Christmas and the festivities

J.R. and I have been back in Kansas for a few weeks, now. It definitely feels comfortable for the most part, but we really miss being in our own place. We are fortunate enough for J.R.'s Father and Stepmother to allow us to stay with them over the holidays and while we are in town to find jobs and a house.

We found a wonderful house! I am so excited about it. It's beautiful inside, and has so much space. A huge backyard for Ollie, and lots of huge window sills for Sushi to lay in and sunbathe. A nice patio to entertain when the weather is nice.

J.R. will start his new job on Monday. He will be working for Midas as a general auto service technician. He is pretty excited, Midas seems like a great company to work for. I still have a few interviews, and the job that I left to move to Texas is offerring a position back with them.

At first, things weren't going so great. We were starting to get worried if anything was going to happen, but things are slowly falling into place, now.

It just feels so good to be back in our comfort zone. I definitely didn't miss the snow and ice, but thanks to the Blizzard of '09 - ha! It wasn't all that bad. We had a snowball fight with the family on Christmas Eve. So much snow, and it was so much fun!

Christmas was nice. I was pretty depressed about everything going on, and the holidays are a reminder of what used to be. It's hard to adjust to a life without my family. I have my Mom, and my brother, Tim - but we were away from them this year. It just really sucks that since my Dad died, the whole family has fallen apart. It makes me sad, but there isn't a lot I can do to change it. J.R. has a wonderful family, and I think I've taken them for granted.

They always go out of their way to make me feel welcome, and I really do appreciate that.
The biggest event this year, was J.R.'s sister, Alicyn and her husband, Jeremy had a son in April. Henry. He is an adorable little guy! We loved spending time with him and can't wait to do more in the future. Sure makes me miss Bryson a lot, but will get to see him soon!

I didn't go to J.R.'s Mom's side of the family get together, it was pretty bad out weather wise, and thanks to the accident in Oklahoma and "side effects" from that, when there are visibility issues - I have so much anxiety. I just prefer to avoid it alltogether. The best part of being back in Kansas City is that I don't have to deal with traffic like Houston's! I know where I'm going, I don't really need the Garmin, and I don't have to worry about bumper to bumper - rushing to get ahead - close calls every time I get in my car. I love it here!

I got to spend a day of shopping and Sephora madness with my BFF's! Oh, how I missed them! They are two wonderful ladies, and I am glad to call them my friends.

Well, It's Official...

J.R. and I have decided to move back to Kansas. We are leaving next week to stay at his Dad and StepMom's house for a few weeks. We are going to check out some houses and hopefully find a great one! We are also applying for jobs already, but will be able to interview for the positions while in town. We will then move the rest of the house at a later date. I cannot really express how emotional this decision has been. I have honestly contemplated every angle of this decision possible, but feel that we have to make the best decision for our own little family. Texas is beautiful, but it just isn't home. I miss that familiar feeling, I miss friends and family. While, we've created a life here for us, it just isn't the same. We gave it a go, and things just didn't work out. I honestly believe that everything happens for a reason. I was laid-off, but it isn't the end of the world. Some days, it sure felt like it! What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, right?!



I'm so excited about Christmas. It snowed today in Houston, too. That just makes the spirit even more present. We decorated a couple nights ago, but haven't really got everything up. I didn't want to put up all the lights, if we aren't going to be here in the next few weeks.


I'm excited about finding the perfect house. I'm excited about it being OURS. I've never felt totally comfortable here, and it has nothing to do with anyone else living here. I think it was because it was all just unfamiliar. It never felt like home. I can't imagine ever going back to apartment living, and I really hope that we don't have to, but I know that things might be a little crappier before they truly get better upon the move.

My first semester college round two is almost over. So far, I have an A in one class and B in the other. I kinda felt that they were both dumb classes, but I've actually learned a lot from them both. I am excited that the semester is pretty much over, though! I just wonder how long of a break we'll actually get. It's definitely easier when working nights. Working days and trying to juggle school at the same time, pretty much sucks! It sounds so dumb, but it feels like there are more hours to do stuff when you work nights and get more time off to get things done.

I hope this week flies by, and we're back in Kansas before we know it. I should go ahead and start packing now, as I'm a huge procrastinator. :)