Adventure on the Horizon

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A trip to Big Bend National Park is underworks as we speak. I am hoping to make it happen by the summertime if all goes according to plan. It is going to take some preparation but I know it will be so worth it and probably a once in a lifetime experience. Folks have said this park has one of the best views of the stars in the entire world. 

Back from Oklahoma

After a whirlwind of traveling the last few weeks, Rosie and I are back in Texas. We have been all over the country and it's just so good to be back home. My wanderlust has been satiated for now. ;) Celebrating Rosie's birthday (she officially turns 1 tomorrow!) with everyone was great, she chowed down on her banana strawberry cake without any hesitation and we all had fun dancing up a storm.

Seeing Rosie and her cousin Spencer play together is so awesome. They're about 7 months apart and were pretty much inseparable. Anytime Rosie went down for a nap, Spencer would run through the house looking for her, "'Ose? 'Ose?" If she cried, he would get a very concerned look and ask "Baby? Baby?" Unless she was crying because he had just reclaimed a toy from her.

The art of sharing is a tricky one with toddlers.

Travels, pt 1: Michigan!

Rosie and I are back from our first trip to Michigan together! It was quite an adventure traveling with a little one but surprisingly pain-free. Folks at the airport were extremely helpful and even though it wasn't easy carrying our stuff, we had a pretty good time. It definitely made me a lot more confident about future travels with my girl. Rosie was nothing but giggles and thankfully slept on half the flights. She was really excited to finally see her auntie and grandparents and so was I. It had been way too long since I had gone home.

I was sad Stephen couldn't be with us due to the deployment, I really felt his absence more so than usual. For OPSEC reasons I don't feel comfortable talking about his trip but not a day goes by that I don't miss him. He really fell in love with my homestate the last time I took him to Michigan and I think he would have really enjoyed the snow.

...Speaking of snow. Rosie was most definitely not a fan. It could be because she faceplanted after a couple steps. And that was quickly the end of that. Playing in the snow was not going to happen. So much for that kodak moment I was hoping for of my dear Rosie gleefully enjoying the snow. Instead I got this:

But she eventually decided it wasn't absolutely horrible though.

I had a good time hitting up my favorite thrift stores and scoring new clothes for the Rosebud and but more importantly just hanging out with family. Oh, and did I miss my latte from Tim Hortons! Caribou Coffee! Bigby's! Nothing beats midwestern coffee shops.

Also, my family's next door neighbor was a hobby nail artist and gave me this wicked new look.

Oooh lalala. <3

Our Winter Travels Will Soon Begin

she isn't called señorita chubby cheeks for nothing 

I am excited (and daresay a little nervous) for our upcoming travel plans. We are going to Michigan for a visit soon! I haven't been back home in ages and I can't wait to see family and friends. I am also looking forward for bundling Rosie up and letting her hopefully get the chance to play in the snow! (You heard me Michigan, we want snow...!)

This is going to be my first time flying with Rose and that is what has me nervous. She is one squirmy baby mermaid but I'm keeping my fingers crossed she will just fall asleep along the way since the flight is at her bedtime. If not I'm sure my arsenal of baby apps, a few fun toys and some snacks will do the trick. As scared as I am of flying with an infant, travelling is really something I want us to do as a family so really there is no better time then to start now. We gotta practice for when we travel the world someday ;)

In preparation of our travels I went to the thrift store in search of some winter gear for the baby and really lucked out. I scored 6+ outfits for 50 cents each...including a brand new parka from BabyGap! Apparently the thrift gods were smiling upon me today because that was exactly what I needed. Now's all that is left to do is figure how to pack as little as possible. I will be damned if I pay tons of money for checked baggage so I am shooting for one carry-on if I can manage. We'll see how it all goes!

Jumping Out of Planes

I will never forget the moment I jumped out of a perfectly functioning plane. This was a few years ago, mind you, but it is just simply one of those memories that follows you for forever. Strapped to a man named Papa  Dop. He asked me repeatedly as the rinky-dink plane climbed into the sky: "Are you alright? Are you ready to do this?" I was excited, nervous. I looked over at my best friend and she just grinned. We got this! There were a few mental high-fives traded for sure.

When it was our turn, someone slid the door open and I was ushered to stand on the edge, thousands and thousands of miles above Honolulu. A part of me was screaming inside: THIS IS SO AWESOME! The other half was wishing I had written a will before making this trip. Papa Dop told me not to look down, said I would freak. So of course I looked down but surprisingly, my fear left me. I revelled in the beauty below, how the electric blue of the ocean just exploded beneath me. I sensed my insignificance, just an ant really. Jumping out of a plane. But I was one fearless ant. And with eyes wide open I took that step...

Fast forward a few years later and here I am, standing in the doorway of that plane. Taking that first step towards something terrifying, different but so amazing. I turned my paperwork in this past week, stating my intent to leave the Navy. Well-meaning people counseled me to "really think this over" and that they hoped I wasn't making a mistake.

Personally? My mistake would be in staying. I know that to my core. Which is why I simply nodded, said thank you and went about my merry way. Because sure I could have decided to stay in the Navy, just like I could have decided to stay on the plane or heck, stayed on the ground.  But who knows what I might be missing out if I do, if I don't take that leap of faith?