Change is refreshing!

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here {which tends to be how it goes} but stay tuned because there will be lots of good posts coming in the future after I start getting settled into my NEW place! I'm extremely excited to get out of this tiny dungeon I've been living in for 2 years and into a place that's a little bigger, has a washer/dryer {something I've been living without...no fun!}, a wood burning fireplace {the idea of this makes me giddy inside, we'll see how much I actually make fires in it} and a WHOLE lot more light {you mean, I won't have to pin my curtains up daily and block my patio door just to give my plants light?!}!! In all honesty, the place I've been at really isn't that bad but I think it's fair to say it's time for some new changes in my life.

So I've been trying to pack like a maniac {and stressing myself out in the process because packing by yourself is the pits} and at this current moment my house is a disaster {that's an understatement} but it's all tolerable because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel {the SUNSHINE!}

Tomorrow I head up to the mountains for a Women's Retreat with a friend's church, and despite the fact that it's giving me a little stress because it's taking away from the time I could be getting out of HERE, I'm quite excited for this little getaway and think it's going to be quite refreshing.

And in addition to the change of moving to a new place happening right now, there is some sad change also happening in my life...my sister, unborn child and husband are packing up at this very moment to make their move down to GA. Yes, I realize it's a good thing for them and it's just what happens in life {especially when your life is the military} but I still don't like it one bit. My sister and I have become even closer over the last 2 1/2 yrs that we've lived so close to each other and nothing can replace the friendship between sisters. Who am I going to get to hang out with randomly (sure I have friends but it's not the same) and eat their food or use their washer and dryer? Wait, not going to need to do that last part anymore! Who am I going to spend the holidays with? Yes I still have people to spend holidays with, but it's not the same when it's not family. I'm sure this will be a great growing time for me, and something we all must go through in life but it still doesn't make it any easier. And the hardest part about all of it is that little baby boy growing in her belly that I'm not going to get to meet until who knows when. It makes me teary just thinking about it. He's my first nephew and next to having my own child there's not a whole lot more that beats holding my own sister's newborn baby. Technology these days is great so I'm sure I'll be seeing him a lot on skype but it's not the same as getting to hold him weekly and love on him {shoot, maybe it's a good thing for her and her husband that they won't be close by otherwise they may get pretty darn sick of me!}.

So anyways, lots of change happening for me over the next week....some good, some not so good. But....what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger, right?!!

Life is Tough

I don't have much to report on around here these days...just getting used to life after being in paradise. The trip was incredible ~ definitely a trip of a lifetime and one I will remember forever! Many of you have already seen the pictures on facebook so I won't be adding a bunch on here, just a couple of my favs.
This first picture is one of the many amazing sunset shots I was able to capture...ohhh I could stare at these all day!
Me at a cute little bakery on one of the nights the other nanny and I were able to grab a bite to eat out by ourselves
The island had churches ALL over it, this one is my favorite...I wish I could get married there or at least just move that church up to the states!
Me swimming in the ocean at my favorite resort we visited, Cap Juluca....doesn't it look like I'm in a pool the water is so clear and blue?!
The little bay at Cap Juluca, absolute paradise! We found the most awesome shells at this beach....wish I would have taken a couple more home {not that I had room, or weight space in my suitcase for them}
More of Cap Juluca, the white buildings are all part of the resort
'Inside' the lobby at Cap Juluca....I want their decor for my home!
Me at a beach we visited a couple of times


I have a busy couple of weeks coming up.....I'm throwing my sister's baby shower this weekend {stayed tuned for pics from that}, the rents will be in the area for a week and I get to spend some time with them, and then I move to my new place {which I'm uber excited about, also pics to come}!!