January- Please Move On....

My goodness, well look who it is!  I have finally had time decided to grace all of you with my presence! Are you as excited as I am?

This month has been absolutely insane. Can we just go back and pretend January never happened? That would be great, thanks!
I have an overflowing plate. I am tired, worn out, and just down right exhausted. Work has taken most of my energy, and I have really felt so burned out as of late. So many big things are going on in that realm of my world that I have had nothing left for months. Helllooo do you see me over here? I'm effin drowning, and you just keep throwing more water in my face! I really cannot bring what is going on with all of that here just yet, but I will definitely be writing a post on all of this soon!

If it weren't enough that work is kicking my lil patootie, school has been insane. Not just mine either, Baby Bear's too. I really struggle with wanting to be the perfect school mom for my child, making her the cutesie shirts and crafts for all her school projects, and teacher gifts, but there is just not enough time in the day for me to do what I want to for her, and I really have been feeling so crappy about it. The Mommy guilt has been kicked in full force here. How do you working mom's find all the time?

By the way, in case you didn't know, I'm in Houston. We have had not one, but two city shutdowns less than 5 days apart. I'll be guest posting all about this soon, so keep a lookout on Jenn's blog for it!

This is all I have for you for now. School, dinner, and more work are ahead of this gal. Wait...what? Work? It's 7:30pm! Yeah, this has been my life as of late!
 

I Love Justin Bieber!

This is a phrase I have heard many times from the mouth of my Baby Bear. Her eyes light up, she gets giddy like a little school girl at just the thought. Then the excitement bursts through her little body until she cannot stand it anymore and out it comes  "I love Justin Bieber!" as she's kicking and squealing with the biggest smile on her face. Then follows "Bieber Bieber Bieber" She claims she is going to marry him.

This has become so much worse since we have moved. Before, it was every now and again, and now she is just completely obsessed with this Bieber character!

I mean, what's not to love, right? Only his name makes me cringe every.single.time.

If only it really were the real Justin Bieber she was obsessed with, and completely giddy over, I would have put a stop to it long ago.

Let me introduce you to her "Bieber" who and what she calls Justin Bieber, and the guy she is obsessed with.

Texans know what this is all about, but for those of you that are not native, let me tell you what is a must on every Texas road trip. One word. Buc-ees. This place is known for the cleanest restrooms, their awesome fudge, beaver nuggets, and jerky. 

Oh, and we cannot forget the Bieber beaver This is the best place to stop on our half way mark to Dallas, driving to Austin, and San Antonio. They are kind of a big deal here. Not to mention there is one in our backyard now (not really). Now, the one we live by is what I like to say is not a real Buc-ees, as in it does not have what the others have, it is a small version of them, and that is fine by me, because that means my road trip stops are still some of significance.

So yes, every time she sees this store/gas station she loses it. She is in love with the Buc-ee the beaver, but alas she says Bieber, and just so happened to add Justin on to it. I am perfectly okay with her never knowing the real Justin Bieber, and she can collect all the beavers she wants. Yes, I'm kind of rewarding her for it, and I don't care!

She is "Bieber' s" biggest fan

Update

I cannot believe it has been weeks since I have updated this little corner of the great big blogosphere that I call mine!
If you remember, the last update was about our new house. The week of the move, Baby Bear came down with the flu! So for Christmas we spent the day at home instead of with family. She had a good Christmas regardless, and we made sure of that. But I do have to brag a little. When she saw what Santa brought her, she said she got everything she had ever wanted; and she hadn't even opened presents yet! I honestly think she forgot about them. She then went on to say that next year she does not want to ask Santa for anything because she loves her family more than presents. She melts my heart. Her Poppy and Nanny came by later that evening and finally opened her gifts.

After she was fever free on her own, we took her to Santa's Wonderland. It was cold, but she had a blast and really enjoyed it. The lights are amazing. If I could find my camera in all these boxes that are my current surroundings I would show you some. So this is what you get.

After Santa's Wonderland is when I came down with the sickness. Flu and bronchitis, oh my. I'm still coughing here! There were none of our yearly visits that normally occur this time of year. We were a little sad about not seeing family this year.

But for now we are all moved in and just trying to get settled in. Work has been crazy, the house has been crazy, and I'm close to going crazy. Baby Bear decided she wants to bite the bullet and go ahead and go to her new school, so now I have withdrawals and enrollments too. Not to mention the crazy ups and downs with the entire move (that's a post for another day).

