Friday Date Night

Who says I can't have date night? There are some upsides to being the only adult in my house.
Firstly being that I have ultimate control over what movies to watch. Tonight Wives and Daughter's (Thank you Anna!). Oh how I love it already! Beings how it is a miniseries I will get a few nights worth of this little gem. I am beginning to firmly believe that BBC is master of the mini series universe.
Secondly, when there is a fabulous pudding pie dessert in my fridge and I do not need to share it with anybody.

Downsides?? Well at face value it looks as though there can be none. Except for the fact that I may have taken too big of a slice. Normally a certain someone, who also shares my affinity towards chocolate, would have kindly shared the spoils. That pie is (was) rich and now my tummy is feeling it.
.

I am thinking I simply MUST start watching the second episode. Upside to watching BBC miniseries?? Having your inner dialogue take on an English accent.... then having that dialogue transfer while you are typing... so please read this with an English accent. Thank you kind sir!

.

I have a feeling that I may become a blogging maniac for a while (come on like, like I wasn't already...). Well maybe just become a BIG time maniac. Happy Date night everyone!!

Lovely Gifts...

I was visiting with Marcus grandparents (Richard and Virginia) and they sent me home with some very lovely gifts. Candy for Olivia... who might have already sneaked into the bag and devoured every last one like she had never seen sugar before!
.
They also gave me this flag, or to be more specific The Blue Star Service Banner. They are members of the American Legion (Richard being retired from the Army, Virginia retired from being a military wife) so they sent me home with a very official looking packet that contained all sorts of yummy information.
.
Now this may be common knowledge to all you folk, but this here lady is still new to the whole being an American citizen thing. Read more about that HERE
.
Here is an official description:
.
A Blue Star Service Banner displayed in the window of a home is an American Tradition. This banner lets others know someone in the home is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces including the National Guard and Reserves of all military departments. As Americans do their best to support the ongoing war on terror, the Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us that war touches every neighborhood in our land.
.
Richard and Virginia have a two star banner in their window because two of their grandsons are serving in the military.
.
There is so much basic stuff about living in this country that I am still learning on an almost daily basis, including and not limited to the correct way to pronounce certain words. I am so grateful for those that help me along the way in this! I am proud as heck of my love and the sacrifices he {we} are making for our country and for our family so I am also proudly rockin' this flag by my front door.
.
There is so much to this new way of life that I am learning about... I fully expect on making a fool of myself on many an occasion. Anybody watch Army Wives? I may be pulling a few "Roxy LeBlanc" moves in the near future ;)

ATTENTION: part Deux

Got another little golden nugget for the family reading these pages. For further, further light and knowledge about magical road trip (in pictorial form) please go HERE

I was tempted not to direct you there as the pictures of me are really.... special... but beings how I have already embarrassed myself in every way possible on this blog already, have at 'er!

So go to look at pictures of my babies... or her babies... or my crazy face... as long as you JUST GO!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it...

Olivia got this really rad shirt from her Nana. It is "My Daddy's shirt... him an awmy guy."

It was morning time, we needed some distractions...

So we robustly began OPERATION TAKE PICTURES TO SEND TO DADDY.

It didn't work out so hot.

Konks either wanted to A) Pitch herself off the chair... B) Eat the camera.... or C) wrestle her sister into submission.

The one time that I got Olivia to hold Bianca still lasted for all of five seconds. Shortly after this picture Bianca had flipped around on Liv's back and started pulling her hair. Oh well. It's our life and it is real. I'm sure he will like these better than some posed shots where the girls have deer in the headlights looks on their faces.

Best part of my day....

Well I guess I should say the second best part, because the best parts are when I am getting laughs out of my girls. That is, when they aren't teething, or grumpy, or throwing tantrums...
Me and the oldest take a little stroll down our lane.

Walk across the road to the mailbox.

And find this waiting there for me!

.

