O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Well although last year was our first Christmas together this year is different for so many reasons. Besides being married now, last year we didn't have to many decorations but we did have a live tree. Live trees are great, but if you know me then you know I kill practically any plant that makes it into my house, including all trees. Needless to say our tree lasted about a week last year before I forgot to give it water and killed it. HA. I managed to keep it standing until the 25th but it was all brown and had very few needles on it. Now that's what I should have posted a picture of!! Oh well.

This year when Kevin and I decided to decorate the house we decided a fake tree would be best for the Ford residence. This way I was safe from killing, burning, or drying out any holiday decor. While we were shopping for decorations we came across a huge selection of tropical ornaments. It is definitely out of the ordinary but they tree actually turned out very cute. If you notice it fits right in with the sailors wheel on the wall!

So any Jimmy Buffett fan knows that you cant be a fan with out being a parrot head. That's why our tree has fish, boats, parrots, and even surf boards. It honestly fits in perfectly with our home decor. I should be wrapping presents to put under this dang tree right now instead of blogging... but what are you gonna do.

Kevin also wanted a 50 ft. Santa on a surf board to blow up in the front yard.. after some major convincing and pleading we settled for a large surfin' Santa on the mantel!! HAHA.

Oh on a side note, its been almost two months now that I have been without my car and its still not fixed! UGH. They are hoping it will be done by Christmas, I know I've been good this year so hopefully Santa will bring it back to me... along with a few other presents under the tree :)

It can't all be roses

Well I was thinking in all the mix of things that have been going on I should also include all the stressful stuff. The last two months have gone by in such a blur. The weeks seem to be filled with chaos and stress which trickle into busy weekends that never end.

It all started when my dad found out that he had prostate cancer. Just the word really shook me up. I have to say it wasn't unexpected. Both my grandfather and uncle passed away from the C-word. My dad had not been feeling well for some time so when the doctor came back with the news I knew what we were facing. Either way, the thought of anything even happening to my dad was un-thinkable. We have not been on the best of terms in the past, but this year had been such a turning point. For the first time in a while I knew my dad was happy for me. It was clearly evident at our wedding. My dad is really fond of Kevin so since our engagement we had been talking more and more. Its funny though, in times like this you really realize how much someone means to you and how easily you take them for granted. I know I know... everyone says that when something tragic happens. But maybe that is part of the reason why God puts events like that in our lives. I truly believe that God had a plan for this whole thing long before it was revealed.

Anyway, after lots of doctors visits and praying about what would be best my dad decided on surgery. It was scheduled for this last week. Up until the day before the surgery I had not thought much about it. I think I tried to keep it on the back burner and stay distracted. But the day before I was a mess! It was more the thought of all the things I couldn't control and "might" go wrong that scared me. But the surgery went very well!!! Praise God! Our family is so thankful to have it behind us, now we are just focusing on moving forward.

But... as if that wasn't enough on my plate to think about this month. I managed to also have my first car accident!!! And let me tell you it was crazy. I was coming home from work (it was actually mine and Kevin's engagement anniversary, October 28th) minding my own business when out of no where I was hit unbelievably hard on my passenger side. Before I knew it I was flying across 3 lanes of traffic to hit directly on a cement median on the driver side. It happened in a blink, all airbags deployed and shook me up pretty good. It took me a few minutes to process what had just happened. The car in the far right lane had come into my lane and sent me flying. My NEW car was crushed! I can say though amazingly no one was hurt! Again, I believe it was a God thing. There is no other way to describe what happened. I was traveling home at 5:30 on a busy interstate and traveled across 4 lanes of traffic without hitting anyone else and with out anyone else being injured. I truly believe that if I would have had time to think or react the damage would have been much worse.

As lucky as we were, I have to say it has been a pain in the butt every since. Dealing with insurance, no car, and my achy neck has made for one cranky wife. I was so proud to have a nice new car, and in an instant it was ruined. Either way you look at it now we are out a large chunk of cash. My car is worth nothing now and yet we cant afford another one. YUCK! And even though it wasn't my fault the other driver did not have enough insurance to cover the damage on my car. Just thinking about the whole ordeal makes my neck tense.

So... in a nutshell, I have been stressed. I guess you could say with everything on our plate I could really use some sense of normality in my life. I am really looking forward to a lazy weekend or some structure to our days.

I put up a picture, its hard to see but basically all of my front was crushed up like an accordion. It also blew out both tires and completely broke off my wheel axle and steering column!

I can say though, in the mix of all the chaos and hard times. I am reminded daily that I have a wonderful husband. He lets me vent on my bad days, cry on my sad ones, and even take it out on him when no one else is around. All in all, even the worst days are better having him to come home to!

Wreck Em' Tech Em'

Well, as I said before we are deep in football season so in the mix of our traveling we made a trip down to Lubbock, Texas for probably one of the biggest games of the year! Now this was not just any old trip. First of all I have not been to Lubbock in over 10 years so it was basically a new experience for me. Secondly I was on neutral ground. Both of the teams we were going to see were rivals to my A&M. So who did I cheer for? Well for the sake of my marriage I put on my Raider gear! haha.

So for the biggest game of the year you cant do it up normal, you have to go all out, and we did!!! We traveled in a nice motor home down there, complete with leather reclined chairs, washer/dryer, bathroom/shower, 2 beds and LOTS OF BEER. I have to admit I was spoiled. There is just no other way to travel. You can drink, eat, and sleep (all things I love) at the same time. And you never have to stop to break the seal!

