Twenty-Thirteen

Well hello there! Yes, I’m GUILTY. I have not blogged for more than half a year – ever since baby Colten was born.  The (unintended) hiatus was actually nice…and as we all do at the beginning of every New Year, I am attempting my blogging venture - yet again.

I had thought about changing my blog – you know, giving it a facelift for the New Year.  Maybe renaming it, getting a new website, having a different focus, or whatever.  But, I have since convinced myself that just because I have a new blog, doesn’t mean I will keep up with it any better than this one (ouch!)  However, with that being said, this year the focus of my blog will somewhat change.

When I started this blog, it was all about the Army, David, and our adventures that came along with that territory.  While I will still touch on those topics, I am also planning on expanding to topics such as crafts, recipes, cooking, cleaning, fitness, school, traveling, politics, and of course Colten!  The focus will pretty much be anything and everything going on in our day-to-day lives.

I did update the layout of the blog.  I think it’s rather fancy J What do you think?!  I’d like to give a shout out and HUGE thank you to the folks over at The Cutest Blog on the Block (http://thecutestblogontheblock.com) for the template!  They have an awesome website!  Check them out for sure if you are a fellow blogger (or even if you are not!)

So what has happened over the past six months? Well, I had a baby, we moved (AGAIN!), I gained a (not so) voluptuous 65 lbs (and I still have 20 lbs to go!), we updated our home gym, I joined a commercial gym, I had a birthday, David had a birthday, David had his shoulder surgery, our baby isn’t so baby-ish anymore (they grow so fast!), I got my Spinning Certification, and we have taken a couple trips home (among other places)!

I am looking forward to 2013. I feel like there is so much excitement and things to look forward to in the coming year!  There is nothing specifically I am looking forward to – just everything in general. There is an aura in the air of peace, tranquility, and contentment. And it is much welcomed!

Failure To Launch...

Well, I had my first (and hopefully only!) false alarm yesterday…a little annoying at 39 3/7 weeks pregnant, if I do say so myself.  I will spare you of all the nitty gritty details on the topic.  My official due date is June 23, so I am hoping our little man will decide to be timely.  Since I’ve been home, I’ve been walking a couple miles a day, bouncing on my exercise ball, eating spicy food, you name it!  I think all I have achieved by the spicy food is giving myself indigestion and giving him the hiccups…but it was worth a try.  I guess in the end, he will join us when he is ready.  Assuming I am still pregnant next week, I have an appointment Wednesday June 27 – and at that point, my CNM will schedule me for a non-stress test and possibly an induction.  Let’s just say that I hope I am no longer pregnant next Wednesday! I am ready for the little man to make his appearance and get into our new routine J

More updates to come!

Army’s 237th Birthday Celebration

David just returned from New York for the Army’s 237^th birthday celebration.  Over the course of the past two weeks, he was able to meet the crew over at Carlo’s Bakery (http://www.carlosbakery.com) from the TLC show Cake Boss (they made the Army’s birthday cake).

He was kind enough to bring his 38 week pregnant wife back some bakery treats ;-) They were absolutely delish! I couldn’t help but share them with the ladies in my Bible Study group – from the looks of it, I believe they were equally as impressed!

My VIP ladies ;-)

It was actually really neat…as we were sitting at the table (after we stuffed ourselves with pastries) a little boy and his mother was sitting behind me. She lightly tapped me on the shoulder and asked if “that box” was from THE Carlo’s Bakery (her son wanted to know…) I said, well, actually it is! Her son’s face just lit up with excitement. So, I did what any girl would do and I offered the boy a treat from the box. It was a really awesome experience to share!

Anyways…the following week, David went back to NYC for the actual celebration. He and a couple other soldiers were some of the honored guests for the Army birthday celebration.

They attended the cake cutting ceremony.

2LT Clark and Mary of Cake Boss

They toured the 9/11 memorial.

Freedom Tower

 

The New York Stock Exchange.

General Odierno and the NYSE CEO

General Odierno and 2LT Clark at The New York Athletic Club.

As you may have noticed, the other two handsome gentlemen in the photos have their significant others with them…since at this point, I was ready to pop out a baby literally at any moment, I was not able to go (pretty sure it isn’t safe to fly this late in the game…and I wasn’t too keen on my plumbing breaking 30,000 feet above the nearest hospital – bad mental picture!)

David and I talked about how, ironically enough, had I not been pregnant he may have not had this AWESOME opportunity to experience everything over the last two weeks – and because I was pregnant, he did have the opportunity. It is crazy how God works in mysterious ways. Every day I am reminded of the fact that just because I may not understand the WHY of what is going on right now in this moment, He sees and knows and has a purpose for everything, and it will be revealed to us at some point in the future.

