Hello, 2013!

What. A. Week.

I had the most wonderful Christmas. Having my husband home, being with my family, it was just perfect. I got so many wonderful gifts as well, so many things I've been wanting for a while!

Now, all of a sudden, tomorrow is the final day of 2012.

What?

Where has this last week gone?

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family, then headed for Maryland the day after, and this has been the best trip ever!

So.much.shopping.

My in-laws got me a sterling silver bracelet, and a hand painted wine glass, and hubs got a REALLY nice watch, and it's been good food and shopping pretty much since we got here. Let me tell you guys, if you live around DC, Leesburg outlet malls have fantastic after Christmas sales. I got some really cute tops, and even more workout attire for some amazing prices. I'll post pictures of what I got tomorrow before the NYE festivities start.

What was your favorite thing you got this year? And what are your resolutions for 2013?

-KJ

Out with the Old!

Well my dear friends, 2012 is coming to a close in a few short weeks.

Christmas is only 6 days away, and even though I'm going to be traveling a lot until New Years, I'm taking some time now to reflect on the past year.

The first half was rough, while Mark was gone. Hated hated hated the first part of the year. Looking back, though, it could have been a lot worse. I'm very blessed that he came home safely, and that I had such supportive family and friends during his deployment.

The last half just dragged on, one tough thing after another. This last month has been better than probably the entire year, but my goodness, I'm grateful the year is almost over!

I'm not sure what our plans our to ring in the new year, we'll be spending it with his dad and stepmom, so we will either go out or stay in, but I will be very happy when it's 2013! Like I said in my last post, there's so much to look forward to! I've already written down my resolutions (though I'll probably be adding more!), and they're going to get stuck on the fridge when I leave work tonight so I will see them and remember them every day.

I will be taking my size measurements on New Year's Day so I can accurately track the start of my weight loss journey. Mark will be starting insanity with me, and I will be taking several classes at the gym we're joining as we'll, so hopefully with a few lifestyle changes, we'll be on the right track!

I also will have a VERY exciting announcement to come after the start of the year. It's something I've been looking forward to sharing but haven't been able to, so once everything is ironed out, you all will be the first to know!

I'll post once we get to my parents, then again in Maryland!

-KJ

P.S. I'm not sure if I ever showed a picture of the new car, but I've had some emails about it, so here it is!

Looking Ahead!

I don't know about you all, but I'm looking forward to 2013!

There's so much going on!

We'll finally hear about BOP orders (we put in for Andrews, Langley, Peterson, and Travis!),

We're both starting insanity, and getting a gym membership at this great gym up the road from base,

we'll be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary in March (hopefully with a long-overdue honeymoon),

and hubs will be signing away 5 more years of his life to the USAF.

Not 100% sure if that last one is a good thing or not. ;)

But in all honesty, I'm very much looking forward to the new year. New experiences, hopefully at a new base with new people.

However,

As excited as I am to be thinking about the future, I can't stop seeing the amazing things I have right in front of me.

My family, my friends, my sweet (but rotten) puppy, the roof over my head, the food in our pantry, and the electricity keeping us warm tonight. 

So my thought for the week is this:

Be grateful for what you have, someone somewhere is desperately needing and longing for what you have.

-KJ

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Hey everyone,

Sorry I've been absent! There's been a lot going on! (Though in my life, when is there not?)

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I definitely did, we went to Arkansas to see my dad's side of the family, and since Mark was deployed this time last year, it was extra special, since he was meeting everyone for the first time. Having him there really meant a lot to me. We didn't go Black Friday shopping, we just drove home, but we did stop at the BX and get one of my gifts.

On that note, it's OFFICIALLY Christmas time in our house. We set the tree up, it's decorated, even have a few gifts under it already. I couldn't wait to get it all set up. This is our first Christmas where we've been able to set up the tree decorate, as he was gone last year and the year before we were still dating, so we're considering this our 'first Christmas' together.


I even made a wreath! I think it turned out super pretty for my first ever Christmas wreath. It was really easy to do. I bought it at the BX, wrapped some ribbon around it (blue with silver snowflakes), and added some red snowflake ornaments, and made a red and white bow to put on the bottom. Our Tree is silver and Air Force Blue, so we're kind of going with an Air Force/patriotic theme.

I've been spending a lot of time on Pinterest the last few weeks gathering up ideas for decorating and for cookie recipes to try out, and there's something that caught my eye that I'm dying to try, and will be trying this weekend! Making 'lumps of coal' out of Oreos and marshmallows.


So much for that diet. ;) but in all actuality, I haven't been that bad this year. I enjoyed myself, but I didn't over do it, and for that, I'm proud of myself. I've kind of fallen off the wagon with Insanity, but after feeling extremely refreshed by yoga tonight, I've been inspired to begin it again tomorrow. Pray that I can actually stick with it this time.

