Prosper where you're planted.

Yesterday I picked up the newest issue of Military Spouse magazine and read an article about making the best of where the military sends you. It got me thinking about how much has changed for Lieutenant and I over the course of a few short months. It also made me ask myself if I was truly prospering where I was planted.

If you have ever been to Las Vegas, then you have probably experienced the wonder and excitement that comes with the city. For me, it was normal...it was home. I would drive past the casinos, the drunk college co-eds, the jumbo interactive billboards - but I would not give it a second thought. It was normal to see these things and having lived there since the fourth grade, it just made sense.

After Lieutenant got his orders for Texas, I figured it would be different but not this different. Why on earth, I thought to myself, does everything close here at 9:00pm? Why is nothing 24 hours? Where are the skyscrapers, the casinos, where are all the jumbo interactive billboards trying to sell me show tickets?? Well, at least the traffic is the same.

But on our fifth or sixth day here, I started feeling a change in me. I loved the quiet in the air, the squirrels running around on every corner. I loved the fact that I could actually hear birds chirping (although the one outside currently is the most annoying noise possible.) Yes, I was beginning to love this little town. I went from the girl who spent nights in the casino, drinking Vodka Red Bull's and having AYCE sushi to a girl who spends her days designing the perfect bathroom and kitchen..but still wants AYCE sushi.

So I carry Las Vegas in my heart in hopes of one day returning, but I will learn to prosper in this one horse town in Texas.

Family support/working?

Are any of you a stay at home wife? Or did you start out that way. I quit my job and moved out here and it was so freeing. Now I have people in my family saying that all I am doing is sitting around and my husband saying that he wants me to pay for everything that is mine. Can I get a break here? I need time away to just SIT ON MY ASS. Yes, I know it is counter-productive of me but it gives me time to get in shape and work on projects and for pete's sake stop abandoning my blog!! It gives me time to work on my photography or read or actually start writing again.

And I don't mean to toot my own horn here but Lieutenant is going to get paid pretty well off that I don't NEED a job, but more so that I should get one so I won't be doing nothing all day. For those of you that know me, I've never been to the dentist. We just couldn't afford it growing up. You can't really hold down a job when you know that eventually you have to go in for a major oral surgery where basically they have to fix everything in your mouth. Also, if you know me you know that I have something wrong with me where it is hard to take weight off and that I need to jumpstart that by going to the gym everyday for a few hours per day.

When I feel that I am ready, I will go to the AFRC and look for a job, until then - give it a rest, because I sure need one.

In other news, here are some pictures I snapped (and edited with Picnik) today:

I love the trees here!

Is this your house? I love the decor!

This little guy was hopping all over the place!

The rule of thirds is difficult when you are 5'3" and trying to get water tower pictures...

We are here!!

I have been wanting to blog since the minute we set foot on base but alas, no time but the present. SO without further ado - its time to talk Texas.

The drive up was the most boring experience of my life. Once we made it to Arizona, we stayed at my parents' house. Free room and board and FOOD. And we were STARVING. They took us to Golden Corral and we went swimming. I loved being able to see my parents and my little sister and it was so good to be back. I honestly did not think I would EVER miss Arizona but it brought back a lot of memories.

After we left we made our way - the entire way - through New Mexico. I think I had to pull over 3 or 4 times to get energy drinks because I was so exhausted. We also saw this:

Yes, that IS a dinosaur on a minivan on a U-Haul truck. I am telling you guys - WHAT is going through someone's mind to strap a fake dinosaur to the top of their minivan?!

Anyway so once we crossed into El Paso I had pretty much had enough driving for my entire lifetime. We lodged at Ft. Bliss and holy frijoles their PX is FANTASTIC. Seriously, if you ever drive through El Paso, visit the Ft. Bliss PX, you won't be sorry you did.

Once we left Ft. Bliss we were looking at a 500 mile straight shot to Randolph and we probably stopped 6 times for coffee and energy drinks and at one point, string cheese. Lieutenant and I are string cheese-ers at the heart!

After stopping in some boondock town for half an hour, we got back on the road. Once we crossed over the mountain pass - there it was: San Antonio. FINALLY. The lush green hills and curvy roads, the fog in the air and the sweet smell of rain and grass - heaven. And then shortly thereafter I met the drivers of San Antonio - HELL. By the time we got to Randolph I was ready to rip the GPS out of Lieutenant's car. Driving for 1200 miles behind someone who just got a brand new GPS will do that to you.

But the important thing is that we are here now, the base is beautiful and here are some pictures.

The "Taj Mahal"

SIDEWAYS lights

Street-covering trees!

Bird/Squirrel holes like in story books!

Our first visit to the apartment that we will be moving into later

Thanks for catching up with us!

Say WHAT?

All right you guys, I have a confession to make: I've had a blog crush on Sgt. and Mrs. Hub.

Yes its true, I have admired Andrea and her family since the day I started blogging. Lieutenant will vouch for me, I used to go on and on in conversation with him about all the wonderful things I read on her blog.

Now here is the hilarious part: I was browsing Facebook and I got a sidebar notification saying she was someone I might know. Jaw-drop. Facebook, why are you creeping?

Anyway so I went back to her blog and guess where they just happen to live? Texas. And where are we moving folks? Texas. Thats like telling a little boy that he is going to live in the same city as Batman.

But in all seriousness, she's a little bit of a hero to me. She's everything I aspire to be someday and hot dog if I get to share the same city with her :)

Time is fleeting.

I made a new twitter account that I can actually USE and share with people instead of using it as a place to vent. If you would like to follow and be followed: twitter.com/mrsairforce72

Lieutenant and I are at the two week mark! We are so excited (Rebecca Black!) to be leaving but at the same time it is nerve wracking. Will we make it there okay? Will my car make it there okay? Will we have enough money to live on until he starts getting paid? Will we get adequate housing? Will they put us in a TLF until we can apply for housing? Well, we did say for better or for worse...

The other day my family had a barbecue/birthday party for me and it was kind of a going away party. It was so nice to have the whole family (minus my parents and little sister) together and looking at the pictures made me want to cry! I have the best family I could ever ask for and I don't know what I will do without having them 20 minutes away from me.

It has really been getting to me that the kids won't remember who I am, especially the younger ones. My brother and sister in law are having another baby in august and their 8 month old will likely not remember who I am when and if I come back. I don't want them to forget someone who loves them so much.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorite pictures, taken by my older sister: