Prepping for the move: 60 days to go!

Holy moly would you believe it another ten days has passed!! And wouldn't you know it, we are still orders less...jeez. We also didn't get to do the kids garage sale as it was canceled due to lack of interest. So now we have a pile of stuff to sell in the basement...hopefully this evening I'll get some time to run downstairs and organize for pictures and get some stuff gone. Gonna be very generous with prices just to see things go!!

So since there is literally nothing that can be done until we have orders I guess I will tell you about a couple fun ways we are counting down our last 60 days!! Everyday in April I will be doing a status a day about why I will miss Germany, a friend of mine did this when she was counting down and I liked it. And in May we will do the things we are excited about for moving to Texas. And I will post the full lists at the end of each months on the blog!!

Also trying to talk to Kyra and help her understand the move as much as possible since she has lived here her whole life!! Her and I made a countdown paper chain and starting tomorrow will remove a circle and talk about what is happening in just 60 days. As we get dates for movers and stuff that will be hard for her to understand we will count how many circles we have to take down until those dates too!!

Prepping for the move: 80 days to go!

Well those last ten days flew by. I hope the rest of the 80 go just as fast. After a photoshoot this weekend with friends who LOVE Ft Hood, I am even more excited for this move!! There is just so much to do there and I can wait to explore everything Texas has to offer!!

So what have we done to get ready for the move so far? Well Darren's Passport and Birth Abroad certificate so now he is officially able to leave the country now!! And we have our passports back too!! Wish we had time to plan one more trip to another country but the last 4 day that our car will be here for is starting tomorrow, a little late to plan a trip!

We also have gone and got lights for all the burnt out bulbs around the house, and a bucket of paint for touch up, which we plan to start working on this weekend.

But there is so so so much more that needs to get done before the move. We are at a stand still due to not having official orders yet, so we are at a point of infinite list making!! I have lists for everything going, everything selling, things that we need to do on post, and just about anything you can imagine. For some reason the lists manage to keep me sane. I can't wait to see the lists get checked off and the days counted down!! Slowly getting there, even starting today with a big drop off to recycle center of stuff we don't wanna take with us and aren't worth the effort of selling.

And the 21st we are going to be setting up a table at the post wide kids stuff sale. And getting rid of a bunch of baby clothes and things we don't need any longer!! So even if it feels like nothing is getting done we are moving forward, and the orders will be here before we know it and the real insanity of a pcs will begin.

Prepping for the move: 90 days to go

Can hardly believe we have that short of a countdown before yet another big overseas move. And this time we have three little creatures traveling with us!! Which will no doubt get even more complicated!! The scariest part about this is with only 90 days until we leave we only have like 58 of those as work days to get stuff done!!

If you know anything about the Army that is really not a lot considering how much we have to do before we can leave. And seeing as we don't have official orders with all 4 of us on them stating we are to report to Texas yet, it will no doubt come down to a rush in the end to get it all done!! Here's to hoping orders come soon. I will be writing these pcs blogs every couple weeks as we countdown to the big day.

Things we are working on right now? Getting Darren command sponsored, getting the pcs packet finished, getting all our dr appts up to date, downsizing stuff and selling what we can, and trying to help Kyra understand what is coming up by talking about Texas and moving!! I have no doubt time is going to fly past. Specially since our weekends go by in a breeze trying to see as many new places as we can before we can't see Europe anymore!!

Delirium trilogy review

So my constant reading has continued!! This doesn't come as a surprise, as I spend a lot of time at night nursing, and I am okay with that!! So while we are up I just pick up my tablet and read a couple chapters! And when the books are easy reads like these I finish them really quickly!! This series although slightly similar to other ones I have read was very interesting take on a futuristic/post apocalyptic type story line. Although the Deleria that "takes over" isn't what causes the state of the world so much as how "the cured" people choose to run the world afterwards that creates the world they now know.

