Christmas Recap

I hope everyone had a great Christmas leave and/or vacation,

and safe travels back home if you did any traveling.

Here are some of the highlights from Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

We had a little shindig at our house, with our Christmas sweaters.

I had to get a photo with Stryker : )

Us on Christmas Eve.

Only a portion of our food from Christmas Eve.

Santa's treats.

Red velvet+cheesecake=amazingness.
If you follow me on Pinterest I pinned this...
Check it out.  It was good, and the red velvet wasn't dry!

Whiskey Sours....Complete with maraschino cherries!

Stryker & me on Christmas eve.  He's obviously trying to steal my thunder!

A family photo of the boys...Obviously there was a lot of cooperation.

"Look, I'm panting just like Stryker!"

Christmas day with Stryker & {one of} his new toys.

I believe that I had a mimosa and Jesse had orange juice.

Breakfast quiche, yummy!

He was happy to have his spot back under the tree.

Do I need to explain?

Spuz and his new gift from grandma & grandpa.

Jesse's reaction when he opened Stryker's gift.  His reaction was priceless, I'm glad I was able to capture it!

He thought it was pretty funny.
Stryker seemed to like his pillow pet, which I'm told is a tyrannosaurus rex. 

Play time!

Life is hard for our pooch.

And our cat : )

I will post more about our leave at a later time, I hope that starting this blog post is starting the new year   in a good way.

I can't believe that it's all over!

Have a great week,

♥

Christmas Day 2010

One thing I forgot about yesterday's post...We had a great Christmas Eve breakfast at Jesse's brother's house...And a great Christmas Eve Dinner at Jesse's aunt's house!

Jesse's aunt also makes an amazing Apple Crumble Pie...

So Christmas Jesse's mom made it over early in the AM, and surprisingly Jesse and I got up early too.

Guess who didn't get up so early?

The kids.

When they finally were woken up it was probably about 8 AM.  I'm not sure though, I wasn't checking my watch.  Jesse's niece got lots of princess stuff, make-up, and nail polish while his nephew got lots of Star Wars and Iron Man toys.

The kids opening gifts.

Uncle Jesse wearing one of Evan's Christmas gifts.

Alana showing off her new outfit.

Jesse playing bartender at Christmas Dinner.

Jesse and I did manage to make a Starbucks run mid-day...And picked up some treats for dinner and the next morning.

Stryker and Logan ripping Logan's new toys apart.

Our day was rounded out by playing with the kids, Evan learning lots of new magic tricks, and a big Christmas dinner.

Last but not least:

365 Project Photo!

My focus was to get up early (didn't happen), work out (didn't happen), take the dog out (done!)...Then I got the urge to make some treats (done!) before heading to a battalion meeting to round out the evening.

These pictured are chocolate mint kiss brownies.

Have a good one.

♥

Christmas Eve 2010

So Christmas Eve was our first solid day in California, our main plan was to get a trial membership from 24 Hour Fitness so we could do some exercise and classes that Jesse's sister-in-law teaches.

So here I was with Stryker in my work-out gear:

 So while the Jesse and his brother were out doing some things (I can't remember what for the life of me...Except that they were supposed to stop by the store and get butter and they got just about everything but that...lol), I helped Jesse's Sister-in-Law (JoeEtta) make cookies with the kids:

 There was a lot of gift-opening for the kids, at several different houses including Jesse's Aunt Donna's and some members of JoeEtta's Family.  We made a trip by Jesse's step brothers house to visit some family and family friends...

Here is a photo of Jesse's Nephew cleaning up all that wrapping paper:

Overall our Christmas Eve was eventful, we did make it by the gym for a short run.

We were exhausted by the end of the night...But it was well worth it!

Hope you all enjoyed the photos & stories of Christmas Eve...Here is my photo for my 365 Project:

This is {again} at the dog park.  Yes, I go there often...Probably too often!  Outside it is still pretty cold, so I thought this piece of holly looked cool -- with a frosty white glaze on it.

I will post more tomorrow!

♥

Hail Victory

~Little things make me happy~

Hey all, I picked up another new tee to add to my closet.  Very excited..... The little things make me so happy!

