Family

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How do you define family? Who do you consider to be a part of your family? This topic came up a little while ago during deployment that Kyle and I have different views of what our family is. I don't consider his family to be my family; they are his family. I don't think that just because he and I got married that that makes his family my family. I think it would be cheapening the meaning and value of the word to call his family my family. That is not to say that I will never consider them family, or that they're not important to me, but I'm not going to say they are my family just because Kyle and I are married. Family is or should be more than that. I know I might sound mean saying this, but I don't intend it to be taken that way, it's just my view. Kyle was surprised by this and I think a bit hurt, but it is what it is. I think that he believes family is a choice, and that I could chose to consider them family, and the rest will follow. Maybe I will make that choice some day, but that's not how I believe family works right now, for me.

What are your thoughts on family?

- S

Christmas

Here's a quick look at our Christmas (and Eve)! Kyle had the 24th and 25th off, so we just hung around at home for the most part, watching some holiday films, going for a night neighborhood walk to see all the lights (Temple, TX showed up with the lights), forcing Luna into a Santa hat ever so briefly, you know. We skyped/facetimed with our families which was nice. I made a super festive sangria that I wish more people were around to drink because what's left is still just sitting in a punch bowl on the kitchen table.

- S

Holiday Cupcakes

My sister (aka the cupcake fairy), who is a manager at Georgetown Cupcake in Boston as you may recall, sent us some holiday cupcakes. They are so pretty, so yes this post is just pictures of some cupcakes. Enjoy. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Thanksgiving Break Snapshots

It has been a pretty busy week. Kyle returned from Afghanistan last Sunday evening, his mother was in town for a few days, I had class and everything still going on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday my mom and little brother arrived in Austin. We cooked up a Thanksgiving meal, somehow, all in our little kitchen (we're used to mom's two ovens and two fridges and ample counter space for preparation). I baked my first pie, and it was pretty successful. We did a little black Friday shopping (at like, 11 am) and just hung out until they flew back out on Saturday morning. I've been working on homework and such this weekend. One more week of class to go (our last day is Monday, December 9th). I feel like I have many projects to complete in that time, but it's really not too bad. Anyway, it was a nice and mostly relaxing holiday!

^^I call this, Black Friday: Booze Edition^^

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Introducing

Meet Luna! 

I will share more about her later, but I wanted to let you know that indeed, we have adopted a pup! She is about one year old, just under 50 pounds, and a lab/boxer mix (though she is small for both those breeds). I got her on the 31st at the Fort Hood Stray Animal Shelter. She came with the name Luna and I didn't see any reason to change it. Adoption was kind of a risk because you often don't know exactly what you're going to get, but I somehow lucked out and got the most well-behaved dog ever, plus she and the cats have been doing fine together (a big relief!). She knows to sit, stay, lay down, no, come, fetch, shake, up, and go to her kennel. She has not once barked even with all the neighborhood dogs barking at her, housebroken, she moves off the path when other people are walking, walks fine on a leash, loves the backyard and playing fetch, and she's super cute. She is a little nervous around new things and new people, but she's kind of the best.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Some People Just Fall in Love Like That

I'm sure most of you have watched this already, but if you haven't, you're welcome. :)



Visit here if you need more smiles.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

A Gfit for Baby Aurora

My Finnish sister had a baby girl about a month ago, so I've been putting together ideas for some things to send her! The Finnish government provides her with all the essentials already, so I'm just looking at fun stuff :) ! I've ordered this dress on sale from Ruche; it makes me think of Finland (probably due to the birds and design) and she will be able to grow into it and use it through her first year, and the Perchance the Cat blabla doll, as my sis Eevastiina is a cat lady and this one looks most like hers. She'd probably be grown out of the FEED newborn onesies by the time they would arrive in Finland, but I still love them (and the cause!).

dress/ apple/ cat doll/ headbands/ shoes/ onesies/ print

I've never had to buy baby gifts before...so, yeah. Kind of weird, but mostly fun!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

15 Percent

My sister introduced me to a new tumblr yesterday, We Are the 15 Percent, which features photos of mixed couples and families. It was created in response to ridiculous backlash from the Cheerios commercial which features a multi-ethnic, mixed race family. I think it can be hard for a lot of people to understand how this might make me or other mixed people or couples feel. It brings tears to my eyes, actually. Because no matter where I am, what country or state or neighborhood, I am always the minority. I am almost always the only one that looks like me. I am the confusing one, the one that people struggle with more than usual to put a label on, usually assigning me the wrong one. Black people don't consider me black. White people know I'm not white. I've had Indian people think I'm Indian. White people say I'm "some sort of Asian," (direct quote) Latina, Hispanic, Black, Native American. Pretty much anything that could fit my dark but not too dark skin and sometimes straight dark hair. Being mixed, a mix of whatever and however many parts, is the real minority in the world. I have never had a community with which I could relate, where I was not a visual rarity. So to see these pictures, of people like me, babies like I was and couples like me and my husband, it really feels like I have a place, for the first time. And that, if you can imagine, is a pretty big feeling.

<the creators of the page- Michael, Alyson and little Alexandra>

And here is a picture of my family.

What a good day for love today is, eh? :)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Finnish Baby

One of my host sisters in Finland had a beautiful baby girl on June 3rd, Aurora Jasmin. How cute is she? I hope I get to meet her before too long! Also, did you know that in Finland, the state gives every new baby a box full of necessities and goodies? You can read the full article here. They really know how to take care of their mothers and children (also, Finland was recently ranked the best place to be a mother).

box contents via BBC

What the Year Will Bring

At first glance this year appears to be one, the first in many, with no big events, changes or plans. And while that may be true, this is also the year where Kyle and I will know a lot more about our future- where we will be moving to after I graduate, when we can have kiddos(!!)...big things like that. Kyle's contract with the military is up December 2013, and we are looking at his reenlistment possibilities, as well as non-military options. I'm not sure when we will know (it's sounding like sooner rather than later), but it is exciting that this is the year that will give us a better picture of what our future will look like. :) Always good for a planner like me. I'm excited to see where this year will take us, even if it doesn't take us there until next year or the years that follow!

Also this year:
- finishing up first year of grad school and starting the second
- 2 year anniversary!
- Kyle and I both turn 25
- possible probable deployment to Afghanistan :(
- Kittens turn 2 years old
- possible trip to Boston

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Singing Happy Birthday

Today, a little video of my family singing Happy Birthday to my brother for his 21st birthday...




- From the desk of Mrs. M

Happy Thanksgiving

From my heart to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! (get it? the cats make a heart) :)

- Mrs. M