Here's What I Want to Remember About: Roadtripping from Oklahoma to California.

Due to a number of circumstances - we had a dilemma on our hands. We had one vehicle in Oklahoma (and two vehicles worth of stuff). We had until mid-January for Keagan to report to his new duty station. We only had a lease on our Oklahoma apartment until December 31st. Our house in California would not be ready until the 13th of January.

So...we decided to leave Oklahoma on the 31st, take our time driving, and make the move to California a vacation of sorts!

Over our Christmas break, I used my new favorite website, roadtrippers.com, to discover fun stops near our travel route. We wanted to take our time getting to California - no more long drives (too many of them lately), no rushing, just enjoying.

It was the best decision ever. For real. The first and last days of the trip were slightly longer drives, but every other day we drove less than 3 hours total, enjoying hotels, good food, and incredible sites along the way. We drove I40 most of the way (which is basically Route 66). I had never seen any of the Southwest, so even just driving was a treat. I soaked in the incredible sites, and fell in love with New Mexico. And Mesas. I was a little naive, thinking that it wouldn't be cold along the way...but it was. There was also snow! But...it was really beautiful. I was on Cloud 9 watching the change of terrain - from Oklahoma, through the tip of Texas, to New Mexico, to Arizona, to California. We definitely took a good route.

Here's where we stopped!

Day 1 -  Lawton, OK to Albuquerque, New Mexico. We went to bed ridiculously early, even though it was New Year's Eve. :)

Day 2 - El Malpais National Monument (New Mexico)

This may have been my favorite day. We drove through El Malpais, which was practically deserted because of the holiday and colder weather. We took our time, and saw some incredible sites.

I was maybe just a little bit in awe.

That night, we stayed at a hotel by a railroad and beautiful bluffs and mesas. I, of course, forgot to get a good picture of the view, but you'll have to believe me when I say how beautiful and refreshing it was. We also tried to go get some authentic New Mexican cuisine, but of course everywhere we wanted to go was closed because of New Year's Day.

Day 3 - Petrified National Forest

This was another incredible park that took a couple of hours to drive through.

Again, so incredible. I can't explain it. You just have to go enjoy it for yourself!

The Blue Mesas definitely took my breath away. That night, we stayed in Flagstaff, Arizona at the base of a gorgeous mountain.

We got Chinese take-out. It was by far the best I have ever had. Thanks Hunan West!

Day 4 - Grand Canyon

We headed up to the Grand Canyon for a few hours - cuz for real, it's the Grand Canyon people.

It was cold, and very windy, and there was a TON of snow! But, we still enjoyed it.

One thing I didn't expect was how incredible the canyons outside of the park were too! I wish I would have snapped some pictures as we were driving by - it was an experience I don't want to forget.

That night we went back to the same hotel in Flagstaff and then to Salsa Brava - HIGHLY recommend - especially if you like burritos bigger than your face, free salsas to sample, and overall deliciousness.

Day 5 - Chapel of the Holy Cross, Montezuma Castle, and the Estrella Star Tower

The sites this day were all smaller - so they took less time to visit. They were still worth it though!

The drive was gorgeous - the Sedona area is definitely a place I could go back to.

I. Love. the. Southwest.

The Star Tower was a really neat place to visit! We walked out (among cacti!!!) on a short path to the tower shortly before sunset, and enjoyed the views as the sun set.

We also ate at In-N-Out Burger, cuz you just gotta.

Day 6 - We finished the trip to Oceanside, CA, where we spent 9 too many days in extended stay while waiting for our house. (Spoiler alert: it was worth it)

Here's What I Want to Remember About: Christmas at Home

For the second year in a row, we have been very lucky with Keagan's training schedule. Both years, he finished a school and had a good break before having to report to his next duty station, which allowed us to go visit with family for Christmas. A bonus of having our families live 1 1/2 hours apart is that it is always very easy to see them both.

This year, I packed up almost everything in our apartment, and we left the second week in December for almost 3 weeks in the Midwest. It was so nice to spend a good amount of time with each family and catch up with some friends.

We started our vacation off in Iowa. Of course, just because we had time off, didn't mean the whole family had time off too. Some people work for a living! ;) So, we spent a lot of time relaxing during the days and enjoying evenings with the family. I got to work a few hours thanks to having an online job, but I made sure to work less than normal and enjoy time with Keagan and time on the farm.

The weather was warmer than normal for this time of year, and we definitely enjoyed that. Spending last winter in Florida ruined us for life - our blood is not as tough as it used to be! I walked Zulu and the Hicks' dog, Shep, down the dirt roads a few times. We enjoyed many great meals with the whole crew. We had coffee tea and cider with some relatives that mean a lot to us (and drink coffee). We enjoyed being out in the country, inside of a cozy home full of Christmas cheer. We also went to the final Hobbit movie with Keagan's sister and a few of Keagan's friends.

Oh! And thanks to the incredible Dave Hicks - we got back our Altima. You know, the one that got in an accident in Florida 6 months ago. I may have been still be unreasonably excited about that. We also left my precious first car (a Maroon Grand Prix) in Iowa...its fate has yet to be determined. It was a little sad letting it go as that car was very good to me, but I will survive.

