Welcome to the Wild, Wild West

Since Hubs and I left our little camping spot in Texas last Monday, our lives have been a whirlwind of places and faces.

We left Texas, drove through Oklahoma and Colorado where we stopped in Colorado Springs to visit Joe's cousin and his wife. We then made our way to Casper, Wyoming where we have been staying with Joe's Grandma Earlene, who has to be one of the most fabulous women that I know and has one of the coolest houses that I have ever stayed in.

The past few days have been busy with hanging out with my honey's family, meeting his old Wyoming friends, and just enjoying this beautiful part of the country that I have never experienced. We were even surprised with a last minute Baby Shower that was held for us. It has been pretty amazing.

I don't have computer access right now, so I am unable to make captions for the pics or organize them the way that I want but I'm assuming that they are pretty self explanatory. Here's just a little glimpse of our lives during the past week!

Adios Texas!

Five years ago, I rented the smallest uHaul that was available. I packed up my bed, dresser, a tv, and my clothes, and left my small town of Breaux Bridge, La and headed west on I-10 towards the massive city of Houston, Tx.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew that I needed to change my life. I was in search of adventure, fun, a career, a new outlook on life, and maybe even love. I had too many difficult experiences in my late teens and early twenties and I knew that if I stayed in Louisiana, I would become this bitter person who didn't appreciate and take each day as a gift. That was the last thing I wanted.

So, I moved and it wasn't always easy. I learned that no matter where you are, problems still follow and life is life... There will always be good and bad. The trick is how you deal with it all.

As we leave Texas today, my heart can't help but break a little. Louisiana will always be my home but Texas has done a damn good job taking care of me. The girl that I was five years ago when I first arrived is not the same woman that is leaving today. I feel like I have learned so much about myself, how I choose to live each day, and how I love and accept love.

I can't believe that we are leaving. I am grateful for each person that has touched my life during my path through Texas and for all of the Texas memories that will be carefully guarded in a special part of my heart.

I have no clue what's in store for us as we embark on this new journey, but if it's near as good as these past few years... Well, I can't complain one bit!

Baby Bean

As the ultrasound tech poked and prodded my belly, I held my breath and my husband's hand as we anxiously watched the tv screen in the corner of the room.

And then I saw it. A tiny little pulse on the black and white screen. The heartbeat of our baby.

I couldn't believe it. I mean I knew that we were pregnant. I knew that there was a baby in there. But to actually see that little being, the one that my husband and I created, made my own heart swell up with the love and joy and pride for this little, tiny person that was growing inside of me.

The ultrasound tech said that our baby's heartbeat was very strong and looking good. She also said that I was a little earlier than we thought. From the information that we had received on our first appointment, we were estimating that I was about to reach 9 weeks. After she measured Baby D, she told us that I was almost week 7.

As silly as it may seem, I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed with this news for several reasons. First of all, I have had my fair share of horrible first trimester side effects. I am SO over the nausea, headaches, and exhaustion. I am quite ready to begin feeling slightly back to normal (and yes, I know that this probably won't happen for the next 19 years but a girl can always hope).

On a less selfish note, the high percentage for miscarriage during the first trimester scares the living daylights out of me. I'm ready to be free and clear and heading into the second leg of this pregnancy, with the sense that I can relax just a little.

I know that there's nothing that I can do about any of the above and have to have faith that all will be well and just roll with the rest, nausea and all.

Today, I am thrilled that our baby is strong and doing well. Tomorrow, I will be 7 weeks and our little bean will graduate to the size of a blueberry. Life is good in this mommy's world! :)

Vagabond Life

Last year, I found myself "homeless" for over 6 months... a month was spent with my mother-in-law, a few months with my sister and her boyfriend in their one bedroom duplex (we were very cozy), several months in Thailand going from a shared home then hostel to hostel to monastery, followed by more hostels, a week back with my sister, a week with my other in-laws, and finally Joe and I moved into a home of our own. 

Needless to say, I was thrilled to have a permanent place to stay and to not be living out of suitcases and bags.  I was so happy that I threw myself into making a cozy home for us and the pup.  And we loved it.  It was the first time that Joe and I had ever lived together and in that house, we created many memories: from the simple ones like getting used to living with one another, to major life events like getting engaged, getting married, and finding out about our little one. 

I had no idea that only 9 months later, we'd be "homeless" yet again.

When we found out about getting stationed in California, we decided to use some of Joe's leave and take a little trip to Colorado and Wyoming.  I had never been to Wyoming and it would give us a chance to see some of Joe's family.  So, we purchased a trailer and decided to be a couple of vagabonds for a month!

Needless to say, life has been a bit crazy this past week.  All last week was spent moving out of our cozy little home, getting it all cleaned up, and then getting settled in our camper and prepping for our massive road trip, which Hubs has very strategically scheduled around football season (gotta love a man who has his priorities straight!!!).  My only stipulation for camping is to be located near a bathroom... I'm pregnant... can you blame me? 

I'm interested to see how this next month goes.  Joe and I are practically living on top of each other, along with all of the items that the movers couldn't ship, two plants, and our dog... and I am hormonal... Good Lord, I am hormonal.  I feel like I have more hormones running through me than a High School marching band.  One minute I'm happy and elated and loving life, the next minute, my husband looks at me and questions who has taken over and possessed his sweet and loving wife.  Luckily, I return, cry a little for being a total bitch, and then we laugh about it about an hour later.  If we survive, I will nominate my husband for Sainthood.  If not, well, I can't blame him.

Regardless of the fact that I am back to living in a tiny space and out of suitcases for a month (or longer), I can't help but feel blessed for the adventures that are thrown into my crazy path called Life.  And besides, for me, home is where my love is.  Anything else simply falls into the "details" category and I am okay with that.