It was time

Yesterday, I realized that I'd been here for over a week and it was time to unpack our suitcases. Except, we'd already unpacked  destroyed our suitcases. This is what our closet looked like:

Things had gotten to the point where our closet was even getting on Thomas' nerves, mostly because every time I got dressed I came out ranting and raving about how I couldn't find anything I needed. And if you know me, you know that I am OCD about organization, especially my closet (it is usually color coordinated). Yeah, you read that right. Don't judge. So I bit the bullet last night and got the job done. Thomas was impressed.

And since I spend so much time these days watching Food Network and wasting time on Pinterest, my recipe folders have expanded and my husband is happier than ever. I, on the other hand, usually am disgusted by the food I've made by the time it is ready. Speaking of ready, I'm ready for my first trimester to be over. But I won't complain. 

Here is a recipe for amazing baked potatoes by Giada. I halved the recipe since there are only two of us, and it was plenty. Thomas loved it, and I actually did too. 

Last but not least, I found these No Bake Energy Bars on Pinterest. They are divine. I recommend doubling the recipe as they are completely addictive. 

That's all for now folks! 

2 Healthy Articles

I want to share these two articles with you all that I really love. The first one is an article Thomas found on John Piper's blog about why it is important to be physically fit if you are a Believer. We thought he really wrote well on how we treat our bodies as a reflection on our relationship with Christ. My favorite part is:

"Underneath most of my besetting sins is despondency. I am less prone to such melancholy when I hammer my body three times a week. The reason could be endorphins. Could be ego. Whichever, it’s cheaper than Prozac or psychotherapy. I’m simply happier. And I sleep better. I have more energy."

I personally agree with Piper wholeheartedly on this issue. I just feel better on the days I work out and am easier to be around. Not to mention the fact that I sleep like a rock. Thomas would also agree on this issue--during the off season he only goes about a week without working out and then he goes stir crazy and gets back in the gym.

You can find the John Piper article here. 

The other article is written by Mark Bittman and called: Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? You can find the article here. And just in case you're wondering, the answer is NO. Junk food is not cheaper, so please America, stop using that as your excuse.

Why I Hate Moving

Reasons why I hate moving, aside from the packing and crying and shoving all of our earthly possessions into a portable storage unit for an unknown amount of time...

1. Buying new spices: I couldn't figure out a way to sanely pack all of our spices into my suitcase or the 2 boxes that I had shipped to Houston. I packed our favorite spices that I just can't buy in the grocery store, but other than that I figured it would be "cheaper" to buy all new spices rather than ship them here. I mean, they sell spices everywhere, right? But the hard part is, I never know which spices I need until I start to cook the recipe that calls for the spice I don't have. I feel like I just completed my spice collection in New England, only to have to give them all away. (Lori, I am so glad I gave them to you and I know they are being used well!) So, call me crazy but this really does top the list of things I hate about moving.
2. Missing my KitchenAid: I couldn't figure out a way to bring my 12039843 pound KitchenAid with me. I think of it as an old friend or a sweet family member. I took it to New England with me in the back of the truck, but I didn't drive a car here so that wasn't an option. Please, if you know of baking recipes that do not call for a mixer of any sort, LET ME KNOW. I am considering purchasing a hand mixer, but hoping to hold out on that as long as I can.
3. Buying new pillows: in case you didn't know, there is no sensible way to fly/ship 6 pillows from Boston to Houston. And yes, we sleep with 6 pillows. 3 each. Don't judge us. So we had to buy more when we got here, and I hate them. I want my old, old, old squishy pillows that I've had since high school. Here we are trying out pillows in Target. Thomas insisted that we both try them out on the floor in Target. Gross.

4. Basically, I hate moving because it is SO SO SO SO expensive. When I think back over the last year and all the money we could've saved if we hadn't been moving around like hoodlums....well, it makes me cringe. We could send this baby to college off of the money we've spent moving. Ok, so maybe in 2030 the money could buy our child books, but still.

And the things I like can be summed up in one item:

1. Getting rid of stuff we don't need, specifically clothes in my husband's closet that I don't like. He is never around when I am packing, so I maximize on that time by getting rid of all the ugly stuff. And the hundreds of pairs of Clemson, Vikings, and Patriots workout gear that he'll never wear again but saves for the memories. If you ask me, saving one pair of shorts and one shirt from each team will suffice for memory saving devices.

