Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Its not goodbye but see you soonly…..

Its not goodbye, simply see you soonly. 
A couple of my moms got together and planned a going away party for me. It was the sweetest thing ever. They invited all the little ones I've had a school since I started. It was at a local park I ran by daily when training for my marathon. Some great memories were shared at that park, so it was a wonderful way to say my "see you soon's" to them. There were cookies and juice for everyone to enjoy, even some speciality monogrammed ones made just for me. I had this pit in my stomach all day because I knew this would be the last time we would all be together for a while. I breaks my heart having to leave them all. Many of their parents say they've grown and learn so much because if me and I feel as if I've grown and learn because of them. They put a smile on my face and make the worst days seen so much better. I can't even begin to thank everyone at EDS for an amazing 3 years. You can call it luck, maybe fate that brought me here but what ever it is I'm so blessed and thankful for the opportunity given to me. 
Until we meet again, Aloha and Mahalo to me Cola / EDS family!!! 

Friday, May 23, 2014

My Last Few Days

Just a little bit of what's been going on here in the South over my last few weeks here, staying with the M family !!! 

I had to take a little more of the South with me to TN. These Chicken Man / Ernest Lee Paintings make the perfect addition to our home sweet home. There's not one the same and I have built quite the collection. Although I didn't realize all three of these are some shade of blue till I got home. At least they look great!!! The picture really doesn't do them justice, he's such a talented artist. 
A few weekends back Sarah, her family and Myself went Strawberry picking at the local Strawberry Field. We ended up picking two large buckets full of Strawberry's. That doesn't include the handful's after handful's that we ate while picking. Come on we couldn't help ourselves, they were magically delicious. 
This sign is me made all over!!! I found it at a local shoe store of all places. They had a few other household decor items but this was my favorite. Describes me and my life in the South to a T. Only I don't have a little girl I can dress in cute Smocked Dresses or Big Beautiful Bow. But when I do, you can bet for sure she'll be dolled out in Smocked Dresses and Bubbles every day!!! 
This is going to look perfect in my new kitchen!! 
Bought this beauty off a Designs by Micah, Inc. FB page. You can take the girl outta Texas but you can't take the Texan outta the girl!! Wearing it proudly supporting the Rangers and remembering my Papa James and were I came from!! 
Need I same anything about this picture at all?? Like I said the yellow plaque above is me made all over. Monogram everything and more!!! Absolutely loving these monogrammed pocket T's!!! 
Lunch date with this beautiful momma. I had sweet lil E in my class last year and I'm so sad that I won't get to see baby M at school this coming up school year. Can you believe she had a baby just a month and a half ago?!? She beautiful right. A and I got really close last year when E was in my class, I loved getting to know her and Big E. They are the sweetest most adorable family ever. I've enjoyed spending time with them and watching their family grow. I know we'll carry our friendship forever. Even though we won't see each other every day or even talk every week, A and her fam. will always have a place in my life.

This little dude Graduated Kindergarden on Friday. I've watched him grow over the past 3 years into such a handsome young fella. If I could take one family from the South with me to TN it would hands down be these little ones. I'm going to miss them so much, my heart breaks just thinking about having to say "See You Soonly" to them. I spend just about every other weekend with them and to all of a sudden not be able to see them every day at school and in the evenings when their momma and dad go out is just gut wrenching. Thank goodness for fb, insta, and FaceTime, still it won't be the same. :(
 Life as a MiliSpouse, def. #bittersweet. 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

We Can't Say Goodbye to you at a Park….

Being of April I was babysitting for one of my favorite families and had a conversation about something on my Southern Bucket List. I knew with Football season over it probably wasn't going to happen. Little did I know that one conversation led to the best surprise a group of parents and co-workers could put together. 

6 of my sweet co-workers put together a little lunch-eon in our classroom. I was so surprised and shocked. I had no clue at all, they completely caught me off guard and it was the sweetest little going away party. (although I'm so excited yet sad about the party coming up this week that some of my parents are throwing for me.)
Everyone made a dish to share, there was so much food & sweet tea. They know the way to my heart!!
About 12:45 Kristen made the comment "I know something you don't know", she just couldn't hold out any longer. She went next door to the other room and next thing I know is they are bringing food over to my room. Jamie said "You didn't think we were going to say goodbye to you at a park did you". 
(the party this coming week is at a park)
We had enough food to probably feed about 10-15 of us. It was so fun to have our own little party in my room. As if food and drinks wasn't enough they out did themselves with gifts to. 
A beautiful necklace and earrings set, Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon Charm and a Monogrammed Cutting Board. Seriously have I mentioned how well they know and love me.
Because food, sweet tea and a few little gifts was not enough they had one more surprise. Remember that conversation I mentioned about my South Carolina Bucket List?! Well M totally out did herself, she told another one of our parents who happens to work at USC about our conversation. 
I wanted to have my picture taken with Cocky before I moved. USC's Mascot!!! Why? I haven't the clue, but living in Columbia you can't help but become a Gamecock fan. It becomes in your blood as much as it's in the locals. They live, breath and sleep Gamecock Country. 
You can imagine my shock and surprise when Cocky came walking into my classroom. It took all we had to keep our voice's down not to wake up the little ones. I had tears streaming down my face, with excitement. To some it may not be that big of a deal, but for me it was. This move from the South to TN has taken a toll on me. I am having the hardest time excepting it. I've built a life here, made friends that have made a lasting impression on me, I have a job at a school that I absolutely love. As much as I'm ready to go and be settled with my husband, I'm going to miss my life here so much. 
Our Director told us we had Cocky for 15 minutes all to ourselves. What were we to do, it was kinda funny at first we all just stood around laughing like a bunch of little school girls. 
We had so much fun joking around, laughing, dancing and offering Cocky Chicken. He didn't take so lightly to the offer. I tell you he plays a great mascot, not once broke character or talked. Even when little Mac woke up he went over and "patted" him back to sleep. I'll remember this day forever!!!! 
And this amazing lady here, Jamie. My YaYa Sister! I can't begin to say how much I love her friendship.

