I'm a lucky girl!

On February 13, 2006, Hubs (then Boyfriend) and I had been dating just under three months.  He was getting ready to transfer to Ohio and we had yet to have the discussion of whether or not we'd continue dating long distance.  But that night, he gave me tasty Lindt Truffles and took me to dinner at The Melting Pot...and gave me a card that said he hoped we celebrated many more Valentine's Day together!  On Valentine's Day, I had duty on the ship and he made the 600-mile trip to Columbus.

In 2007 he drove in for the weekend either before or after Valentine's Day.  I really can't remember which, and I can't remember where we ate dinner.  All I know is a month later we were engaged!

In 2008 we were preparing for my upcoming deployment.  I'm fairly certain he drove out again and I hosted a wine and cheese party at my house for some friends the weekend after and a special dinner out another night.  I remember making the reservations at the last minute because he hadn't planned ahead.  And then the waiter added a little extra onto his tip, which (now) Fiance caught when he saw the credit card bill!

In 2009, we were expecting for Hubs to be home from a deployment but for me to still be gone.  In mid-December we got a little wedding gift from the Navy and I came home early.  Out of four Valentine's Days, we'd finally be together on the day.  We ate at Vintage Tavern.

2010 brought another deployment and another separation.  I think I ate popcorn at home alone.  My parents tried to convince me to come eat at their house, but I decided it'd be easier to not be lonely if I conveniently forgot all about the holiday.

This year, we will spend our sixth Valentine's Day together, but only our second together!  I suppose Hubs got what he asked for all those years ago when he wished for many more V-days with me!  I couldn't be happier, and I'm so glad that he's my family!  We'd originally planned to go out to dinner Saturday night, but there was a mistake with the reservations, so we went last night instead.  Oh well, I'll take a delicious New York Strip at Riverstone Chophouse any day!  Hubs surprised me by getting home at 4:30 yesterday (this week he's been working late and not getting home until 7:00, so on a Friday I was expecting 5:30 or 6:00).  Anyway, so he got home and announced he was going to the gym.  And when he came home, he was carrying a gorgeous bouquet of deep red roses!  And then he told me that there were more surprises to come throughout the weekend!  Talk about holding me in suspense!  So we went out to dinner, and I managed to stay pretty comfy in a dress that isn't maternity (thank goodness for stretchy sweater dresses!) and then shared some oreo ice cream goodness at Cold Stone.  We got home around 10:30 and we both snuggled up in bed for some much needed cuddle time!  I'm so excited that I share my life with this wonderful man and that in a few short months we'll be welcoming a little one into our family, making these holidays so much more meaningful, exciting, and fun!  I can't wait!

In the mean time, I'm going to get cleaned up, get this house cleaned up, and then sneak out to take care of a few Valentine's Day surprises of my own!  What are your plans for the romantic holiday?!

Goin' Nutty

This past weekend, Hubs and I (along with another couple) took a trip to the outskirts of our town to spend an evening at the Suffolk Peanut Festival!  The home of Planters Peanuts, the Festival is an annual celebration in an otherwise sleepy farming town.

Another couple we know through Hubs's command met us at our house and we had a few drinks at home (Sprite for me!) before heading out to the local airport, which would serve as the fairgrounds for the weekend.  We arrived around 9:00 and had only a couple of hours before the carnival rides would close.  After buying a handful of tickets, we ladies dragged convinced our husbands to ride the ferris wheel with us.  We stood in line for what seemed like an eternity, and the ride was really not very long considering the wait.  But the kiss I got at the top was worth it!

After a few more rides and a shared funnel cake, we headed back home...

...where I discovered the first food to get crossed off my menu for the remainder of this pregnancy.  Because my funnel cake came right back up!  Yuk!

Hurricanes, Burritos, Dusting, and Football

Wow...what a combination, right? Well, let me explain!

Patrick and I have been super busy since we returned from our whirlwind trip to Canada that we have not been able to have a Date Night since the first week in August (during our vacation!). Normally, we make an effort to go out for dinner once a week, usually Friday night, to give me a break from the kitchen and just to get out of the house for the evening. We both look forward to these nights, especially because it gives us both a reason to put on normal clothes rather than our daily uniforms (Navy for Hubs and Nursing for me). You know need to know me in real life to realize that I love getting all girly with colorful tops, cute shoes, and fun makeup!

Anyway, with Hurricane Earl threatening the East Coast earlier this week, we decided to stay close to home. Despite several invitations to meet people for drinks, high school football games, pizza and beer, and the like, we were adamant that Friday night was just for the two of us and we were going to resurrect our dinner dates! That said, on Friday morning, when I left for class, the rain had started and Patrick's command had already told everyone to stay home. I began to get worried that the weather would not cooperate and that we'd be huddled inside with no power and peanut butter sandwiches. I was pleasantly surprised when the rain never got too bad and the wind never did pick up in our area. I came home from school, went to my annual eye appointment (thanks hubs for driving me and my super-dilated eyes!), and went to the gym to swim laps...

By that point, the rain had totally stopped and I was absolutely famished! Patrick and I got cleaned up and changed clothes and went to a cute little Mexican restaurant about two miles from home, El Burrito Loco. Now, I love Mexican food, but normally it's all the same: a burrito or enchilada alongside refried beans and Spanish rice. Good, but nothing special, and it normally results in feeling sick because my belly is so full. Well, the Crazy Burrito has something special because the California Burrito I ordered was amazing! Stuffed full of steak, beans, guac, and all the yummy goodies you expect of a burrito, plus was drizzled with a fabulous white cheese sauce! As Rachael Ray says, YUMM-O!!! I was full after eating, but not feeling sick full, and I can honestly say that the only Mexican I've had that tasted better was in Old Town San Diego, and let's face it, nothing beats San Diego when it comes to Mexican food!

After dinner, we drive over to the local Toyota dealer and looked at a few options for when it becomes time to replace Hubs's beloved Honda (the car we went one many dates and road trips in, the car that drove thousands of miles to bring us together when Patrick was stationed in Columbus and I was stationed in Norfolk, the car that I learned to drive stick in) for a family car...

Our fabulous date night ended once we were back home, when I began cleaning like a mad woman! I dusted, vacuumed, cleaned all the bathrooms, washed and folded all the laundry, ran the dishwasher and got everything back into the cupboards, and made a grocery list for the coming week. I even changed the sheets on the bed! I just love it when all the cleaning is done and all my household chores are complete...a little motivation and I get everything done in just a few hours!

And now, my dear readers, I'm off to finish a ginormous chocolate chip cookie cake, homemade pizzas, hot queso dip, and baby red potato skins...all in time for the inaugural game of the 2010 Notre Dame football season! I just love college football!

GO IRISH!!!