Alright so now to the weekend. I knew with Kevin being back on his old stomping grounds there was going to be a lot of drinking, but I don't think I fully prepared myself for all we were getting into. We went out Friday night, which happened to also be Halloween!!! It was great to meet up with all our friends and meet tons of new people. The next morning (GAME DAY), we got up at 9 am to start drinking bloody mary's. Did I mention the game was at 7:00 that night. Phew it was going to be a long day. So after lots of beer, liquor, and fun complete with a full on tailgate right by the stadium we were ready for the game.

The energy was so exciting and intense. I was complete with my Tech gear and my own version of the Raider chant.... "We will Wreck em' we will Tech em" which I invented the night before. Those dang Raiders, they try to make complicated chants that any intoxicated person is bound to screw up. Cant they just make it something simple. I think the real saying is "We will hit em, we will wreck em, hit em, wreck em Texas Tech". SEE, long and complicated... like I said, especially when your drunk.

Anyway, we won the game. It was literally the last 5 seconds and a crazy long pass that got us the victory. What a weekend!!!

Oh and the motor home was such a save on the long drive home. I stayed in bed sleeping off my hangover the whole way! AMAZING!

Are you ready for some football...

Well, we are deep into football season which also equates to busy season for the Ford residence. I don't think there is a weekend until after Thanksgiving that we are not on the run. This weekend we took a trip to College Station to watch the Aggies take on Texas Tech. It was great to be back "home" but also hard considering Kevin and I have a difference of opinion. haha The good news is we didn't leave A&M divorced! We actually had a good time watching both our teams, but for me it was a first to not sit on the student side. I found myself deep in a mix of Tech fans on my right and Aggie Alum on my left. The game was not a total blow out and turned out to be fun, but I don't think I was well liked cheering for the Ag's in the opposing section! Nor do I think I will ever sit in that section again. From now on I told Kevin we will have to separate and meet up after the game when they are on my home turf. They say you bleed maroon... and in a sense its true. College Station was such a memorable place for me and what I considered my home until now. Its always nice to go back and visit.

Looser Who???

Alright it's that time of year when there are a million tv shows on that I seem to get sucked into. Biggest Looser has suddenly become my new favorite. Why I enjoy watching obese people get yelled at by some skinny trainer girl saying "run your ass off" I don't know, but I find it hugely entertaining. I think what is even more entertaining is watching Kevin during these shows. Somehow during the course of the episode Kevin transforms his brain into thinking he is actually on the show. For instance the other night I made cookies after dinner. Which is a usual occurrence around our house. And just like I always do, I set two cookies out in front of him with a glass of milk. Any other show on tv and Kevin would be chowing down right now. But NO biggest looser is on and Kevin has warped his mind into thinking he is on the show and refuses the cookies. Ok Kevin, you never refuse cookies whats the deal? His response "I'm watching my weight." haha!!!! I can only imagine if Survivor Man comes on, Kevin will think he is trapped on some island.

La Orana

I guess if I am going to include all the pictures about the wedding I should throw up a few from the honeymoon as well. We went to Tahiti and spent a week on the island of Bora Bora. It was by far the most amazing trip I have ever been on. Not just because it was the honeymoon, although that helps. But the scenery was amazing! Our room actually sat on the water and was a beautiful suite. Its breathtaking how clean and fresh the air and water is in a place like that. The culture and food are all based on French Polynesian, and I can say it is truly magical. Kevin and I made the most of each day. Since our room opened up on the water with the sun rising we made sure to see it every morning. Sunrises were followed by a quick dip in the ocean right from our room, and then breakfast. Then it was off to the beach or an activity for the day! But there were also days when all we did was sunbathe and snorkel from our room. One day while walking on the beach Kevin picked a coconut from the tree, we made it our mission that afternoon to crack it open and eat it!!


We even took an afternoon to swim with black tip reef sharks and sting rays!! I can't believe I was that adventuresome to get in the water with them. Kevin said I was more like a a cat climbing a tree (him being the tree) that actually swimming in the water, but hey what else are you supposed to do when a freakin 6 foot shark comes by?

It was a trip that will never be topped, so if you ever have to chance to travel there I highly recommend it.

The Wedding

Alright, Alright, so many things to catch up on... so little time. I guess I should start with the wedding. It was by far the biggest event of my life thus far. And surprisingly it went with ease and perfection (in my eyes). I was surprised at how un-nervous I actually was. The day went by so fast and us girls had a good time. But at one moment I remember I was in front of the mirror touching up my make-up when I glanced at the clock and realized the ceremony was only 30 minutes away and I was getting married...surreal! My photographer actually caught that moment (notice the clock behind me).

The ceremony was at a old church in Fort Worth with the tropical reception to follow. We decided to mix a traditional ceremony with Hawaiian touches through out the day, including tiki torches, Jimmy Buffett, and tropical cuisine . We added in sand, shells, candles, and real leis flown in from Hawaii just to top it off.

The day/night was great. I honestly could not ask for anything better. I never dreamed I would have the fairytale ending but it turned out just that way!

A start to a beautiful beginning

Well, I officially got sucked into this madness they call blogging. I finally broke down and decided I would give it a try. I can mainly blame the craze on two people. Renee, my best friend who is an avid stalker like me and never judges me when I have gossip that I only acquired through facebook/myspace/google/ linkedin or some other random site. The other is Megan, my creative and inspiring sister whom I'm sure I will be calling with "blogger" questions. Do they make a book called Bloggers for Dummies 101.1 because I am most certain I need it. I am usually the technically savvy one but this has got me all in a funk. First question: how do I search for other fellow bloggers?

ok, ok one question at a time.

So now to the good stuff. Well I felt the need to start the blog because, well, I've kind of had a big year. Kevin and I got married in June and went on an amazing honeymoon (both of which I will share picts of soon). We are loving married life and learning along the way. We are both working hard right now but at the same time looking for our next vacation spot.

For now I will keep it short and sweet...with more to come!!