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Getting it done

This move has really inspired me to do more things.

It just feels like a fresh start, and since we'll live so far away from friends & family, I'll need to keep busy.

So here are a few goals that I set for myself to complete by the end of the year.

[Hopefully by posting them on here, I'll hold myself accountable.]

-Lose 10lbs
-Make at least 2 garments for myself that I will actually wear!
-Make a quiet book for Adelei
-Start couponing more seriously
-Try 1 new recipe per week
-Blog daily [not including weekends]
-Create my own button/header, etc...revamp blog
-Create Adelei's 1st year scrapbook
-Create & maintain bill/budget notebook
-Exercise daily
-Start taking vitamins
-Establish a health/beauty routine & stick with it
-Freezer paper tshirts?!

The Hard Part

The hardest part about leaving 'home' is leaving my Nanny.

She raised me from the age of 4. She did everything she could to make sure that my sister and I had a good life. She sent me to college. She has always supported any decision I made, even if it wasn't necessarily a good one. She's been by my side through every major event in my life.

Even though I've only lived an hour away for the past 3 years, we've talked on the phone twice a day, every day. Before I graduated college and basically moved back in with her so I'd be closer to work, I'd come home to visit every other weekend. The longest I've ever gone without seeing her was the two weeks she stayed with my sister this past summer.

She is the strongest, most kind hearted, honest, and loving person I've ever had the pleasure to be around [I may be a little biased.]

& To say I'm going to miss her is an understatement.

Follow Me...

...on Instagram

username: jakintheboxx

9 Months...

Can I tell you a little bit about my 9 month old?

She's smiling now more than ever.

Her favorite word is 'hey' and she likes to say it to everyone that passes her by.

She gets so excited when she sees the dogs, all she can do is scream & wave her arms.

She splashes the water in the bath on command.

She is pulling up and standing with support.

She would rather feed herself [fingerfoods!] than have Mommy feed her *tear*.

She dances.

Her face lights up when I read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

She has such a big, bright personality.

My heart is just overflowing with joy.

My answer

People keep asking me when I'm going to have another child. As if I'm waiting too long.

Adelei is only 9 1/2 months old, People.

The truth is, I do want another child...just not now.

Maybe once Adelei is sleeping through the night, or maybe not until she's potty trained.

Maybe not even until she starts pre-k.

The truth is, although I want another baby in the future, I want to spend plenty of time and attention on the one I already have.

I want to enjoy and savor our time together, and not rush into anything else before I am ready.

So that's my answer.

I can't give you a date or a time.

I can't promise to make it happen in a year

or five years.

All I can say is that it will happen again when I am ready.

Staying Home

In case I failed to mention, I officially quit my job last Thursday.

I have been a stay at home mom for a whole 10 days now, and I love it.

This is exactly what I wanted [for now, at least].

What I don't love? Is when people ask me what I do all day.

LIKE being a mom isn't a full time job already.

When I read THIS article that had been floating around the internet, I laughed, I sighed, and although I have only one child, I felt the "pain" of it's author.

So the next time someone asks you [as a mother] what you do all day, feel free to let them know how time consuming motherhood is.

Key Lime Cupcakes

It's practically summer time here down south, which means it's time for sweet tea, sunshine, and key lime pie.

Or in this case, cupcakes.

I have been craving anything key lime flavored for weeks, so I finally just took the initiative to make it myself.

Using this recipe from Betty Crocker, I made these delicious little devils.

They're the perfect combination on sweet & sour. And the cream cheese frosting mellows it all out. Seriously delicious.

What are you craving for the summer season?

I Cannot Lie...

When I first found out that we would be moving to Oklahoma in May, I was upset and nervous.

I already had plans.

Adelei's first birthday party

Working until October to save up more money

Going to my nephew's 4th birthday party

Going to my niece's 1st birthday party

You know, family stuff.

But when I read: "You will be living off post", I panicked.

I have been living in a fantasy land. I thought everyone could live on post if they wanted. Boy was I wrong.

So I got my tail into gear and started researching housing areas.

I found some good ones, and some not-so-good ones.

It just so happens that, the ones in our price range, were in questionable areas.

My heart sank.

We wanted a house.

But I carried on with our search because living in a hotel until we could find a place was not an option in my mind.

After two days of researching, I found a property full of townhouses.

I contacted the leasing office for more information, and was elated. It's in a nice neighborhood. Close to base. Close to a Hobby Lobby [haha!]

We could get a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse for less than what we will be getting for BAH, which means we could use what was left over to pay utilities.

*whew* After 'finding' a place, we still had to apply, put down a deposit, pass a background and credit check.

Luckily, everything fell into place seamlessly.

To say that securing a home for ourselves lifted a lot of stress is an understatement.

It wasn't until all of this happened, that I started to get excited about moving.

Now, when people ask me how I feel, I'm not bitter.

Yes, it will be hard moving 16 hours away from my family, but I knew this was coming.

At this point in my life, I think it's time for us to go. To travel. To be on our own. To depend on each other more than we do our family.

& I'm excited to tell you all about it along the way!

Fancy Shmancy

For a few months now, I've been looking in to learning how to create my own jewelry.

Luckily, a few things happened to help that thought come into fruition.

First, we got our tax money back. Woo hoo!

Second, we found out we were moving ...in other words I'll be a stay at home mom & will need more hobbies to fill my time with.

So, I invested in some tools, materials, etc.

And here is what I've come up with so far:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Home-Made-With-Love/161601633874045

Since I'm still in the learning process & looking for new ideas, I would like to offer ALL of my blog friends a custom stamped piece of their own at a discounted price. If you are interested, please leave a comment with your email address on this post so we can get started.

Happy Easter

Sweet Home....Oklahoma?

We found out for sure today that we will be moving to Oklahoma. I'm nervous & excited. I'm a little overwhelmed.

We knew that Aaron was going to have to go there for his training. But I guess I just assumed that we'd actually get stationed some where else.

But there it is, in black & white....PCS [permanent change of station].

So, for the next month, we'll enjoy the Alabama heat, our family and friends, all while he finishes school and I train someone to take my place at work.

Then in May, it's off we go!

To new places & new faces.

Oh what an adventure lies ahead of us!