This weekend was a hectic one. Aside from being in the mall for over three hours shopping for Christmas outfits (the trip was a success), I managed to scrub down the entire house, get our goody bags ready for Halloween, and get ahead of the learning curve in my next week's course. For a mom, a wife, and a student, that's a lot to have gotten done. I'm still a fan of time management, I don't know how I lived life without it!

Macy's was good to me on Saturday. I picked out Ava bug's first set of ornaments and I am in love. They are little glass shoes, with pick laces. Over the shoes it says My first Christmas in pink letters, with the year. We almost bought a nutcracker too! We decided against it, but I think we'll end up getting one after Thanksgiving. I found a new ornament for Justin and I. Each year of our marriage we have always received home made ornaments from Justin's Nana. I LOVE them! They mean so much to us. With Nana's idea in mind, I set out to buy very special ornaments for each Christmas we spend together. The year before last was a football, it was decked out in glitter and sparkles. This year I'm thinking of getting something to represent a family of two becoming a family of three.

This year will also be the first Halloween Justin and I pass out candy. I am so excited. I've been so late with the Halloween decor (not my favorite holiday) but I'm so excited for the trick-or-treaters. We spent over an hour bagging candy into little festive bags. This will be Ava's first Halloween, and even though she's not doing anything extraordinary, I'm glad Justin will be here to hold her up in her little tutu, while passing out candy.

Did I mention how wonderful Sunday was? The Broncos won (which is enough to make any Sunday wonderful) and we got a lot of things done at home. Justin bathed Cooper for the first time since he got back from Afghanistan (we usually send him to the groomers), he cleaned his grill out (for the second time in a long while), and we spent a good chunk of time outdoors with Ava bug. She got her little toes wet for the first time by a hose. We've been looking at houses in Washington and Texas. Trying not to get too excited about either location, but it's been hard.

Justin has a three day this weekend (I can't wait for Thursday to hurry up and get here). We are buying everything we need for making baby food at home for Bug. She is definitely showing signs that she's ready for solids! We've got less than 3 weeks until Princess A is 6 months old (time flies), and I just want to be prepped and ready to give her some yummy purees. 

well that was a lot more than I intended on writing. It's Monday, so pave the fabulous-ness for the week! Happy Monday all! 

♥- Leilani

Better

Today was better than yesterday. I keep putting my train of focus on either Ava, or other positive things going on right now. The hard part about reality is there no escaping it. I honestly wish sometimes there was... On the positive side of things, The Denver Broncos managed to pull a fifth win this season! Romo managed to buckle under pressure (like always.) This made Justin's entire Sunday!

With the government shutdown I'm not sure where we stand with getting this whole compassion reassignment processed. I read on an Army website that schools, pcsing, and tdy's are being suspended. Great timing! I've been really anxious to get back home, but I know things will work themselves out.

This weekend, Justin made some leaps and bounds in the supportive/grief department. I remember the first time someone died while I was dating Justin. It was a boy I'd gone to school with, Dwight Clark. I was working at the Super mall in Auburn and missing signs were hung up everywhere. I never had a doubt in my mind that they'd find him. Well, they did find him, but he had died. I didn't expect that. I remember being struck with immediate sadness. I remember going around the mall tearing the signs down. Justin didn't know what to do or say and that was okay because I had the support of the community. We all grieved for Dwight's family.

This time around, dealing with the thoughts of losing my mom. I don't have that same support. I know it's weird for Justin (never personally having to deal with loss) but he's making a great effort. Letting me break down. Letting me cry, asking if I need help, taking Ava for a short time will I recoop. I know with the love of my husband, no matter how badly my heart hurts, he is someone I will always let in. I'm glad he's my best friend.

I'm hoping this week is better than last. I'm diving into my studies all week. I promised I'd do some form of cardio (more than likely yoga.) I'm carving out a pumpkin for a prop that will be used in Ava's Halloween photos AND I think we might be squeezing in a breastfeeding/lifestyle session with Victoria Simmons Photography. Hopefully that's enough to keep my mind busy.

I've been skyping my mama lately and that's helped a lot. It feels good having her see Ava and I in real time rather than just on the phone. I'm off for now, my lovey's are preparing for bed and I should probably get there too!

Happy Sunday all!