{...Oopsie...}

So I didn't go through with the Blogmas like I wanted to, but with my man here, I have been spending as much time with him as I possibly can <3 unfortunately he leaves this Sunday and its a bit of a bitter, sweet feeling. We have both gotten a taste of what life would be like together and I must say, we can both agree its not all fairytales and rainbows LOL I love him with all my heart, but with us being together every minute of everyday for 3 weeks.... we have not been the best of friends lately 😣 but I can tell you, my heart is absolutely breaking knowing I have to say goodbye to him in just a few days.

So I'm gonna let you all in on a little secret..... Steven and I did get married while he was here 💒 with him being in the military, it was easier to get married now to get a little Headstart on our lives....I'm sure if you're military and you're reading this, you'll understand. We will still be having our wedding in June... nothing has changed just needed to get that done so that our lives can get a good Headstart 😊 and I know I've already said that...I apologize haha

My awesome Tia also took our engagement photos while he was here 😍 and I am absolutely in love with how they turned out!
What do you guys think?

So that is my update... again I apologize for missing out on my blogmas 😢
I hope you're all doing well and I would love to hear how your Christmases went 😊🎄

Blogmas 2016 - Day Thirteen { Christmas Cards }

Good Evening Friends!! ❤

Hope you are all well and keeping warm on these cold days...I'm freezing and keep snuggling up to Steven to keep me warm haha thank goodness he doeant mind 😊 he's such a sweetheart and I am really enjoying his company ❤

Anyway....onto day 13 of ourBlogmas journey which is unbelieveable, the month just seems to be flying by 😐

So about Christmas Cards....I have never sent anyone christmas cards, last year was actually the first year I sent out christmas cards and I loved it ❤

They had a gorgeous Christmas village shining under the big moon on christmas night with Santa flying in his sleigh over the village 🎄

Everyone loved the cards and I was thinking of doing it again this year....so I guess we'll see 😊

Blogmas 2016 - Day Twelve { Party Christmas or Family Filled Christmas? }

Christmas has always been about surrounding yourself with family and just enjoying each others company....in my family at least ❤

This year we are spending Christmas Eve at my aunt and uncles so that would be.....a loud Christmas! 😂 We aren't a lot of people yet there is a lot of laughter and we're loud talkers haha so definitely loud Christmas! 🎄 which is fine by me! 😊❤

Blogmas 2016 - Day Eleven { Stocking Stuffer Ideas }

Hello fellow bloggers!

I am so sorry I missed yesterdays blog and am only doing it now, but Steven flew in yesterday and we have just been hanging out and enjoying each others company, so again I am so sorry for the late post! ❤

So this is just gonna be a quick post...we don't really do the stocking stuffers, never did that until our first year here in the States, my aunt and uncle actually filled up our stockings and told us it was little gifts from Santa 🎅

I think its a really cute tradition and I would love to do it with my little family one day ❤

Blogmas 2016 - Day Ten { Real or Artificial Tree? }

Hey everyone!

It is Saturday!! And I am not doing too good 😒 I am having a horrible stabbing pain on my left side, especially when I take feel breaths...was told it could be Kidney Stones and I'm praying it isn't, but lately I have been having issues with my kidneys and my bladder...dont know if its the cold weather or what 😒 so hopefully this will pass soon because not only am I sick and tired of having this issue, but my amazing fiancee is flying in tomorrow and I dont wanna be in pain on the way to pick him up from the airport...after all it is a 2 hour drive 😖

Anyway...onto more positive things, lets do our post for Day Ten of our Blogmas which is...do you have a real or artificial tree for Christmas? I have an artificial tree...we've always had artificial trees 🎄 the only times we had real trees was when we first got to the States, my Tia and Uncle Curt got a real tree and that was the first time I have ever decorated and had a real Christmas tree...the smell is what I fell in love with most 😍 because who doesnt love the smell of pine?? 🎄❤

The second time we got a real tree was last year, when the 4 of us had our own home and we thought we would try the real tree....never again! Lol too much mess and we didnt know what to do with it after, how to get rid of it 😐 so we are perfectly content with our artificial tree 😊🎄

What kind of tree do you guys prefer? 😊🎄

Blogmas 2016 - Day Nine { How Do You Decorate? }

Good afternoon everyone! 😊

Its Friday!! And we are on Day Nine of our Blogmas adventure 😁🎄 I hope you are all having a wonderful month so far and are working up your excitement for Christmas! 🎅
I know I am! 😉

We are not the type of family that goes all out and hangs decorations around the whole house inside and out, but we do the best we can with what we have ❤🎄

We have fallen in love with the idea of Christmas Villages and this is now the second year we have done one 😊 and in my opinion, we get better and better every year 🎄

Cant wait to see all of your decorations! 😁

Blogmas 2016 - Day Eight { Favorite Family Christmas Recipe }

Good evening everyone!