Also, I wanted to give a big shoutout to my husband. Tomorrow, November the 27th, is his five year anniversary in the United States Air Force, and Friday is his promotion ceremony. He becomes SSgt Johnson on December 1st. I just couldn't be any prouder of him, he's going to have an amazing career, and I'm blessed to be able to share it with him.


On a final, more somber note, please take a moment to remember that the war is still going on overseas, and that our service members are still laying down their lives for us. We had already decided to light a candle each evening, starting today, after dark in honor of those fighting and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and sadly, a woman I know was notified today of her husband's death in the Middle East. Please, even if your spouse isn't in the military, take a moment, and just thank God that they're home safe with you. Many are not so lucky.

Have a great evening.
-KJ

It's that time of year..

This is kind of how I'm feeling.

It's been a hectic month, to say the least. Hubs was in a wreck, I turned 21, started working, and while we were trying to get stuff ready for Halloween.. The inevitable happened.

The BX took down all of it's Halloween things by the 20th..

and replaced it all..

with Christmas decorations.

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

I will be the first to say that I ADORE the holidays. Christmas and Thanksgiving are my two favorite holidays. I love the family moments, the music, the warm fuzzy feeling..the holidays are my thing.

But when I say it's too early, it's too darn early! I would like to enjoy my Halloween candy first! 

 But, now that Halloween is long gone..

It's officially time for the holidays. No, I haven't started listening to Christmas music, or started hanging up lights. I have, however, started to plan where we're putting our first tree together 

(since Mark won't be deployed this year! :) )

what color stockings and tree skirt to get, things like that. I've even started some of my Christmas shopping!

So I would love to know: what are some of your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions? Do you have a fake tree, fresh tree, green tree, white tree? Email or comment in, and tomorrow I'll post a bunch of the responses!

-KJ

Things are looking up!

It has been a wonderful few weeks! I'm very happy it's fall, it's probably my second favorite season, and I'm definitely getting into the Halloween spirit! My friend Tawney and I finished up the invitations to our Halloween party yesterday, and I passed them out at Mark's squadron today. I'll put a picture of them at the bottom, they turned out super cute.

Also, I will officially be twenty one in two weeks! I can't believe it! I'm not sure what we'll be doing, but I can't wait to celebrate!

I also started INSANITY yesterday. Let me tell ya, there's a reason they call it that. I'm super super sore today, but I'm about to do today's workout, so hopefully I can push through he pain! Once I finish it, I'll be posting up before and after pictures! I'm VERY excited to see what results I get. I'm using my It Works protein shake as well, so I'm sure I'll see amazing results very soon! I can't wait to share the journey with you guys!

And finally, I got an amazing job as a customer service receptionist! Basically, I'll be scheduling people appointments with finance, calling people who miss theirs to reschedule, things of that nature. I'm very excited to start, hopefully by the middle of next week after they get the paperwork processed and everything. I think this is going to be a great fit for me; flexible on time off, only part time so I can still take care of things at home, and the pay is great, so we'll actually be able to fly to Maryland to see Mark's dad for NewYears instead of driving. (Oklahoma to Maryland is loonnggg drive guys.)

Also, an update to the situation on orders: nothing. We're all pretty sure we won't hear anything about the unit shutting down until after the election, but either way, we're gonna be leaving. Mark is re enlisting after he sews on Staff sgt, and as soon as we can before hand, we're putting in for BOP. I'll keep you guys updated, thanks for all the concern and thoughts!

Have a beautiful weekend guys!

KJ

Things are finally getting back to normal!

Man, has it been a wild several weeks!

We finally have our car back,

Mark's done with ALS,

and last night was the last big event for a while, thankfully!

We went to the Air Force Ball last night, celebrating the Air Force's 65th Birthday!

We got a beautiful room for the night as well, so we could just relax after.

We were at the ball until midnight (we went back to our room for a while so our friends

who got ready with us could get their things), then went back down to hang out with friends in the lounge. 

The food was outstanding, and I ate wayyy too much, but it was worth it, and I danced most of the calories away anyhow. 

When we finally got back to our room, we stayed up even longer to watch Indiana Jones and eat

chocolate covered strawberries!

All in all, it was a wonderful night. We didn't get to stay in my hometown that morning like we had planned, to see the parade, but it ended up being a fantastic night. It was a nice, glamorous little getaway that was very needed! 

I'm glad things are slowing down for a while, though. I need time to get stuff completely cleaned up and done before the holidays hit (which, they're fast approaching, if you haven't noticed!), especially with all the traveling that we're planning on doing with my family, then going to see his dad around New Years!

Also, our orders to Germany were officially canceled, because they're not sure if the Herd will be shutting down this year. It was very disappointing, but we'll be getting there eventually, so we're trying to be positive! It just gives me more free time to focus on the holidays and family! I have big plans for decorating our house, and it'll take a lot of planning! 

I'll leave you all with a few more pictures from last night. If you ever have a chance to go to a military ball, take it! They're a lot of fun, the guest speakers are fantastic, and as all you ladies know, it's very fun to get dressed up, especially when your man is in blues!

Have a great day!