thanksgiving!

i hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving!

j and i hosted lunch at our house.

we really enjoyed our company and the food was delicious!

BINGO!

What better way to spend a Saturday evening than playing some BINGO with friends and family?

Oh yes, trying and buying popcorn to be consumed at BINGO before hand. And, going on a mini shopping excursion to the local dollar store.

After an exciting night at BINGO, where Kristen won 118 dollars, Mom, Mel and I had a late, late dinner at Denny's.

PERFECT.

xoxo,
Heather

A Gift of Flowers..

I got a lovely gift of flowers from my best friend today. Aren't they so happy and cheery? I love them!

xoxo,
Heather

Reflections of this day..

Today was pretty eventful.

The squadron summer picnic was today and we said good-bye to some wonderful people. It definitely hit close to home for me. I was fighting back tears, knowing in a very short time, we will be saying our good-byes. The closer we get to leaving day, I get a little more sad. I know that it's a part of the life Jason and I have chosen, but it is still hard to do the things being a part of the military requires of you. I do know that for the next year, I am really going to miss being in a place where I am surrounded by our Air Force family. I am very nervous and anxious about going back to a place that hasn't been my home in a while. Though I love it, I have changed, and I am a different person than I used to be. And, I am afraid I don't 'fit,' anymore.

I have gotten so used to certain things, it is definitely going to take some getting used to not having those things. I also know, though, my moving to Texas will bring me nearer to wonderful friends and family, that will be there for me this year. And, many of those people have already been such a help and blessing.


I also have tons to look forward to this year.


Jason and I are planning a trip to Ireland during his mid-tour.

I am going to go back to work! Yay!

Quality time with friends and family.

Women of Faith conference.

And, I am really excited to move into and decorate a new house.

I am very thankful that I have a wonderful husband that is supportive and that helps me make decisions that are best for our family. Even when we are apart, we know that God knows what he is doing and we trust in that and in Him. We know He will take care of us. Please pray for each of us in the next few weeks to have the strength to say good-byes and for everything to go smoothly with our transition and move. And, pray for each of us in the next year.

Be watching your mail, as well. We sent out moving announcements with our new contact information. Let us know if you need that and for some reason, your announcement doesn't get to ya.

xoxo,
Heather

Sundaes and Sundays.

Friday night was the last Spouses' group get together for myself and Natalie. We had everyone over to Jason and I's house (for a little while longer, anyway), and I baked some little box cupcakes (I know, gasp! I am trying to get rid of some of this stuff, though. I haven't baked from a box in probably 2 years!) and made some almond tea to sip on. When the girls arrived, we played a little Scattergories, which made for lots of laughs and then made sundaes. It was so nice to relax and be kids for a little while! I am really going to miss this wonderful group of ladies. It took a while to get to know everyone and now that I have, I get sad thinking of leaving. I know that it is better to have met people so wonderful that you are sad to leave, instead of not. I feel blessed to have made some really sweet friends.

Jason's Mom, Donna, came in Friday, during the wee hours to spend the weekend with us.

Jason and I had a little moving sale this weekend. We planned to have a two-day sale. We advertised in the Post online and in print. We made about a hundred dollars the first day, and decided to donate what all was left. I don't like sitting around waiting, it drives me crazy (which explains so much!) I am sure, since I haven't gone through the office yet, there will be much more to go. I have been holding on to too much stuff and I don't want it moving to our next base or cluttering my small, but very cute home for the next year, either. :)

So, instead, on Sunday, we got to go to church and spend the day at IKEA, buying things for my new place. We also ate at the little cafe there. I enjoyed the Swedish meatballs. I think I will write a separate post about my buys. ;)

xoxo,
Heather

North Beach, Maryland.

This morning, Chris and I met Natalie for breakfast in North Beach. I got up way earlier than I normally do, but I told them I would do it for them, because I love them. :)

After breakfast, which was delicious, we browsed the little boutiques and shops in North Beach. We tried on some dresses and found some blossoming teas.

Then, we headed back home to pack for NYC!

Dinner was quick, easy and delicious. Nachos! Yum!

xoxo,
Heather

View of DC streets from the second floor of H&M.

It didn't rain today! Chris and I got our day out. :)

We made the most of a nice day, by walking the streets of DC and shopping!

H&M and Filene's Basement were our destinations of choice. I have been trying to find some skinny jeans for a while, to go with my booties. I found some studded Kensie skinny jeans, that are perfect. And, I also found a great pair of Juicy jeans with heart pockets that are perfect for rolling up for the summer. And, in true 'Heather fashion,' I got a steal on them both!