I am doing the best I can right now not to eat my entire dark chocolate orange.  They're so GOOD.  I was thinking today, how do they make chocolate oranges?  Because when you break them apart and everything they look exactly like orange slices!  I know, I'm a dork.

Other than that I worked all day.  Next week I work a little over 35 hours.  Christmastime, what?  I know.  I feel like my stress level is getting raised once again... My dad is working 6-10's this week (six days a week, 10 hours a day) so saturday (the day I have off) he can't help work on house stuff.  Sunday I work, a short day, but still work.  So I might be able to squeeze in some bookshelf-fixing time.  But other than that I'm not sure what else is going to get done.... I really need to figure out this dryer situation.  I think I'm going to focus on that and my internet.  I can't live without that!

I'm sorry it seems like I keep saying the same things!  I did talk to Jesse today, he's doing well.  He got to see his buddy Bill again yesterday, and today he's doing some more training.  There is an artist named James Dietz (www.jamesdietz.com) who does color prints for military units and sells them.  He is doing one for Jesse's battalion, and making 1,000 - so they're a limited edition.  Chances are if you have been in our house, you have seen three of the many prints he has made.  One Jesse has of his old unit (3/2), the other is an Airborne print, and the third is his famous "Reflections" print which is hung in many military homes.  Again, this gentleman is doing one specifically for Jesse's unit, so it is going to be a rare print.  I know he's super excited, and I'm in the works to get that done for him!

Other than that Jesse is doing well.  They (the FRG) are having a meeting of sorts that I might go to Thursday to learn what's going on downrange.  I'm thinking I might go to that, we shall see though.

If you don't watch Oprah you may not have seen this.  I thought it was pretty cool and thought I would share.  Let me know if the link doesn't work!  It's a "mob dance"......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvljD0toJmU

Progress

So my main goal for the day was to make some progress on the house.  I am happy to say that we did make some progress.  I do hate the fact that when you get the ball rolling and in a groove....You have to stop.  I work the next two days, which make it a little more difficult to tackle the craziness in our new house.  We did get the bed, my dresser, the futon, the TV stand, the Wii tower, and most of the bookshelf together.  Plus mom and I unpacked two kitchen boxes (mostly breakables, nothing broke!) and measured some spaces.  I realized today that I don't have great access to towel bars in the bathrooms, we're missing some hardware from some of the furniture, and I still would like to paint the bedroom.  It does look as like I might be spending some nights on the futon if I decide to do that.  A plus side - lots of room.  That is pretty exciting!  In Georgia I felt like we were cramming, and we probably will our second time around there.  Until then, I'm going to enjoy our space!

Next trip we're going to try and finish the bookshelf and I'm going to arrange furniture.  Maybe take a trip to the hardware store to make sure we have everything together.  Between that stuff, there is a briefing I have yet to go to, I need to figure out some things with my washer situation (plug doesn't work with the outlet we have), and I need to figure out the cable/internet thing.  Until I get the washer and cable/internet thing figured out I'm not living there.

I do think though, it is time for me to leave my parents house.  You're probably saying "duh," and I know.  Besides, dad is working and mom is working.... I should have no reason why I shouldn't be moving forward.

Please also visit this site if you can, its SUPER easy to do, and something Xerox has put together.  The link is:  http://www.letssaythanks.com.  Seriously, it takes a matter of seconds.  You pick a card, put in your name/location, and pick something to say.  Xerox delivers the information in a card for our troops overseas.  Boost some morale!

Oh, and if you sent me a Christmas Card this year with a picture on it, chances are it's hanging in my husband's room right now!  I sent him everything I got, so he went through everything and loved them.  Thank you all for the Christmas cards, letters, and photos you sent!  He loves them.

Also - Hooah Mail is seeming to have some hiccups.  It is NOT getting to him faster than priority or first class mail.  he is getting it, but he got mine 3-4 weeks after I sent it.  NOT cool.  But I have to say that first class mail doesn't seem any quicker!  If you send a box priority mail (flat rate is automatically priority mail)  he is getting them in 7-10 days.  I feel like I'm not able to keep up with him getting my care packages!  I will be sending one out *hopefully* tomorrow, and then another later on in the week.