Hope you are all keeping warm wherever you are 😊 its freezing on my end of the world, but I'm still the crazy person who really misses yaving snow during the holiday season ❄ haha

Onto today's post....Favorite Family Christmas Recipes ❤
Coming from both a South African and Portuguese families, there are so many yummy goodies that appear on the table for Christmas 🎄

From my South African side we have ::

Koeksisters 

Vetkoek - Fatcake

Milktert - Milktart

And from my Portuguese side we have ::

Pasteis de Nata - Custard Tartlets

Rissois de Camarao - Prawn Cakes

Every Christmas, these have to be made ❤ hehe

Blogmas 2016 - Day Seven { Cookies to be Baked }

I'm going to apologize right now for not posting yesterday which was { Day Six - Pot Simmer Recipes } if you would like to see the post, then visit my Aunt Sandra's blog ::: http://familycorner.blogspot.com

I have never made cookies from scratch or even tried, but I would really love to one day. I wont lie, I am a little terrified haha but my mentality is if I dont learn now, I wont be able to be the cool mom that makes cookies for my kids 😎 and before you say anything, yes I do know you can get them premade and ready to throw in the oven, but that's not as good as homemade, quality cookies made with love ❤

These are a few I would like to try this holiday season :::

This last one is White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies and the reason I want to try these is because Steven is a huge fan of these cookies, and since he's going to be here for the holiday season, I thought I'd treat my wonderful man to some of these ❤

I know there's only 3 different types of cookies here, but I wanted to start simple 🍪
Better to start somewhere right? 😉

Blogmas 2016 - Day Five { Pictures and Memories from Christmas Past }

Growing up in a big family, Christmas time was always the busiest and most fun of all the holidays throughout the year.

I wish I could share some pictures but I have non on my phone and I know all pf our pictures are packed somewhere so please bare with me while I try and bring my memories to life in this post ❤

Every December, the most exciting part for me was putting up the tree with my family because that already meant that Christmas was around the corner. I remember putting decorations up where ever I thought was appropriate and then at the end, my daddy would lift me up and I would put the star up on top and that was the best part! 🌟

On the 24th, we would always go to my dads side of the family and because that was the Portuguese side, there was tons of food set out on the tables and food still being made in the kitchen. Sometimes we could smell the yummy prawns being cooked on the grill with some butter and garlic smeared all over them...talk about mouth watering!

From the moment we walked into the house, my brother and I would find our cousins and sit down and play on the Nintendo 64 or watch christmas movies or play the famous hide-and-seek hehe whatever made the time pass faster!

Leading up to midnight, we would all have already passed out or beginning to, and our parents would call us and we'd all sit around eachother in the living roI'm and once the clock struck 12, everyone would go around giving hugs and kisses and wishing all a Merry Christmas ❤ once that was out of the way, we would sit back down and await our gifts. My dad would always be the one to hand out the gifts and as soon as everyone had their gifts, we'd just enjoy opening them and showing off our new toys or clothes.

The next day (Christmas Day) we would go to my moms side for a yummy lunch and open some gifts there too, was a bit of a smaller crowd, but just as special and memorable. ❤

It is hard being away from so much love and family, ofcourse we have my aunt Sandra, Uncle Curt and the cousins which is just as special, but we all had so much more family around and my Tia would agree ❤

I love Christmas time and I cant wait to spend another year with my wonderful little family of 8❤

Blogmas 2016 -Day Four { Christmas Playlist }

Good afternoon everyone! How are you enjoying your Sunday? Mine is very lazy, a little chilly, but that's about it 😊

Right...my Christmas Playlist is very minimal. I am the type of person who just opens up spotify or YouTube and plays any Christmas Playlist that pops up and if I don't like it, I move onto the next one.

These are my favorites so far :::

I am a huge Pentatonix fan and their Christmas album is absolutely amazing! 

My family has been listening to Michael Buble for years and it just so happens that my fiance loves him too ❤ Michael Buble has to be played throughout December because his Christmas albums are one of the best! 

Home Free is a country acapella group for those of you who that have never heard of them 😊 I am a huge country music fan so there has to be some country Christmas music playing in my house hehe 

Blogmas 2016 - Day Three { Christmas Wishlist }

I am so sorry this post is going up a day late. I was not feeling well at all yesterday, have no clue what it is, if its the flu or just an annoying cold, but I just did not have the energy to do anything yesterday!

