Psh, big deal

When I first told Steve about the Christmas cards on shutterfly, he really didn't care.

When I showed him the one I picked, he thought "big deal" with all the sarcasm he has.

When I complained about finding the right wording, he was no help.

He complained when I made us go take pictures at the park.

He was annoyed when Jasmine wouldn't cooperate for our "family" picture, and that we had to take a million just to get one with her looking at the camera. I was annoyed that our Christmas tree wasn't in the background, but it would have to do.

I was super bummed when we got snow on Tuesday because it delayed UPS, and my package was rescheduled for today. FIVE days later because of the holiday. Grrrr... I was excited to get our Christmas cards! Stupid snow!

I opened them right away when they showed up and Steve said... "Wow! They're very very impressive!" and he meant it too. He says he didn't expect much since they were free, but he really, really likes them and now considers it to be his parents' Christmas gift since we aren't doing gifts this year.

I knew it was their normal quality product, which is why I was so excited to see them! I was kind of worried because the site said there was a problem with one of the pictures and it might not print well. They lie! The card printed beautifully! I'm very happy with it and I can't wait to send them out!

I love free stuff!

As you know, for blogging about shutterfly, I got the 50 free Christmas cards. For actually ordering them, I got 101 free 4 x 6 prints! I love free stuff! :) Now I just need to get a photo album to put them in. If only I could win the Sears sweepstakes, I'd be set!

I don't win stuff like that though. I have to earn everything. I dislike lucky people who win stuff. I just think that it's unfair for us unlucky people. The only thing I have ever won in a random drawing type contest is a dog bed at the BX when I was like 13. I tried convincing my dad that it meant we needed to get a dog now. It didn't work. We ended up giving it to my babysitter.

I won a contest in the 4th grade for fire awareness or something. The whole school had to draw posters and I won 3rd place, and got a little plaque. I earned that though. So that wasn't luck.

I've entered a lot of contests whether at school, or a store sweepstakes thing, yeah, I never win. Although, I would rather be lucky in life, than things like that. For example, I'm lucky to have found such an awesome husband so early in my life. I'm lucky that I didn't grow up on the streets. I'm lucky my parents (daddy and step-mom) aren't abusive or psychotic. I'm lucky I was born in a free country. Things like that, yes, I'm lucky. Still, it'd be nice if I could win a big contest just once in my life. *sigh*

Thankful

I am thankful for my husband and all the things he does for me, as well as his unconditional love for me.

I am thankful for my parents, their support and their wisdom.

I am thankful for my little sister. My life at home would have been boring without her. ;)

I am thankful for my step-dad and his new family. He's been a part of my life since I was 4 years old and has been there for me countless times. I'm so happy I got to see him this year!

I am thankful for my friends. Each friendship brings something new and different to my life that makes me a better person.

I am certainly thankful for a roof over my head to keep me warm and safe from the bitter cold of winter.

I am thankful to have working transportation, even if it does take ages for my car to warm up.

I am thankful to have a job. I am super thankful my husband has a full time job, and that we are both able to work.

I am thankful that neither of us has needed a doctor's visit since we don't have medical insurance, as well that we are healthy.

I am thankful that my cat's behavioral problems stopped when we moved, and that she is healthy.

I am thankful for the sun. Even with all of our technology, I doubt we would last very long.

I am thankful for all the colors of the world. How beautiful they are!

I am thankful for chapstick and lotion. I would be miserable without them.

Most of all, I am thankful for God who sent His son to die for me, my husband and all those that I care about. I am thankful that He keeps his hand over me and my new family, and that He has blessed us so much.

Happy Thanksgiving! Have a great day with family and friends, and I will do the the same with Steve and Jasmine. :) If you're going shopping tomorrow... good luck and be safe.

Such A Waste Of Water!

Steve and I have learned something new to ask about for our next apartment. Will we need to constantly (yes, constantly) keep all the water running when temperatures drop below freezing point?