If you want to send him things, send him some healthier foods, he's not too happy with me with overloading him with cookies, chips, and candies.  Oops.  Crackers, power bars, and the like are good.  Also keep sending him photos!  He loves them.

Thanks again for reading!

Week of Christmas

I feel like it's long overdue, so I wanted to write a blog!

The last couple weeks have been crazy!  I've tried my best to be positive, but I feel as though many things were working against me.  I did get through it though, with some bumps along the way.

Christmas Eve was good, I worked until closing time.  Go figure that the mall closed at 6, and we didn't get out of the store until 7:15.  I don't remember it being that bad ever in the history of working for the jewelry store.  I got home, not doing much until dinner time.  Mom made king crab and steak for dinner along with potatoes, green beans, and watergate salad.  I would've loved Jesse to be there.... But know he wouldn't have liked the surf and turf ;)  I stayed up to two AM wrapping presents and talking to Jesse.  Exhausted, I went to bed.

Christmas morning I got up and talked to Jesse again, he wasn't having a super busy day since it was still Christmas day there.  The family and I got up and unwrapped presents, ate breakfast, and got ready for the day.  We went to a friend's house, ate, listened to some karaoke, and came home.  We finished up our stockings, lounged around, and went to bed.

The day after Christmas mom, Taylor, and I went to the mall.  I think it was busier that I ever thought it was during Christmas, parking was horrible!  I hit up American Eagle (they always have jean sales after Christmas), got a couple of shirts, and got Jesse a couple of things also.  We also looked at Target, which was very busy.  We left, went out to a shoe store (I found some super cute zebra print heels) and went to another Target (I know we're crazy).  We went and got dinner then came home.

Sunday I worked, we were busy but not horrible.  But again, for closing at 7:00, we got out at 8:15.  I don't know why this keeps happening, but I don't close again until New Year's Eve, and I don't think we're going to have a ton of people wanting to buy jewelry.  Other than that my plans for the holiday are quiet, which to be honest I really don't mind!

Jesse is doing well, he had a good Christmas full of food, Christmas stockings from Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT), and relaxation.  I know that it is still not home, but it wasn't horrible.  We are thinking at this point in time Jesse will get leave, sometime in the springtime.

My next goals are getting our house in order, Jesse's Valentine's Day Care package (why don't people have their Valentine's Day stuff out yet?? lol), and then leave plans when he knows a date.  I also want to enroll Stryker in Petsmart classes, something I hope to look into on my next day off.

Other than that, all is well.  I'll keep you all updated on our life happenings, even as I know things will probably slow down as we get into the new year!

Happy Holidays

Jesse and His Platoon

I know I've been behind on updates and photos, but I will get some more stuff up soon!  This weekend will likely still be hectic, and to be honest any down time that I can get I probably won't be doing this.  So, come next week when I get a day off I will post photos.  Stay tuned!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all of you, Jesse and I wish you all the best!

Six More Days!

Six more days until Christmas, and the malls have escalated into madness!

That is all I'm gonna say!  I worked all morning until three in the afternoon then came home.  I had some hot cocoa, watched holiday youtube videos with my father, and ate some cookies that mom made.  She made what is called "Hoosier Bars" and I know Jesse loves them.  I think that after the holiday, I will make him some and send some to him.  Hopefully by then he's not cookied out.

Taylor and I went by the grocery store and got some soup (I got tomato, he got chicken curry.... See how different we are?) and I ran into someone I used to work with at Michaels who I had lost contact with over the last couple of years!  It was good to see her.  We ate dinner and now I'm watching a Muppet Christmas.  I don't really want to, but don't know what else is on.

I'm thinking I'm going to try and write Jesse a letter a day for this week.  Probably in the mornings since I work evenings... It helps him and it just so happens to help me get rid of my holiday stamps!  Well those aren't the only reasons, but ya know!

That is all for now!  I know I don't have much going on or much to say, but will try and update with something much more interesting soon!

Care Packages, Dad's New Job, and Craziness!

