On the road again.

The car is packed..FULL. The temporary lodging is...EMPTY.
Thank HEAVENS!
Do not get me wrong, I have enjoyed our time in Virginia, however, I have not enjoyed living in a crap-hole. We returned home from our Honeymoon as Newlyweds and came straight to the Ramada in Petersburg, Virginia. Doesn't that just sound like the life?!? A LONG 15 days later we moved into our small little 2 room/galley bath/galley kitchen apartment.

Friday morning, Greg graduates from BOLC III and we're off to NC to celebrate Thanksgiving. Next stop for him will be Airborne School to jump out of Airplanes and I am going to stay in our hometown to get everything ready for our big move...which is A MONTH AWAY!!!

Since this blog is about documenting our lives together & our Army Adventures...here's a little recap of our time spent in Viginia:

-Moved into here on Aug. 15th after 2 dreadful weeks in the nastiest Ramada ever.


-Cooked A LOT to pass the time.


-Went to Busch Gardens, for free.



-Discovered Short Pump Towne Center in Richmond & shopped at my very 1st H&M...I'm a believer!

-Spent the day at Virginia Beach & got burnt like a lobster.



-Ate at the Cheesecake Factory for the very 1st time & now believe when I'm on my death-bed I will plead for a slice of Craig's Crazy Carrot Cheesecake.

-Went to Williamsburg and got zero pictures!

-Went home to welcome these guys into the world {which I cannot wait to get my hands on again}



-Had my parents up for a visit.

-Worked out like madness & threw my body for a loop...long, extensive story.


-Visited Washington DC for the weekend with the in-laws and walked my poor little feet off.


-Discoverd that being healthy & having a family with Greg is my #1 priority right now..even if I can't fit into my skinny jeans. He loves me. The end.

-Fell back in love with Monopoly...best.game.ever.of.all.time. You never get too old for it, trust me.

-Met some pretty great friends & had some hilarious moments. Thank you Zach & Scott. :) {see, you're famous now}

-Celebrated Greg's 28th Birthday.

-Lived together for the very 1st time...it has been interesting to say the least. ;)

-Attended the General's Reception & I got to purchase a new dress {well, 2 actually. Hey, a girl's gotta have options}


-Fell in love with each other more & more every.single.day. Greg, baby, I am SO proud of you. I hope you know that there is not a single day that I do not thank God for giving you to me.


See ya later Ft. Lee...we shall see you again in a few years for Captains Career Course, Lord-willing.

giddy girl!

So, I posted a while back about some wedding pic teasers that we got, but we JUST now got our wedding slideshow back and I could not be happier! Every little detail about our wedding was so PERFECT & a true reflection of our personalities!! Our photograher, Maggie Flynn of Blue Ridge Photography is amazing...see for yourself!

Click Here!

randomness.

Today will be random.

-I've been going through a "rough spell" lately. I'm not quite sure if it's the fact that I have been living in a different state for 4 months now & haven't had any visits from my lifelong friends or the fact that I'm moving to Alaska the week after Christmas. I'm not sure. The only people thus far who have came to visit are our parents (which was awesome) but really makes me question how strong my friendships really are. I have one friend who literally never calls, never texts, never anything. And if she does, it's to tell me something about her life. In the last 3 months, she has NEVER asked how Greg and I are doing. This disturbs me...a lot.

-We attended a General's Reception here at Ft. Lee this past Friday. Greg and I actually had A LOT of fun! We love meeting older people and hearing their stories in the military. And of course, they had fun with us because we have such an interesting move coming up! I'm living here in Virginia with only a suitcase full of things because the rest of our items are in storage. When Greg told me about the reception on MONDAY I immediately knew I had nothing worthy of wearing...so off shopping I went. I love the little dress I wore and it will be a great addition to my wardrobe.

My husband is handsome.


-I am extremely excited & a tad-bit nervous for my husband to attend Airborne Training in 2 weeks.

-Greg's parents came up & took us to DC for the weekend a while ago & I never posted about it. But here's a few pics...we had a GREAT time & saw so many sights! Needless to say, my little feet were HURTING by the time we got home!




-Completely opposite my first thought, but I'm ready to get to Alaska & get SETTLED IN! I'm ready to have a home, start Newlywed life, make NEW girlfriends, and get involved in a church. Army Temporary Lodging has for sure made it's mark on me. I'm OVER it. Peacing out of here in 8 days. Thank the good LORD!

-Greg and I are going through a moment together right now (to be left unspoken) that no doubt is drawing us closer to one another and Christ. We could use prayers as we seek His will for our lives.

-Hubby turned 28 at the end of September & we had a fabulous day celebrating together. Of course, he had to work, but I spent the entire day making him breakfast, lunch, & dinner..along with many surprises!



-It is POURING the rain here in Virginia and I feel like I might float away. Makes me seriously stay in my baggy sweatpants 24/7. My poor husband...

-WCU Homecoming was nothing short of a BLAST! I loved seeing all of my girlfriends and re-living our days together!




-I adore Christmas music on Pandora & Holiday drinks @ Starbucks.

-I need more warm clothes.

-I have a very special post coming up...in honor of Veteran's Day, but with a different spin on things.

-I wish my Mom would get appreciated more for all the things she does.

Christmas Wish List

First of all, thank you for all of the suggestions for my blog title! :) Greg and I are deciding on something and it will be up shortly...you guys are fabulous!

For this Christmas, Greg and I are really trying to get each other/family members items that they really want or need. You know you always get those presents that you have no clue what to do with..well, we wanted to change that! Soooo, we're creating a list for each other (and family) to shop off of! Especially since we will be u-hauling our stuff across the country immediately following Christmas, we really wanted to have items that we seriously wanted or needed. Without further adue, here's my list :)...

