Giving Daddy Love on Christmas Day

I have so much to post on our trip to Kentucky for Christmas. But I thought I'd share this one pic quickly. This was taken on Christmas Day, just before we went over to my Aunt and Uncle's house. Abby Kate loves her Daddy! More on our family's holiday to come...

Warm Holiday Wishes!

Today's Temps = High: 56 / Low: 27

The cold weather has finally come! Now whether it's going to stay or not... that's the question. We've been teased before. But there's a pleasant chill to the air that we haven't felt in a long time. Maybe we'll actually be able to wear our winter clothes without breaking into a sweat this week! A girl can only hope. Anyway, the most fun part is seeing AK in a hat and mittens. These are courtesy of Grandma Wallace. And the adorable outfit is a Christmas present from Uncle CJ and Aunt Amber. So cute! Thanks, guys!

Daddy's Boots: Not Made for Walkin'

Abby Kate knows what "shoes" and "socks" are and can say the words better than most others. So when she saw Daddy's BIG pilot shoes, I don't think she could resist trying them on. After getting all the way in - with the boots up to her booty (sorry, couldn't resist) - she wasn't so sure about them anymore. I think she was wondering why they didn't 'walk.' (Click the image for a better view.)

As for Daddy, he can certainly walk in his boots as well as accomplish many other great things in them. On Thursday, he soloed at night for the first time. On Monday, he soloed in a 4-plane formation flight (flying a few feet away from his classmates and their instructor flying the other three planes). Next week, he will start practicing how to land on an aircraft carrier (except using a "carrier box" - or a painted area - on a runway instead of in the ocean). I can't imagine him landing a jet on a moving ship out in the ocean, but that's exactly what he'll be doing at the end of his training here (probably early June).

Although it's still stressful being graded everyday, Mike is having a lot of fun with this part of his training.

Tag. I'm It!

OK, I've been tagged by Christina. Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven random things about me. Hmmmmmm...
1. I don't like to cook. Or bake. I think the time it takes to make a delicious meal greatly outweighs the time it takes to enjoy it. Plus, a delicious meal usually equals tons of calories. And if you go the healthy route - well, why waste so much time making something that isn't even good?! I'd rather save the time and the calories and just eat an apple and some cheese or whole wheat toast with peanut butter for dinner. If it were only me in this house, that's what I'd do. But we make pretty simple meals around here, anyway. I'm going to have to start making more of a variety of things for Abby Kate, however, so she'll have the opportunity to taste many different things now that she eats mainly table food. So if you have any easy, easy recipes that kids like...

2. I get excited about the mail coming everyday! That's weird, I know. Sometimes it's all bills and coupons, but it's the not knowing what you're going to get - a daily surprise, if you will - that's fun. What a dork I sound like! But we're sharing random and weird stuff, so this is what you get.

3. Christina, me too! I'm terrified of snakes. Even typing the word sends a shiver up my spine. I HAAAAATE them. I'd rather have 100 spiders crawling all over my face than having even a pet snake touch me. And, I mean... "pet" snake? What kinda crazy are you people keeping snakes in your house as "pets?" Blech! I can't look at them in books either. And when that crocodile hunter died? I swear I was afraid to turn the TV on for fear of more coverage about his death. In almost every shot he was holding a disgusting, slithering beast! I've encountered a couple (remember this?), in my life, and that's way too many already.

4. I love wintergreen-flavored candy. Remember candy cigarettes? I used to down those things. My cousins and I would walk up to the drug store near my grandmother's house when we were little and buy bags of candy. I'd always go straight for those because I loved the taste. Only much later would I find out that they sell LifeSavers Mints in the same flavor! My favorites are the ones that are a little bit soft. I could eat a whole bag in one day. I don't. But I could. :)

5. I met my husband when I was in the 7th grade (he was in 8th). I first saw his picture in our middle school yearbook. It was a closeup of him in his football uniform. I think he even had his protective mouthpiece in, so it must've been during the game. He looked all tough and athletic. His blue eyes were so bright against the blue jersey (just like AK's!). I think I'd already fallen for him in that instant while staring at the picture. And after I met him in person, I was completely lovesick. We started dating about a year and a half later when I'd just turned 14. And since that day on July 26, 1993, we've been together. Not one breakup! And I've just kept loving him more and more through high school, college, our wedding, the military, our first baby... I should dig up that picture of him from middle school. I still feel the same as I did at 13 every time I look at it.

Hey, I found it!
6. I love word games like Scrabble and other word puzzles. I can't ever get Mike to play them with me, but when I have time I play them online.

7. I couldn't have imagined not having a little girl. I prayed and prayed for a little girl, even if it was just one. And I couldn't be happier that she's here!!! I'm so, so excited about all the fun things and special moments I'll get to share with her. I love you, sweet girl!

OK, sorry guys, I'm randomly tagging seven here... get going!:) Marge, Lori, Kim, Sommer, Carolyn, Whitney, and Kasey.

First of Many, I'm Sure

Today started off not so good. Abby Kate awoke at 2 a.m. with a 104.4 degree temperature for the second night in a row. She slept on my chest for the rest of the morning after we gave her some Tylenol and didn't wake up again until 9:30. So I called Dr. Price and she thinks AK has a stomach virus. She's really tired and just feeling miserable today.

As if all that wasn't enough, she then took a tumble into the coffee table this morning. At first, I didn't think she had injured herself, but then about 10 minutes later, this appeared on her little cheek! I feel so bad for her. It looks a little worse in person - more black and blue. So we're just asking for your prayers to make her feel better soon. I'm sure this bruise is the first of many, but I just hate that I can't prevent them all!

Santa Came to Town. On a T-45!

Abby Kate met (and was terrified) of Santa for the first time on Saturday. The squadron hosted a Christmas party for the children and "flew" Santa in on one of the jets. He actually just taxied around the runway a bit, before exiting the jet to hand out gifts and take pictures with all the kids. It was all really cute, but Abby Kate DID NOT like the fat, jolly old soul with the beard. We weren't even close to him, but she was shrieking from afar. So we knew right then there would be no picture with Santa. (Hence, no picture with Santa here.) We did get a picture with the jet though. I'm not sure how Santa is scarier than this loud, giant piece of metal, but go figure. I tried to explain to her that this is the plane Daddy flies everyday. To which she pointed to it and replied, "Doooooog." Everything's a dog.

We went upstairs to the squadron afterward for snacks and gift-giving. Santa brought Abby Kate her first Care Bear, which she named "baby." However, she was way more interested in the bowl of Cheez-Its than any part of the Christmas festivities. :)