So today I got up early, talked to my hubby, fed my dog, gave him his pill, and showered.  I ordered photos to send to Jesse then dad, Taylor, and I went out to run some errands.  I picked up the photos from Walgreens (LOVE one hour photo processing after ordering online), then went to Freddies.  Dad got some more stocking stuffers for mom, we grabbed a coffee, made a trip to the bank and to Salvation Army, then headed home.

When we got home I ate some lunch, and started to bake some cookies for Jesse.  He likes mint chocolate, so I got him mint chocolate cookies!  I also got him some peanut butter frangos, which I included in the package.  I had so much stuff that I had to send him two.  I then sent two other packages to two other people, thank goodness the line wasn't too long at PostNet!  I enjoy going there over the post office -- lines are shorter and people are a bit nicer.  I'm starting to realize they know who I am, so I'm sure I'll be on a first name basis soon with that husband of mine gone!

Other than that, I really haven't done much.  I know that I should go out to the house, but I don't think that's going to happen in the near future!  Maybe the day after Christmas, I guess.

I know I've said it before, but I work the next six days straight.  So if you're going out doing last minute shopping, please be kind to those around you!  I know it can be stressful battling through the parking lots and down aisles, but it makes all the difference for the people who help you!

On Jesse's front, he said he had a good day yesterday, which is nice to hear.  I think he's going to be pretty busy this next week, so combined with my schedule I'm not sure how often we're going to be able to talk.  At least I can sleep in most days I work!

Speaking of jobs, dad got a new job.  It probably won't be a lengthy job, but the company he worked for previously hand picked him to work with them again.  He's pretty excited about that, and that he might get a much better job come January from this same company.

I hope you all received/will be receiving our Christmas cards.  PLEASE tell me if you want one and don't have one!

Wednesday

Today I headed off to work in the AM, working a half shift.  Boy do those go by fast!  I gave almost half of my hours away this to my co-worker and friend (last week was supposed to be her last week) so I've had my afternoons completely free.  I've definitely been using the time, shopping, shopping, and shopping.  I am in and out and on with it all.  I have decided if I'm not 100% by the end of the day friday, that is it.  Nothing else is going to be bought and given.  Next week will be work and Christmas oriented.  Christmas dinner shopping, cookie baking, and spending time with family.  No more going out to the stores!

Today my brother came home from Seattle and is going to be home for the next couple of weeks at least.  He was funny because he was asking about slow cooker recipes (mom and dad got him a crock pot for his birthday) and he has been using it a lot, which is great.

Other than that Jesse hasn't had a lot of new things happening to him -- he has had plenty of adventures though -- I will post photos of those sometime here soon.  Other than that he has pretty relaxed days (it seems that way at least) and sees a friend from ROTC he knows every so often.  Just don't talk to him when it's really late there.  He's a little cranky!

Other than that, things are good.  Tomorrow is Thursday and it's almost a week until Christmas.  I know that next week should be one of the most interesting....

Ugh, the holidays!

So this morning I woke up to my alarm and groaned.  I really didn't want to get up this morning and face the week ahead.  I had to get up though - Stryker needed his food and his pills. Then  Jesse e-mailed me and wanted to talk online, so I talked to him for a little while before he went to bed.  He has a PT test in the morning - I hope that it goes well, he hasn't done really good PT since we were in Georgia and going to Ranger school.

When I was off the computer we (me and the 'rents) looked at the paper.  I don't know what it is but this year I don't see anything I would like to have for Christmas.  This year it's just not interesting to me.  Most things on my Christmas list are things that are every day types of things, no clothes, pajamas, or stuff like that.  Maybe next year.   I am going to go out and by the Hangover (maybe Tuesday?) - my brother and dad haven't seen it yet so that make for a good movie night sometime this week.  We (dad did actually help) also figured out what we want to do for Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinners.  I told mom that I will go with to buy some food (since they're on a tighter budget this year) and pitch in where need be.