Now, I enjoy taking a little longer than I have to when I shower, so I'm not a water freak or anything... But seriously? It's driving me nuts that we have to leave the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and bathtub water running. It's only a steady trickle, but it all adds up! I'm just glad we don't pay for water.

It will probably be on until Friday, if not Saturday. Friday's high is expected be around 31, so if it doesn't reach 32, it'll be on all day Friday too! The walls are not very well insulated, so it's actually pretty cold even with our heat all the way up. I'm thinking that's why the pipes have a problem with freezing. It really should be illegal not to tell people these things.

What's on your plate?

I'm not making a turkey for two reasons. 1 They are kind of expensive and there is only the two of us, and 2. The thought of making a turkey grosses me out. I've never made one before, and I've never really helped make one either. I like eating turkey, it's delicious! Making it just grosses me out.

I've been told to have Steve do the gross part and in the future I probably will. I know you can get smaller turkeys, but we're just not going to do it this year. Instead, I'm going to make Honey Pecan Chicken. It's really simple, but really delicious.

We'll also be having mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans with bacon or almonds (haven't decided yet), rolls and pumpkin pie pudding. I thought about making an actual pie, but I don't really care for pie crust. If we like this new recipe, maybe it will become our own tradition to pass on. Normally, we might try a wine, but I still can't drink alcohol for a few more months, and honestly, I don't really care for most alcohol. Instead we got sparkling grape juice. Haha

In my family, we usually eat around one or two with the usual... Turkey, stuffing, cranberry, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. We've never really watched football because my family isn't into sports. We may have a few times if we had company over, but for most of them, we didn't. We also watch Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then some classic movie like the Sound of Music or whatever.

Thankfully, Steve's also not into football so we'll probably just play video games and watch TV all day. My bookstore is closed, and since he's still in training, he gets Thanksgiving off too.

Mostly, I'm curious and I hope a few of you respond. What are you having or making for Thanksgiving dinner? What traditions do you have in your family?

Permanently Moved to Wordpress

I was posting in both places while people figured out I moved over to wordpress.

If you don't have a wordpress account, you can still subscribe by email (and no, I can't see your email). There's a subscribe button on the main page.

http://jessicansteve.wordpress.com

Hope to see you there!

ATMH We're Going To Be Rich

According to my husband we're going to be filthy rich in the future. Steve hasn't figured out how yet, since we don't play the lottery... but he's convinced it will happen.

With that money, we'll have a big house, nice cars and all the video games he wants without having to work much. Ha!

Honestly, it'd be nice if we could win just $250,000. I'd buy a house the right size for us, not huge, but room to grow; new cars without issues; and all new furniture. Then, I could go back to school and only have to worry about the student loans, property tax, utilities and other small bills. Wouldn't that be nice?

He says we'll have it. I agree, but not without the mortgage and car payments sadly.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I haven't read the series in a while, so I kind of forgot everything that happens. Still, from what I remember, it followed the book awesomely. As well, it ended at a really good point to lead into part 2. I just wish the second part wasn't so far away! Gah!

So that's what we did with the little bit of extra money we did have. All $12 of it went to Harry Potter. I think it's worthy for sure. :) Aren't you happy I don't add spoilers?

Back to reality though. It snowed. It's still snowing. It started around 4 and hasn't stopped. It's supposed to continue all through Sunday too. Luckily, Steve is off on Sunday and he can take me to work. :) If you know me, you know my fear of driving in the snow/on ice. I don't work again until Friday and the roads will for sure be clear by then.

Still... I worry about Steve driving. I know he knows what he is doing and how to handle the car. Problem is, he can't control other drivers and other cars. I'm still in that phase where love freaking sucks because you worry about losing your other half all the time. I pray for his safety daily, and even more so when it's raining or snowing or the roads are simply iced over.

I wonder... how long does it take until you get over that constant fear? If you know, please tell me.

Early Christmas

I was bored today, so I randomly decided we should put our Christmas tree up! It's beautiful! I had it on a color scheme when I first got it a few years ago (blue and silver bulbs with white lights) but since people keep giving us ornaments... it's gotten much more colorful.

