Thanks.

Today, I'm thankful for:

1. A husband that I've known and loved for more than 10 years (Married almost 5) who works hard in the USAF to support us and make a great life for his family.

2. The most beautiful, intelligent, wonderful daughter in the world. My sweet Delilah brings me joy every single day.

3. A fantastic Mom who has my Grandma shining through her more and more every day.  

4. A great dad who gives and gives and doesn't ask for anything in return.

5. A super group of friends who I can count on for support anytime.  

6. 3 amazing furbabies that give me cuddles and love.

7. A warm house, nice things, and all the comforts that I need.

8. The ability to cook a healthy and delicious meal and share that with my family.

9. A church that I'm really feeling comfortable in.

10. Last, but not least, a true relationship with God.  Without Him, nothing I mentioned above would be possible.

In light of the recent tornadoes and devastation, let's all take a minute to be thankful for what we have.  

I need to be better about updating.

Phew. 

Life is a bit crazy with Ben gone and taking care of a toddler 24/7!  My mom and Jack are amazingly helpful.  Had a long week last week...first time Delilah had a hard time teething.  Once she was feeling better, I definitely needed a break, so I went out and saw friends a couple nights and Mom, Jack, and Lilah hung out.  It's amazing how close they are.  How excited Lilah gets when they get home.  It so reminds me of me and my Grandma and Granddad.  I absolutely love it.  She's so happy here.  The only thing that would make it better is if Ben was here.  

I made this dress. She's the perfect little model.

Started doing the RedditGifts exchanges and got this shirt!

On our way to Wichita to visit Uncle Eli!

Just like she did with Daddy.

Went to my friend's baby shower.  She's such a beautiful person, inside and out.

On our way back.  She's such a good travel buddy.

Made this dress too!  May the Fourth be with you!

Another dress I made.  Getting creative with the ribbon!

Walking the dogs on the beautiful sunny Missouri days.

Walking through the woods and came out into a clearing to find a hidden pond!

Made this dress too.  Anchors ahoy!

Been having playdates with a couple friends.  Total of 7 kids running around and it's actually not hectic at all.

She loves lipstick.

This beautiful work of art is hanging up in my living room.

Playing with Grandma in the playset box.

Made this dress too. I just can't help it.  She's so adorable.

Playing cards with Grandpa and the boys.

Enjoying her new playset. 

She loves to pick me flowers.

A good picture of her new play set.  Amazing.

I've been doing a lot of artsy stuff lately too.  Having a lot of fun with it and selling a lot as well.  I have one customer who has made at least 5-6 orders through me and is planning on more next month.  I love doing it. 

Sent this to Ben.

Cheshire Cat for my redditgifts person

So baby, friends, art, family makes up my life right now.  It's a good life.  

(Oh, and hello to the people who come here to get information about me.  Hope you found what you needed!)

Meals I make and like:

I'm trying to get organized with the meal planning (because I obviously fell off the train last time).  Not doing this as a way to diet, but just get the grocery shopping and planning to all come together beautifully.  I eat healthy anyway. 

So I thought I'd list out all the meals I make and like:

Lasagna

Quesedillas

Chicken and Dumplings

Crockpot pineapple chicken

Spaghetti

Crockpot teriyaki chicken

Chicken fried rice

Fried chicken

Honey/Vanilla chicken

Burritos 

Crockpot beef and broccoli

Salmon

Crab cakes

Parmesan chicken bake

Won tons

Gumbo

Stuffed Chicken

Stuffed peppers

Pizza

Pizzadillas

Wing Sauce Crockpot Chicken sandwiches

Chili

Beans and cornbread

Double Crunch Honey Garlic chicken

Enchiladas

Manicoti

Beef Stew

Taco Soup

Kitchen Sink soup

Breakfast

Ok, that's all I can think of for now.

whoop

Menu for this week:

Monday: X

Tuesday: Breakfast

Wednesday: Stir fry

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Chicken teriyaki and egg rolls

Saturday: ?

Sunday: Meatloaf and veggies

I've had an interesting week.  Went to a funeral last Friday. Spent most of the time with Aunt Margaret and Uncle Rick. It was a trying time, of course, but the air was much different than other funerals I've attended on Ben's side of the family.  I have a feeling that there's going to be some deep conversations happening soon.  

I really enjoy hanging out with Margaret and Rick.

I've packed up Delilah's Easter basket already. Instead of filling it with crappy junk toys and loads of candy, I filled it with books, a chocolate/pear buddy pouch, and some all natural lemon treats.  She's also getting a lamb, because that's the Easter tradition.  I wish Ben was here to celebrate with us..but I'll take loads of pictures to help him feel like he was almost there.

I'm taking Delilah to a Spring celebration at church on Saturday as well.  They're having an Easter egg hunt, food, pictures with the Easter bunny, pony rides, face painting, etc...It's kind of like an open invitation to the town for some good fun.  I'm really looking forward to it!

