Cruise Part 1

Ok people. So here goes on the first half of the vacation...

SO, we knew that with all of the home renovations that we were going to need a break when it was all said and done. The timing of this vacation couldn't have been more perfect. We kicked off the vacation with the John Mayer and Colbie Callait concert at what is now the Super Pages dot Com center in Dallas. I blogged about that, so scroll down to find out about that. The next morning, we woke up super early (I think we got 3 hours of sleep) to catch our flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our vacation was not just "ours", but was shared with our wonderful friends Shane and Laura, who decided they liked us enough to vacate with us for 8 days! So, off to the airport we went and after a 5 hour plane ride, a nearly finished book (Marley and Me- AWESOME), the movie "21" and our last Dr. Pepper for over a week, we arrived in PR ready to play!

Us in Old San Juan, posing for a cute pic!

Looking out over the graves and the deep blue yonder, salivating to start our cruise early!!

Another view of Old San Juan and some of the fort.

Vacation Day 2... Waiting anxiously to get on the boat and get the real party started!!

I just could not contain myself with excitement over dinner.

Ok, I got it together. Past the thrill of unlimited food options, momentarily.
At the "muster"... They are smiling because they DIDN'T get in trouble.
I'm smiling because TROUBLE is my middle name... notice the smirk on my husband's face?? That's because I just got a stern "talking to" (more like a yell, but whatev..) by a crew member for not taking muster more seriously. Apparently photos aren't allowed. That wasn't in my Carnival Caper SIR!
DAY 3... St. Thomas, USVI.. On a bus to Magen's Bay, realizing that this trip is going to cost us more than we thought. Mexico and the Southern Caribbean should get together and talk about the whole bargaining thing and what a novel idea it is in tourism.

View of the boat and the cruise terminal in St. Thomas. I think the big (small in the photo) white building behind the ship on the bay of St. Thomas is the Marriott hotel my parents are going to next summer... Can we come???!?

The couples in St. Thomas.

And here it is... (GASP!!!) Magen's Bay! One of the most incredible beaches I've seen. Plus, it was Caleb's first view of true clear blue water. His only comparison is Gulf Shores and Myrtle Beach.. A-MAZING!

In the water between frolicks.. hoping we get the nice "base tan" we forgot to get before leaving so we wouldn't burn.. woopsie!

Who's ready for some board games on board??

Posing before dinner and BINGO.. are we lucky??

That would be a no....

But we learned that Caleb isn't picky over boogers.. He'll take what he can get!

Our cute towel animal... Can you guess what it is??

DAY 3: Dominica, an island that is nearly 100% rain forest and quite lush... Smile if you're ready to hike 2 hours to a waterfall in the pouring rain!!!

In the bus to the hike and waterfall.. shiny!

A banana plantation, one of the major exports of the country. And to answer the burning question, NO there are no monkeys on this island. For real... they would eat all the bananas.

Just a pretty picture at the base of our hike.

We are ready for what was alleged as a 45 minute hike... that took more like an hour and a half! It was amazing, though and worth the yucky hair dos and drenched clothing.

Caleb hanging on to bamboo.. which grows at a minimum rate of 1 inch per day in Dominica.

My tarzan... Isn't he cute??

What our guide says was NOT a waterfall... Yea, he's spoiled.. and obviously doesn't frequent Texas, where the only waterfalls you see are in someone rich dude's backyard that isn't in my neighborhood.

The top of the big mamma waterfall...

The middle of the big mamma waterfall...

And the bottom of the big mamma waterfall, including the pool we couldn't swim in because there was too much rain that day. Sad, but really I'm glad because I lived to see so many other beautiful places on this trip that I may not have had I been pulled under by the current of the falls in the pool. Hm.

Us posing and trying to look cute despite the destroyed hairdos and soaking wet clothes. Oh well, just focus on the waterfall, ok?

Another photo of the "un-waterfall". Incredible, huh?

This is crazy... This is a picture of a Banion Tree, aka Strangler Fig, that grows from the tops of the trees down to the ground, strangling the "host tree" and replacing it once it has died and no longer can get oxygen to survive.

We clean up well after a 4 hour waterfall hike, eh?

Them too...

STAY TUNED... MORE TO COME SOON!!

Hmm...

Written by someone... don't know who but I like what it says...

'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.” ‘The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walkinto a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an “other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable” ' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

Catching Up Part 2: Colbie Callait and John Mayer- LIVE!

We decided to kick off our summer vacation in true style, with a live concert at whatever-the-current-name Ampitheater (I know it as the Smirnoff.. the name changes by the minute it seems) in Dallas. And what better concert than 2 amazing artists, Colbie Callait and John Mayer!!! There were 8 of us who went, Caleb's mom and Geary, sisters Alli and Emily, friends Trog and Mendi, and us. Well, 4 of us girls got there early to secure the creme-de-la-creme spots, and after sprinting across the grass with my mother-in-law and losing a shoe -temporarily- we got some awesome lawn seats just off center and in the front section of the lawn! The concert started late due to power outages, but thankfully the show went on without any other hitches. There was an opener of which his name I do not recall, followed by Colbie and then John. Colbie and John were both incredible.. beautiful voices and music, but I would have to say that for me, John was the show stopper!! He did some crazy, crazy, wild guitar work that had all of our jaws on the grass and had a great encore! All in all, this concert was definitely in the top 5 of all time for me next to Josh Groban! Enjoy the pics!

John-Sorry it's fuzzy!
Caleb, Katie, Mendi and Trog-pre-concert...
Trog and Mendi-beautiful people.
Us... =)

Catching Up Part 1: Our Crazy, Awesome Housewarming Party!

