She's Got Leeegs...She Knows How To Use Them!

Countless times, I've met bloggers and they've been surprise at how short I am. I'm {almost} 5'4, but for some reason I have come off tall through blogging. I'm not going to question it, but maybe it's because I've always had long legs, as you can see in the following picture.

I show you that picture first to prove that I was a somewhat cute kid. However, I will be the first to tell you that I was NOT a cute baby. Sure, you ask my mom and I was the cutest, but I was a toeheaded chunkamonk until at least my 1st birthday. Proof:

Leave it to my first babysitter to have the most incriminating photos for me. She's been tagging me in tons of throwbacks lately, and I really am loving it. She said she will make copies and send them to me, so then I really have to share some doozies. Many memories and people that I couldn't comprehend, but now I cherish. This is why I love pictures, people.

Now let's just hope Charlie gets my legs and blonde hair, but the rest can come from Will. I'd give her my Hazel eyes, but Will's blues will do. No matter what, she will be pure perfection in my eyes, and as long as she's healthy...we are blessed.

Dirty 30: White Trash Brunch

Boy oh boy, I look back on Saturday and I'm quite satisfied with the festivities. Will said it was 'life altering' and the best brunch he's ever had, so obviously he approved. The decor was easy, the food really was divine, and we had our amazing group of friends there. You really can't ask for more than that. Check out my solo cup lights:

Food really is the key to brunch and it happens to be my favorite part of any party, so making brunch was super fun. Labor intensive as always, but I prepped most of it the night before which helps. Everyone thought we had too much food when we put it all together, and yet it was ALL gone in a matter of hours. I wanted some leftovers, but nope...didn't happen.
Menu: Vanilla Bourbon Bananas Foster French Toast Casserole, Eggs Benedict Casserole, Texas Shaped Pancakes with Strawberry Compote, Bacon Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls, Sausage Quiche, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes, Banana Bread English Muffins, Bloody Mary Bar, and Bellinis.

You are going to need to try to make the French Toast and Eggs Benedict, so you should probably pin those recipes. Make note, though, I used Hawaiian loaf and added 1/4 cup of Toasted Caramel Whiskey to the French Toast, and to make the bernaise you can use the packet, but ONLY if you use whole milk to make it rich and creamy. Make up for it by cutting out a third or fourth of the Canadian Bacon and switching to Whole Grain English Muffins. Just know, these are the two best breakfast dishes I think I've ever had.

The rest of the party wasn't as classy. Will's shirt says #1 Daddy/Husband, while my shirt says #1 Daughter/Wife, and in front of him you will notice a HUGE Bloody Mary with birthday candles. He's not a big sweets eater, so a Bloody seemed like the perfect vessel for his candles.

All in all, it was awesome to see him so happy all day, have everyone rave about the food {thanks ladies for all the help!}, and enjoy fun with friends that lasted up until 10PM that night. I mean, who lasts that long?! I was sober, and I barely made it...They are champs.

As the month comes to a close, I'm officially married to a thirty year old. I love you, old man, and it was fun celebrating it to the fullest with you. You are my favorite thing to celebrate. Always and forever.

"Touch Has A Memory"- Keats

The CUTEST thing just happened. Sure babies and puppies usually take the cutest award, but no babies or puppies here. Anywho, I got up to make my late night snack and as I turned around, I noticed Will moving in on my side of the bed. Selfishly, I thought "Oh great. He's going to steal my pillow again", but instead he only pawed at my empty side looking for me. It was heartwarming and sad at the same time. So sad that I almost hopped back in bed to cuddle, but like I said, I was REALLY hungry. I'll make up for it by making sure we snuggle extra tonight.

Did you see the birthday sign I made for Will?

He's my favorite person to celebrate! {sorry everyone else} I can't wait to spend a lifetime of Birthdays with you, old man ;)

A photo posted by Janna renee (@jrbogert) on Jan 22, 2015 at 7:52am PST

I saw something similar on Pinterest and ran with it. It worked to surprise him this morning, and I will be using it for his party Saturday. It's almost too classy for the White Trash Brunch we have planned, but decor is like fashion...it's better to be overdressed than under.

Speaking of brunch, has anyone made an Overnight Crockpot French Toast? Brunch starts early on Saturday, so I'm trying to get as much started Friday night as possible. I just don't want anything to end up tasting like leftovers or {heaven forbid} get dried out. I like the concept of French Toast in the Crock, but the last thing I want is crusty bread when I'm going for an ooeygooey Vanilla Bourbon Bananas Foster Pot'O Goodness.

Before I go, one more adorable thing- Will started to breath heavy in his sleep (like he was upset, get your mind out of the gutter), so I put my hand on his back, and his breath slowed immediately. I obviously had to test it, so I took my hand off- fast breathing, put it back- slow breathing. Don't worry, though, I eventually let it rest there until he calmed down. It's crazy the power that a simple touch can have, and Veronica says it best:

“We are not people who touch each other carelessly; every
point of contact between us feels important, a rush of energy
and relief.” ― Veronica Roth, Allegiant

Someone's Turning The Dirtay Thirtay!

Tomorrow my hunk of a husband will officially turn THIRTY!

He is far from old, but it kinda puts things in perspective. He may have beat me to thirty {I call him my old man}, and yet it already has my gears turning about the significance. It's just a number, but it does signify a new stage of this road we call life. 
He makes me proud on the daily when I see his compassion, he washes the dishes, and I watch him transfer into this crazy pilot, so I didn't even have to think very hard to come up with the amazing things he has to be proud of thus far. Stealing my heart and creating a wonderful marriage is at the top of that list, but what else has he accomplished?

