preschool! Luckily I signed her up for the afternoons and not mornings. See I am a smart mama!  I ran to the store to get this chalkboard to get these sweet pictures! I'm glad I did, but it made us a tiny little late! We still made it though....{continued below}

Awkward: We finally were able to go get our new piano! {Pictures to come soon} I don't know if you know this but upright pianos are extremely heavy!? Also, did you know that old New England homes are extremely teeny tiny!? Well with that said the husband and his one friend weren't quite enough to get the piano out. I was so scared the piano was going to get stuck right in between this ladies front door and her mini mud room door! Thankfully we got it out but MAN that was awkwardly painful. I really hope they didn't cause much damage to it.

Awesome: As the morning came for Rileys' day we had a nice moment of morning cuddling in bed together. I got to cherish a few minutes hugging my little babycakes. Time will indeed go by faster and faster so I have to make sure I am even more aware of these sweet moments!

NOW.. I had to add a little awkward to my awesome though! After being a few minutes late to her class. Riley's teacher Mrs T never got word that Riley was starting today! OOPS... 

Then I rush back at 2:15 to pick her up only to realize her pick up time was 2:45! I had to go and sit in the car for 20- 30 min of uninterrupted "plugged in" time, can't complain! 2:45 came I got out of the car and oh hey there are two police cars, an ambulance AND a fire truck! Great, Awesome... so I walk up and ask another mom "Do you know what's going on?..she then replies "Some kind of emergency" ...as I am thinking to myself.. "uhh obviously!" Then they tell us that they are delaying pick up until they get the situation under control. So I wait, and wait..more waiting. Finally I go in as Mrs. T is calling me. They never told me I could go back and poor Riley was the last one to get picked up! I felt so bad!! :(    {P.S an older kid got hurt not sure of other details than that, I think they were ok though}

So that was our very eventful day! Hey at least it wasn't a boring day!

Riley getting her own little locker

Had to add the picture with the nose picking kid behind us hehe..

 

 

 

Sweet Baby all grown up now

 

{Painted Furniture}.... continued & Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

Finally! I think we have been working on this desk for a few months. It felt like years honestly. So tedious and discouraging when I couldn't get it to come out right. But now here it is! (There's still a little touch ups to be done) I think it turned out great. It reminds me of a an old sea captains desk for some reason ...haha! This room isn't finished yet, maybe I will post those pictures on another post.

Awkward: While walking to our car in the parking lot we saw a squirrel on top of the car next to us. The moment that I noticed the drivers side window was open was the same moment that squirrel started inching its way closer. I totally said in my head "Don't you do it squirrel!" That squirrel didn't listen and made its way into this ladies car! I kinda freaked ... Um how am I going to get this squirrel out of that car ? Should I just walk away forget I ever saw it? Luckily the squirrel was smart enough to climb back out the window. Such a random thing right? Would have been kind of hilarious to have seen a squirrel in the passengers seat while getting into your car though.

Every time I walk around with the husband while he is in his uniform people always shake his hand; thank him for his service. It's not so much awkward for me as it is for him. I think it's awesome! It's nice to see civilians appreciate the hard work and sacrifice that these soldiers make on a daily basis. It's also kind of like being married to a celebrity.. he's so pretty and popular.

Awesome: Little Miss is finally potty trained!!! After a year and some change she's finally done! Now on to preschool. (Why is preschool so expensive?) It's been a good but busy week.

Love a little bit of "Random"

So I decided we could all use just a random post to go along with our awkward and awesome thursday!  I love me some randomness! I had a very interesting week! In my first post I wrote about meeting a friend from my hometown. Well we have girls the same age so we have been hanging out pretty much every day. Exploring, going to park, just chatting. It's been great for a social butterfly like myself!

Last week I decided I wanted a piano! I've always wanted a piano but after starting up voice lessons again I really wanted music in the house again.  So I went searching on Craigslist list like crazy! I found so many that I loved but were out of my price range. My budget was pretty much $0. Kind of hard to find the exact piano I wanted for free. I was looking into a nice upright piano. Preferably black or even white. I really liked the vintage look, old beat up piano ...not too beat up though. To my surprise there were a few, a good handful of upright pianos for free. People are just dying to get rid of their pianos. I emailed like crazy getting measurements, pictures, locations etc. I found this awesome one that was perfect! It was no longer available. I kept searching.....Long story short I now have one waiting for me to pick up. Hopefully won't have too much to do it just tuning, fix one dead key. This piano is already black, measurements are perfect! We might just need to fix it up a little. But it's FREE! Can't beat free! Will be posting pictures as soon as I have it in my house.

I'm so happy my house is finally coming together! It's always rough when you are on a tight budget, and you keep moving. Meaning you always have a new house to fill or decorate. Our old desk didn't make the move so we opted to use this old vintage desk we had. A lot smaller and less storage but it was better than buying a whole new office set. After a few tries of re-painting it ( black of course). It was NOT coming together. Wrong sand paper, wrong paint, etc etc. I will leave the rest of the story for another DIY post. Everything is slowly coming together though which makes me happy!

Now onto the awkward and awesome part of the day/week.

Awkward: Meeting a new girl at a gym and all she can talk about is the other moms. Plastic surgery mom who doesn't watch her kids. Mom who doesn't speak english.....Extremely awkward I thought the gossip started on the second time you meet them.

Awesome:



While Redoing this old desk that belonged to a relative. The husband found a folded up piece of paper behind one of the drawers. Picture below

"Our thoughts are with you sorrow cannot conquer nor grief turn to despair when 
you know that there are others who understand and care
There is so little we can say, so little we can do, but may if help somehow to 
know our hearts go out to you."

Been going to town on all these Pinterest recipes. I love getting into cooking. I have been finding all these healthy recipes that taste great. Thank you Pinterest! ( Recipes for these dinners below)

Baked Chicken Milanese with Arugula

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Grilled Pesto Pizza

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

It's hard to say when I started blogging. It's probably when I was in High School and the latest fad was "Diaryland" .. pre-Facebook, pre-Myspace...haha now I feel old. Things have definitely changed since then.

 Let's start with a little bit about us. The husband and I have been married for six years now, with a gorgeous little girl Miss Riley. We are in the Army and are constantly moving around which is hard. However, we get to see new things, explore new places. That's always exciting and I wouldn't change it for anything. The husband is a sports guy, a man's man if you will and I love everything creative. Music, photography, home decor, DIY, scrapbooking, clothes...the list goes on and on. We are quite the pair! But it works! We balance each other, compliment each other, learn from each other and that's really the best! We also got this amazing kid, who is the sweetest, funniest, most energetic girl! You could just eat her up!.. well not literally but the cuteness is just overflowing with this one!

Anyways lets get on with the part of the blog that is both awkward and awesome! Hope to get to do this weekly. Inspired by fellow blogger @SydneyPoulton from thedaybook.blog. Where I get to talk about all the awkwardly awkwardness of my life (for that week) and then the super awesome stuff too! Hope you enjoy!

Awkward:
Being introduced to a new person on a playdate and reaching my hand out to shake his hand and him clearly not seeing it. So then my hand is just awkwardly hanging out there... for awhile too. Super awkward!

Awesome:
Going on yet another playdate and the other lady randomly being from my hometown! How crazy is that and was also stationed at our last duty station (place we lived before). P.S I am from a nowhere town that no one has really heard of. I even used the phrase "SHUT UP!" in all it's "Mean Girls" glory!

**Hope to have way more awkward and awesome moments for your personal enjoyment in the near future!