There are three books to the main portion of this series that follow the story of Lena, a teenager who is coming of age. But the meaning of that in this series is oh so different as her whole life is about to change and be decided for her. The story is really good and I would recommend anyone picking it up. It was written by Lauren Oliver who also wrote Before I Fall that I wrote about in my last book review!! Along with this series she also wrote three tag along books that follow three different characters who catch the delirium and their stories. Unfortunately Oyster only had 2 of them which obviously I read too!! They were just short stories and each only took me like 2 hours total to read but were written the same format as the original 3 so were really good to read. Hopefully the third will later be added to Oyster so I can pick it up!! If you are keeping count that is now officially 9 books by the end of February. 

I have already started another book and have a whole list of To Read books on that app so many more reviews are to come!!

6 months into 2014

Hey EVERYONE!!!! Did you miss me? I know my last blog was over a month ago, and you probably thought we died mid-flight, but rest assured we made it both to USA and back to Germany safe and sound, and Kyra was a champ both ways and LOVE LOVE LOVED her goody bags!! Well I hope you guys are glad to see me back on here because boy oh boy does taking a month off leave you a ways behind I seriously have like 9 blogs to write and post for you guys! One of course to include lots of awesome pictures from our annual trip home!! But first, can you believe it is already JUNE? I know its incredibly difficult to believe, that half the year is over and we survived!! Okay almost half the year I realize I normally write this at the end of June but thought now was as good of time as any for  an update, and specifically since a lot has been accomplished since March!!

 

Read 12 books: Well I have officially finished reading 7 books and have 2 more waiting to be read!! I love reading and am glad I made this goal so I don't put my books on the back burner!! I think a book a month was a wonderful goal!! Keep an eye out soon a new book review will be on its way to you!!

 

Blog twice a week: Well with vacation and frankly our life being busy as ever, this one slipped as it generally does a couple times a year!! I don't know where I am on the goal of 104 blogs this year, but I am sure as I love to write to you guys and I have a fun series in mind coming up that I will still reach this goal before the year is over!!

Life as a 2 year old:  So on my last check in I changed my goal to a photo a day of Kyra while she was two and OBVIOUSLY I didn't stick to that one either. But I do take tons of photos almost every day and feel like I document her life amazingly!! So I shouldn't try to force creativity!! Next year I am gonna go back to a 52 week challenge!! It turns out I liked having the themes to work from each week!

 

Read and finish the respect dare This resolution thus far is still just sitting on the back burner I intend to do it but haven't had the chance to get around to it yet.

Run 2 5ks: So I ran 2 miles non-stop that was a major accomplishment than I ran 1 mile while I was in Colorado and couldn't breathe for a week from the cold air and altitude. And since than have NOT been doing great in this aspect...But, I am back at the gym who knows where that shall lead!!

Get out of debt: All I can say is mission accomplished!! This was the first goal of the year that we got done!! Now all of our income only goes to bills and savings!! And well of course a little spending ;D but knowing we are in the positive when our paycheck comes in is very comforting :D

Get organized and declutter: I have made a pretty awesome dent in this, but only in my kitchen I have managed to get rid of some stuff and also keep it organized and clean....may not sound like much but one whole room pretty much permanently decluttered is GREAT!!

Maintain my 4.0 gpa Well I am taking the summer off from school due to a busy summer full of plans so I don't have anything to go towards this right now, however I ended up doing great in Photography and so far this year I still have a 4.0 :D Can't wait to start another class, that is after I get back into a routine as far as housework, gym, work, and Kyra, aka....Fall time LOL!

Do 24 photo-shoots:  Well this goal is the second one I have accomplished!! 24 shoots before June!! That is awesome and I have all my amazing friends and family to thank!! Everyone has been so supportive and I am so very excited to keep working with my wonderful clients!! And to make a ton more when I move to Colorado!!

Go on 3 trips: Another goal that is DONE!! We have been doing lots of traveling this year including the trip home!! Also have a huge trip coming up in a couple weeks that I am overly excited about!! Prague!! There will be lots of pictures don't you worry!! My travelers heart is so fulfilled here in Europe!!

Reach 145 Meh, this goal I think is gonna get the boot, I am tired of hating myself for not dropping pounds like I want to, and vacation was awful to me. So that goal is far out of reach!! And I am finally okay with that, just as long as I can look at myself and be happy with what I see.