I have the day off tomorrow and have a few major things on my list to do.  I have to get Stryker a new dosage of pills.  They are working quite well, his hair seems to be growing back more and more on his nose.  I will take a picture of him soon to post.  I REALLY want to finish my Christmas shopping tomorrow.  I figured out that I am probably pretty much done with my brother and father, just have to finish up stuff with my mom.  Dad and I are going to probably go to the PX tomorrow along with a trip to the hardware store.  I know that he wants to look for some stuff for mom at the PX, and we have to get some hardware for my furniture.  It may not be a bad idea to look for some stocking stuffers while we are there, too.  Oh, and I have my first Charlie Company FRG coffee tomorrow!

The three days following that I am going to be working -- still hopefully short shifts -- with a day off on friday (my brother comes home wednesday - I think my dad wants me to be his shopping buddy so that he doesn't have to go out in all of the madness!).  Then I have six straight eight hour days following that until Christmas.  All closing shifts which, the week for Christmas, is 11:30.  Yes, I work part time and I'm working 41 hours that week.  Uck.

Things will start to settle down the closer we get to January, and I plan on getting the house situated some more.  Then I have to plan for the Valentine's Day care package.  I know, one thing at a time, but I'm keeping myself occupied for sure!  Not to mention I plan on getting up at noon on Christmas, I think I'll need the extra sleep (unless Jesse calls me of course).  My family normally just lounges around in their pajamas all day anyway.  I am really excited about Christmas dinner because we're going to be doing crab legs.  Jesse hates seafood so I thought it would be an opportune time!

Other than that, I will likely write more tomorrow.  I need to get off my behind and get myself ready for work sometime here.  It's a late one tonight - I work until 10:30 on a sunday night.  I don't really understand that... Most people work monday through friday and have to get up early, right?  Ugh, the holidays!

I will try and be more positive soon, lol.

Busy Saturday

I am going to try and make this decently short because I feel sort of tired!

This morning I went to the airport and got to see a familiar face!  My friend Cherie, who we met in Georgia, had a layover here in Seattle before she headed up to Alaska (where her husband is currently stationed).  Here is a photo of us:

It was great to see her, gave me a little inclination to head up north for a small trip.  I think it would be fun to at least visit Alaska... Maybe see if I thought it would be interesting to live there?  Nonetheless it was good to catch up over some breakfast!

It seems as though "busy" is in the vocabulary a lot more this time of year, and I'm trying to keep truckin!  I'm not one to go Christmas shopping on weekends (hating the craziness at the malls), so I stuck  to other Christmas-like things.  I mailed out ALL of the Christmas cards today.  If you don't get one and you want one, PLEASE let me know.  I have a ton of them, ha.  I also sent out photos of Jesse that he got professionally done before he left.  He told me exactly where he wanted the photos to go, so I finally got them in the mail today.  It feels good not to have those to worry about.

We went to the house this afternoon (I made a trip to clothing and sales, along with the PX) and opened a couple of boxes.  Dad is well on his way putting much of my furniture together, I know that it would help a LOT more if we could find all the hardware we need for the bed and futon.  Dandy that we can't find anything - we're going to have to make a special trip to the hardware store and get screws - among other things.

We got home, ate, I talked to Jesse, and that was about it.  Jesse got a photo with Goldsworth, Doyle, and Rathman - all IBOLC guys that are currently serving overseas.  They all happened to be in the same spot at the same time, which is truly awesome because I know how nice it is for all of them to have each other!

That is all for now, enjoy your weekend!  Less than two weeks until Christmas.... Thank GOD!

Here Comes the Weekend

Thank goodness there are only two more weeks until Christmas.  I am SO counting down until all this craziness is over!

I tried to get my Christmas shopping done today, to no avail.  I got the shopping done for my brother, and about half of the shopping done for my parents.  I went to the mall, then Costco (meeting up with my parents, getting a mocha for $1, and getting a new Costco card!), then off to Target.  Then at Target I ran into my parents.  Thank goodness that they didn't get anything for me and I them, because we would've seen everything!  Then I went to Fred Meyer, where I ran into a friend from Fort Benning.  We had been meaning to get together for quite awhile, but couldn't get our schedules straight.  We had a nice chat, and went our separate ways.  I picked up some things for Jesse's care package (which I plan on mailing next week) and then left.  I was at home for just a little while and we went out for some Mexican food.  On the way home Jesse called.  I talked to him for about 40 minutes, and then let him go.

