Snow days equal fun days!

Just like everyone else nearby, we had a snow day today! There have been many warnings we kept watching the news to see if Anistyn would have school. When we went to bed, they said that school had a 2 hour delay. This morning though...it was canceled! In fact...the whole post was closed...which meant that Josh got a snow day too!

We had so much fun playing in the snow today! When it snowed at Christmastime, we were still busy shuttling ourselves to and from places, so we didn't really have a chance to play in it much. So, we took full advantage of it today!

Here are my two sledders! Having a bunch of huge moving tubs obviously has other advantages! They make great makeshift sleds!

Little Saban even had a great time playing in the snow with all of us. Although the poor guy kept having trouble finding places to go potty!

Daddy of course, couldn't just sit down...he still had to act like a little daredevil! I'm sure this would not surprise his parents at all!

                                                  Anistyn had so much fun with the snow!

Even when she wiped out!

                                           Saban even got a turn to try sledding with daddy!

We all got to come inside for hot chocolate, then I made us waffles for "brunch". The day was filled with being lazy, watching movies, playing on the wii, and more snow time once Uncle Barker came over!

Anistyn is already out of school tomorrow as well...and Josh so far doesn't have to go in until 10...but we're hoping he gets another snow day as well! Its always more fun when he's here!

Getting ready for the New Year

I know, I know. I haven't posted. But beware...I'm about to make up for it;)

I could kick myself for not writing about the holidays...but you'll just have to take my word for it, they were great. Still not over though as New Year's is fast approaching.

Thanksgiving was spent with my family in Alabama, Christmas was spent traveling...first to Josh's parents, and then a short visit with my sister. I was blessed with another Christmas with my wonderful husband, something that I'm always grateful for being a military wife. I got to chow down on a lot of wonderful food, which this preggo lady appreciated immensely.

But holidays aren't what this blog post is about. This is about the New Year. I am big on resolutions. I love the feel a new year brings. New beginnings, new chances, new starts. I have so many things to look forward to already. Mainly, the new addition to our family coming in July. I absolutely cannot wait to meet the littl person who is making me so sick/tired (no worries...he/she is totally worth it.)

I like to take the time between Christmas and New Year's to start my "reflecting." I really look at myself and what I want to work on. My main goals are constantly to be a better wife and mother. I have 2 people (almost 3) and a precious pup who love me and look to me for different things in different ways. And really...they do so much that pleases me. My daughter is beautiful, a great listener, smart, funny, and sweet as can be. She cleans her rooms with just a little fight sometimes. She doesn't misbehave. And man...does she love her mama.

My husband...oh boy. The most dedicated man I've ever known. I have fallen more in love with him while carrying our baby. He does everything and anything to make me comfortable and feeling better. Definitely not the type of guy to grab a beer and sit in front of the TV as soon as he gets home. He's helpful, involved, loving, funny, and he really really is my best friend. Oh, and he just so happens to be super cute too.

There's my fun-loving Saban. Cute as a button, and my favorite snuggler. He's so protective and I really think he knows that we nursed him back to health. I know, I know...he's just a dog. Go watch Marley and Me and see if you say that afterwards. He's family to me.

Then there's the little one growing in me. He/She is working hard to grow. How can you not be instantly attached.

These people bring me so much in my life. So its my duty to be the best I can be for them. They only have one wife/mommy. Which brings me to my New Year's Resolution.

This year...I want to be better.

I want to do everything I can to be better at my job. Not that I don't do a good job...I think I do. But there is always room to grow. I do feel sluggish lately, and a lot of that has to do with the baby. But, its also very easy to get lazy when you're home alone all day long. Its easy to stay in your pajamas in front of the TV. NOT that I'm a bum. I can attribute this behavior the past couple of months to the fact that at times...I feel like if I do move...I'll have to head straight to the toilet.

But, this is where I am going to do my best to take charge of my body again. That means getting better about what I eat, when I sleep, and what I do with all the extra time I have. Instead of taking a nap, its time to start getting out. Joining army wife groups around here. Form my life here in Augusta. Start couponing. Exercising. Cooking better. These are on my list.

I have been going over everything the last few days and am really excited about my venture. I know its not a huge goal. I won't be bungee jumping or sky diving. No conquering my fear of flying just yet. Oh gee...I hate that that one has to wait;)  But I will be doing everthing I can to make myself better for the people that are their absolute best for me. I'm excited about using my blog to chronicle everything as I go along...and I really hope people enjoy following it!

Weekend fun...

Our little family has been pretty busy lately. This was Josh's first weekend back working...although basically its just a ton of in processing.

Last Saturday though, we took a family day since it was my birthday. Since we don't have any family pictures done at all...and really haven't taken a lot since our wedding...it was the perfect opportunity to go and get some done!

Anistyn was hilarious through the whole thing...striking a pose before the photographer could even ask her to. I think we have a little model on our hands! We got some amazing shots of her...as well as all of us! The girl that took the photos already put them up on facebook, so I thought I would go ahead and share some.

                                          
                                                            This one is my favorite!!

                                              
                                                 I can't get enough of those eyes!

We went to this really cool place to take the photos. Its called the Savannah Rapids Pavillion. Just a little outdoor family place...with a playground, running trails that run all the way to downtown Augusta, and the Savannah river runs through there. So, after the shoot, we went down by the river where Josh tried to teach Anistyn to skip rocks. I got in on the fun too. Yesterday my arm was sore from all the throwing...I'm such a wimp! We did have a competition to see who could make a rock skip multiple times...and I have to give that award to Josh.

Afterwards we got to come home and after dinner we ate some birthday cake that Josh made for me. Great birthday with my favorite people!