Now all I have to worry about is Jasmine getting into the tree. I hope in the last two years that she's learned to leave it alone, but it is a change and she gets curious with changes.

I learned today that taking a "family" picture with her is very tough. This is the best we managed, and her eyes are glowy. *Sigh*AND the tree ended up not being in the background. Arg.

I almost decided not to put the tree up at all this year, but I just love the sparkly too much. I'm not feeling the Christmas spirit simply because we are not buying gifts for anyone this year. Not even each other. I mentioned before how tight we are on money because I'm only getting two days a week. I've decided to look for either another part time job, or just a full time job to replace my bookstore completely. We'll see what I can find. I've already done a few applications. I put one in for a clinic, and I so desperately want it! I would love to be a receptionist and get away from retail!!!

Isn't that sad though? I'm not feeling the Christmas spirit because I can't BUY gifts. I'm rather annoyed with myself. That's not what Christmas is about, but I just love GIVING people things - especially my little sister since I can't be with her. That, and I can't go to my annual Christmas party since we moved. :(

So what about you? When are you putting your Christmas tree up? Are you in the spirit this year?

Cover by Meghan Tonjes

I love her voice. She's finally getting away from her monotone singing, and it's beautiful! I wish I had a voice like hers. :)

Alone

I've been really bummed lately. I miss seeing certain people, if not on a daily basis, such as my family, then at least on a weekly basis, such as NB, SJ, and SH and so on.

NB is hosting another bookstore Christmas party this year even though we've been closed for almost a year now. I want to go. I miss them all. The more I think about it, the more I continue to think that moving here really was all a waste of time.

I need to start looking for a different job. Our sales are down at my current bookstore, and so I'm only getting two days a week. So is everyone else. I've been there for over a month now and just now made enough to cover half of our rent.

As disappointed in myself as I was for working at a "big box" department store, I made REALLY good money with REALLY good hours. I miss it. I miss my co-workers too. They were awesome... except my manager, but I rarely saw her, if at all.

I hate how much we are struggling here. Bill after unexpected bill seems to keep popping up, and we don't have any extra money to put aside to pay back my parents for helping us move here. I knew October would be tough, but I thought by November we'd be back on our feet a little. November is almost over though, and I'm seriously doubting us being able to afford paying rent in February.

On top of our financial problems, I'm just lonely, and it's getting me depressed. Steve is at work all morning and afternoon every day, and goes to bed around 8, so he's not really around either. I'm home alone all day other than the two days I work. One of those days is usually a Saturday when Steve is home. So really, there is only one day per week where I'm not left completely alone. I hate it. I should have tried harder to convince him to go back to South Dakota before we left for Virginia.

ATMH life is awesome

Today, Jessica is not writing this "according to my husband." I am. This is a surprise because I was wanting to do something special for her all day today. So here it goes.

According to me, Life is awesome. Even when life comes across as tough, I see it as nothing more than a challenge to overcome. As a couple, we fight, every couple fights. Its a law of nature, but we get over it. We grow together as a couple and we endure. Love endures all even when it's tough.

I woke up this morning kinda early, and took the opportunity to hold Jessica tight. No kitty bugging us, no kids in existance, no sun glaring through the window. It was perfect. I thought to myself that I am glad how things work out. I thank God for the opportunity to spend time with my wife.

Today we were kind of waiting for a call from her work to see if she was going to have to go in today. She didn't. So now I get to be with her all day and see her face all day. I love it

So there it is. ATM life is awesome. As you read this look at the people around you and realize how much you love them. It will make your day better.

Steve

Christmas is almost here!

Well... 6 weeks away... tomorrow... but STILL! Christmas is almost here! You can hear Christmas music in pretty much any store. All the Christmas stuff is out, as well as the stores being decorated. I love it! It's all so pretty! And sparkly!

I'm still pretty new to the adult world of Christmas. You don't get spoiled quite as much. However, you come to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas, and that's the best gift of all. If you're lucky, you get to go home for the holidays, or have family and/or friends come to you.