Then, we headed to Minnesota. Our time in Minnesota was great, but very busy. Between watching my little sister play a couple of basketball games, dinner dates to catch up with friends, and family Christmas parties...we had something going on every day. We watched Unbroken in the theaters - good, but the book is still better. We enjoyed a pretty snowfall. We froze on the one day that it was in the single digits. Brr. And then, before we were really able to think about it, it was time to go back home. As always, time with the family goes way too fast.

We went back to Oklahoma, did some final packing and cleaning, and then hit the road for our move to California.

(we probably ate unreasonable amounts of sugar and pizza, too)
(okay fine, that one was just me - not we)

Exhaling

One thing I have learned about my heart, is that one of the best ways to care for it, is by letting it find its way onto paper. Whether that be in a private journal, or in a letter to a friend, or on here - it is a vital part of keeping myself healthy and balanced. Oh, I have done such a terrible job of that lately. Sure, I've jotted notes down here and there - things to remember - but I have neglected to put the proper effort into bringing my thoughts to completion.

I don't remember the last time I just sat in the quietness - reflecting.

I have had so much to write about, too. Christmas. Another move. A roadtrip. Adventures in extended stay. Getting settled into our house.

I have been consumed by to-do lists and ideas that stifle my motivation to get away from the crazy and just...exhale.

Here's What I Want to Remember About: Oklahoma

Just in case you are wondering, I am sitting here in our cute little hotel room in Flagstaff, Arizona (situated at the base of a gorgeous mountain with the perfect snow-covered tip). I am watching the internet crawl slower than the last time I tried to run a mile, as I try to upload the 22 pictures I took today to Facebook – because the place we went was breathtaking and I get double enjoyment out of sharing it with others, even if the pictures don’t do the real thing justice. I am drinking Cinnamon Apple Tea (courtesy of my lovely sister-in-law), and just finished reading a lovely blog post from my inspiring and honest friend, Lindsey over at http://weareolsons.blogspot.com/. And, all of these things combined told me it was time to finish a blog post that I started weeks ago.

So much has happened in the last month - Keagan graduated and we left Oklahoma for nearly three weeks in Iowa and Minnesota. Then, we went back to Oklahoma to tie up some loose ends. Currently, we are taking our time on I-40 in the process of moving to California. Whoa. This last month has been so, very, busy, but so, very, good. I have felt incredibly at peace and incredibly blessed (even though we both don't sleep at night thanks to endless coughing and Zulu growling - she hates hearing people through the thin hotel walls). 

These are the days I want to remember, so I need to write about them before letting the memories fade away too quickly...

~~~

Here's What I Want to Remember About: Oklahoma

I want to remember pulling in the first night we got to our apartment, and seeing the sun set over the mountains that I didn't know existed.
I want to remember the first time I walked the trail behind our apartment - it was the first thing that really made me feel like Oklahoma was going to be an okay place to live.
I want to remember all of the times that I walked the trail behind our apartment - the colorful sunsets, the wildflowers, the grass, the pond...and especially how happy and healthy it kept Zulu and I.
I want to remember some really great friends that truly made Oklahoma a better place and didn't allow me to be too anti-social.
I want to remember driving around the base for the first time and seeing the landscape.
I want to remember summer/fall days at the pool and the cooler days simply walking.
I want to remember the nice weather - even though it was too hot, too windy, and too gloomy a lot of the time. The beautiful days, though, they were amazing.
I want to remember the wide open, dreamy skies that seemed to go on forever.
I want to remember the night Keagan and I went swimming at 9 PM.
I want to remember Braums ice-cream - and then I want someone to bring me some more.
I want to remember Harry Potter marathons and suppers with Carly, Lindsey, and Jax when our husbands were out in the field.
I want to remember driving up Mount Scott, The Wildlife Refuge, Wayne's Drive-Inn, some delicious (and spicy) Pad Thai, and picnicking at Sonic.
I want to remember the time Keagan and I drove down the main streets late at night, with the windows down, blaring Hunter Hayes and laughing our heads off.
I want to remember that Oklahoma was where I finally felt the most comfortable in my role.
I want to remember visits from our families.
I want to remember the feelings of freedom and accomplishment of working from home and managing my own schedule.
I want to remember that fajita recipe that we became obsessed with.
I want to remember how "close" we were to home.
I want to remember that I trained for and ran a 5K - and that Keagan got a giant trophy.
I want to remember the uncomfortable furniture that came with the apartment - because it will make me appreciate our new furniture so much more.
I want to remember Sundays at Mike's with friends.
I want to remember the time I simply needed to get out of the house and went to see Medicine Bluff - it was simple, but awe-inspiring, and exactly what I needed.
I want to remember what it was like living 6 months without most of our possessions - because things really don't matter as much as we like to think they do.
I want to remember the anniversary weekend that we spent out by the mountains in a cute little cabin (even though it rained the whole time and we set off the fire alarm while frying bacon).
I want to remember the Birthday Ball - because it was just all out fantastic.
I want to remember the 70+ year old Marine who danced like crazy in the middle of the dance floor.
I want to remember the time that our neighbors got sick of our other neighbor's annoying music and blasted Justin Bieber.
I want to remember being totally weirded out by and scared of Wheel Bugs.
I want to remember to remember - but to spend more time in the present, rather than looking forward or looking back.

Well, here's to remembering - and hoping that the internet posts this - and hoping to write again in a few days (after enjoying the Grand Canyon, of course).