Madri Gras

Aaron & I learned our leason last year! Madri Gras in New Orleans was too crazy for us to go to a second year. So this year we decided to go to Galveston TX. There is an ok beach there and several things to do! We headed out early Saturday morning with Gary, Maribel and Brian. We got there in time for all four day parades but decided to go out to the beach and some of the shops and small fair. We did get rained on a little but we decided to make the most of it and stuck it out. Later that night we headed out for the Madri Gras parade which was fun. My favortie part was all the high school bands playing. Of course the floats are nice too and watching people fight over cheap beads.

I never really knew what Madri Gras was or how it got started. So I asked people here at work that are from Louisiana and got the same story from them all. So here it goes, a little FYI: Basically back in the day people (Catholic) fasted for 40 days also known as Lint. Obviously they didn't have a lot of money so all the food they had grown and raised could not go to waste so the weekend before they would eat and drink everything. Also known as gloutney which is a sin. I guess that's also where they got the name Fat Tuesday!?!?! Fat Tuesday was the last day before the start of lint. I'm not sure on all the facts I guess I should Google it! But thats where it got started and like most holidays has lost it's true meaning. I'm not sure where the beads, parades and drunks came in but they did. Some people just say it's a time to get out all your sins before you give up something for Lint, I'm not sure about that though!

So back to Galveston. After the parade we went out for a very nice dinner (something we don't get often being in Leesville). The next day we got up and headed to Rain Forest Cafe which was a lot of fun. We even went on the little boat ride and Maribel got scared by the snake that jumps out at you! Haha that was fun to watch! After that we went our seperate ways. Aaron and I went back to the beach and walked around and looked at everything. I think I mentioned in an earlier post Hurricane Ike, well that's the one that hit Galveston! It was crazy seeing everything. The little town we went through before getting on the Ferry was completly gone! There had previously been beautiful houses all along the coast and they were all gone! But there were tons of people out working cleaning up and ready to celebrate Madri Gras. Once we crossed over the Ferry you could hardly tell a hurricane had hit. Until we started looking for some of the shops we liked and realized they were gone too. But I would say the place was up and going very fast seeing how the storm was just a few months ago! Maybe because it was in Texas and Bush only likes Texas so he helped them! HAHA I'm joking! You can tell when people really care and aren't lazy, they actually get up and clean and build back themselves! They don't wait on others to do everything for them (New Orleans)! Man I like Texas more everyday! After exploring the beach we headed over to Moody Gardens and checked out the aquarium. It was fun. After that we started back to Fort Polk. And was refreshed and ready to go back to work....ok not really. Next week we are off to Ohio...

This is where the houses were!

On The Ferry

The Rain Forest Cafe

Moody Gardens ^

Happy V~DAY!

Normally I'm not one to celebrate Valentines Day but I thought I would festive and do it this year. Aaron knew from the start he better not buy me flowers or candy. I think that's part of the reason I dislike the "holiday" so much. It's always expected from the guys to buy expensive flowers (that will die in a few days) and candy in a heartshaped box. There's never really thought that goes into it. There are those few guys out there that will come up with something original like writing a song and singing/playing it, or maybe even a proposal! Aaron did very well this year! He got me a VERY pretty ring from Tiffany & Co. I was very excited. We spent the day in Lake Charles shopping and eating! Don't worry I didn't forget about Aaron's present. I'm waiting for some xbox game to come out!

The next week my parents came in from Florida and spent a few days with us. I was really happy to see them. Especially with all that's been going on with Aaron's deployment. It was good to spend sometime with them. Of course I had to work but they had lunch with me and I got off early to hangout with them. And my mom played Cinderella. She did some house work for me, that I really appreciated! The last night they were here they got to go to one of Aaron's basketball games, which is always interesting and enjoyable and meet the guys. That night we had a large crowd (for us anyway). Doreen and Jennie brought theirs girls out and Maribel and her son were there as well. I think all the Army people were shocked when we all walked in and they asked who we were there for. And we won again! It was a lot of fun and my parents really enjoyed seeing everyone. I'm sure they will be back soon!

Well

I don't even know what to title this one. There has been a lot going on here. Aaron just recently got back from GA for a TDY. I was so glad to have him back here. I stayed busy every night hanging out with friends, and yes even going to the gym!

We decided to go to Toledo Bend last Saturday and spend the day with friends. I'll get pictures up here asap. 17 of us went and had a great time! The little girls spent most of the time playing with John Wayne (Bartles new puppy) and I attempted to help watch them. I think I did ok considering I only lost Zoey once and she only ate a little sand ( the other girls made a "birthday cake" for Emma) and did I mention she squeezed one of the little fish?!?! Sorry Jennie. I think everyone else did some fishing. Gary was the first to catch one. I threw out the line maybe 5 times before I gave up. We also packed a picnic and played some frisbee. Overall it was a very good trip. We are planning to go to Sea World next month and I can't wait.

Saturday night when I got home it finally hit me that Aaron was actually leaving next month. I just got our tickets to go to Ohio at the end of the month and I guess I really haven't taken the time to stop and think about it all. It was a very long week when he was gone on TDY, but 6 months? How am I going to do that? It's easy to say "oh six months is no time, it will go by fast." But to actually be gone that long, am not too sure. I know I can do it, I just know it's not going to be easy. I'm sure there will be lots of lonely, sad nights that I will call our families crying. And you can bet that I will be making lots of trips to see them. So what will it really be like when Aaron deploys??? I guess I will find out...