As I've gotten older, my Christmas wish lists have gotten a little shorter. There is not much I want when I have everything I could've ever asked for ❤ but nonetheless.....here is my little wishlist :::

This may seem so silly for a 20 year old to want, but I've always wanted a giant teddy bear...especially when Steven and I are apart hehe

I love fluffy slippers, especially these booties! 😍

I am a huge blanket lover...I could buy all the fluffy blankets in the world if I could, but what I really want is a knitted blanket ❤

Like I said, don't have much on my wishlist hehe

What's on your wishlist this Christmas?

Blogmas 2016 - Day Two { Christmas Movies on the Must Watch List }

Good evening everyone! I know this post is going up late, but I thought that I could try and kick start my laptop and its gone 😢 doesn't switch on at all! So I guess I'm gonna be doing my blog posts on my phone...better than nothing right? 😉

So here are a few of my favorites that I HAVE to watch every year :::

Yes I have to have my Disney movies on this list ❤ hehe

Would love to see what you all love to watch 😊

Blogmas 2016 - Day One { The Christmas Tag }

🎄 December Is Finally Here!! 🎄

Wow! Can you believe December us here already? Seems like we were just starting 2016 off...CRAZY!! 

Anyway...it is that time of year where all Bloggers or Vloggers or whatever you do online, make a commitment to put up a post every single day for 25 days on how they are going to be preparing for Christmas this year and just what will be on the dinner table for Christmas, who will be there and so on and so forth. 

My Tia Sandra has set up and planned a whole list of categories to post about each day so you all know what to talk about about :) if you would like to visit her gorgeous blog just click on this link and enjoy! 

http://familycorner.blogspot.com/

So let's get started shall we? :D 

Day One - The Christmas Tag

 

🌟 What's Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

My favorite holiday movie would have to be How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I know that may seem like such a childish movie, but I just love Dr. Seuss and I love the moral of the story ❤ Plus I love the music and just how good you feel after watching it.

  

🌟 What's Your Favorite Christmas Color?

This isn't really easy to answer because I love all the Christmas colors, but I suppose if I really HAVE to pick one, I would pick green! 🎄

  

🌟 Do You Like to Stay in Your PJ's or Get Dressed Up for Christmas?

I like to dress up for Christmas if I am spending Christmas at another family members house, but other than that if I am at home, then I will gladly stay in my PJ's! 

 🌟 If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year, Who Would It Be?

This is extremely hard for me to answer because there are so many people who do so much for me and that I appreciate so much, but if I had to pick someone, I would pick my brother. We may not get along almost AT ALL, but he is the only person I can speak freely to about anything and he has helped me through so many dark days. ❤

🌟 Do You Open Your Presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

Growing up, we would always open our gifts on Christmas Eve. When that clock strikes 12, we gather the entire family, sit around each other and hand out gifts and enjoy the moment! ❤ 

Now I know you're probably thinking, "but technically that's Christmas morning..." but that's just how we work and then when we wake up at around 8-9 in the morning, we open our "Santa Gifts" as most of you would call it. 🎅

🌟 What Do You Like to do on Your Christmas Break?

Mostly chill and enjoy family time. My parents are major worker bees so it will just be my brother, Steven and myself most of the time. We might watch some Christmas movies together and maybe play a few games...but mostly we will just be doing our own thing and just enjoying the time that we have together.

🌟 Any Christmas Wishes?

1. Steven's leave gets approved so that he can join us for Christmas this year. ❤
2. The health of my family. My mom is actually sick at the moment and has lost her voice, so I'm Praying she makes a quick recovery, also my Tia hasn't been feeling too well either.
3. That God shines His beautiful light over this world and delivers us from all the Evil that has been going on and getting out of hand. 👏

🌟 Favorite Christmas Smell?

I am a huge fan of the Pine Tree smell and the Cinnamon Sticks smell. To me...that is what Christmas smells like. 

🌟 Favorite Christmas Meal or Treat?

The yummy Portuguese food made on Christmas Eve and I have to say all of the Christmas cookies and anything to do with Peppermint! 

🌟 What Are You Doing for The Holiday This Year?

Hopefully Steven will be coming down to spend 2 weeks with us for Christmas, fingers crossed that his leave gets approved! 😖 We will also probably be going over to my Tias house to celebrate.

🌟 What's Your Favorite Holiday Drink?

Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows. 

🌟 Candy Cane or Gingerbread Men?

I am going to have to say both on this one. There is just no way I can choose! LOL

🌟 What's Your Favorite Christmas/Holiday Song?

All I Want for Christmas is You! ❤

🌟 What is Most Important to You About The Holidays?

Being surrounded by Family, and remembering what Christmas is really all about ❤ the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ★

              

 I hope you all enjoyed today's post! 