In my family, if you can't be together, you get bombarded with Christmas cards, and it's pretty awesome. Even if you can be together, sometimes you still get bombarded with Christmas cards. I love it! Although, I must admit I didn't love it until I started picking out my own Christmas cards. There are so many little box sets to choose from. Very few people just randomly pick one and go with it. You could stand there for hours going through all of them and still not find what you're looking for in a Christmas card.

I've really come to appreciate Christmas cards because all the hassle the sender has gone through to find that perfect set. If you're non-Christian, you don't want scripture, or one that emphasizes the Lord, Jesus Christ. If you are super religious... "Happy Holidays" may not cut it for you even if you love everything else about the card. Or you might love all the wording, but not the picture. So many things that can turn you away from a card. It's frustrating, really. So frustrating, that sometimes you have to settle.

I won't be settling. I've got shutterfly. I first heard about it in a magazine, and then I believe it started popping up on my camera battery packages, but I'm not 100% on that. Point is, their advertising tactics work because it has been on my mind for some time. Thanks to another blogger, I discovered they have Christmas cards and finally signed up for an account! After showing you what they offer... I'm sure you'll want to make your own right away! (And all of their holiday cards are 20% off right now, as well as free shipping on orders of $30+)

Isn't this super cute?! I love it for its childlike quality of the font. If you're one of those people who buy cards, and then print off a little update, then something like the flat photo card "With Glee" would be perfect! You can add it in!

The black of this one makes the little white details, and the red pop. I also love the family initial. It's all very elegant. "Family Wall Noir" will more than likely be a future choice when we have a child. I think it's better suited for a family.

"Sweet and Retro" is another flat card that I'm in love with. I love the different fonts. I love the intricacy of "wonderful time." It's just beautiful and perfect if you just have one picture you want to use.

The folded "Paper Snowflakes" is another winner in my book. The brown and blue is very non-traditional on the Christmas color scheme, but that's why I love it so much! They also have an on-site photo editor. I love the way the brown and blue stand out in the actual photo, and you can use the effects to get a similar look.

There are hundreds of cards to choose from, and you can customize them to say only what you want. No more settling. The best part is you get to show off your fancy-shmancy photos from the year.

I already have mine picked out, and would love to share it with you now, but you're just going to have to wait until they come in the mail. It's amazing, beautiful and awesome! Since we're so far away from ALL of our family, I know they will especially cherish them. I'm excited to get them and send them out!

If you're interested, Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: here!

While this will be my first time using shutterfly, after looking around their website, I can tell it won't be my last. They are pretty darn cheap for prints and have other amazing products too! Calendars, ornaments, personalized coffee mugs... just tons of cool personalized gifts! Grandparents especially like this kind of stuff.

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs

Ending the Challenge

I didn't make it all the way through. Looking at the rest of the questions, they are kind of dumb, or short, or they are kind of repetitive, and so I feel like I've already answered most of them.

#19. My view on religion? That's pretty easy, and you should be able to tell from my posts in the last two weeks. I'm a Christian. Extremists annoy me and make me upset no matter which way they are going. Not just Christian extremists, but extremists from all religions. I think religion is a good thing. It brings hope to people, and generally makes the people who have true faith and try to follow the teaching of their church better people.

#20 Drugs and alcohol? I don't believe any type of drug should ever be taken unless medically necessary. Alcohol in moderation is okay, but I can't stand party people who like to drink every night 'til they pass out. I don't like people who like to get drunk every weekend, even if they are responsible the rest of the week. In fact, I think it's pretty stupid to get drunk at all. I think everyone should stop drinking once they get a buzz going. That's just my opinion though.

#21 Best friend in a car accident? Really? Obviously I would be there no matter what the fight was about.. Anyone who wouldn't is shallow and doesn't deserve the friendship.

#22 and #23 I wouldn't change anything about my past. If I did, I might not be where I am with my husband, and I wouldn't wish him away for anything.