We had some chili across from Filene's at Corner Bakery. We ordered our chili with onions. I didn't think anything of it, until the server brought our chili and asked, 'are you from Texas?' I said, 'yes, how did you know?' He replied, 'you ordered your chili with onions.' It made me think about how things you have done all your life seem so normal until you visit/move somewhere else and those things aren't the norm. I was impressed he pinpointed us, though. I will always be a Texan, through and through.

We decided we had done enough damage to our wallets, so we headed back toward the house, where Chris made us a yummy taco dinner that we enjoyed with sangria. :)

xoxo,
Heather

Chris and I got up this morning and got all cute and ready to go downtown. The weather said it was only going to be a light rain. Well, the weatherman was WRONG! By the time we got about a mile from the Metro station, it was POURING! So, we called Jason and asked him if he could give Chris a tour of the newly renovated terminal on base. They just got new floors and a USO lounge, that J was a big part of. So, we are pretty proud. :)

Afterward, Chris and I went to pick up a few little things for dinner at the Commissary.

We wanted to do a light fare for dinner, citrus-sage chicken with fruit, veggies, brie and crackers and a bottle of wine from our winery tours. :) Perhaps the best meal, EVER. Okay, maybe not ever, but any meal with brie is on the top of my list!

xoxo,
Heather

Flowers we bought at Eastern Market for Natalie.

Little Popsicle stick house Anna and I made.

Last night, as Jason and I were in bed, talking about future planes and a PCS, I heard yelling outside.

We live only a street over from a main road in the small city we live in, so it is normal to hear firetrucks and ambulances. However, last night, after hearing the yelling, I heard sirens much louder than normal.

We ran downstairs and stood on our lawn to try to see what was going on, only to see the street parallel to ours was lined with firetrucks and cop cars. On our side of the street, there are only 3 to 4 houses, including ours, so we could clearly see the commotion. Jason and I walked down to the corner lot on our street and watched firefighters in and out of a house on the opposite street.

We found out later that a neighbor's house had caught fire and that the lady who lived there couldn't locate her young daughter to get her out. Sadly, when the little girl was found, she was no longer alive.

If you would, just say a prayer for this family. Thank you.

We went down to Eastern Market this morning, before heading to Joe and Natalie's for a cook-out. Most of today was spent with friends, just relaxing and it was wonderful. :)

xoxo,
Heather

This gorgeous Spring day was spent touring Virginia Wineries.

Our adventure actually started last night, when our plumbing was acting up and we were forced to stay in a hotel, so we could get showers. So, we found a hotel close to the first winery we wanted to visit and got a good night's rest. :)

We tasted and toured about 6 wineries and bought a few bottles of wine and just enjoyed the gorgeous day.

We visited our first Wegman's and bought lunch at their deli area that has all kinds of already made foods. I chose an Indian fare, Chris had a salad and fresh fruits and veggies and Jason had a little of everything. :)

At our last winery of the day, we bought a bottle of wine and enjoyed it, along with a fruit and cheese tray outside on their patio overlooking the beautiful Virginia countryside.

I hope your day was just as pleasant. :)

xoxo,
Heather

This morning Tori went back to Texas. :( I was sad to see my friend go, but our fun times couldn't last forever.

Chris and I relaxed and recovered for most of the morning. After lunchtime, we decided we felt good enough to head over to the Pentagon City Mall. We shopped around for a while. I got a very me infinity scarf from The Limited. It is bright yellow, pink, orange and white. AND, soft! I also got a 2 3/4 sweaters and a hot pink tank at XXI.

Chris also had a surprise for me. Her birthday gift to me was the Kate Spade iPhone case I had been wanting, but the Apple store in Annapolis was always out of. Yay!

After having lunch at Johnny Rockets', we headed home.

We were surprised that Jason beat us home! He was prepping dinner and had big plans in store for the evening. He grilled some steak and veggies on the grill, I made mint sweet tea and we enjoyed our delicious dinner outside. Dessert? Grilled peaches and sorbet. Yum!

Life is good.

xoxo,
Heather

Today, we took a little trip downtown. We hung out and took pictures in front of the Capitol, then walked down to the Washington Monument. Our next stop? The Lincoln.

After our lovely, short day downtown, we went to the house to unwind and relax before heading down to Murphy's Irish Pub to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. A few hours and a few too many drinks later (for myself, at least) we left. And, I spent a very unpleasant night remembering how much I drank. I'll just say, my friends are the best. ;)

xoxo,
Heather

My 24th Year.

Today, I am 24.

We woke up this morning and had breakfast at Blue Moon Diner in Baltimore for my birthday breakfast of their famous Captain Crunch french toast. I am not sure I have had a better breakfast, EVER. Except for the breakfasts my Dad used to make. :)

After breakfast, Tori, Jason and I drove over to the airport to pick up Chris! Jason took a nap in the little lounge area, while Tori and I sat in rocking chairs in the sun to be warm and watch the planes fly in and out. It was nice to relax for a little while.