Baby Mama, Baby Daddy

Let's get straight to the point here folks, we're having a baby! 


We found out a little over a month ago, and i'm currently 9 weeks along. I actually found out while I was in the hospital with Stacia and baby Gia. I immediately drove to the Patriot's facility to tell Thomas in person, who thankfully was having a bad day and bought the story Stacia and I made up about needing to get something out of Danny's car. Thomas was, of course, elated and went back into the facility and told about 15 people, including the entire offensive line. I forgave him, but told him there is a reason he isn't in the CIA or FBI.

We waited another 2 weeks to tell our family so that we could tell Thomas' parents and my siblings in person since they were all coming to the area within a few days of one another. At that point, I was 7 weeks along and feeling great. The day Thomas found out he got picked up by Houston, I began throwing up. Coincidence? Maybe, but it started and it started with a vengeance. I began to panic about how in the world I was going to fly back and forth from Houston/Boston, pack everything up, and make first impressions in Houston all while running to the bathroom every few minutes to lose my lunch. Thankfully, a friend of mine who happens to be a healthcare professional gave me some Zofran, and it has solved all of my problems. (If you are one of the people who would like to inform me that Zofran is bad for me/my baby, please, do your research first and ask a doctor. Because it is completely, 100% fine. And get a life and stop sharing your opinions with me.)

Anyway, the Zofran got me through 3 long plane flights and 3 long days of packing up our apartment (with the help of some amazing friends back in Massachusetts!) I still don't feel great, but at least I'm able to function. We finally got to go to the doctor yesterday and see our baby on an ultrasound! I had an appointment in New England at 7 weeks, but had to cancel it when our life got turned upside down. Thomas was able to go with me yesterday in Houston, and we love our OB. She is so fun and young and has four kids of her own, and we're thrilled about her. However, she may not be so thrilled about Thomas attending appointments with me as he asked about a million questions regarding me taking fish oil, Vitamin B, purified water, my heart rate....basically, I don't know if he is allowed to come to anymore appointments because he is going to make me follow all of the rules!

We are so thrilled and thankful that our baby is healthy at this point and due April 22. And no, we will not be finding out whether it is a boy or a girl. So put on your patience pants and wait with us!

Furnished apartment, so stylish

The good news is, we found a furnished apartment in Houston for a reasonable price. The bad news is, I am having heart palpitations over the horrendous decor. Yet, it is clean, and close to Thomas' work, and we can break our lease at any point. And don't you worry, it is gated and looks like Malibu from the front of the apartment complex. 

I am currently in Foxboro surrounded by a million boxes and our apartment looks like a tornado zone. I made baked sweet potato fries and edamame for dinner, because that's all I could scrounge up. And I'm posting this so that I can procrastinate on packing a little longer. Our POD arrives Friday and it feels like a nightmare that I am putting my belongings into storage for the third time in a little more than a year. But don't worry.... I plan to pack my food processor, lemon juicer, a good knife, and maybe a crock pot if I can find the room amongst our clothes.  I'm holding back tears that my KitchenAid just won't fit in a suitcase. 

Black silk bedspread will be finding a new home on the floor of the closet as soon as I return to Houston with my white Target fake down comforter. Maybe the crock pot will fit in the down comforter!

Hideous shower curtain will also be replaced.

We could take up residence in the bathroom/closet. I am pretty sure it is larger than our current apartment.

African figurines are everywhere in the apartment. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against African figurines, but this is just overkill.

Just look at that brown, black and beige rug. If you know me well, you know this rug is already giving me nightmares. And don't mind Thomas chatting on the phone. He wouldn't get up so that I could document.

Oh, that suede and leather just makes my heart go pitter patter. Again, if you know me, you know that I am cringing. BUT, the couch is comfortable. I can admit that. I would say "come visit us in Houston!" However, you'd be sleeping on that suede and leather beauty. I doubt you want to do that.

Everything really IS bigger in Texas

I got to Texas on Thursday night, and let me tell you, everything really is bigger here. This place is s.w.a.n.k.y. I've been living in small town America in good 'ole Foxboro, Massachusetts, and I've honestly been in a bit of shock at how Texas really is, well, Texas-y. 

