Christmas

Four Wheeler! 

Santa Came!

Love Dukey

Sisters

Unwrapping with Uncle Bob

Mamaw and her little guys. 

Our teenager! 

Puppy Snuggles

Christmased Out

This and That

We had a fabulous Christmas. More details later. We have had a lot going on the past week. We lost an amazing Marine that served with AJ in 2003 and 2004. In 2004 he was blown up by an IED and has spent the last 8 years living with the effects from that day. He passed away from a freak accident the day after Christmas. I became close with his Mom in 2004 and am to this day so amazed by her unconditional and selfless love for her son. Such a horrible turn of events for this hero, but he is bringing together so many former Marines to honor him. I feel so blessed to be a part of the Marine Corps family and it is true that Marines stick together especially during the most difficult of times. AJ has been working nonstop the past few days getting information to people who are coming into town and making sure the Marine that passed has a sword detail and service full of honor and respect that he so desperately deserves. You can read more about him here and here. Please keep him and his family in your prayers over the next few days.

My prayers were answered from my internship. I will be at one of the hospitals in Central Illinois working in Social Services. The social worker I will be with services oncology and ER. I have felt that my calling is to work with cancer patients, and God is directing me further. I am beyond excited to get going this month! I am enjoying a few weeks off, free from no homework and papers!

AJ has been off the past week. It has been awesome having him home. Staying in our PJ's and sneaking off to movies after G goes to bed. A huge perk of having a teenager old enough to babysit! We got out today to do some shopping and had a fun kid filled day complete with pizza, bouncy houses, and frozen yogurt with our nephew. We both laughed several times today how much we forgot how fun a three year old was and how inquisitive they are.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Our Handsome Nephew! 

This is so cool ! 

Helping clean up the tree needles! 

Snow

Ok. First snow is gorgeous, but I am over the blizzard conditions and flickering lights. Of course hubby is off to work in it. These are times I wish I was maybe the wife of a 8 to 5er. So is the life of a police officer's wife. Good thing I have had good training as a military wife.

Parenting

Our 9 year old wrote us this not after AJ talked to him about listening. http://instagr.am/p/TeoGJAuOsB/
It is so hard not to giggle ;)

This and That

Whew. It has been awhile. I have sat down a few times to update the blog, and then I get side tracked. My finals are officially done. Proofreading my last tomorrow and off it goes. I get to enjoy a few weeks off. I am still homeless for my internship. I was suppose to be at a foster care agency, then we hen I got to the interview they told me that they were not in the position to take interns. Then I got word that I would be at one of the local hospitals to find out that I may be competing with others for one position. Keep in mind this is all suppose to start on the 22nd of January. Luckily I only have to do  16 hours. I am hoping that it works out that I will be gone the days AJ is home. I hate the waiting game. I am such a planner and would love that everything be done before Christmas.

New Cross fit Shoes! Early Christmas present! 

I am still going strong out our Cross fit gym. I know I am getting stronger everyday. I did awesome with the Paleo Zone last week, this week has been a little difficult because my hormones have had other plans. It definitely has taught me portion control and to think about what I eat. I have been good and have not baked, but I am definitely getting the urge.

We are expecting our first snow of the season in the next few days. I am excited. I just wish it would snow more, but guess it is no fun when AJ still has to get to work. There is another chance of snow Christmas Eve... it would be so fun to get snowed in. =)

All my Christmas prep is done, minus a few Christmas cards. I just can't stomach the cost of the postage. I will close with some photos from the past few weeks. I lost my blond hair today. My husband didn't love it at first. He doesn't get me. But, I think I like the warmth it gives me. What do you think?

Our elf rocking baby Jesus. 

Our elf making smores. 

Our elf playing with the remote control car. 

Our elf turned our milk Red. The boys will tell you he peed in it. =)

And the tantrums have begun. This is after AJ walked out the door for work. 

Basketball hoop from Great Aunt Monu. 

He has decided life is more fun without clothes on! 

My pajamas are so overrated. =)

Paleo Zone

If you have been a reader for long, you know that I have been working on getting fit and losing the last baby weight. I started swimming last Spring, then got into grad school and that went out the window. I longed for something AJ and I could do together. Biking was a great activity when it was warmer. It got me hooked on getting a work out in daily. a few months ago a new crossfit gym opened up. Aj had been into it in Iraq and did some in Afghanistan . I signed up and encouraged him to go. Turns out we both love it. We even went to class together once and I found it great for our relationship and I loved that he could see that I could keep up with him. Maybe not in weights but in reps. I decided that although I haven't seen the scale go down, I have lost inches, feel better, and am developing muscle. It was time for the next step. I met with the nutritional consultant yesterday. Crossfit uses the Paleo Zone way of eating. He broke everything down for me into 5 meals. This is stressing me out a bit. I feel like I will be eating a ton of food! Every meal I have to get in a certain amount of protein, fat, and good carbs. I will eventually cut out dairy. This is a bit scary. I love my cheese. Aj and I have already done a great job cutting out pastas and potatoes. Yesterday he didn't think he wanted to eat like this. But, when I reminded him how buff and lean I was going to look he changed his mind. He has won half the battle with me buying the food already. Next I have to get in 64 ounces of water and 2 fish oil tabs. I will be peeing all day for sure! Stay tuned on my progress. I will post anything I find helpful.

Merry Christmas!

I promise I will do more updating this week. I have been trying to get back to reality, chase our crazy 20 month old, and trying to get the semester finished. I can't wait to share what has been going on in our lives and share our beautiful vacation details! I am slow to get our Christmas card going this year. We are doing something a little different this year. More details later. This is the first part of it!