Where To Begin....

Wow! I'm so far behind on blogging I think I'm ahead!! I'm not even sure where to begin....

I guess first I'll try to explain my absence in the blogosphere...let's see...

(1) my husband has deployed for a 12 month tour in Afghanistan and has been in Wisconsin since

the beginning of November...

(2) we moved! which was totally not planned!! Our house changed hands in November and

rather than live in a house that was going to be actively shown to sell, we opted to move...

or I should say...I chose to move...'cause hubby is deployed...

(3) the kids went to Nicaragua over Thanksgiving break (which is also the week I moved...aargh)

(4) Christmas came and went...and hubby was able to come home for a brief leave

(5) Mallorye competed in Miss Arkansas Teen USA in Bentonville...

(6) I'm still writing for Army Wife Magazine and just submitted my 4th article for publication :)

(7) and of course...we're in the thick of basketball season around here...

So, as you see, there's definitely not been a shortage of topics...just a major deficit of time!

I never know the best approach for catching up, so I think ...I'll work backwards...this could take a few days...lol!

Basketball season is in full force right now and Blake has finally got his game face on. The season started out a little rocky for him...lack of motivation, laziness, etc...but he finally has come alive the past couple of games and is averaging 10 points a game. His defense has never been better and I am loving cheering him on!

The magazine is doing incredible and just continues to get better and better...challenging my creative writing and grammar. I still have a hard time believing that I'm writing and it's actually being published...and that I have a monthly column...I pinch myself daily! If you haven't had a chance to check it out...go here now...we have some of the most talented writers around.

Mallorye competed last weekend in the Miss Arkansas Teen USA Pageant in Bentonville. This was her first State pageant and she did incredible! I was so proud of her...she didn't place, but she had an amazing time and made friends & memories that she'll cherish for a lifetime. Matt (the boyfriend) came with us to cheer her on...oh yea...that's the other thing that's happened..she has a boyfriend and they seem pretty crazy about each other (more about him later I'm sure). So...how about a few pictures of the pageant and I promise to be back soon with more pictures and updates ;)

Blake & Mallorye after competition on Saturday night...one of the few moments we actually got to see her up close & personal

Mallorye & Matt at Friday nights banquet...don't they look amazing?!

Me & Mallorye at the banquet...and yes, I'm in a dress...doesn't happen often, but I thought I cleaned up pretty well ;)

Mallorye on Sunday morning after her interview...getting ready to go to more rehearsals. I'm pretty sure we was pooped out at this point, but soaking up the memories!