Baby blog...

Thats right...I'll be keeping track of my pregnancy in a baby blog! You can keep track of it as well HERE!

BIG news!

Now, what could possibly be so important that I just HAD to write a whole other blog post for? It would have to be something exciting. Something amazing. Well...yes and yes. Here it is...

WE'RE PREGNANT!!!

It was VERY soon and although we figured it would happen soon...I was not expecting it NOW!

Last Wednesday I was on the phone with a friend and we were gabbing about all that girly ovulation stuff. She told me to just go ahead and take a test...I laughed and said "No way!" After a little more bugging though...I caved! I went ahead and took a test...and was I surprised!

The test had a faint...but visible second line! My camera is not wanting to work...but I googled it and found a picture of what it looked like!

It looked just like this...where you can barely see it...but its there! I was shaking and kept asking myself "Is it?? Is it??!!! Naturally, my next notion was to tell Josh. I wanted to tell him in a cute way...but come on. I have a big mouth! And with him being on leave...he was quick to keep asking "Hey...what are you doing??"

So I finally went up and said "I need to show you something...." and whipped out the test. He was shocked too, but we had a great moment of being shocked and laughing together...because the hugs and kisses came!

I immediately wanted to go to the store to get a digital test, so we did. But when I came home and took it, it said I wasn't pregnant. So I was very confused and unsure. I'm not very good at waiting...so I went ahead and marched up to the family clinic where I got a blood test done. I mean...I HAD to know! They took my bloodwork and told me they would call in two hours for the results. Those were VERY long hours! I kept watching the clock and was getting ready to call them, when they finally called announcing that I WAS pregnant! So once again...Josh and I had another round of excited hugs!

I have to go to the doctor on Tuesday to get my prenatal vitamins and talk about the pregnancy. I am so excited for all of this. So far, I feel great! I don't feel pregnant at all, aside from one nap I've had to have. I've been googling and if my calculations are right...I'm 5 weeks pregnant. And yes...Josh has only been home for 3 weeks, but did you know they start counting pregnancy from the date of your last period? Weird...I don't remember that! But hey...I'll take the extra weeks!

While waiting on the next blog...I figured I would answer these questions that my sister in law sent me from her blog! 

1.) What is your favorite childhood memory? It would definitely have to be my summers spent at my Papa Joe's and Mama Barbara's. Luckily, Fort Gordon is not far at all from their house so I still get to go there a reminisce. Although my Papa Joe is now gone...it will always be a place I treasure.

 2.) If you could have any job, what would it be, and why? Don't laugh...but I would absolutely love to be a broadway star. Hey, it said ANY, right?

 3.) What is your favorite sport? Football!!! Roll tide!!

 4.) Have you ever done something "dangerous" - and how do you define that? Hmm...I would say....yes. But, alas, nothing exciting and often dumb.

 5.) What is your favorite holiday? Christmas! Although it sure has come early this year it seems!

 6.) When is your average bedtime? Oh it just depends. Right now its almost midnight...and Josh and I are both up playing on our computers...

 7.) What is your favorite song (right now)? Oh...I couldn't pick just one!

 8.) In one word, describe yourself. Wow...just one, huh? I really like Bethany's answer. "Real". Although...I won't steal it! I'll say "Blunt"...haha.

New beginnings....

Oh, we've been such busy people this past month and I have LOTS to update everyone on!

So...once again, I will start from the beginning, and I will also have to split this into two separate blogs!

Josh FINALLY came home on Friday, October 22nd! My grandmother took Anistyn for the weekend so we that we could have some time to ourselves! I was so extremely excited to see him! I took that whole day to clean and primp myself. Hey, we might be married...but you STILL wanna look good for your man, right? 

We spent Saturday furniture shopping and looking at things to decorate our house with eventually. We even wandered into Petsmart because we had been thinking of getting a dog...which we DID!

The next week, Josh brough a puppy home for us, which he had gotten from a friend in Rome. We named him Saban...perfect name for this Alabama fan! However, the next day...Saban got really sick. He wouldn't touch food...or water. He looked like he could go at any moment. We took him to the Pet ER, where it was announced  that he had parvo. For those of you who don't know what parvo is, its basically a disease that eats away at the organs and intestines and can easily kill an animal. Its prevented with their routine shots...but Saban had not had his. We had already made him an appointment for Monday...but he already had it.

The doctor told us that they could admit Saban for....1200 dollars for the FIRST night...then 400 dollars per day after that...and he would need to be there for a minimum of 5 days! Josh and I just looked at each other with these "uuuhhh..." looks. Finally, I asked the vet if there was a plan b! Thankfully there was. We could take Saban and all of his medication home and administer them ourselves. It would still mean only a 50/50 chance...but he would have had that in the hospital as well.

So for the next week, we had to give Saban an IV 2 times a day, along with other shots. For an animal lover...it was so sad to have to do this to the poor baby. Once you stuck him with the IV, you had to let it drain into his system, which caused his shoulders to swell with the fluid. Once it was done, there were two or three other shots to give him, plus oral medicine. He was a fighter though and he made it through! He is now one happy, healthy puppy...and an instant part of our family!

We've enjoyed having Josh home and getting back into our family routine. He's been on leave, so its been great to have him actually be able to relax....as much as he can! He's such a hard worker, and after not getting much of a break these past 2 years, it took him awhile to actually be ABLE to relax! But, thats just something I love about him. Definitely not a slacker! And hey...our house is coming together thanks to him!

We're getting ready for the holidays and excited to spend time with our families! Now...read on to the next blog post for more news!