Jesse says that he gave a brief to his platoon today.  It is now, officially, his platoon.  He missed a couple of things in the brief, but I'm sure he will have everything perfected in no time.  Jesse told his company commander that he was sorry that he wasn't extremely confident in his briefing and his commander told him that he had "no doubt" that he would do "great things for this platoon."  Jesse's reaction to me was "wasn't that nice of him?"  That was a very nice comment, and optimistic - great for Jesse to hear to give him a little bit more confidence.  It's great to know that someone else thinks what we've known the whole time :)

Other than that he's going to a bazaar today, I told him to buy me something.... We'll see how that goes!  I thought that it would be fun to have something a little bit different.... And it could serve as a great Christmas present (which he, out of the blue, told me he wanted to do something for me for the holiday).

Tomorrow I'm getting up early to meet a friend at the airport, then going out to the new house, dropping up some stuff, sending my Christmas cards out, and making a stop at the PX.  Hopefully I will get everything done tomorrow!

Have a great weekend!

Christmas Cards

Jesse's Cat Spuz, helping with Christmas cards

My first round of Christmas cards should be going out sometime tomorrow!

Expect to see yours in the mail soon.

If you want one, and didn't get one, please e-mail me!

Moving Day & Calming Down

WE ARE MOVED!  Yay!

We have everything moved, notice given to our storage unit, and three boxes unpacked!  We got everything done in about seven hours, with two trips to Fort Lewis and back.  Jesse's mom came down along with family friends Mark, Laurie, Bob, and Daniel.  My friends Stacy and Alan along with Alan's parents Bob and Luann came to help out.  They were all great and worked hard!

Today I decided to take a little bit of a break.  I talked to Jesse via Skype this morning, called and spoke to my friend Katie (who is currently stationed in New York), and we went out to both the hardware store and Costco.  I have a few more hurdles to get over before I can be completely settled in the house, but the hardest things have been taken care of.  We went to Costco and I picked up a magazine which I think is awesome:  Food Network's December issue.  They have great food related gift ideas along with many many recipes - anything from cookies to crock pot cooking!  I have decided I'm going to cook my way through some cookbooks, and try and perfect my cooking before Jesse gets back home!

I will post some moving photos soon...  But not tonight!  If you haven't received Jesse's address overseas, please let me know (at marissa.mcadam@gmail.com) and I will e-mail it to you!

Have a great week!

Really, really ridiculously good looking...

That was a line made famous by Zoolander, a character Jesse seems to idol at times...  But I had to say it!  I just wanted to post a snippet of a photo of my husband on his adventures overseas.  I have decided that next Christmas we're going to some Christmassy things.  'Now, why not do it now?' you might ask and the answer is simple:  I work in retail.  Retail and Christmas can be so hectic that you don't really get a time to do much of anything, let along enjoy the holiday.  I basically have one week -- next week -- to do all of my Christmas shopping.  After that, I'm not venturing out again unless it is to go to the Tacoma Mall to work.

I'm getting off track here, so back on to next year.  Jesse will be home, and we'll be able to do lots of stuff!  There is this train that takes you to Leavenworth, Washington for a day trip to see the tree lighting there.  Normally there is snow, and the bavarian town is absolutely beautiful.  I've never seen Leavenworth in the winter, and would love to do that.

Another thing that I would love to do is go to Illwaco, Washington (one of the most southwestern most towns in the state) and see what they do down there.  One of the big local fish markets makes a tree out of crab pots and puts lights on it.  Then they have a "tree lighting" of sorts.  They also have a lighted boat parade too which just sounds fun!  I know they have some things similar to that in Tacoma (in regard to lighted boats) because we've seen them down on the waterfront for my birthday in January.  I know Jesse would be up for this tree lighting - his favorite artist has a gallery down on the water there.  I love that beach, there's something about it that's just beautiful!

Anyway, I am going to finish up here so I can get ready for work.... As much as I don't wanna go today!  It's cold outside which doesn't help either - and my dress coat is still in storage!  Oh well I guess!

Enjoy your weekend & here are some pics of the husband - I updated the album again.

Jesse Overseas