This Griddle from Target :) We didn't get one from our wedding and it would make life so much easier! Plus, Greg for real wants this item...like bad!


Not only is this movie hilarious, but it takes place in Alaska! :)


This was on our wedding registry at Target and we didn't get it..but I still have hope for this little thing! If you're like me, you HATE the way your hands smell after cutting onions...here's the perfect fix! I have no idea if this works well or not, but it seems like a good idea. haha :)


L.O.V.E these serving bowls. They were on our Registry at BB&B and we didn't get any, however, they have similar ones at Ross & TJMaxx for hardly nothing! I love how clean they look!


How adorable is this Vest from NY&Co? I want. very badly...


North Face Boots...NEED!! They have this pair at Marshalls for like 1/2 the price!


North Face Hat...NEED! :) You can't tell, but this one has ear flaps and is well, perfect! They also have a similar white one at Dicks Sporting Goods with ear flaps..I love that one too :)


The North Face Greenland Jacket. This is a huge, huge, huge NEED! I can't decide if I want the Pink Girl's XL or the White Women's Size. Most of my North Face gear {which I have excessive amounts of} is children's sizes simply because of the price difference...but I just can't decide if I want white or pink?!? Either way, this coat is perfection for me.


Longchamp's Tan Purse. Especially with short handles...it makes me melt.


Seasons 1&2 of Army Wives. I would classify this as a Need :)


A plaid scarf...like this one from F21!


I love mustard colored anything..including these flats from Target!


I'm moving to Alaska..helloooo, I NEED some warm house slippers :) These are from Target, but I love all the furry knock-off Uggs.


A long stripped cardigan like this one from AE. Lo from The Hills was actually caught wearing this one in Navy Blue.


Any plaid button-up from AE! And they are on clearance this week! I'll be doing good if I can stand not going to get one for myself & Greg. He LOVES them too!! I told ya it was going to be our "new style"..haha :)


Because it just doesn't get any better than this...VS PINK Army Hoodie & Boyfriend Pants.



And this is totally random..but I REALLY want this book! Their story is just the sweetest!


Ok, Sorry for the boring randomness, but my family and husband read this blog so it was the best place to put up a Wish List! :) I hope everyone is having a fabulous Wednesday!

Help!

Ok girls, I need a new name! "Mr. & Mrs. in Training" just isn't cutting it anymore. I mean, for instance, I started this blog when my husband (then fiance) went away to Officer Training. Well, he's done..he's trained! And I was in training to become a wife. Now, in no way do I think I am an expert in this matter, but I've been a Mrs. for 3 months now and the name just.doesn't.fit.

So this is where you all come in....
I need a blog title! You guys know a little bit about me so I figured I would see if you guys could think of anything creative. Some of y'alls blogs out there are the most creative things I've ever seen!! Throw me anything you got...and there just might be a prize for the reader who can help me! :) Thanks girls! xoxo

Cream-Cheese Filled Pumpkin Muffins

I recently fell in L.O.V.E with the Pumpkin Muffins at Starbucks {easy on the eyes & tummy...not so much on the waistline}. Anyways, I found this recipe online & gave it a try! These bad boys turned out DELISH..I literally had to stash one away for Greg to try on Friday and I made them on Thursday night! Needless to say, they went fast with my family!

Ingredients {makes 24...I had to make 2 batches of 12}
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 pinch cardamom (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups pumpkin
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• chopped pumpkin seeds (optional) or walnuts (optional) or pecans (optional)


Directions
-Preheat oven to 350.
-Put the entire brick of cream cheese on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper and shape it into a long log.
-Put it in the freezer while you mix and fill the pans, up to an hour.
-Unwrap and cut with a sharp knife so each cream cheese disk equals 1-2 teaspoons. If the cream cheese disks are too big around, cut thick slices and then cut them in half. This lets you push it down into the batter easier.
-Mix all ingredients together (except cream cheese and nuts).
-Fill muffin tins (greased or paper cups) half full.
-Put cream cheese disc in the middle, pressing down.
-Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the muffin part (do not touch the cream cheese!).
Let cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely. Do not touch the cream cheese until it cools.



Sidenotes: I love cream cheese anything, but not everyone does! I made a batch without the cream cheese middle for my brother & sis-in-law and they were equally as great! Since I do love the cream cheese filling, next time I make these I'm thinking about rolling the cream cheese in powerded suger before slicing. It was a bit "tart" with just cream cheese...but maybe that was just me. :)
Enjoy!

I melt.

These pictures only solidify the fact that my husband is a gift from GOD into my life and I cannot absolutely wait to start a family of our own.


I spent this past week at home with my family, away from husband. I missed him dearly, but I had so much fun taking care of my sweet nephews! Because of the flu, no one under 18 was allowed in the hospital so Big Brother Landon had to stay at home while his Mommy & Daddy were at the hospital welcoming the twins into this world. I spent the days and nights with him at their house.

Then, on Thursday evening, the little twins were ready to come home. :) I continued to stay over night and help out with the twins. Let's just say, I'm running off hardly any sleep, but it was so worth it! And now, I feel very prepared for a little one to call our own! Greg came down to NC to get me this past Friday and spent the weekend with me, meeting Jackson & Alex. I'm pretty sure they stole his heart too.. :)



So now I'm back in Virginia with the Hubs and it feels great to wake up to him everyday again. We only have 4 more weeks left here in VA until it's off to Airborne School for Greg and off to NC to pack for me! Big, BIG move right after Christmas! Man, time is flying! I also tried out some great recipes this past week and will be posting them! They were delish!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!