After Cocky hung out with us a bit, he went upstairs were all the Older Hall kiddo's were waiting. They had NO clue why they were up there or who was coming. They were so excited, Clemson vs. Gamecocks rivalry starts at a early age down in the South. I remember my 2nd week at the school I was subbing in the Kindergarten room and one of the little girls asked me if I went for Clemson or Gamecocks. I didn't even really know who was who at that point but if someone was to ask me today, hands down I'd say I'm a Gamecock fan for sure. 
When me and two of the other girls walked in the kids were CHANTING as loud as they could……..
USC GO COCKS, USC GO COCKS. 
They were loving it, and I couldn't help but think "he's here just for me, all of this was for me". It was such a special day!! A couple of the older hall teachers asked me if I wanted to come work on the Older Hall that afternoon, since after all I was the reason for them being all riled up. lol NOPE, thanks for the offer though. They were so load, our heads were pounding betimes we left. I did have to get a picture with my favorite little man and Cocky though. Future Gamecock right here people. 
I'm really going to miss this place, I've made so many great memories here.
It's not goodbye but rather SEE YOU SOONLY!!! 

Monday, May 19, 2014

talk about horrible timing…..

There's never a good time to have a wreck, no one ever says "oh this couldn't of happened at a better time." But there couldn't of been a worse time for this to have happen. 
Heading to lunch last week on my break from work I was going to meet my friend Jenna. We'd been trying to meet up for a week or so now and we finally found a date that fit us both. 
Sadly enough I didn't make that lunch date and now I have a week (God willing) to reschedule. 
Sitting at a red light waiting to turn left and the cars in the first lane coming my direction weren't going. I waited and waited and waited, finally I went…..I had a green light, they had a green light but no body was moving. Not thinking at all that a car could come from the other lane around the corner. It was a compete blind spot because the cars in the lane that weren't moving were large SUV's. It didn't even register to me that I couldn't see around them. I knew the cars in front of me weren't moving and I must have been clear to go. Boy was I wrong, WAY WRONG. I saw it all happen, as it was happening I was thinking there is nothing I can do, little did I realize it had already happened. I head it, it was so load. All the air bag deployed on the passenger side, my drive door one deployed and the one on the steering wheel deployed. There was dust / smoke from the inside of the airbags that filled my car. I could barley breath the smell was so bad. 
I was in complete shock, this did not just happen. She just hit me, yes it was my fault because I turned but really WHY….WHY ME!!!!!!! I sat there in my car for a minute to gather my thoughts before getting out. I walked around to make sure the other driver was ok and she was. Thank You Jesus! 
Walked back to my driver door and I heard someone yell my name, I look behind me and it was one of my co-workers Kristen. She's actually my assistant in my class.
She asked me if I was ok and I shook my head no, I was in complete shock. My wrist had swelled up like the size of a golf ball and I was worried sick that something was seriously wrong with it. She pulled her car to the side and got out. I had her call Jenna to let her know I wasn't going to be able to make it. I called the hubbs to let him know what happen and to tell him I was ok. (other than my wrist) I literally spoke to him for about 2 minutes and then had to let him go. 
I just kept telling Kristen "I NEVER GO THIS WAY", all because its easier to get to were I was going did I go that way. NEVER AGAIN, NEVER AGAIN. 
I've been in a fender bender before, been rear ended but nothing this major or serious. I was at a loss, even more so that my husband was FIVE HUNDRED + miles away. Kristen called the police and emergency responders to come. She then called work to let them know what was going on. Clearly I wasn't going to be able to make it back to work. BLAH, not what I need right now. I called Sarah, my friend that I'm staying with here in Cola. When she answered I asked her were she was, because I wanted / needed her. Her response was "on a school bus headed back from Z's field trip." My heart broke, I just wanted some one there. She immediately asked me if I was ok. Jenna had already called her and told her what happen, which she interned called Cory her husband and told him what happen. As soon as he heard he was on his way to the accident. I called Cory to find out where he was, and told him I needed him. I was hot mess, Kristen who was on her lunch break as well waited till Cory and Jenna showed up and then she left. While we were waiting for them to get there though I kept telling her that I didn't want to go in the ambulance by myself. I was seriously freaking out about the thought of having to go in the ambulance by myself but I knew I needed to get my wrist looked at. 