It's really hard not having Ben here.  I'm getting used to doing things on my own, but it's wonderful that my mom helps out so much.  I don't know what I'd do without her and Jack.  They are keeping me sane, along with my amazing friends.  I just wish he was here seeing all the new things she does every single day.  Just in the last 2 weeks, she has learned how to:

*Tada

*wink (a cute blink)

*she says a slew of new words and signs including please, thank you, grandpa, love, dog, kitty, more, and a bunch more

*she barks when she sees dogs

*she can sign the word dog

and tons more. I take as many pictures and videos as I can...and send him a bunch daily.

Got some great news about Otis...he isn't a pitbull and can come to Germany with us.  I've met with some amazing trainers, and they're helping me find ways for him to not be afraid and defensive with other dogs.  I want to really get him trained well before we go to Germany.  

That's all for now.  Goodnight.

(Oh, and hello to the girls in Clovis who are still stalking my blog.  It's really creepy!)

Time to start some serious menu planning.

I have been seriously slacking in the menu planning department.  I figure if I make it tonight, go to the store tomorrow, I won't lose my list or forget...right?

Keep in mind, I will usually not do all the meals in order.

Dinners:

Monday: Porkchops

Tuesday: Wontons with rice 

Wednesday: Crockpot Pineapple/Soy sauce chicken

Thursday: Quesedillas w/ guacamole and black beans

Friday: Parmesan chicken bake w/ veg.

For breakfast this week, I'm making breakfast cookies (the recipe can be found on my pinterest).  They are basically baked oatmeal.  No sugars or other unhealthy stuff in it.  I'm even using almond milk instead of regular milk.  (Honestly, if I could never drink cow milk again, I'd be OK with that.)

I'm also going to use Delilah's yogurt and make some frozen yogurt drops for the morning.  

Speaking of mornings, I absolutely love love love waking up in the mornings and having coffee and breakfast with my mom and Delilah.  We are right next to their big sliding glass windows, so we can watch all the birds, squirrels, and hopefully soon...rabbits in the yard, and it is just a really nice way to wake up!

So busy!

Gosh, I've been so busy lately! Having so much fun seeing my family and friends, it's making being away from Ben only a little easier.  

I do get to talk to Ben at least once (usually twice) a day.  We're still working out the time difference thing, but it's getting easier to figure out what time it is there.  Like right now, it's 11:19am, so it's 2:19am there.  Tomorrow.  He's in the future!  

I've been working hard on getting Otis to be able to come to Germany with us.  Leaving him behind with my family just isn't an option anymore.  He and Delilah are too close, we love him too much.  I've got a DNA test sent out and I'm just waiting for the results.  He is microchipped as a Basenji/Corgi mix, which is what I think he is.  I'll know for sure soon enough.  

I don't feel like typing a bunch, so I'll just end the post here with some pictures:

I'm doing the color run in June. Team name: Weapons of Ass Destruction

Merry late Christmas to me!

Decorating Otis with her necklaces

Painted Hobbes, just for fun!

The Lorax

Lady and the Tramp

Squid

I sent these to Ben to hang in his room in Korea.

Back in Missouri, and it feels so good!

We are finally starting to settle in here in Missouri.  The boxes are unpacked (except for a few of my summer clothes), things are hung on the walls, and I'm getting my room set up the way I wanted.  It's fun being able to decorate a new space.  I'll take pictures once it's all done.  I've got a lot of projects pinned too.  This is going to be the year I learn how to sew.

My poor mom has been sick since a couple days after we got back.  So frustrating.  She watched Delilah for us the Saturday after we got back so we could go out before Ben left.  I got a text from Mom at 7 that morning telling me to please hurry home because she was sick.  We rushed back to relieve her...no one wants to take care of a toddler when you're ill!  She's been down with the nasty bug since then, but is looking and sounding better.  

I miss Ben, of course.  What makes this deployment easier (so far) is that we can facetime and have at least twice a day since he got there.  It makes me happy to be able to talk to him, and I know it makes him happy too.  I can see it in his eyes that he misses us.  I already can't wait for him to come back and visit!  He starts his first shift out there tonight, so I'm excited for him.  He'll be going to work right as I'm waking up tomorrow morning.  The time difference is weird, and is taking some getting used to.  He's just waking up when my evening is starting.  

It was really fun going out with my friends before Ben left.  I definitely missed that and missed all of them even more than I realized!  Had some fun times pranking a friend...he deserves it and played it off him not being mad pretty well.  I'm really glad I'm back.  I've already had more fun since I've been back than I would in 2 months of being in New Mexico.  

Delilah loves it here too.  She loves running through the house and talking to everyone.  She's enjoying her new space so much, she's hardly playing with any of her toys!  Too much new stuff to explore.  I can't wait for it to be spring so we can go out and do more.  

I've got to get outta here though, I've got a couple orders for some canvases!