I am really {trying to} embrace all aspects of this separation. One thing that I have loved is the correspondence we are able to have through letters. It has been so wonderful, to get to know your beloved in a different way like this. My letters to him are QUITE a lot longer than the ones he sends to me. Not for his lack of writing though. I write like how I talk. Anyone who has ever had a conversation with me can imagine what that would look like in letter form.... let's just say they become a rather hefty envelope once I mail it off.

.

So far, Marcus has been experiencing the following:

Death by PowerPoint

Victory Tower

Gas Chamber

PT Assessments (Physical Training)

Lack of Sleep

M16's issued

Marching

Standing in Line

Day/Night Land Navigation

Sprained Ankle

Missing his Girls

.

His ankle wasn't hurt too bad (or so he tells me) and hasn't interfered much with his training. I haven't been able to talk to him on the phone since Thursday of last week, and I don't expect to get to for a LONG time. His voice sounded really upbeat, even though I could tell he was tired. I can sense already how this is changing him... in a positive way.

.

Olivia is doing awesome. We talk about him a lot and at least twice daily watch the "Daddy Movies" that we made before he left. Him reading stories, singing songs, talking to the girls. Olivia thinks they are skype or interactive. She talks back, laughs, sings along, corrects if he says something silly. I'm so glad we made them, they help SO much!!

.

Estrogen Fest is in high gear. Last night's movie selection? Lady Jane with Helena Bonham Carter. Anyone got any good chick flick or miniseries recommendations?

Sometimes a girlz got to let it ALL hang out.

Konks is partial to the "stick my bum as high in the air as possible" sleeping position.

I guess she wasn't getting enough fresh air down there, so she took matters into her own hands. Mmmmm, so fresh and breezy!

.

This morning we escaped to the amusement park of Shopping Carts with Cars Attached to the Front. I only needed 5 things, but when the girls need to get out of the house... the girls need to get out of the house.

.

We went up and down every aisle. Owaya in the car part, Konks facing me in the cart part. Nearing the end of the aisle we (Owaya and I) would say "Here we go.... Three... Two... One" at which point we would turn down into the next aisle. Owaya would then exclaim "Yea! We mane (made) it!". Repeat 15 times. Is it crazy that I may have had as much fun as her?

.

Konks is a flirt. She takes her job very seriously. She had no less than 10 people completely wrapped around her pudgy little fingers by the time we were done.

.

Hooray for carts with cars attached to the fronts!
Hooray for jello pudding!

Hooray for cool whip!

Hooray for oreo pie crust!

Hooray for yummy dessert that will be in my belly tonight!

One {of the very many} highlights...

This will be my last vacay post. Most of you that know me, know this about me: I LOVE FOOD. That being said I am sure you can understand why this place was near the top of my list of most magical, delicious, near-spiritual experience favorite places.
Behold! I give unto you the beauty that is Maddox Fine Dining!

Oh my heck. Delicious. Mouth watering. Scrumptious. Indulgent. Home-cookin'. Extravaganza for the taste buds. Ooohin' and Aaahin'.
So I guess you could say I really enjoyed myself there... probably embarrassing everyone else in our group with my declarations of love for this eating establishment. Seriously... I am pretty sure everyone was embarrassed to be sitting at my table... Like for real.

At the top of the menu under "Favorites" on the right hand side you see an entree labeled "Famous Fried Chicken". Words. Cannot. Describe. It is skinless and it is fried. Chicken and grease never found a more perfect combination. Period.

And the rolls!! I mean these ROLLS! Homemade by flour that is milled by a local family run business. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. You see that little tub in the bottom of the picture... RASPBERRY BUTTER. So creamy and sweet. Perfect on those golden pillows that have been sent from heaven above.
I laughed. I cried. I got goosebumps. I squealed. I sighed.

Then I got dessert.

Fresh Strawberry Pie.

.

After which point I went into a coma in a state of euphoria.

If you ever get in remotely close proximity to the place, you must go. Your stomach and your taste buds will thank you forever. I promise. Just Google Maddox Fine Dining.