Back to the West Coast

A little over a week ago Billy noticed a voicemail on his phone from the director of the California/Nevada JATC (he was working for the South West JATC) asking him if he had gotten his letter inviting him to the climbing class and asking for a call back by the end of the day. Well that was on a Saturday and the message had been left on Friday. So needless to say all weekend we were worried that our chance to move back to California had been missed. Come Monday he was able to get ahold of him and found out the class began in a week. Thankfully Billy only had to work a few hours that day and had Tuesday off because of the rain so we were able to talk and give some serious thought to what we wanted to do. If Billy did decide to come out for the climbing class, he would have to quit the apprenticeship program he had been in for a year and a half and possible need to start all over again. There was also no guarantee that he would pass the climbing class, although we weren't too worried about that being a problem. By Monday evening we decided that if we could get everything together that we needed to on Tuesday we would go for it. There was a lot that had to go right, but everything came together! So Wednesday morning we packed up the trailer, said our last good byes and started driving west! We split the drive up into two days and arrived in Riverside, CA on Thursday night. Billy had a few things to do here in California on Friday before the class started and thankfully all went smoothly again. We spent the weekend relaxing and hanging out at the beach and he went to his first day of class on Monday. By the end of class we should get a call telling Billy where his first job is. We're praying like crazy it's close to family. In the meantime we're enjoying the beautiful weather (while Oklahoma is experiencing a deep freeze) and practicing some serious thankfulness at this wonderful turn of events!

Lineman Rodeo

Last weekend Billy competed in the International Lineman's Rodeo in Kansas City, MO. It was so much fun! There was a big expo on Friday where we got lots of free stuff :) and Saturday was the actual competition. Billy competed in three events, and did really well in all three! Here are some pictures from the weekend (including a giant piece of meat Billy ate one night...).

And in other news... I'm 24 weeks pregnant! 

We set up our crib last week and I made a flannel swaddle :) So much excitement!!!

How is it October Already?

The end of last month flew by! And the if the last week is any indication, this month will do the same!

Well we found out some very exciting news a couple weeks ago...

We're having a boy! Needless to say Billy was more than thrilled, and so was I :)

Everything here is going smoothly. Billy's birthday is this weekend so we're celebrating by going to an Octoberfest party here in Lawton, eating pie and watching movies. I can't help but think of all that will happen by the time Billy turns 28! We will be parents, he'll have topped out, and we'll hopefully be living back in California! 

Big News!!!

I really, really meant to make this blog a priority again and am so disappointed with myself for letting it fall by the wayside.
However, I did have a pretty good excuse for a few months... I'm pregnant!

The sonogram was at my 10 week appointment and the picture is obviously at 17 weeks, I'm now almost 19 weeks!

The first trimester was exhausting to say the least but the symptoms pretty much stopped with that, other than the occasional bloating or craving for sour patch kids. 

Since about week 15 I've been feeling great! So I am making it a priority to get back to blogging, now that I can no longer use the overpowering desire for naps as an excuse. 

I've also started writing the occasional article for the blog: Literally Darling

these are my first two:

http://www.literallydarling.com/blog/2014/06/25/5-tips-look-like-tourist-vacation/

http://www.literallydarling.com/blog/2014/08/15/enjoy-every-single-workout/

I absolutely love the stage of life we're in right now! We're relatively settled down in one spot and looking forward to meeting our first child in February. So far I love being pregnant! I am more than anxious to start feeling the baby move and we have our big ultrasound next week, so hopefully this baby will cooperate and we'll find out whether it's a boy or girl! 

Poconos Adventure!

Last week Billy and I along with two close friends, spent 7 days in the Poconos traveling around to New York, Philadelphia and Boston! We had such an amazing time and saw so many incredible things! All three cities were so different and each had so many special things to offer I don't think I could choose a favorite.

Philadelphia was the first stop for Billy and I and after Kenny and Beverly joined us, we spent another day there at the end of the week. We had cheesesteaks, saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and had a blast walking around. And I had to eat a pretzel from a food cart :)

NYC was next and was so incredible! I was in awe just walking around. We stopped at Central Park, The MET, Time Square and Greenwich village to name a few places. 

And I think Boston was the crowd favorite. We walked along the Freedom Trail most of the day and saw a lot of great historical monuments, ate lobster rolls and toured the Sam Adams brewery.

We also spent a couple days hanging around the Poconos recharging. We relaxed, watched the world cup and did some wine tasting at a local vineyard. 

I had no idea I wold enjoy the east coast so much! I can't wait to go back!

Billy's a 5th Step!

Well, it's that time again! Billy was promoted (or graduated? I'm not really sure how to say it...) to a 5th step this week! There are seven steps in the apprenticeship, so he's getting close! We went out to german food after he took his last test to celebrate :)

Witchita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Unfortunately Oklahoma is known (at least where I'm from) as being very flat, with nothing to look at. But just outside Lawton are the Witchita Mountains, which are not very mountainy but they are pretty with lots of... wildlife!

On another note, Billy's out of town working tonight so that means I get to have whatever I want for dinner, which will probably be something like this: 

Do you ever do this when you're alone for the night? I'm pretty sure if I was single I would just eat plates like this for all of my meals :)

Weekend Happenings

I realize that it's already Wednesday, but time has already seemed to get away from me this week. This was our last weekend home for awhile as Billy has some work stuff coming up the next couple Saturdays, and the weekend after that we leave for the Poconos! So this weekend was filled with lovely time relaxing, enjoying each other and the wonderful spring weather.

I don't know if you've ever heard of Indian tacos before. I hadn't before we moved here, but let me tell you, they add an entire new level of cultural depth to Oklahoma. They start out with a deliciously chewy on the inside, crispy on the outside, piece of fry-bread, layer ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on top and finish it off with some sour cream, salsa and onion garnish. It's amazing.

Billy sweetly offered to go pick some up for lunch for us on Saturday and may or may not have come back with three of them... and lets just say he didn't finish two by himself.

The thing about Indian tacos, in Lawton anyway, is that you can't just buy them whenever you want. You have to wait for these special evens throughout the year like festivals or fundraisers to buy them, which of course makes them just that much tastier. 

We spent the rest of our weekend sipping Moscow Mules on our makeshift patio. 

Billy plays in a church softball league on Monday nights and his games have been so much fun to watch. They've been on a great winning streak!

Happy Wednesday!

Resurrection

I've been meaning to resurrect the blog for a while now but motivation has eluded me... until now!

Billy and I are much more stationary if you can believe it. We've been in Lawton for 11 months. The longest we've ever lived anywhere together (as husband and wife) by a long shot. Billy is loving the crew he works with and is now a 4th step apprentice. I have been spending the last few months subbing, which is a GREAT fit for me. I was working a lot when we first moved here, probably because I hadn't been able to for so long and really missed it, but now I'm back to about 30 hours a week and can take time off whenever I want, not to mention the entire summer :)

Billy and I just got back from CA last week, he's set to step again next week, summer break just started for me and with the beautiful weather coming out from all the clouds it just seems like a great time to pick up the blog again. So stay tuned!