+ He played College Soccer.

+ Opened a restaurant as a GM at twenty-one.
+ Honorably joined the Army

+ Excelled in the Army (Soldier of the Brigade Status whoopwhoop)

+ Was selected for Flight School

And he's only just begun. He reaches higher and higher, and there is no limit in his mind.

 He may be my old man, but thirty is the new twenty. I don't really know what that means, but I'm pretty sure we don't have to grow up for another five to ten, and I'm cool with that. Maybe it even gives me more time on this Earth with the most incredible man I've ever encountered. If that's the case, I don't ever wanna grow up. I love you with all my heart and Happy Birthday sweet husband of mine! I can't wait to celebrate this weekend and for the rest of your life.

The Year That Was 2014

You just can't finish out a year without a good round up, am I right or am I right? Usually it takes me all of fifteen minutes to pick my favorite shenanigans to share and call it a day, however, this past year turned out to be a doozy. It just goes to show, you never know where life is going to take you if you are open to experience it.

January || Had us packing up all of our household goods, saying goodbye to breathtaking Colorado, and retiring my orange shorts. All in all, it was a pretty big month for us full of many changes that were exciting and scary at the same time.

February || Moved to Enterprise, Alabama! Actually more exciting than it sounded, and now we never want to leave. We want to find out what Will is going to fly and chill here.

March || We ran the McGuire's 5K {mostly for the free booze}, and I was able to spend two glorious weeks at home with family and witness my niece's baptism.

April || Was my proudest month as Will graduated from WOCS and became a Warrant Officer, the first step on the journey to becoming an Army helicopter pilot. Mmmm mmmm....I love my man in uniform!

May || With warm weather came lots of outdoor activities, and our new favorite was by far tubing. The beach was fun, but you really can't beat hopping in a river on a whim and heading down your own Redneck Riviera.

June || I got to see my baby brother graduate from High School. Ten years my junior, I begged my mom to let me do anything and everything for that sweet baby, so it seems so surreal that he's an 'adult'. Eh...he's still a baby to me!

July || Will was safe in my arms after three weeks of zero communication while he was in Survival School, and I got turned away from a bar for my 'fake id' in Destin, Fl. Oh, and I shotgunned a beer like I was 21 again.

August || I painted a lot of owls.

September || We soaked up the last bit of summer in Panama City for Labor Day.

October || Man, oh man...if I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be October. We spent the month planning our big Halloween/Haunted House party {that I still haven't blogged about}, attended the good ol' Ten Year Reunion, got new ink done, had a blast with all of our besties in Jacksonville, actually had my husband WITH me for my big day, and possibly had the best Birthday month of my life. I never wanted it to end.

November || Celebrated Veterans and raised $1,000's for Charity {$23,000 to be exact}, which still makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

December || We took a leap and started the home buying process. We area learning the ups and downs and waiting to see if our house goes through {inspections on top of inspections}, and trying to remember to enjoy the process. We are learning, we are growing, and embracing this adventure...at least we are in it together!

If we didn't have all this fun stuff to look back on, I wouldn't believe 2014 even happened. It went by WAY too fast, which I say every year, but that doesn't make it any less true. I don't know what 2015 is going to bring us or if it can hold a candle to 2014, but I am most definitely looking forward to enjoying the South while we are here, Will graduating, and BOTH of us turning 30 this year. I guess that means I'll be leaving the 'Twenty-Something' blogger club soon. Oh well, I ain't scurred. Age before beauty ;)

Peace Out 2014...It's been real!

29 Facts Of Me

Two days away from my birthday I decided to do a "29 Facts Of Me" {coinciding with the 29th of Oct, of course}, but I just couldn't come up with 29 new things that you don't already know about me, I'm allowed to tell, and were actually interesting. I came up with six, but the jury's still out as to whether you'll think they are interesting.

...I can't scream. I think my voice is too low or something.

...I'm always covered in paint from projects and/or burns from cooking.

...I loathe scary movies, but love haunted houses.

...I'm super cheap, but you already know that.

...I've watched Frozen about twenty times {but who hasn't}.

...I've read hundreds of Nancy Drew books, and started in First Grade

In Other News...

+ I can't wait for the Nashville Christmas album to come out November 4th. I love the show, and I'm obsessed with Christmas, so it's an absolute necessity.

+ Now...not only am I the FRCSC Secretary, I was voluntold to take over the Publicity chair too. Our Publicity chair is moving to Korea or something, so we have to have someone step in to advertise our biggest event of the year. I'm actually happy about it and would rather be Publicity than Secretary, but it's still a tidge overwhelming. 

+ The haunted house was AMAZING. I have so much to share about it, but putting that recap together is going to take awhile. Allow me to introduce you to Sid...

+ We have even more planned this weekend, but I'll have to tell ya after. I'm sure I'll post a few pictures on the ol' Insta of Gram, though. 

+ The best part is I ditched my original {tight} costume for a more figure friendly one, so I can eat and drink whatever I want! I figured, hey...it's my birthday week and I deserve the cake Will made me, the whoopi pies my girl Karie made me, the cake Loni got the four of us that are celebrating birthdays this week, wing night tomorrow night, and the fact that everyone is making me drink on Friday. Well, the real reason was that the girls weren't fitting in my top right without a bra, but the gluttony thing is still a big bonus.

Two more days until Halloween! I hope you all have your costumes picked out. You tell me what you are going to be, and I'll tell you ;)
Linking up with Helene!

It's A Spider...It's A Dog...It's A Spider Dog!

Oh hey! Missed y'all on Wednesday. We are in full planning mode for our group birthday party Saturday, and I've been working from morning until the wee hours of the night for a week. