I was going to do a Yo Gabba Gabba theme, but I thought a DJ Lance cake would be a little scary

It seems so much has happened since my last post, yet I can't think of everything. I know Brian came home, and at some point during that week Ruby, Nina, Bella, and I had a beach day. It was the first time I could let Bella crawl around in the sand without worrying about her eating it. She had fun exfoliating my feet with it instead. Bringing her to the beach is definitely a lot more enjoyable now.


Her 1st birthday is on the 19th. The Saturday after her birthday we are having the Blue's Clues party. I was going to do a Yo Gabba Gabba theme, but I thought a DJ Lance cake would be a little scary.

Yesterday was my first official celebrated Valentine's Day. Last year Brian had to work, the year before that he was in Afghanistan. So this year we dressed up and I made a big dinner; Baked chicken parmesean served over capellini, a side salad, and we had wings and celery sticks for an appetizer. I made strawberry shortcake and chocolate covered strawberries for desert, and we drank a whole bottle of wine (I know I said I would never drink again in my life, but the wine was so good). I was so out of it last night, but I felt fine this morning. Didn't want to puke my guts out or anything.

I got Brian a heart-shaped basket and filled it with valentine m&ms, cookies from the Cookie Corner, Smarties, and a stuffed animal. And he got cards from both me and Bella.

Today we are heading to Bellows for a weekend camping trip. I am excited as I've been wanting to go since my birthday. But I have so much to do to prepare. We have all kinds of food to remember to take, I want to get all the laundry done so I won't have too much to wash when we come home, and Brian's mom flies in the day we come back from camping so I want to get everything clean now in case I don't have time before then.

If he were here I would cook, but it's hard enough cooking for two. How in the world do I cook for one?

If there is one thing I miss most of all it's making new memories with old friends. I have had so much fun this weekend, however I can't help but think of what it would be like if I had a big group of close friends around me to spend time with.

Of course I have Ruby, and now Nina. And they are both wonderful. But you know what it's like when you have that big group of friends to go out with. Anyway, this isn't to be a brooding blog so I won't go much further. We do have fun with the friends we do have. All I am saying is a bit of variety would be nice.

My mom surprised me on Friday by asking if she could fly out on Saturday. She was going to wait until March, but the tickets were more expensive then. So she and Jaycee flew out Saturday afternoon before Brian had to fly to Florida.

We went to the Dole Plantation on Sunday, following Ruby and Gabe's Superbowl party. We took a ride on the Pineapple Express and had pineapple ice cream. Monday we went to Sea Life Park and played with dolphins. We actually got to go in the water with them, give them kisses, dance with them, and signal them to perform tricks for us. It was an amazing experience. I think I want to go back for my birthday and do the one where you swim with them.

They left this morning, and although it was nice having them here and wonderful spending time with them, it was also not what I am used to. I am used to having a somewhat more peaceful and relaxed household and my quiet home was interrupted with their hectic lifestyle. My mom was determined to keep her schedule, so she woke up at 4 every morning. And it was just too loud. But I did enjoy the company.

Brian won't be home until Saturday. I miss him, and can't wait to have him back. This is my first time alone. I'm appreciative of this opportunity because I never have been alone. But at the same time it is just lonely. And I don't know what to eat. If he were here I would cook, but it's hard enough cooking for two. How in the world do I cook for one?

It is Super Tuesday. I have never voted, and obviously can't vote in the primary since I'm not registered. But I have been contemplating registering to vote this year. I never thought about it, but I am tired of falling among the uninformed Americans. So I did some research, and decided if I am to vote, I will vote for Huckabee. I agree with his stance on most of the issues, plus it would be awesome to rep for him with an i heart huckabee bumper sticker or something ;)