Vacation? No Vacation?

Anna and I finally bit the bullet on Saturday and purchased our tickets to Fayeteville, NC. We're going to spend a long weekend in April with my brother, Jordan, at a friend's beach house (for free!) on the coast just north of Wilmington. I was soooo excited.

Until yesterday.

I got a call from Jordan at work asking if it was possible to switch the weekend we were coming. At first I was really irritated thinking he had a hockey tournament or something else going on that weekend. But it turns out he had just received orders 30 minutes prior that he was deploying to Iraq in ten days! TEN DAYS!! Another soldier that was scheduled to deploy got injured and Jordan is being sent to replace him. He'll be gone for approximately five months, so not quite as bad as the 15-month tour he finished just a year ago. But still.

So we're not sure at this point what's going to become of our little vacation weekend. I talked to the airline last night and it's going to cost just about $200 to change anything about our tickets. So possibly we'll still fly into Fayetteville, use Jordan's new truck (that he JUST purchased on Saturday), and spend the weekend at Myrtle Beach.



What a bummer though. So remember to keep Jordan in your prayers. He has a busy ten days -- or nine now -- ahead of him training and getting ready to ship out. He hasn't even worked on the equipment they're sending him over there to use.

And I'll for sure keep you posted on our vacation plans!

Spring ahead!

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight. It's already time for Daylight Savings and I can't wait for that extra hour of daylight!! Spring is FINALLY coming! (even though we're supposed to get some snow this week - but we won't talk about that)

Sewing 101

Here she is in all her glory - my fabulous sewing machine (thanks again, Jordan!). Everyone was oogling over her in my Sewing 101 class that I took on Tuesday evening at Joann Fabrics. I didn't know the difference. But she gets the job done. I'm sure I'll come to appreciate her more as I learn what she can really do.



So far I've only made a couple pillows. There was no official project for our class, we were just told to play around and try sewing seams. But Grandma Marge had some of us granddaughters sew some pillows one year long ago for our moms for Mother's Day, and I remembered the basic gist of it. So this was the final product.



I've heard Walmart has cheap patterns, and this weekend Joann's is having a sale on some of their patterns. So I think I'll pick up a few "easy" ones and see what I can come up with. I might also just sign up for Sewing 201 and get a little more experience. This could be fun!!

Winter Wonderland.............AGAIN!!

Just after noon today I glanced out my window at work and it was snowing like crazy! And I mean CRAZY! Almost a white out. Yes, it had been in the forecast, but really, it seems like they've been forecasting snowstorms all winter where we only end up getting a dusting. So I wasn't really believing them.


I left work early and had to wait while two buses passed me by that were absolutely packed with people. About an hour and a half later (which was much better than I expected) I finally made it home and decided to start shoveling out the driveway, just to get a head start since it was still snowing. Anna, Steph and I all grabbed a shovel and got the job done in no time at all - there was probably four inches on the ground.

So I came in, had a little supper, and then headed off to the gym. And hour later I get home and the driveway is completely covered again, and it's still snowing and blowing like crazy! What a day! Just yesterday our driveway had no snow in it and the roads were all dry.

Is it just me or does it seem like this winter will never end? That's okay though because Anna and are I planning a little sunny beach vacation getaway, which is sounding better and better every day! I think maybe I'll head over to Orbitz.com now and check out ticket prices. Myrtle Beach, here we come!!

It's almost February and I still haven't posted any pictures from my Christmas vacation at home. But rather than posting a hundred pictures, I'll just link you to my facebook photo album. Sorry to those of you who are already my friend on facebook and have seen these already - it's nothing new. And I guess that would just leave Jill. (time to get a facebook account already!)

I do have to say I got some great gifts this year. My family is awesome!! My first big surprise (well, I kinda guessed it) was a new hunting rifle. I guess the boys are sick of me begging to use their guns for deer season. Here she is in all her glory, my new Savage .243!!!


Another gift that I'm super excited about is this:

A sewing machine!!! And, yes, it's still in the box. A couple months before Christmas I just thought, "ya know, I'm pushing 30, it's high time I learn to sew." So I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas. I think some people thought it was a joke. My brother Jordan is the one who gave it to me, laughing all the way! But the joke's on him. I'm signing up for Sewing 101 at Joann's and will be sewing him everything I can think of. Aprons, sweatpants.......well, that's all I can think of for now. And who knows, maybe I'll get so good, I'll run Naphtali right out of business! Ya right!

My Mom Made Me Do It

I've had good intentions. Really. I just got back on Sunday from being home for two whole weeks. And then I had to download all my pictures from my camera to the computer. And then edit them. Plus go to work. And the gym. And the bank. And the mall. And watch my Monday night TV. Then go to work again. And Target. And bible study. And eat and sleep.

And then my mom gets all up in my business about not posting something new on my blog. Like I just have all day to sit around and think about blogging.

So here it is, mother dearest, a new blog post. And a picture of Jace. Just like you asked. And if you could see me, I'm smiling while obeying!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Traditions

One of my favorite things about being home for Christmas is the annual alumni hockey game. It's so fun to see all the "old" guys back in their uniforms and having fun on the rink. Here's a few shots after the game tonight.

Darby & Jordan


Block Cousins: Brent, Darby, Derek, Jordan, Jason, Keith


just hanging out


the whole group