A few weekends before we left on our vacation, my parents (with the help of my mom's friend, Karen Green) threw the Housewarming Party of the Century!!! It was the most adorable decor, so well thought out and planned, and I hope everyone enjoyed seeing all of our hard work with their own eyes! The theme of the party was Home Depot, seeing as how we have now become the biggest fans and advocates of that place, and really, what does it hurt to throw a couple extra dollars down at that place to decorate not only the hard surfaces of our home, but also for our party!! If you look closely at the pictures, all of the food was served in bright orange paint trays and we used caution flags to accent all of the pictures of the remodeling project. I tried to include pictures of all of the rooms in their finished state, but I am having problems with uploading pictures so that will have to be at a later time! But for now.. enjoy!

The Cake, lising all of the remodeling projects we took on with this house!

Our new side board, decorated with paint cans, orange and white flowers and orange silverware for the snacks!

The Whole Spread, YUMMO!

The Guest Sign-In Table, so cute!A bigger picture of the sign-in table.. and yes, even the pens where Home Depot!

Dear Faithful Blog Friends...

I am sorry that I have been MIA on this blog in the last 3 1/2 weeks. Don't you worry, though. I have been plenty busy to fill my time. From the time I last blogged, we have almost completely finished the inside of our home (minus the backsplash in the kitchen), had a hugely wonderfully blessed Housewarming Party and now packed for a much needed and awaited vacation that we leave for tomorrow. I apologize for my lack of photos (my not so quality laptop battery is dying at a rapid speed as I type), but I promise that when I return from our vacation I will chronicle the last month in pictures!! Pray for us and the Seiferds (our precious friends who took over for us as the CARES Team at Post Legacy) as we travel to Puerto Rico, then cruise for a week to a bunch of islands. We have never been more excited or ready for a trip as we are now! We need it! Love to all my blog friends.. see you in a week or so!

Remodeling, No Problem... Furniture Shopping, Major Crisis!

Throughout the last 5+ months, we have heard so many times that remodeling is one of the toughest tasks you can take on as a married couple. Many a folk at The Home Depot (our favorite store... particularly the one in Richardson @ Coit and Campbell-AMAZING!) gave us ample unsolicited advice and horror stories about the knock-down, drag-out fights they had while re-doing their own homes or even their friends re-doing their homes. Going into this, of course, that got us a little concerned because we felt pretty confident that we were on the same page as far as the financial piece of the remodel, as well as the over "design" we wanted to achieve. Well, I can say with much confidence that we really enjoyed working together on this project and generally speaking, we did not have any major fall-outs in the process. It's not to say that we never had arguments but we never had days of pent-up frustration and major arguments over the house. Well.. fast forward to the last month and a half. We were doing pretty good if I say so myself, until we decided to go couch shopping. Yes, my friends, that is correct: COUCH SHOPPING. Never in my life would I think that it would take us a solid month and a half to agree upon a SOFA and a LOVE SEAT. Never did I imagine that I would walk into Weirs Furniture with hope and excitement, only to leave in tears and utter frustration. Or, that I would walk into Haverty's just praying that we find something we both like just to leave no speaking to that guy (my husband) who doesn't love everything I love. **Disclaimer, I love my husband, he is the most incredible man who knows how to love me and teach me how to submit under his authority with grace and compassion.. I might have been a little irrational in the process, but just a little (haha).** Well, I am happy to report that after nearly two months of searching, about 30 swatches of fabric later and plenty of $3-4 gas gallons later, we landed on the first couch we ever looked at. Funny how that works, huh?!? The couch is from my most favorite store in the whole wide world, where we basically shop exclusively for all of our furniture for many reasons! We love, love, love, love Weirs Furniture for their Christian values and amazing prices! If you shop at the Plano store, ask for Darrell--he's our guy; Harold is our Dallas store guy! Here are the swatches for the couch, love seat and pillows for those who care and made it to the bottom of this novella...

Left Fabric: Couch and love seat; Center and Right Fabrics: Pillows

My Great Excuses + Pictures for your Satisfaction!

Really, I mean it... I have missed you! All of you readers out there who bug me and tell me I need to update, well here you go. Only a month and a few days later, and for that I am sorry.. but you must understand my circumstance. Once we moved in, I had no computer access unless Caleb was at home because our home computer was not hooked up and I could not for the life of me find my laptop (which is awful anyway...). And those of you who have work computers know that it isn't exactly a great idea for Caleb to let me upload our personal pics to the blog, so I was a good girl and didn't do it. Fast forward into mid-June: we get the home computer hooked up, finally and guess what... IT DIES (by the grace of God it was 2 weeks before the warranty expired!). And what a sad day... seriously. Never in my life have I been more thankful for blogging and shutterfly because otherwise all of my pictures of the remodel would be totally gone. A lot of the pictures of the remodel were lost, but I just conceded that there was nothing I could do and pouting would only make both Caleb and me miserable. So, once again, no posting pictures. Fast forward again, I get my home computer working and I leave my camera at my parents house... No posting pictures again. Well, fast forward to now and you must know I feel like one lucky duck. I have my camera and my laptop computer, although it loses charge very quickly and the charger is a thorn in my side, works, so here ya go. Enjoy what pictures I have. Hopefully more to come soon!

Guest Bedroom... AKA The Morris Hotel. So far our count is 3 visitors.
Another view of the guest bedroom
Guest bathroom.
Master bathroom

Dining Room (decorated for the 4th of July.. yes, I may just be one of "those" people who always keep the table decorated... I think it's cute!)
View from the Dining/Living Room into the Breakfast Nook/Kitchen
Breakfast Nook
One view of the kitchen
Another View of the kitchen