Happy Birthday...

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY, JUSTIN!!!

Today, the love of my life turns 25. I couldn't be more proud of him! He quit a job he didn't love to go back to school full time. It hasn't been the easist path but we are doing it. He is the most selfless person I know. He truly is a Saint, if you knew me you'd agree. He doesn't do anything half way, he always has given me 110% and came with the attitude if we are going to do this - we are going to do it well and do it right.

Not one day has passed that he hasn't shown me how much he loves and cares about me. I never wonder with him, never question anything and just know that he is exactly what my heart was searching for.

Happy Birthday, best friend.  I could NOT ask for more.

2011 Recap

I did this last year and it was neat to look back at - even if I can't get into my other blog anymore :(

The object of the game is to highlight 3 things (good, bad, life changing, etc) that happened this past year month by month....

January 2011

• I got a new roommate. Ash and her dog moved in.
•  I got to experience my first real Preston County winter.
• We really enjoyed all the WVU basketball in January.
February 2011
•  We celebrated our first Valentine's Day together.
• I had my mail changed to our address. It was official. We decided to shack up.
• Justin decided to go back to school full time in the summer.

March 2011

•  I moved into Justin's house. It became ours.
• I said Goodbye to my old job and Hello to my new.
• We went to Pittsburgh to pick up Justin's parents from the airport. Some one became a fan of IKEA.... he swore he'd never like it

April 2011

•  I did things I usually hadn't done on my girl filled weekends. Like Camo and Glocks.
• We finally got settled into our new house
• My Chickie went to the Cleveland Clinic

May 2011

•  Mother's Day, Our Mom's Birthdays - a trip to Deep Creek and a trip home
• I lost my Chickie. I still miss her every single day.
• One of my oldest and dearest friends got married in Charleston, SC.

June 2011

•  We went home for Father's Day and to visit my Pap
• My Best Friend Aimee came to visit us in R'burg
• We planted our first garden

July 2011

•  Justin quit his job to focus solely on school
• We went on a two week long stay in Florida to his parents. It was amazing.
• We also met Scott and Jessica for diner one night :)

August 2011

•  We celebrated my 27th Birthday. Justin took me to Washington to to shop, eat and play 5$ on he slots in honor of my Chickie.
• We dog sat for my boss.
• We lost our Pap. His humor, wit and attitude is missed by all. He was such a great man and I miss him everyday. 

September 2011

• We said goodbye to Justin's Dad. He made the choice to start a new career so he and Justin's mom could enjoy the beach house, Florida and no snow for good.
• WVU FOOTBALL started! The start of a new era! Coach Dana and a new offense.

October 2011

•  First snow!
• We handed out candy together, with Justin's mom
• I found Pinterest

November 2011

•  Our first Thanksgiving with out my grandparents but our first together at my parents.
• I volunteered at a food giveaway. Humbling to say the least.
• The last Backyard Brawl was perfect weather, perfect ending and a great way to end November.

December 2011

•  I had so much fun decorating the house this year.
• We spend two days at my parents, Christmas Eve at our house, Christmas Day at Justin's Grandparents and our friends.
• We are ending the year with a trip to Florida to finish our our holiday season with Justin's parents.

Thankful Thursday

Please take a look over at Rebecca's Blog to see what others are thankful for this week...

• That tomorrow at 6pm we are on our way to Flordia. We are going to be brave and drive strait through, if needed we are going to be even more brave and sleep in a rest stop for a few hours...
• That I will spend the last day of this calendar year with my better half being at my favoirte place...The beach
• Justin, he turns a gulping 25 in two days. Don't ask how much older I am ;)
• Hot chocolate, whipped cream and sprinkles...
• Hope for a great 2012
• Google, no seriously, I'd be  lost without it
• Orange Bowl tickets on the lower level that did not cost us a pretty penny.
• And it of course - my friends, family and all of you :)