 

Get pregnant This is still in the works....

So yeah a lot of my goals have been reached a couple are gone, but that is okay!! I had a lot on the list to start the year out and it feels good knowing most will be reached by the end of the year and that is enough for me!!

3 months into 2014

So as you all certainly know if you own some sort of computer, calender, phone etc....its already the last day of March! Which means it is time to check in on this year's resolutions so far. As usual my list of resolutions has changed dramatically in just a matter of 3 months.

Read 12 books: This resolution is one I have stuck to and frankly have been exceeding, If you follow my blog you have already read 5 book reviews this year. But I have actually already finished reading 6 books and am about 1/3 of the way through the 7th book :D

 

Blog twice a week: I have to say I think this has been the easiest one. With all these resolutions they gave me tons of fun adventures to share with you guys, and from the looks of it you are all enjoying following along on our journey!!

365 project: Okay okay this one flopped and I have started another similar one which hopefully and so far is being much more effective. So this resolution has changed to Photo a day for Kyra's whole 3rd year of life. (Life as a 2 year old)

 

Read and finish the respect dare This resolution thus far is still just sitting on the back burner I intend to do it but haven't had the chance to get around to it yet.

Run 2 5ks: So I did 1 day of the couch to 5k so far...Yeah this may be one of those things that I thought I was going to accomplish but....we still have 9 months you never know.

Get out of debt This is the one I am most proud of. We decided this year to use our tax refunds to finish getting out of debt so that all future refunds could go into savings to save up to buy a really nice house in the future. My student loan is officially GONE. And as of today we probably have like 200 left on the car, which is something Dustin is going to work on finishing off in the next couple days and we will be debt free. We are very excited about being weirdo's in this world!!

Get organized and declutter: I am sure that this resolution will be something I have with me for the rest of my life as I am the queen of collecting clutter and organization is certainly not something I am known for. But that being said I have made a pretty good dent into the laundry room and Kyra's room and getting rid of the things we don't need. Can't wait to have a garage sale this summer and have some of that stuff dissappear.

Maintain my 4.0 gpa So far this one has been going great. My Photography teacher however is trying his darnest to make this not happen however, docking points off my assignments for unknown reasoning.

Do 24 photo-shoots:  Uhm to say I have been an over-achiever in this area is to put it lightly. And actually I am not sure that is even the word I am looking for. Proud maybe more the idea. So many people have been coming to me to have their pictures done and I love love love doing them for them. As of today I am down to only needing 15 more for the year in order to reach this goal. And have 8 of those planned for April! And 3 in May and 1 in June. So if I some how manage to not reach this goal it will have to be because I totally gave up for some unforeseeable reason.

Go on 3 trips: So this goal may have been set a little low as traveling is our favorite thing to do. I am only including big trips into this one, so obviously our trip to Austria, and Switzerland was a check off the list. And I included the trip to Trier as one too!! But I will easily have done like 10 by the end of the year as we are likely to be moving come January. Gotta knock off everything else we wanna do here in Europe.

Reach 145 So when I originally planned to reach this I was so much closer to reaching it and have perhaps let that get out of control. But tomorrow begins the start of something new a kick start back into reaching my goals!!  So keep an eye out for updates and details in that area in the next week or two :D

 

Get pregnant This is one goal that is not going to even be started for a few more months...and I still have some weight to loose before hand so...onward.

Try new recipe once a week Uh I quit this resolution early on. If you read my blog you will see I have been trying new recipes still just not every week!

Beginning of 2014

So last years resolutions were to save money, lose weight, be more positive, and project 52. I have managed to do all three things. I am not as happy with how much we have saved as I could be, but we managed to save 4000, which is really good amount for an emergency fund. I hope to not touch that money as much as possible this coming year and if at all possible add on to it. It would be great if we had a nice little nest egg to use when we move. In the weight loss department I'm sure you have been following that journey through out the year and I'm and extremely proud of my progress I hope to loose the last 11 lbs in the next few months, and boy would I be proud! The positivity thing although I have had struggles through out the year my new found super supportive group of friends is proof that I am actually attracting the right people and keeping a positive outlook on life!!!  And as of yesterday I finished my final topic for project 52, just in the nick of time to start the next one :) I started to think half way through the year it would never happen, but I pushed on and finished and it feels good to know I stuck with something for the entire year!!