Epic Fail

So, my "weekly post" goal has officially failed. So here are the updates:

Feb. 15: My car got totaled. RIP Onyx 7/2011 - 2/2012.

Feb. 18-20: Went back home for not one, not two, but THREE baby showers! Thank you for all who took time out of your weekend to help plan and attend :) It was MUCH appreciated! I am ALMOST done with thank you notes...emphasis on almost!

Feb. 21: Prenatal Appointment - everything is still looking good! (Except the scale, IMHO!)

Feb. 25: Purchased our nursery furniture :) The bedding is still on order and it should be here any day now! I will post pics once it is all set up! The canvas on the wall is coming down...it was already hanging there and we have not redecorated yet!

 

This Highchair is $115 at Target...I got it for $40 off Craigslist - Oh how I loveeee Craigslist!

This glider cost me $20 on Craigslist ... Yes, it is green and arguable ugly - but just wait until you see the after pics!!! :-) Beats paying $200+ for a brand new one!

Feb 29: LEAP DAY! I actually took the time to get domesticated and cook dinner for David and his boss man ... we had pot roast, but unfortunately it was a smidge bit dry. Guess that is what I get for cooking it for 6 hours instead of 8. The cobbler turned out delish though!

 

Annnddddd TODAY March 1: I am getting caught up on the past two weeks of CPA review that I have missed due to all the craziness listed above!

We actually have a dinner date tonight at Carrabas- and I am so excited! I am trying to look at the car totaling thing as a blessing...the folks that own the body shop the car was sent to are becoming some nice friends of ours. We went to church with them on Sunday, are going again with them tonight, and afterwards we are hitting up the restaurant for some Italian. This will literally be our first meal out in a restaurant with another couple since we  have been stationed here. Glass.Half.Full. =)

That is all.



A Humor Break

This is week two of studying for the CPA exam. I am struggling! I do not understand how people memorize all this material...it is just mind boggling!

The longest lecture of the week is a three hour lecture on Corporate Taxation (C Corps and S Corps) and I have never felt so incompetent! So, since it didn't sink in the first time, I now have the pleasure of RE-listening to the whole lecture again...and again...and again until it DOES stick into my mind. Oh the joy!

So, in light of my acute depression over the matter, I decided to take a Pinterest break and check out some things to make me laugh...and since I am sharing my misery with you, it is only fair that I share the humorous things too! So, here they are!



Not sure why this made me laugh...but it did. Unfortunately, I'm a sucker for sarcasm.

Couldn't get away with NOT putting a tax joke in here!



 Sometime this is how I feel!

 

Pretty much!



And here is the seal ;-)





And for some reason...this seems to get me in trouble!



Because I found a typo in my CPA review materials ... but, it's ok...the F and the G are next to each other, so in this case it is socially acceptable. Little old me found an error in a thousand dollar book (pats self on back) =D

Ok, so it was nice to get a little giggle session in...even though this may seem to be one of the hardest things EVER, I must keep reminding myself that:



Quote of the Week + More!

Quote of the Week: "Do what you can with what you have with where you are."

- Theodore Roosevelt

This has certainly been a BUSY week (hence this is the first post of the week). You may remember a few months back my posting about the CPA exam...well, I took the leap and I am now in the process of studying my boo-tay off to pass this thing! I am surprised at how much I actually remember from my college days - but also surprised (well kinda of) at how stupid I feel going through some of this material...all at the same time.

It has been somewhat challenging balancing "studying from home", doctors appointments, and the general day in and day out life activities - but I am finally starting to get into a routine. I am now what military folks refer to as a SAHW (Stay at home wife...but soon to be mom!) I never really wanted to be classified as this, but it is where I am right now, so I'm making the most of it! :)

As of now, my first exam date is at the end of this month. I will let you know one way or another how I do on the exam...hopefully I will pass the first go around!

Baby Pictures!

So it just occurred to me that I have not posted any pictures of our house OR of our 3/4D ultrasound (what kind of mother AM I?!)

So, here they are J

 

I love this one because he looks like he is smiling!

 

Waving Hi!!!

This is when we first moved in - the tree still had some green leaves!

Then they turned for the fall...although I think most of them got blown off the tree before they could change.

Living room at Christmas time =)

Fire place that still doesn't work...because we are too cheap to spend $500 on a gas tank for it. It's ok, summer will be here soon (I hope!)