After having a fruitless search for a decent rental within out budget, we have decided to take a HUGE, HUGE step and buy a home. The process has been exhausting and I am never quite sure if we are making the right decisions, but the idea of having my very own home is incredibly exciting. I have learned that realtors can be complete and total douchebags who are more interested in nepotismic (ha, I made a word) pocket-lining than looking out for their clients' best interest. We spent yesterda...

We have been back in Texas for close to two weeks now, and I dream about Hawaii every night. I miss it and being back home is bittersweet but I realized the other day that it's not like I really truly can never go back. In Hawaii there was never any parking and everything was crowded. Crazy crowded. Drives were short in distance, but long on time due to constant traffic congestion. Back in Texas, everything is wide open, which feels great. There's plenty of parking and most places aren't...

My new tat: I've waited a long time for this one and I am in LOVE with it! Two blues for Xavier and Orian and pink for little miss Izzy.

Here we are in Texas again. The flight from Honolulu to Dallas was TORTURE, but overall we've had a great time. Most of the stress of moving is behind us (for now!), and we are just enjoying the company of family. Here are a few pics of the journey:

Last night in Hawaii. We cleared housing on Friday and made it out with only $70 in charges (an old mini-blind in the upstairs bathroom had a string that broke out of the blue...we actually had a maintenance order to have it replaced but they never fixed it...when I called again about it they said, "you're clearing...don't worry about it...it's normal wear and tear", haha...and we had trash in our trashcan...we tried to avoid that couldn't). Adrian spent several hours painting over the vario...

Just a heads up (in case anyone even notices, haha) that I will likely not be on for a while after today. It's my birthday so I am getting my hair cut, nails done, and eyebrows waxed so I can start looking like a human being again, haha. This is my last day with internet at this house. Our stuff gets packed up and shipped out tomorrow and then at the end of the week we'll clear housing and stay in a hotel on base for a few nights (we've also secured a room for one night at the beautiful Hale ...

Just John, I haven't seen your babies in a looong time, and I am jonesing for a triplet fix! In fact, this is a challenge to all JU...whatever is cute, mischevious, or cuddly in your home, be it human or fur-baby...I want to see it! Let's see some pics of what makes you laugh during the day and keeps you up at night!

I intended to set up an appointment to have our Explorer shipped to Texas. Move day is less than a month away, and there are lots of things that need to be done. I went to the website Adrian told me to go to, but something seemed off: I was only off by one letter, but wow! It's amazing the services you can find on a vehicle shipment website. Haha.

I am sleeeeeeeepy! We were up until 2 am last night, baking, cleaning, helping Santa. Our Christmas has been great. A lot more low-key this year, but it seems like when there's too many presents and toys, the kids appreciate them and play with them less. Last night, on Christmas Eve, I went to the mailbox to find a package from one of my friends in California. She has started making stuffed animals called "Crazy Curious Creatures" and they are the most adorable things ever. She makes a...

Mothers are often viewed as matronly and kind of asexual. The new excitement about MILFs notwithstanding, it seems like men have often taken a hands-off approach to pregnant women. Some men are turned off by the possibility that they may "hurt the baby" (what with their massive, cervix destroying penises, haha) while others somehow imagine that the baby "knows" and can see daddy's willy aiming at him during sexual activities. Other men want to view mothers-to-be as sacred and pure and untouc...

Ok, I'm not a "super lady"...that was a Simpsons quote. If you haven't seen their 10th wedding anniversary episode, you should do that right away. After you finish reading this, of course. Yesterday marked 10 years since the day Adrian and I married. So much has changed since then, but we still love each other still want to be married (to each other, haha) so I guess our first decade together is worth celebrating. Adrian took the boys to school and woke me by sticking a dozen roses in m...

Our last Christmas in Hawaii. We fly out at the end of January. Back to Texas. I'm sad but also excited. Texas is home to us. And all our family is there. I am nervous about the move and how things will be at Adrian's new duty station. I am nervous about getting housing and about getting all our stuff shipped. What our budget will be like. What Adrian's work will be like. I have a million questions that can't be answered until we get there. I am supposed to be working on a gara...

Isabella turned one on Thursday. With Adrian gone it felt like the year just crawled by, but in retrospect it feels like it went by pretty quickly. Even though she is still a baby, Isabella's turning one makes me sad. I'm sad that her first precious year is over. She went from a tiny little 8 lb, 7.5 oz little newborn who ate and slept and depended on me for her every need to this big, rambunctious toddler who rocks her babies and likes to make fart sounds with her mouth. She is really spec...