Weekend in Atlanta

Dusty and I went to Atlanta for the weekend and we had so much fun! We took the dogs with us and oh what an experience/adventure that was. We only made it to Statesboro before Paisley had an accident on her pillow/bed that she was sitting on in my lap. Thank goodness it went on that and not on me. So after we got that all cleaned up and back on the road, we finally made it to Atlanta around 4. When we arrived, there was a dog bowl outside and a framed sign that had the girls' names on it...so cute! After settling into the hotel, Dusty and I needed a moment away from the girls and so we walked around and checked out what was around the hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Palomar, right off I-75 in Midtown Atlanta (near Ga Tech). While walking around, we found an Asian steak and seafood restaurant to eat at and it was really good!

Saturday was our busy day. We got up early and headed out to the Georgia Aquarium. While we were there, we were able to see the feeding of the Whale Sharks...really cool. They are such big animals! We did learn that even though their mouths can get up to 4 feet in diameter, they can only swallow food as big as a quarter. So all the small fish they were swimming around are safe; they eat small animals such as shrimp. After the Aquarium, we went to the World of Coke...awesome! The cokes we liked were from Africa and South America; the ones we didn't like were from Costa Rica and we think Italy (the Beverly...yuck!). We had lunch at The Varsity...it was so good! Then it was off to Zoo Atlanta. We had a really good time here too, and were lucky, and got to see the feeding of the Gorilla's. They are amazing. To view the gorillas, you can go inside this "house" thing and there is a huge window to see the animals. When I was in Girl Scouts, one year we spent the night in this house, so it was neat to go back and see where I once had been. We stayed in there for a while, watching the animals eat and play. After the zoo, we went to the High Museum...kinda boring, not going to lie. We weren't really impressed. They did have a neat Monet exhibit of his water lillies, but other than that, there really wasn't anything too impressing. That night, we had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory...yummy...and yes we had cheesecake for dessert! It was soo good!

Our weekend in Atlanta was so nice to get away with one another and visit the places we wanted to visit for the first time or revisit the ones we hadn't been to in a long time. Layla and Paisley did okay...they stayed in the room the entire time and played and barked anytime anyone made a noise outside the room (a little frustrating, but no complaints). I know they are glad to be back in their safe house with all their toys and houses and rawhides haha.

Here are some pictures:

New Haircuts

I took the girls (Layla and Paisley) to the groomers yesterday to get haircuts. Layla had horrible mats and needed to be shaved, unfortunately, but still looks kinda cute haha. Paisley, on the other hand, not so cute! She had a few mats near her back in but one night I sat and brushed them all out so they wouldn't shave her. So yesterday morning I dropped them off at the groomers, told the girl exactly how I wanted Paisley "Short all over, but do not shave her, please!" I called to see if they were ready and the groomer said yup and they have no hair. I said they...and she said yeah they were both shaved. I'm thinking oh goodness. I said Paisley was not suppose to be shaved. She said well you said short all over...yes but that doesn't mean shave. So I picked them up and sure enough, they have NO hair...poor things! Paisley's new nickname is ears...that is all you see on her!!! And Layla looks like a little lamb so she is lambchops haha! They are cute, but the groomers could tell I was mad and didn't make me pay for Paisley! I need to post pictures of them, but they won't sit still long enough for me to take a picture. Dusty and I always joked about when Layla would get shaved in the past how much more energy she had or something...its the same with Paisley. I don't know what it is about the short hair and them running crazy! Ha, at least they are enjoying each other's company!

Random Facts

I saw this on someone's facebook page and thought it would be fun to fill out...and it was haha! I'm bored, but I hope you learn more about it. I'm sure most of you already knew this about me, but if not, enjoy!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15

2. How do you like your steak? medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Ugly Truth

4. What is your favorite TV show? Anything on the Food Network

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Ummm...Somewhere with a lot of land with Dusty

6. What did you have for breakfast? Chickfila chicken biscuit

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican

8. What foods do you dislike? black eyed peas

9. Favorite Place to Eat? B&D Burgers

10. Favorite dressing? ranch

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Volvo s40

12. What are your favorite clothes? t-shirt and jeans

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Europe

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 empty

15. Where would you want to retire? I have no idea...maybe the mountains or beach

16. Favorite time of day? when Dusty gets home from work

17. Where were you born? Dalton, GA

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? I don't watch sports

19. Bird watcher? Not really

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Definately not morning, unless its after 10 haha

24. Do you have any pets? Layla, our maltese who is almost 3, and Paisley, who is 4 months
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25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I finished my internship and now have my degree

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher

27. What is your best childhood memory? Oh goodness, I have lots...probably playing outside with Kim and Rachel and taking tractor rides in the pasture with Dad

28. Are you a cat or dog person? DOG...I dislike cats

29. Are you married? Yes...and he is amazing!

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes

31. Been in a car accident? Yes, 3 that were my fault and 1 with my grandma

32. Any pet peeves? YES...when people don't use their blinkers

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Mushrooms and onions

34. Favorite Flower? Daisy

35. Favorite ice cream? Cake Batter

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chick-Fil-A

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? learners 3, actual driving 0

38. From whom did you get your last email? it was all junk mail

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Gap

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? I used to be spontaneous but I haven't lately

41. Like your job? yeah its great...I get to wake up whenever and do whatever all day...I don't work at the moment haha

42. Broccoli? Yeah its pretty good....especially with cheese

43. What was your favorite vacation? the beach and New York City

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Dusty

45. What are you listening to right now? hahaha....the 4 seasons....Oh What A Night

46. What is your favorite color? Green

47. How many tattoos do you have? I don't have any

48. What time did you finish this quiz? 11:37 am

49. Coffee Drinker? I like White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks, but thats it

Last night/early this morning, Dusty came home from being in the field since 3 weeks ago, I believe. It was so good to see him, and the girls, Layla and Paisley, went crazy. He got lots of kisses and hugs from the 3 of us. We were able to spend the day together just hanging out today. We had brunch at Cracker Barrel, bought a new computer (thank you Danny and Liz), walked around the mall and Bass Pro, and then dinner at B&D Burgers (yummy!!!). Nothing too exciting, but we just enjoy each other's company and being able to be with one another. We are hoping to take leave time in a couple weeks and go spend the weekend in Atlanta, then driving on to Germantown, TN to visit Dusty's parents and sister. When we get back, my parents will be down for Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day, Dusty will be leaving for a week to go to California for more training. Thank goodness it is only a week.

While Dusty was gone this time I was busy finishing my internship for my degree. Thank goodness it is all over with now. I worked/volunteered 481 hours in 11 1/2 weeks. I was asked to stay and work the rest of summer camp (2 weeks) and I would be paid, but when I found out it would only be for minimum wage or a little more, I declined it. It was not worth the sweat and headaches! Now that that is over with, I'm planning on taking it easy at the house, getting papers and everything ready for deployment, and spending time with Dusty. Also, I kept myself busy by hanging out with some girlfriends while their husband's were out in the field too. We would go to movies, out to eat, and lay out by the pool. It is nice having someone to talk with, especially who has the Army in common with you and knows what you are going through.

Please keep Dusty and I in your prayers. Thank you so much to everyone who loves and supports us! We love you all!