Memorial Day Weekend

For Memorial Day weekend, Steven had Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off and I had Sunday and Monday off! Sunday we went grocery shopping and went to Lowe's to get a firepit! We also bought a rug for the sliding glass door and a mat for out on our patio. We have friends over a lot and we grill, so lots of stuff gets tracked into the kitchen! Here's a picture of our cat enjoying my new rug.

She's a ham!

It was SO nice outside! Very windy, but it was the perfect day to sit outside and slow roast some ribs! Here's Steven with his sweet grill! We looove bbq-ing!

And here's the finish product!!!

In the words of Rachael Ray, YUMMO!!! After dinner, our friend Wiggins (Brian) came over and we roasted some mashmellows in our new firepit and made s'mores! Haven't had those in forever!

The next day we went fishing on Wiggin's boat at 4 am. I can wake up for the day after Thanksgiving sales, but for fishing, I struggle! It was a lot of fun, but it was so windy and the fish weren't bitting, so we called it a day at 1. I came home made some chicken enchiladas (my mom's recipe with my twist on it of course!) and fell asleep on the couch by 5! It was a great weekend to finally spend with Steven since our work schedules next seem to let us see each other!

I'm going back, back to Cali Cali!!

Steven and I are at the week marker until we come home! Weather back home has been super cool and wet, while we've been having some CRAZY weather here! Last Wednesday, Steven called me from work asking if I heard the sirens! TORNADO SIRENS! I didn't even know what to grab to take with me in the bathroom! I grabbed our cat, pillows, blankets, water, some snacks, and our sweet latern with a built in radio. Our cat was making biscuits on the blanket and wasn't phased by me crying! It was absolutely terrifying! Apparently, the funnel started forming, but for some miracle it didn't drop to the ground in the tiny town we live in. 15 minutes east of us wasn't so lucky! Sedalia wasn't so lucky. One of my co-workers/boss lost his house. The whole state of Missouri was in a Tornado watch/warning. Pray that I never have to experience something like that again, especially while I'm home alone!

On a happier note, Steven and I are so excited to come home! The 18th thru the 25th we will be in Oregon camping with my family. The 22nd and 23rd, I'm going to be in Venice, CA to visit my aunt. Then back in Sacramento for Steven's birthday on Friday! We don't leave until Monday the 27th, so we have a long, relaxing, busy trip ahead of us! We will be mountain biking, soaking up the sun at the lake hopefully, lunch with my Grandma Jeanie, meeting my second cousin baby Zeke, hanging out with Steven's hilarious friends, visiting with my best friend Katie who's having a baby in August and SO MUCH MORE! AHHH! Can't wait. Jillian and Jillian's hair doesn't do well in the humidity! See you soon loved ones!!!! <3

A New Do

Last month, I decided to cut my hair. I've always wanted to donate my hair to Locks of Love, but I just never got around to doing it. In February, my aunt was diagnosted with breast cancer. Before we knew anything, I already thought about cutting my hair. I got online, looked up some cute a-line hairstyles and made an appointment! I got to the salon and Jackie, who had colored my hair before, was waiting for me. We made some small talk and I reminded her that I was donating my hair. We sectioned off my hair into three ponytails because they do not accept bleached hair, and then the scissors came out! I didn't think I would get emotional, but I did. I'm not a doctor but I'm trying my best to support and be close to my aunt even though I live 2 thousand miles away! It was such an amazing experience and it was so rewarding. I've never known anyone with cancer and to have a loved one experiencing it, is heartbreaking. I'm staying positive like my aunt and doing the best I can to help others, and fufill goals I've always wanted to do. Next on my list, Susan G. Komen 5k in Columbia, MO in September!

Before:

After!!!!

Today I FINALLY got an email about Locks of Love accepting my donation. My hair passed inspection and soon will be made into a wig for a child. It's amazing to think of. All of this, is for my Aunt Mer.

Maybe Baby?

         It seems like from the moment we got married, the only question I get is "when are you having kids?" It literally smacks me in the face everytime I hear it or when someone asks me if I have children. I feel like I have accomplished more than a lot of peers, but they still have more than me. Everyone wants to give us advice; wait to have kids. That's all I hear, but it doesn't fill the void I feel and the deep desire I have to become a mother. I understand that our families want the best for us, but when it comes down to it, it's our decision and choice.
         I have a bachelor's degree, but a must in my life is a master's degree in counseling. Steven is only a couple of units away from an associate's degree. Steven plans to finish school in the next couple of years. Finishing up school for the both of us, and Steven's questionable career with the military makes it so challenging to imagine when I can fufill my dream of becoming a mother.
          I've come to hate converstations about having kids. It's a constant reminder of what I don't have. It's hard to put on a happy face when I'm so crushed inside. I'm jealous. It's always around me. Steven and I and one other couple, are the only ones who are married without children at his work. It's awkward to hang out with people who have kids because it's like we don't have anything in common. All I have is a cat, and that's not a child. No one really wants to hang out with us because we don't have kids. We don't go to kids birthday parties or have play dates. They want nothing to do with us.
         My heart and brain don't understand each other. My heart longs to be a mother and my brain knows that I need all my ducks in a row. We need to finish school, buy a house, get new cars to hold a child, and enjoy our time together. I love Steven with all of my heart, and nothing would make me happier than creating something from our love for each other. Steven with children warms my heart. It makes me wondering and hope he'll be just as wonderful with our kids.

Mountain Biking

Lately it's been crazy at work! Busy with customers and busy with a commercial moving truck full of merchandise from a store that closed! I've been staying later and coming in early, so spending time with Steven has been pretty much non-existent! This Wednesday though, we went mountain biking with a coworker of Steven's and his wife. We were supposed to go to Blue Springs, but it started raining, so we just went to Knob Noster State Park which is basically across the street from base.

This isn't this most goregous picture on our ride, but this is the part of the trail where it's downhill, and they all hiked the bikes back up the hill to redo it! I decided just to stop and take pictures! I also have my first mountain bike wound! My pedal got me right in the ankle! It's just a little scratch but it didn't feel well when my shoe was rubbing it the rest of the ride! Here are the Herrick's coming down the hill!

Steven was hauling buns down so I didn't have time to get him! We are super excited about coming back home in June. It's like 22 days until we come home! We are both bringing our mountain bikes home and my brother is looking for one to buy! Oregon is going to be so beautiful to ride and hopefully we'll get a chance to ride with Steven's family since everyone has a bike now. I've only really been mountain biking like 3 or 4 times. I'm getting better at it and faster, but I still have lots to learn and time to practice!

My First Blog!

Well I've finally decided and set aside the time to create a blog! After I talk to family members or I'm having a blue day, I miss my family so much! I've decided to create one so they know what I'm up to and can see Missouri since they can't come visit. I'll post pics of Steven and my adventures! I'll post pics of food and recipes! All kinds of fun stuff because it's my blog! Hope everyone enjoys!