We met Chris at baggage claim and came back home to relax until my birthday tea party at Joe and Natalie's.

We got all dolled up for the tea party and headed to Joe and Natalie's. My words can't describe how special and wonderful it was to have friends do so much for me on my day. I am so blessed and loved.

xoxo,
Heather

Yesterday was exhausting, so today was spent mostly chatting on the couch in our pjs. It turned out for the best, because we were able to see the president land and stand out on the flight line where the media stands.

After that excitement (and very windy, COLD weather), we took a little trip over to Marshall's and enjoyed a coffee from Starbucks as we browsed. I ended up finding my swimsuit for this summer! It is adorable. Unfortunately, I cannot find a picture that exhibits its cuteness. I will explain as well as I can. It is a one piece, halter swimsuit with a teeny little ruffle-skirt thing above the leg. It is a zebra print, but not a bold one, more like a smaller stripe type with brown and white stripes. And, the top's halter portion is accented by orange stitching. Okay, so it doesn't sound cute at all. I will have to take a photo and post it later. :)

The swimsuit.

Tori cooked a jalapeno tilapia over pasta for us. WONDERFUL. I must get her recipe. :)

xoxo,
Heather

Tori and I spent today baking.

Hummingbird cupcakes and Doubletree chocolate chip cookie dough.

We all got ready and enjoyed dinner at Delia's Mediterranean restaurant and saw Remember Me in Alexandria.

I recommend the movie. The ending will likely surprise you, and it's nice to have that now and again.

xoxo,
Heather

This morning when Tori and I got up, we made some homemade granola for snacking on while she is here. It was so easy and fun! I don't have the recipe, but I will try to get it and post it later.

After doing that, we got ready to go to my doctor's appointment that was scheduled for 2. Before I picked out shoes to go with my outfit, the UPS man came bearing gifts. Gifts being my new shoes! Interestingly enough, they matched my outfit perfectly, so I got to wear them.

When we arrived to my appointment, I was informed I didn't have an appointment. I knew that the people in the scheduling office messed up, but they were very rude to me and tried to make me feel like it was my fault. Long story short, Jason had to leave work, go home, get the paper off the refrigerator with all the information that THEY wrote. As soon as he arrived, paper in hand, they were very quick to tell Jason 'their system went down and must have lost my information.' Riiiight. So, why didn't you just make life easier and tell me that? Oh, probably because it was a lie! Anyway, I got seen and so all is well that ends well, I guess.

After our very eventful afternoon, we did a little shopping at Ross, where I finally found the dress I wanted to wear to my birthday tea party. And, Michael's, to buy our tea party hat decorating supplies. We had planned on visiting Marshall's as well, but we didn't quite make it there, as our time was cut into by the appointment dilemma.

We met Jason at the house and ate a very quick dinner, Paula Deen's enchiladas from one of her cook once, eat twice recipes. Delicious, by the way! And, we went to watch Jason's volleyball game, since he is playing on the squadron volleyball team this season. Tori got to meet some of our friends and have a fun little night out, watching the team kick some tail!

xoxo,
Heather

Tori's Here!

Tori is here!

I hopped out of bed this morning, because my friend came today!

I went and picked Jason up at work, and we drove to Baltimore to pick her up. After picking her up, the three of us had lunch at a really yummy Italian restaurant called Remomo. Tori and I each got personal sized pizzas with just a thin enough crust and cheese for a nice lunch. We had many laughs about stories of my family and silly things. :) It was wonderful!

After lunch, Jason dropped us off at the Metro station to head downtown. The original plan was to see the Washington Monument and a couple of other little touristy things, but we decided instead to go to H&M, so Tori could have her first H&M experience. :) I bought some plum colored thick tights for keeping my legs warm in NYC, in case it is still chilly when we go. And, a thick black belt for dresses and skirts.

After H&M, we felt that since it was such a gorgeous day, we should just walk around downtown and enjoy the day. In the process, we found Filene's Basement. We had fun trying on dresses, even though neither of us bought one. I fell in love with these shoes. Unfortunately, they did not have my size. :( I am still searching online, hoping to find them. After Filene's we walked to the nearest Metro station to see Union Station. Of course, while there, Tori had to try my favorite pastry/lunch spot in the city, Au Bon Pain.

After having our treats, a chocolate dipped coconut macaroon for me and a chocolate-cherry tulip for Tori, we got back on the Metro to meet Jason and head to the house.

We got Tori all settled in and then started dinner. We had Sichuan chicken with stir-fry veggies and wine. And, lots more catching up and stories made for an amazing evening.

xoxo,
Heather