Please feel free to drop down your links so I can visit your Blogs too! ❤

   

   

~ I Am a Horrible Person ~

Yes I am apologizing again for the 1000th time...I am sorry I haven't been on my blog, life has been extremely hectic, (when hasn't it been hectic? Haha) but I am back!! Unfortunately I have to type up this post and future posts up on my phone because I no longer have a working laptop, so I've been trying to figure out how it works on the phone and its actually not that bad....I will make do! 😊

So how has everybody been? Come on I wanna hear details and stories!! How was your 2016?

Mine was INSANE!! With going through a deployment with my love and traveling back and forth from State to State, I have been busy 😱 but now I am back in Texas after being in Idaho for 5 months. I went over there to help Stevens sister get ready for her wedding and all that fun stuff, which by the way, Leeann and Daniel are brand new parents to a beautiful baby boy ❤ 

                              Henry Darrell Welle

Yes, steven and I have a little nephew and we couldn't be more excited hehe I wish I could've been there to see my little man and give him tons of kisses and love because what aunt doesn't spoil their niece/nephew with love and kisses? Haha

                         °~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~°

On a more personal note......Steven and I are engaged!!!!!!!! ❤ 

He asked me when I went to see him 2 days after he got back from deployment , on the beautiful beach of La Jolla in California ❤ he took me down there and sunset and popped the question 😍 

I couldn't be happier and I can't wait to tackle life with my best friend and the love of my life ❤

                       °~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~°

So that has been my life and right now I need to focus on getting ready to get married next year and start my life with Steven ❤ its gonna be a crazy ride, but we are both so very excited! ❤

{...A Day In The Life...}

Hello everyone :)

WOW! It has been a very long and stressful week! Between doctors appointments to hectic storms, it has just kept us busy and moving non stop!

We started our week off with some mowing :) 3 acres of land may not look like much to some, but when it comes time to mowing it, it can get a bit overwhelming especially if the riding mower is busted LOL

Here are some pictures of our pretty home! <3

Enjoy!!!

 This wasp decided to make her nest right between the glass on the front door, although we do not want her there, I like to watch how she makes her nest! <3

This last picture is my favorite! <3 Just love how it came out...I guess I am pretty handy with a phone camera ;) haha


I hope you enjoyed those few snippets of what I look out the window and see everyday. <3
After the mowing the lawn I did come inside to 3 HUGE bug bites! One on each thigh and one on my arm, and let me tell you...THEY HURT!

Usually when I get bitten by Mosquito's, they get pretty big and hurt because of the swelling, but this is no Mosquito bite because never have I EVER had bites swell up to be this big! I'm thinking a spider because I don't know about you, but when I look at these pictures the shape and the size just don't look good at all!

If anyone has any suggestions about how to get the swelling down, please let me know! I have tried everything!


                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have been getting tons of warnings about Thunder storms and Tornadoes, although we've been hit with a few Thunder Storms, we have not been hit with a Tornado yet. On Tuesday Tia and I took some food and water down to the storm shelter along with some candles to try and get the smell of mold to lighten up a bit. The last time we all head down to the storm shelter, my dad and Tia had severe allergy attacks to the point where breathing was becoming difficult and that was all due to the mold and dust down in the storm shelter, so we thought that maybe the scent of some candles will help with the smell and we left the door open the whole day to get some fresh air in there. We then packed and gathered what we needed and took everything down there, including all the letters Steven wrote me, all his clothes that I have, the pictures I have of him, and the stuffed bear he bought me at Seaworld haha (I can't find my Build-a-Bear with his voice in it because it's packed somewhere :( I tried looking in a few boxes, but all the boxes I haven't checked are buried underneath more boxes and furniture...so if I tornado hits, I'm gonna lose our little SJ :( but I managed to pack everything else, thank goodness!

Just look at these scary pictures!! And now today we have another Tornado making its way through Texas!

I just Pray for everyone in its path <3 May God put His hand and the blood of His son Jesus over them all! <3

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Updates on Steven <3 

Didn't hear from him for over a week and then finally heard from him yesterday! <3 He is doing well, still have no clue where he is, but as long as he's safe then I'm happy! <3 I miss him terribly and I can't wait for the day he comes home! We were talking about our lives together and just our versions of what our future looks like together...I must say, I am pretty excited! Scared, but excited hehe

I have to honest, I miss watching my man shoot at the range! <3 He absolutely loves and enjoys it and that makes me fall in love with him even more! <3 You may think I'm being weird, but it's one of the many things I love about him! <3
                       
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Well that's it for my post today guys! :)

I hope you all have a Blessed and fun-filled weekend! <3

God Bless!

xxx