#24 Make a playlist for someone and explain. No thanks.

#25 I'm still alive today because God still has a plan for me. As well, I don't do stupid crap.

#26 Yes, I have thought about ending my life. When I was 16 for the same reasons everyone else thinks about it. I felt alone and depressed.

#27 The best thing going for me is my marriage.

#28 We're not ready to have a baby, but we almost are. At this point, we'd most likely go through with the pregnancy.

#29 Something I hope to change about myself? I'd like to be more patient.

#30 I love just about everything about myself. I'm not perfect. Not everyone understands me, and that's okay. Some personalities don't go together.

See. I'm done with this challenge. Day 19 and 20 are about the only days left that I could really make a decent post about. So I'm done. If, however, you'd like me to elaborate on something, feel free to ask.

Joining the Air Force

I'm glad we are living here now. I like living here. Steve likes living here. No, Steve loves living here. I think it may all be a waste of time.

He is trying to get into the Air Force again. He's given up in the past because I've changed my mind. We don't do major changes in our lives unless we are both on board, and I kept changing my mind. Honestly, I still don't want him to join, but I'm going to support him.

I've written before about how I don't want to be a military wife, and the main reason is that I don't want to be separated from him. Having civilian jobs pretty much guarantees he'll be home every night. Being in the military pretty much guarantees deployments. Of course, there's also the beginning stages like basic training, and tech. school.

I'm pretty sure I can handle basic by myself here in Utah, but if I can't go with him to tech. school... I may just have to go home to my parents for that time. Or maybe my grandparents. I bet they'd like that. Hmmm... I'll have to think on that when the time comes.

We have talked about it a lot, and since I'm still uncomfortable with him being in the military, he's going to do 4 years. If it's not working for us after that time, then he'll get out. 4 years is a long time though. That's just a year shorter than our entire relationship, and it seems like such a long time. It seems like I've known my husband forever, and so 4 years also seems like forever.

Thankfully, Steve has to lose 20 pounds in order to join. If he really set his mind to it, he could do it in a snap. I'm having a hard time getting him to work out though. I am pushing him because it's the next stage in our life, and I hate waiting. Part of me is glad that it will take a little longer than it probably should because it's more time for us together. I'm not ready for it to happen tomorrow, but I am ready for it to happen soon.

Day 18: Gay Marriage

Your Views On Gay Marriage

I want to start off by saying that I am a Christian, and I believe in the unconditional love of God and Jesus above all else.

I don't like the Christians that give all Christians a bad name by telling people that God will not accept them and they are going to hell because they are gay. "God hates fags." They are right up there with "Thank God for dead soldiers." It makes my blood boil.

God is loving and accepting. God is the only one who can cast judgment and decide where you will end up in the afterlife. Who are these people to tell you such outright lies?

That being said, I'm all for gay marriage. Marriage was created to cause monogamy, faithfulness, a trusting environment, reproduction, love, care, companionship and more. In a same-sex marriage, reproduction between the two is impossible. Although, I don't think that's quite as important today simply because of the quantity of people now on Earth. There are far too many unwanted children around the world. Reproduction is still vital, but not in the amount we see today.

I believe that everyone should have the right and privilege to have the things that come with marriage. You love who you love. If they are willing to make that life-long commitment, why stop them? It's not a disease, or a mental handicap. It's the way they have chosen to live their life. God loves all of his children. God accepts all of his children. Unconditionally. Shouldn't we?

Day 17: Books, books, books!

A Book You've Read That Changed Your Views On Something

I will honestly say that I don't read "serious" books. I read fantasy. I read a lot of manga. I read biographies.

I haven't read a book that has changed my mind on anything. I will tell you what I've learned. I've learned that you don't have to be an amazing, or even a good writer to become world famous, so long as your story sucks people in. (Stephenie Meyer, anyone?)

I've learned that you don't need to have an original idea to get your books published. In fact, you can damn near plagiarize. (Allison Noel, anyone?)

I've learned that history can be pretty awesome, if it has a love story thrown in for me.