1. Everyone here is blonde (I know, I know, I don't have room to talk, but mine is natural) and I can't keep straight the different people I've met with blonde hair. 

2. People drive slow, and I realize I've gotten used to being able to fly down the interstate with all the other Massholes. I've honked at more than one Texas driver, and I don't feel bad about it. They need to GET OUT OF MY WAY. 

3. We'd walked about halfway through the mall before I'd seen a single store that I'd consider shopping in. Everything was Chanel, Louis Vutton, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, etc etc. And I thought I'd really arrived when I got to Massachusetts and H&M was only 20 minutes away!

4. Most of the houses that I've seen in the "nice" areas of town are ginormous, with gas lamps outside, columns, gates, an American flag and a Texas flag. What more could one ask for?

5. The portions here are most definitely above and beyond the recommended portion sizes. I ordered fajitas to go when I was alone the other night becauseThomas had to stay at a different hotel the night before the game. I'm not sure, but I think they thought I ordered for the entire team. I've never seen so much food for one person in my WHOLE life. I'll be eating the leftovers for at least 3 more meals. 

6. There was an advertisement at the Texans game asking people to "please refrain from foul language." I laughed out loud, then realized the ad was serious! If they tried to police the language at a Patriots game, the world would most likely come to a crashing halt. They say the f-word there in the same way I use "um." 

7. The people are nice. I keep catching myself feeling guilty for saying "y'all" and then remembering that these people aren't judging me or thinking I'm a hick like in Mass. I'll take it!

Sad, Mad and Bittersweet

For those of you who didn't know yet, Thomas moved to the Houston Texans as of Sunday afternoon. Long story short, we waited all day Saturday for a phone call from the Patriots to tell us whether he had a job here or not. My siblings were all staying on Cape Cod for Labor Day weekend, so we were able to distract ourselves out there until we got the phone call. When the call finally came, all they said was "Thomas, Bill needs to talk to you, how soon can you get here?" We hopped in the car and began one of the longest hours of our lives, not knowing whether they were going to cut him or put him on the practice squad. Bill was very complimentary of Thomas and told him the Pat's wanted him for their practice squad again. We were totally fine and relieved by that, but then found out that if a team wanted him in the next 24 hours, they could have him and we'd have no say in the matter. (I knew about the 24 hour waiver period, but we were under the impression that you could say "no" to the team in order to stay on the practice squad here.)

We breathed a semi-sigh of relief and headed back out to the Cape for another night. Thomas came back to sign his contract the next morning at the noon deadline, but we were unaware that 4 teams had attempted to place claims on him. By 1:00, Thomas was texting me "I'm still waiting to sign my contract, I don't know what is taking them so long." A few minutes later, Belichick came and congratulated him on being picked up by the Texans, and told him he was sorry to see him go.

And then the flood of tears began on my part. Well, I waited until I was off the phone with Thomas, then called my 3 closest friends here on the team and wept like a baby. My brothers and their wives drove me back to Foxboro so that I could take Thomas to the airport and 3 hours later, he was gone.

My emotions are mostly sadness about leaving New England and the first day I was so angry at the whole situation. I felt so mad that God would take us away from here after only 11 months, and it just doesn't feel fair that we are going to our 3rd team since May 2010. I've moved 4 times since then as well. I am so sad to leave our sweet friends on the team who have all just been so good to us. Thomas was really starting to feel at home in the locker room, and I've felt at home here since November thanks to the awesome group of Patriot's wives. We are so sad to leave our dear church, my job, and fall in New England.

Appropriately enough, I've been reading One Thousand Gifts and have been reminded of all that I have that I can thank my Heavenly Father for. Last year at this time, my husband had no job for 3 weeks. This year, he is guaranteed a job for 3 weeks. We are planning to keep our apartment here while we see how things shake out in Houston, and we'll just get a temporary place there for now. Houston does have Chick-fil-A, authentic Mexican food, and no blizzards. (There are wildfires raging now, but we won't get into that.) I fly to Texas tomorrow to see my sweet husband again, attend this weekend's game, and find a place to live.

Lastly, I will leave you with a few photos of Thomas' last game as a Patriot. His parents were able to come up for the game, and he ended his preseason on a good note and played his heart out. (Apparently Thomas didn't put his contacts in after the game. He seems to be squinting at some far-away object in all of the pictures. Or he was in a lot of pain, which is more likely.)