At this point I had kinda of gathered myself but then Cory showed up and I lost it again, falling on his shoulder. What am I going to do, my wrist, what about work I said to him. The police officer looked at C and asked if he was my husband, again hello water works. I looked at C, he looked at the Officer and explained that I was living with them and the hubbs was in TN. They agreed I needed to get my wrist checked out but EMS said they would not be able to take x-rays at the hospital because it was so swollen. They told me it was the blood vessels in my wrist that had busted. They said I could go to the hospital on post and C could take me. That seemed much more doable, no ambulance ride for me. The tow truck drivers arrived and pulled the cars apart. Hers looked a lot worse then mine once they were apart but still neither were drivable. Freaking out because I'm suppose to leave at the end of May to head to TN for good and now I don't know if that'll happen. WHY? WHY ME? WHY NOW?
Sarah and I had just talked over the weekend about how I had never had to go to Moncrief Hospital for a emergency or to the UCC. Well I guess God felt I needed to make a visit there before I left. After collectively about two hours, x-rays, and 3 different pain meds, my hand wrapped in a brace I was headed home. Nothing was broken which I was pretty sure of already. The swelling had gone down, but I needed to wear the brace to keep my hand and wrist from moving and control the bleeding inside my wrist. It hurt like crazy, the picture blow (is the next evening after it happened) does it no justice at all. As crazy as it sounds this looks good compared to the 3rd and 4th day. It was so purple and back and brown. I had fears of going to sleep because I wasn't sure what would happen. It was totally messing with my head. I took the next day, Wednesday off work to relax and recover a bit. Gave me a chance to get things figured out with my car as well. 
The following Monday I went over to the body shop were my car was to get a few things out of it and to sign the papers so they could start the repairs. When I walked in something to the left caught my eye through the window, I looked away and then back at the window. That looked like my car, so I walked over to the window and sure enough it was and I lost it. The tears started flowing, the gentleman behind the counter said you must be the owner of the Pathfinder. Yes, I am…..was it that obvious. 
He walked me out to the car and went over what needed to be done. He said that its a lot of little things that simply need to be screwed and bolted back on. A little body work but not a lot of major work. $11,300.00 worth of work, YIKES. He assured me that he is going to do whatever it is he can to get the car done by the 30th of this month. I've got my fingers crossed. I'm hoping and praying I have TWO interviews lined up for the following week in TN and I really don't want to have to reschedule. I've already notified them about what is going on and they were very understanding, which was a sign of relief. 
I keep reminding myself things could have been A LOT worse, we both walked away from the accident. My car is repairable and I've got some amazing friends here in the South that jumped and helped me with out any hesitation at all. 
As heart broken as I am to leave the South, I am so ready to get home to my husband. I talked to his mom the day after it happened and she said he told her he felt so helpless not being here to help me with everything. Breaks my heart!!! I miss my love more than anything. 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Our House Tour!!

I'm absolutely in love with our house, is it my dream house no but its defiantly home sweet home for now. Our dream house will come later once we settle down, get out of the army and start a family. (of course not in that order) Knowing we can do absolutely what ever we want to the house with out having to ask some one first is so nice. Being able to change things if we want is just peachy. I'm so glad we decided to live off post and purchase instead of rent. I have a feeling we are going to be so happy, I mean we already are. I can't wait to have holiday parties, friends over for dinner and get together. Oh the memories we are going to make. Now if only I could get my booty to TN for good we could start on all those fun memories. I went up for a long weekend the first of May when our HHG's were getting delivered and we got the house completely unpacked, set up and everything in place. In just TWO days, you would have though we'd been living the
re for months now but nope. I don't waste any time. Its a cute little 3 bedroom house, (only two bedrooms pictured below, hubbs man room didn't make the photo cut, even though it was unpacked and very well put together.) it looks big from the outside but it truly isn't that monstrous huge. Its just the perfect size for us. I'm loving the back deck area and can't wait to get our table and chair for it. We'll def. be enjoying some lovely summer evenings out there.
Hawaiian Themed Front Entry Way 

Downstairs Half Bath 
Favorite part of my Kitchen,  My Mamaw's Framed Recipes & her Picture. 
Fiestaware Themed Kitchen 

Fiestaware Themed Kitchen

Living Room 
Upstairs Full Guest Bath 
Texas Themed Guest Bedroom 
Master Bedroom 
Master Bathroom and Walk in Closet 
Back Covered Patio Deck and Yard