I've learned that I like to peek into the day-to-day lives of others - whether through biographies, or blogs.

I've learned that any subject you can think of, there's a book written about it. Even the wierdest and creepiest things you can think.

Best of all, books are one of the top two ways to learn something. The other, of course, being real world experience.

I love working in a bookstore, because even though I don't read very many genres, especially within non-fiction, I still learn little things by glancing at the back of books I'm putting away. As well, some customers tell me about the books I'm finding for them, or things about the author. It's all very interesting, and I'm realizing how much I love learning. Someday I'll venture out of my three favorite genres, but for now I'll just continue enjoying them.

Eww. Snow.

It's been raining all morning, which is fine. I like the rain. Makes things green. Makes bugs (especially bees) go into hiding. However, I looked out my window a few moments ago, and what do I see? Big, wet, snowflakes. Gross.

I've always disliked snow. It's cold. You have to change your socks and pants as soon as you get inside if you were unprepared for the snow. The messiness of it all is only made worse if it's still not cold enough to stay snow on the ground, but rather slushy, muddy goop.

With the first few snowfalls of the season comes the freezing-your-butt-off days. These days are the first reason I hate winter. I've only ever lived in areas where it gets below zero. However, any day below 20°F gives me sharp pains in my temples. As well, it just makes my face super dry. Dry, chapped skin hurts all around and is super sensitive until it warms up again. Of course, this only happens after prolonged periods in the weather. Thankfully, I no longer have to walk to school, or the bus stop.

My car is old. It's just a few years younger than me. I love my car though. Love, love, love it! My dad bought it when I was 4 years old. He took very good care of it. So much so that technicians are shocked at the shape that it's in. It makes me proud. Still, it's old. It doesn't do well in freezing temperatures. It takes 20 minutes just for it to start blowing warm air from my heater. I use my heater as an indicator of when it's ready to go, because I don't want my car to freeze over or break. When it was here before, and in Idaho, it was always in a garage, so it never really had to deal with the cold the way it does now. I wouldn't whine quite as much if I had a garage now because I wouldn't have to warm it up, but also because I wouldn't have to scrape it off.

When I started driving is when my true disdain for snow and winter began. Snow melts on warm sunny days, and then refreezes over night creating danger, accidents, delays and sometimes death in the morning. I hate icy roads more than anything. I almost slid into a pole once! That was scary. When I was little, my dad hit a patch of black ice while driving to Ohio to visit family for Christmas. Our van ended up in a ditch on its side. I refuse to drive if it's icy. Fortunately, Steve is comfortable on ice. He knows how to handle the car if it starts sliding. I know how to in theory, but I panic if I start to slide. It's torture. I want to live in the southern US where it's warm all year round. I want to live where the whole city shuts down if we just so happen to get a few inches of snow. I just don't want to have to speak any language other than my own, and I shouldn't have to, but that's a whole other post if I ever feel inclined to write it.

While I hate snow with passion, there are a few upsides to it. It's absolutely gorgeous when it sticks to the trees. I don't mean when it rests on top of them, I mean when every side of every branch is covered in it. It's beautiful! It's also an awesome excuse to snuggle even closer with a hot cup of cocoa, and wear fuzzy socks. However, these things do not outweigh the bad, so my contempt for snow remains.

Day 16: Things The World Could Do Without

Someone or Something You Could Live Without

I repeat what I said yesterday.

However, there are a lot of things I think the world could live without:

1. Luxury items. One or two things, sure. But a huge house full of them, no.

2. Cruelty. To each other and to animals.

3. Hate.

4. War.

5. Intolerance.

6. Credit cards.

7. Greed.

8. Lust.

9. Drugs that serve no medical purpose.

10. Temptation.

I could go on and on, but I am going to leave it at that. If you got rid of one of these items, others would automatically go away, but I still wanted to list them. Credit cards may seem silly within this list, but it would make it harder to spend money you don't have on luxury things you don't need. As well, our country wouldn't be in the huge mess it's currently in.

