Randomness

I haven't been in the blogging mood lately. I know.. GASP!  So here's what you get today.  

Several random pictures for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy!

Last weekend we went to visit this beauty and surprise her for her 30th birthday!
  She was definitely surprised!  It was a blast!

My girl, Kimmy, introduced me to an app that shows your celebrity doppleganger.
Apparently mine is a dude. And dead.

My Valentine's gift from R.  He knows me well.

In case you're having a bad day.  :)

Truth.  I posted this to IG on Tuesday.  I did really well yesterday.
More of the same today.

And because my random picture post wouldn't be complete without this beauty.
You're welcome.
So excited to visit this city in June and not just pass through!
StL13, BABY!!!

Happy Friday Eve, Rockstars!!!!

I'm The Kind Of Girl Who...

I'm linking up today with the beautiful Holly, from Running In Stilettos.  Others did this link up yesterday, but I couldn't devote yesterday to anything except my BIL's return from Afghanistan. 

So, here I am today to tell you I'm the kind of girl who...

...prefers dogs over cats.

...prefers heels over flats.

...fills the wine glass up {you know, so two glasses appears to be only one}.

...always has lipgloss in her pocket.

...can be one of the guys.

...can easily be influenced to stay in her pajamas all day.

...loves to travel.

...wishes money grew on trees.

...believes you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

...who has a mom, a dad, and an older brother.

...loves photography.

...loves the beach.

...has the best friend she could ever wish for.

...wishes she had a closer relationship with her brother.

...is proud of her husband.

...loves unconditionally.

...enjoys a fun night out with friends.

He's HOME!!!

Hey, hey!

Sorry to have been absent after announcing my return. 

R, his parents, youngest brother, and I road tripped it to Kansas to welcome his brother back to US soil after a 9 month deployment in Afghanistan. I am so proud of this kid.  His tour was not easy and he had several "close calls," but he made it.

At 1:00am on Thursday, February 14, this is what we saw...

My brother-in-law is right in the center of this photo.  

All the soldiers marched in through a big set of doors.  Stood at attention just long enough for their commander to give the official word of their return, and then they were released to hug their family members.  

My mother-in-law hugging her son for the first time in 11 months. 

I am so proud of this kid!

After picking Reed up from Post, we went back to the hotel, had a celebratory beer, and crashed.  After driving/traveling all day and being up until 1:30am getting Reed, we were all exhausted.

The rest of our time in Kansas was spent running errands with Reed, going to a movie, eating out, and just hanging out together.

Before leaving for Kansas, my Grandpa had mentioned to me that he was stationed at Fort Riley, back in his Army days.  While we were there, my Grandma texted me a couple pictures of she and my Grandpa on post.  One picture was of them next to a monument.

I made it my mission to find that monument and have a picture of R and me next to it, just like my grandparents had done in 1951. 

After a little driving around, we found the memorial.  I made our picture black and white, because that's how the picture of my grandparents is.  

Here's another one with the original side by side with one we took.  The only difference is the fence is now gone.  I was pretty geeked to have found this monument.  I told R it might be stupid to him and his brothers, but it meant a lot to me to find this monument and have our picture taken next to it.  It wasn't intentional, but after the picture was taken, we noticed R is standing almost exactly like my Grandpa is standing.  Love it!

The week also consisted of texting back and forth with Nancy Clue, as well as group texting with Mel and Kimmy.  As we passed through St. Louis on our way home I got even more excited about my trip there this summer.  

It's the understatement of the century to say I'm excited to meet Mel, Kimmy, Holly, and Hubby Jack!!! CAN'T. WAIT!!!!!

Get ready, St.L!!  You'll never be the same when we're done.

We arrived back in the great Hoosier state Sunday evening around 6:30.  

I am so relieve that my brother-in-law is home and safe now.  

Thank you all for your kind words on IG!  

Happy Tuesday, Rockstars!

I'm Baaaaaack

Hey to all the ladies and one Hubby Jack!  I'm back from my blog break.

Last week was an eye opening week for me.  I won't go into details, but know that I appreciate all the emails and comments I got from one IG post. You all rock.  Seriously.

This is a new day.  It's a new week.  It's a short week!  HOLLA!  

R, his parents, his youngest brother, and I are leaving on Wednesday for Kansas.  {Hello, Nancy Clue!!!}  My brother-in-law has been in Afghanistan for the last 10 months.  He is finally on his way back to US soil!!!  So, we are headed out to Fort Riley, KS to see him.  WE. CANNOT. WAIT!!!!

If you are a praying person, please say a prayer that the remainder of our soldier's journey home is a safe one.  Also, please pray that our 11 hour drive {yes, we are that crazy} is uneventful.  Thank you!  

Keeping this short today.  I'm off to make a "welcome home" sign for R's brother!  :)

Weekend Recap

What a fantastic weekend!!!  

Friday started off with the Keek rap off with Kimmy and Mel!  We had Macry join in with her "audition" as well.  Consider yourself in the group, girl!  This Keek off was by far my favorite!  I must say, I even impressed myself with some of my skills.  Can't wait for this Friday.  I'm working on a request from R.  It's tough... we'll see if I can pull it off.  

Friday night I went out to dinner with three girls I went to elementary school with.  We had such a blast!!  One of the girls brought her old year books.  We spend several hours looking through them, laughing, and reliving memories.  I'm really hoping to keep in touch with these girls.  They are fabulous!!!

Saturday morning was my typical morning of refereeing for the Upwards basketball games at my church.  That night R and I had a movie night then we watched the IU/Michigan basketball game.  Holla for the Hoosier coming up victorious!  HOO HOO HOO HOOSIERS!!!

Lastly, Sunday we went to church, then tried out a new restaurant by our house.  That afternoon we headed to the neighbor's house for a Super Bowl gathering.  We were rooting for the 49ers, but no such luck.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  Sorry this isn't even remotely exciting.

Happy Monday, Rockstars!

Spin and Old Friends

I did it!  

I took {and completed} my first spin class!

  

Kimmy wanted me to keek while taking the class, but I informed her that keeking my own death was not going to happen.  The first 6 minutes were the longest six minutes of my life.... and that was just the warm-up!  UGH!  There were several times I wondered what I was doing in the class, but I pushed through and kept going like there was a giant margarita waiting for me at the end of the "ride".   The good news, my hooha is not bruised today, or even sore for that matter.  The bad news, apparently I have enough junk in my trunk to protect my hooha from the torture of spin class.  Womp womp.

Will I do it again?  Definitely!

I feel great today, as long as I'm not doing the fitness circuit stations I have set up for my students.  If I'm exercising with them, I can tell I used my legs in a major way yesterday.  

My gym offers spin on Monday, Wednesday,and Thursday's.  I think I'll be going back to the 5:30 class on Monday.  I'll definitely push myself harder this time.  I pushed myself, but not as hard as I could have.  I was so afraid I would burn myself out and not be able to finish the class.  Now that I know what to expect, I'm ready to push myself.

In other news.... Tonight is rap keek off night!  Get ready!  It was requested that I do "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs n' Harmony.  Honestly, I don't know if I can do it!  I listened to it the other day while reading the lyrics and that $hit is HARD! {twss}  I'll try, but no promises.  I won't be at the keek off party very long because I have dinner plans.

I am having dinner tonight with three girls I went to elementary school with!!  I cannot wait!!  The school we went to was a K-8 school with only one section of each grade level.  So we literally went through school together.  I moved and stopped attending the school after 5th grade, so I haven't seen these girls in YEARS!!  I am so stinking excited for tonight!  We'll be sure to take pictures!

Happy Friday, Rockstars!!!