Our Holiday

We had a great Hanukkah and Christmas. We went home Friday to my parents and left late Saturday. I met my friends for breakfast Saturday morning, I hadn't seen them both at the same time in over 3 years. We played board games with my family, ate tons of yummy food and just relaxed. It was a really, really nice visit.
We got home Saturday night, Justin was very excited and wanted to track Santa. We were very happy to see Santa come straight through Morgantown.  We stayed up late watching The Christmas Story. I had to wake Justin up Christmas morning to come open presents. We exchanged presents and had a lazy morning. Justin made Cinnamon Rolls and we vegged out until we headed to his Grandparents'. We had a great time visiting his family and went to my best friend's house for our present exchange. We played board games and just hung out. The day after my best friend and I woke up and hit the after holiday sales!
This week we are trying to get stuff done and mark off items on our To-Do list. We head to Florida Friday after work! We are very excited for sunshine, warm temperatures and visiting Justin's family!

I hope every is having a great end of the year and enjoying the extra family time :)

We had a great long weekend with family and friends. It's easy to
get lost in all the hustle and bustle but at the
end of the day, nothing but spending time with your loved ones count. I sincerely hope that your holiday season was filled with peace, love and joy.

Thankful Thursday

Thanks, Rebecca, for another Thankful Thursday....

• A special baking helper last night. Because of him we successfully made treats for each of my teachers.
• A great group of parents at work. Our office and teachers have been flooded with yummy treats, breakfasts and lunches!
• Our vacation is in 8 days
• A four day weekend
• A new heated throw... Oh my is it amazing
• Warm weather. I am not a fan of a white Christmas
• New family traditions
• Seeing my high school gfs for a breakfast Saturday. 

Pet Exchange

The lovely Ms. Sarah hosted a Pet Gift Exchange.  Buster and I got paired up with her and her adorable little girl, Lucy.

I had so much fun buying pink girl dog toys and looking at all the Frilly doggy items!

Buster was very happy to receive the package from Sarah and Lucy. Buster LOVES getting packages. He loves to rip open the paper and find treats. He wasn't disappointed this time!

Thankful Thursday

Thanks Rebecca for hosting this link up :)

Thankful Thursday....

• My job. I know not every job is perfect, but I have found one that is pretty close and I am sooo happy here!
• My family. Sadly, we have lossed memebers this year but I am thankful that my parents, brother and grandpa are all still here and a huge part of my life.
• Justin's family. Who feel like my own :)
• Justin. I can't put into words how much the poor guy puts up with.
• A beach getway in 15 days.
• Going to our first Bowl Game together. Let's Goooooooooooooooooooo
• My OUR spoiled rotten Buster
• Michael's 60% off Chirstmas Decor...
• Our non-traditonal Christmas cards
• For my blog, often neglected but still here!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that...

• Like everyone, our December is packed. Even though I get stressed, a little extra grouchy and emotional...I secretly  LOVE this hustle and bustle. Our house is 99.9% done being decorated. I have suddenly got the urge to go all out this year and have been spending a lot of time in Michael's and The Dollar Tree getting crafty things. Thanks to Pinterest I have been having lots of fun! 
• I have a good start on gifts. We still have a lot left to buy but nothing that will be too serious. I am pretty sure Jusitn hasn't started yet ;) I even wrapped some this morning while he was hunting. I just have to now clean up my wrapping mess. And as a side note - I am done buying cheap wrapping paper. Everything I wrapped somehow managed to tear the paper a little.
• We are going to out first Bowl game in January. Sine we will already be in Florida we decided to drive a little further and go see WVU take on Clemson in the Orange Bowl. I am very, VERY excited!!
• My family is coming up tomorrow, we are very excited to have company - however I probably should start dusting, ASAP.
• I got my first just because we our thankful for you present at work yesterday - it is nice to appreciated :)
• I hope everyone has a great weekend, I am going to go clean and watch a marathon of How I Met Your Mother.