sunshine & turquoise.

67 degrees today in Alaska...we'll take it!

Brigade Ball was a good time.  I love seeing my husband all dressed up! Enjoy a couple of pics:

{don't hate on the screen door...you know you're loving it}

On Saturdays, Greg and I have been little worker bees trying to make this house a "home".  Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed of having my own "area" in the house..a dressing room!  Complete with a vanity, tons of girly vintage glam decor, and even a mannequin wearing my wedding dress.  Hey, a girl can dream right?!?  Well, our house isn't big enough for that yet...our 2 spare rooms are being used as an office/craft room and guest room.  We do have a little nook at the top of our stairs and I just knew it would be perfect for a vanity area!  I absolutely CANNOT stand up to put on my makeup and dry my hair.  You can go right ahead and call me spoiled, a diva, whatever...doesn't bother me! :)
We went to Fred Meyers [one of the ONLY places to shop here] and found a fairly decent desk and random chair.  For some, that would have been ok..but for me, I wanted to personalize it! In turquoise...my fav. accent color & new chair fabric!  Here are a few before & after pics..

This is before...minus the chair cover. I had already gotten to that!

 and after...

I have jewelry overload so we made this cute necklace & earring holder out of plywood, fabric, and cabinet knobs/pulls. 

 And I had no probem filling it! 

all decorated!

This past weekend Greg and I built a privacy fence in our backyard.  One would think that a privacy fence would be a normal thing that came with a row house..but apparently not in AK!  Our neighbors have about a million kids that are SUPER loud, annoying, and constantly running right at our windows!  And I'm a big fan of sitting outside every night after work..so privacy was much needed!  Thank goodness I married a handy-man & I'm becoming quite the fan of powertools myself! Here's a few pics of that project:

Next up on our agenda: GARDEN! :)  I never thought I would enjoy such "wife" things, but I'm really having a blast!  Now, the real question is...should I paint the fence a pale yellow or leave it au natural?!?  Hope everyone is having a great week!

la.la.la.

In bullets because that's how I roll today.

• I ordered this dress for the brigade ball next Friday. It.is.gorgeous on and cannot wait to see it all hemmed up and looking pretty!  I really wanted a colored dress this time, ya'll saw my last dress for the OCS Formal and it was black too, but I just couldn't pass this one up!  Something about black makes me feel extra classy! :)  Pics to come of that event!

Kinda reminds you of this, no?!?

• I have been subbing at the elementary school on post in Pre-K and L.O.V.I.N.G. IT!  I am soooo excited to have found an age group that I enjoy working with and I'm 100% sure this is what I wanna do with my life!  The morning session is Intensive Resource kids (most are autistic or DS) and the afternoon is just regular Pre-K.  They are all so, so precious!  I leave my heart in each of their backpacks (not bookbags Ms. Shannon, as I was told by one of my students) when they walk out the door each afternoon!  The lead Pre-K teacher liked me so much, she called me personally to ask if I could come back again the next day! Then, as I was leaving today, we had a little convo about my intentions..she asked if I was seeking full-time employment and to def. put her down as a reference and she would keep her eyes and ears open for me!  I think she really wants me at her school!  I am just sooo excited about the direction I am in!  It might seem kinda crazy since I have a Business Bachelors degree, but I was just not happy sitting in an office all day!  My heart is happy working with kids! :)
• Speaking of working at an elementary school on post...why must my husband's rank be the first question people ask me??  It's happened at least 27 times this week.  Absolutely ridiculous.  I do NOT wear my husbands rank on my sleeve..or my purse (have you seen those things?  The ACU transformed into a pocketbook...I know you have..at least once.  In the PX. Commissary.)  Anywaysss, the most info you are getting from me is his Unit. What does that have to do with how I work with children?  Geez, crazy Army Wives, lay off.
• I really want to coach again...soon!  I miss cheer & dance sooo much!

• My oldest nephew(the one in the middle) is saying my name now & I cannot even begin tell you how amazing it is to hear it.  I could snatch him right up and kiss all over his face ...via skype of course :)

• And I dont even need to go there on how stinkin' down-right, against-the-law adorable the twins are!
• I am reallyyyyyyy missing these girls. It physically hurts...has anyone else experienced this or am I just a nut job?

P.C.

• I really want Lee to win American Idol. Such a nice kid doing something great with his life.
• My husband ROCKS..even if he gets irritated when I make him go on walks after dinner.
• It is now staying daylight till 10:30pm...Come on summertime!

time.

Am I the only one who feels like I'm going to go to sleep one night & wake up to it being December again?  Man, oh man..time.is.flying!  Recently, I've found myself counting weeks by using events we have coming up..and our calendar is full! :)  No wonder I can't keep track of the days!  We are seriously taking advantage of every opportunity we have here in Alaska & loving it!  I guess if I leave AK in 3 years with only a few recap posts on this blog that means I'm using my time wisely right?

Here's what we've been up to:

Hiking in the gorgeous interior

I shot a gun for the very 1st time!

Hosted a St. Patty's Day Party

Lots of green fun!

Decorated for SPRING!

Got a very sweet Easter surprise!

Went to an amazing church service to worship our Risen Lord!!

Cooked & Hosted a huge Easter feast to share with some "Army Family" since we couldn't be with our real family...

Neighbors & Friends: The O'Neills

Hubs & I :)

Throw in a few random get-togethers and even a fire night, plus work for the hubs & I'm getting started as being a substitute teacher for the school district here and you've got one busy couple! 

My attitude has drastically changed since my last vent/post and I am so thankful for the blessings I am receiving!  I'm such a lucky, lucky girl to be living this life!!  The month of April has many exciting things in store for Greg and I and we both can't wait!  We went to Lowe's tonight and bought items to start working on our outdoor entertaining space..the weather here is SO beautiful and staying daylight until well after 9pm!  In a few more weeks it will be close to 11pm..and countine to move later each evening!  I get so giddy thinking about all the fun we are going to have here this summer and even more giddy thinking about the great friends we get to enjoy it all with!

On another note, I started reading the book Crazy Love today and let me just say, if you haven't read it...RUN to the store to grab it up!  It is absolutely remarkable to be so humbled by our ever-present, all-knowing Creator!  Thank you God, for loving me. forever.