ATMH: It Kinda Costs Less

According To My Husband $60 =/= $60

My husband put some money down on a pre-order for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood the other day. He told me today that we should put more money on it, so that when he gets it on the 17th, it will be less.

I told him not to because either way it's the same amount, so he might as well just wait until the day it comes out.

He still insisted because then it will be less on the day he gets it. Technically, yes, but I still think it's pointless. He's just excited to get it. It's an early Christmas present.

Day 15: You Can't Take Material Things With You When You Die

Something Or Someone You Couldn't Live Without

Someone... For the rest of my life? I couldn't live without my husband.

Something... For the rest of my life? Probably the internet simply because it's my connection to the world, as well as my entertainment. I can watch TV shows and movies. I can play games. I can talk to friends (phone calls can have weird silences and sometimes force small talk. Small talk is the worst. Ugh.)

Someone... For a few weeks? Well, I don't like being away from my husband. I like sleeping in his arms every night. I like cuddling on the couch while we watch movies. I like making dinner together. I like doing just about everything with him, but I CAN live without him for a few weeks. I'll have to soon anyway, so I don't much have of a choice.

Something... For a few weeks? Well, I could live without everything I have for a few weeks if I had to.

Day 14: Daddy and Jesus

A Hero Who Has Let You Down

I've had two heroes in my life for as long as I can remember, and you know what? Neither of them has let me down.

My daddy is the first. He's always been there for us. He's never done any wrong by us. I mean, maybe typical parental mistakes, but nothing I can think of so they're obviously insignificant. He's smart. He's funny. He's disciplined. He's strict. He's fun. He teases. He lifts me up. He's just my hero.

My second, only because He came to me later in life, is Jesus. He's my savior. He's my everything. He's my best friend. He's just everything. How can someone literally perfect, who only does things for you out of love, ever let you down?

Personal Heater

I don't like going to bed by myself. It seems like a lot of women are like that. I wonder why? I know I like to go to bed together because I like snuggling before I fall asleep. 95% of the time I am freezing! when I'm ready for bed and Steve is like my own personal heater! His body temperature runs higher than mine every second of the day!

I used to have to beg him to come to bed with me when I knew he wasn't ready. Most of the time he fell asleep right away though so I think he just wanted to continue whatever activity (usually video games) rather than stop to sleep. I don't have to beg him anymore. Because of work, lately he has been going to bed before me.

Steve is currently training in his new job, and so he has to be to work by 6 a.m. which means he goes to bed around 9 p.m. Sometimes I don't get off work until 10:30 p.m. so my bed time is around midnight.

I'm loving that I can go to bed when I want and he's already in there with the bed and blankets warmed up! It means less shivering for me! Although, it also means that I can't wake up with him. :( Still, I love being able to go to bed and snuggle with him. It's one of the best parts of being married!

Day 13: Grateful for Music

A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days.
(Write a letter)

I will not be writing a letter. I find it silly. That, and there is no single artist/band to get me through tough days.

Whenever I'm feeling down or depressed, I listen to my current favorite songs. My favorite songs are rarely slow. They always have a quick beat. They always make me feel like dancing. They simply force me to perk up.

I can't even name specific artists or bands that I could ever say "Thank you" to simply because my favorites change so quickly. I haven't had any super tough days for a very long time, and so I honestly can't tell you what I listened to on those days.

However, I will say this. I'm grateful that humanity has created some amazing beats. I'm even more grateful to God for giving us that ability. Music is universal, and I love it!

ATMH: One Last Mission > Sleep

According to my husband one last mission means more than sleep.

He's a gamer. Loves every console there is. He would rather stay up all night playing video games than get enough sleep for work.

He has gotten a lot better over the last 4.5 years though. Now it's 10 - 30 minutes past the bed time he has set for himself. Before, he'd literally stay up all night playing his video games when he could get away with it.

Me? I'd rather get that extra ten minutes of sleep. Still, I do understand. Sometimes it's hard to turn my Sims off when I have something that needs to be done.