Now into this years resolutions. I have a much lover list, but I love or make lists so that isn't surprising!! I think this list is extremely possible, and I look forward to how much achieving everything on it in the next 365 days will change me as a person!! 

Read 12 books I really need to dedicate more time to myself and relaxing I can achieve this by reading one book a month

Blog twice a week once a week I will blog my 365 project photos, and than once a week I will do a different post

365 project a picture a day fully edited 

Read and finish the respect dare I have been starting this book multiple times, but I need to have Dustin home for the entirety of the book in order to finish it. If you are not familiar with this book, and your with a significant other this book is worth a read.

Run 2 5ks I need a goal to work towards other than weight loss with my fitness. And this seems like a very doable goal.

Get out of debt we are getting ever so close to this being a reality...all we have to do is get the student loan place to figure out how to refinance the loan so we can pay it off...should be done by the end of the year!!

Get organized and declutter so many things in my house need organized  and de cluttered. This year is the year to do it before our pcs in 2015

Maintain my 4.0 gpa I start two classes in February, and than have mycaa funds for one more class this summer. Than hopefully the loan will be figured out so that we can get grants to continue my education this fall!

Do 24 photo-shoots I haven't decided if this number is too big or not, but I feel like two shoots a month is a good goal. I really hope to pick up some new clients for my portfolio while we are still stationed here. I really love providing beautiful photos to great families for free, it makes me feel happy!!

Go on 3 trips heck if we stay in and have to pcs in 2015 that makes this year our last year in Europe. That means we better continue to get our traveling so we feel like we really saw the land while we had the oppurtunity!!

Reach 145 this goal may seem materialistic and putting a number is kind of senseless. I know I should worry less about the number and more about the look, but I want to reach this number and I am only 10 lbs away from hitting it. I want to reach it before....

Get pregnant I am hoping to be at a healthy weight when we start ttc, so that maybe just maybe I will manage to not have GD and have to deal with the pain attached to it.

Try new recipe once a week I feel like I tend to get in a cooking rut. Which can be easily relieved by trying new recipes. And more often than not I find out I really love the new recipe and we eat it all the time!!

These are my goals for 2014, it may seem like a lot of goals, but in reality they will be spread out over 12 months which makes them highly possible. I will of course keep you updated on my progress every three months, to see just how far we come!! 

What are your resolutions?

25 Days of Christmas (recap)

         I decided to finally put all of last years 25 days of Christmas blogs in one place to share with you this year. Although you will certainly be getting some Christmas/ Winter blogs again this year I am going to be super busy getting everything ready for Dustin to get home so I won't have time to get a blog out each day!!  So with no further ado here are your 25 days of Christmas:

Day 1: Frosty the Snowman Fridge

Day 2: Special Advent Calender for the Hubby

Day 3: Snow Day Fun!

Day 4: Christmas Card Holder

Day 5: Paper Snowflakes

Day 6: St Nicholas Day

Day 7: Decorating the House

Day 8: Glitters like a Diamond

Day 9: Christmas Music

Day 10: Christmas Star

Day 11: Oven Mitts

Day 12: Christmas Movies

Day 13: Yarn Wrapped Letters

Day 14: Table Decorations

Day 15: Christmas in the Netherlands

Day 16: Yummy Pie

Day 17: Christmas Pictures!!

Day 18: Christmas Lights

Day 19: Wrapped up memories

Day 20: Snowmen

Day 21: Sweet and Salty

Day 22:  Scrap-booked Christmas Cards

Day 23:  Ice Skating!

Day 24 and 25: Cookies and Presents Galore!


I know that is a lot to go through in one post, but I hope you enjoy the posts, and maybe even have a chance to make a few of them yourselves!!