On a different note, I do have something I would like your help with. I love my family as much as Baby Bear does, and we all know the power of prayer. My cousin, Jeromy, has been in the hospital since Thanksgiving. He is still in ICU. He is in a delicate state at this time and it is still a lot of touch and go. He is still so young and one of the most generous people you could ever meet. I have looked to God to surround his body with healing and for the fight I know Jeromy has in him. If you would please help us continue to pray for more strides in his healing, and for our entire family, especially his immediate family, it would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Friday!

I can honestly say I am SO glad this week is over. 1 more week of work for me and I am done until January 2nd!

Things are happening so fast around here, so I apologize in advance for any absence. I have some exciting news. We are moving! Much faster than anticipated, mind you.

We went and looked at a house Monday, put in our application and they accepted and want a January start. This baby was only on the market for 4 days and they had several applicants so what is a girl and her family to do? Move. Duh!

We're kind of in love with it!

Just a little sneak peak of the inside!

So we're starting the process, running around like little chicks with our heads cut off. I am stressed to the max though! I'm just happy I am off the week prior and everything else is falling into place better than it was when we first got the news.

I cannot stand packing and moving and unpacking. Just thinking about it makes me want to stomp my feet like a two year old and cry "I don't wanna"

Speaking of all the box packing... Are you doing any Christmas traveling for the holiday? I know we are. I know, you must be thinking I am nuts by now. Move in is the 28th AND I'm traveling?

I though I would offer some of my packing tips I use when traveling.

I always have 2 suitcases. Baby Bear gets her own and Mr A and I share one.

Do you see the shower caps they leave when you stay in a hotel? Grab them! I save these bad boys just for traveling. I stick my shoes in them so they don't get all their germs on my clothes!

You know that flatiron most of us girls use? It has dual purposes. No, really it does. They aren't just for hair girls! I have had an iron ruin and streak my clothes in so many hotels, so if I need some quick ironing power, I use my flat iron! Pack it, it is a must!

• Bring your own heavy blanket. The one's they have in hotels just bring on the yuck factor. I.can't.do it!

• I actually fold and roll all of our clothes that I pack to give more room.

• Bring a trash bag or bring an extra bag to stick your dirty clothes in.

I get stuck doing all the packing, so I use it to my advantage so I can pack more. Don't be afraid to use the Rubbermaid tubs either for packing for an extended time if you are driving.

If you are looking to travel at any point, you should check out more travel tips here

They really do have some great travel tips to help ease the stress of holiday travel packing. Some that I never even thought of! Check them out!
*Note, I was requested by Paul Fredrick to share this holiday travel link with you. The opinion of this site is based on my opinion alone

I hope you all enjoy your weekend. As for us, we will be busy. I have so much school to catch up on, we're going to go visit St. Nick, and celebrate a little before the madness really sets in!

Have you moved recently? Do you have any moving or packing tips to share with me?

The Owl in the Window

It has been an insane week at the office. Working on closing with my boss out of the office in this final week of close is never ideal. But in all fairness, something completely unexpected happened and he lost someone near and dear to his heart. I sympathize, and hope he takes the time to heal from this tragedy in his life. I would never wish grief on anyone.

I thought I would share with you a little about me. I lost my Grandmother when I was 17 and I was absolutely crushed by losing her. We all were. It seems as though any time after that, when I was going through a hard time, was in a rough spot, or contemplating life, there was always a sign that she was there.

When I was 18, being a little reckless, and in one of the biggest fights with a stupid boy outside my house, a huge owl came swooping down and perched on the mailbox next to us, and just stared at us. This was right after he told me I was a thorn in his side, and that is all I can remember from what happened in this fight. That owl stayed with me for years. As I struggled to find myself and get on the right path.

I had not seen or heard an owl in a couple years, until I was pregnant, which was no walk in the park either. I was alone, sick, and scared the majority of the time. There was an owl that made my yard its home.

When I was up all night with not even a 2 week old crying Baby Bear, and I had finally reached the decision to leave my ex husband. I heard an owl outside our window every night.

Just the other night when I was sitting in my living room, staring off into space, contemplating life, the owl was there. It has been hanging around quite a bit. I'm okay, I just feel comfort with the owl(s) that watch over me, and hoot to let me know they are there.

I honestly feel God and loved ones that have passed on send you signs when you least expect it. They are all here, watching over you, and letting you know they are there. You just have to watch and listen.