So...

I don't know even know where to begin. Things got pretty crazy for a while and my mind was too occupied to blog about anything. So a month by month recap in as few sentences as possible. Sept. '12 - Brother and sister both started school (5th and pre school). Hubby and I celebrated our 6th anniversary Oct. '12 - Halloween and hubby studying like crazy for an up coming test. I dealt with some family issues that had me a little sad. I don't like to air my dirty laundry but sometimes I am amazed at how money can change a person for the worse. Nov. '12 - Hubby passed his tests and graduated from his intermediate language class. We still at this point had no idea where we were PCSing too. My sweet little girl helped me prepare all the sides for our Thanksgiving meal. Dec. '12 - Found out that we would be pcsing back to MD and needed to be out of housing in a week and in MD Jan. 7th. So we packed and had to pay someone to clean our house and carpets. We spend the holidays in TX. Jan. '13- Made it safely into MD on the 4th and lived in a hotel (extended stay) for the rest of that month. Longest month EVER! Feb. '13- Unpacked our home and had quite a bit of damage done to our stuff so messing with that whole process wasn't fun. In fact we are still waiting on our check to replace our stuff. Celebrated mine and my daughter's birthdays. Went to see Disney on Ice. We also had a passing in our family. My uncle. It was such a tragic loss. His passing is one of those that really makes you realize how short life really is. Without going into any detail of his death I can say he wasn't suffering from an illness or doing anything stupid like drinking and driving or speeding. It was one of those deaths where you go about your day as usual and something just wrong on that day. I think about my aunt and cousin quite a bit and have been praying for them a lot. I guess when its your time it is your time. So, I've tired to change my out look on certain situations where I can sometimes be a negative Nancy. Mar. '13 - This month has been surprisingly cold. My son is getting ready for Spring Break soon. I am birthday shopping for my mom and sister. Over all just getting back into a routine. We ordered some bedroom furniture to replace the ones that were damaged. After waiting over a month on it we should be getting it delivered next week. I'm getting use to my new computer that I haven't been able to upload any pictures. I am hoping to go back and start my regular postings again. This is me playing with my new gift several weeks after my birthday. I really hadn't had time to set it up. I took this from my hubby's FB. Thought it was pretty neat. My name is hardly ever spelled like that. I usually see Carrie or Keri used more often. So glad I could find it spelled correctly on a Chinese take out box in TX. **Oh I am also on Instagram** (I update that more often)

I'm alive!!

It was a pretty busy summer for us. Matt turned 10 on June 10th and a month later he flew to TX to visit family for a month. It was the LONGEST month ever, but I did get plenty mommy and me time with Mady. I was able to do activities geared for her and not have to worry about boring Matt because he is too old. So, instead of blabbing away I thought I'd just post a bunch of pictures.

10th birthday,tour of the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield and we met Max at Gilroy Gardens. We plan on going back this weekend to meet Strawberry Shortcake.

Scentsy

So about two years ago I was invited to a Scentsy party. I didn't really want to go because I had no idea what it was. I honestly thought it was like Party Lite candles which I didn't really care for. I went because my friend was the hostess...I had no idea who the consultant was. I ended up liking the products but to be safe I purchased only one warmer and scent. The first warmer I chose was the Air Force one and the scent was Autumn sunset. After that I mainly purchased scents and then finally I bought the small plug in warmer. We use that one in our bathroom. The cupcake mid sized warmer is in Mady's room. The most recent one is the Bride warmer which I have on my vanity. I plan on getting one for Matt's room but I'm not sure which to choose. The "sporty" ones they have aren't really up his alley. He just isn't into sports at all. Then there is the design it yourself one but the stickers that they come with aren't really his style either. I am hoping they will make a space one or something. I may just go with a solid color also. So far I have been happy with every scent I have purchased except for one (Watermelon Patch). That one smelled too much like fake watermelon. I actually like fake watermelon smells but that was too much for me. If you get a chance to order Scentsy I highly recommend it.

It's been a while.

I will post later why I took another short leave. Right now I will make this one a happy post. Lately, I've been loving cotton candy scents. Yup that extremely sugary sweet smell. I just love it. I am guessing because it's summer even though it doesn't really feel like it here in Monterey. Well, the candle,lip balm and car fresheners are all from Target. I went in for one item and walked out with these as well. Smelling them reminds me of my childhood.

Where have I been?

Well, not too long after my last post here I got news that my grandma on my dad's side had passed on. I was so sad and I went into a mini depression. I was unable to fly back to TX. There were so many things that just didn't line up like I had hoped they would and so I stayed here in CA. I felt horrible that my whole family was able to get together and celebrate her life and I wouldn't be apart of it. I started to hate the military life that has kept me away from family. I am not trying to bite the hand that feeds me it was just something I felt at that moment in time. It was all too much. New state,new area,school and now a family death...I just got sad and kept to myself. Slowly I have began to pull myself out of this rut. I am now enjoying our new "home" state. So, here are a few pics over the last few weeks. They include Easter,beach time (its still pretty cool in this area), Fresno zoo and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Enjoy!

What I've been loving lately...

So, Matt is on a two week spring break (yes TWO weeks) and the kids and I are sick...perfect timing I suppose. I thought I'd share some items that I've really been loving lately.

Birthday Cake Oreo cookies are awesome! I heart the sprinkles mixed into the cream filling.


Caffeine free Diet Coke. I drink this because I love Diet Coke but the caffeine keeps me up at all hours of the night. So, luckily this is a great alternative.


I bought these two sandwich/snack keeper at Old Navy. The brand is Sistema. It has a compartment for the sandwich and one for some snacks in another.


I also picked up these travel utensils that come with a fork,knife,spoon and chopsticks. You have to put them together but I loved this. My son sometimes has to take throw away plastic utensils to school or actual sliverware (which has accidentally thrown out).




This last one is for salads. At the bottom you keep your lettuce and in the top compartment is where you can put your fruits/veggies or nuts. Also a small container for your dressing. This will work out great for meat less lunches on Fridays for Matt. I plan on using it for tuna fish salad for him.
I bought these all at Old Navy for a great price. They seem pretty durable and are BPA free. I bought two sets for the kids and plan on using them for their snacks/lunches on days we go out to the beach. I'm off to bed and hoping we all magically wake up healthier tomorrow :)

I heart Tervis Tumblers

I use my Tervis Tumblers for almost every drink. I love that they keep my drinks hot when I want them hot and cold when I want them cold. Can't beat their lifetime warranty as well. We have a few and I look forward to adding more to our collection. Here is a picture of the ones we currently own (minus one that Ken took to work this morning.)

(L-R) Tervis shaker,24 oz Cherry Blossoms,24 oz pink and green bubbles, 24 oz Texas and barbwire,24 oz beer and a 16 oz cupcake with butterfly.

This is another one we have but Ken took it to work this morning. It's a 24 oz Redskins one.

This is one that I want next. I think I'll be monograming it as well.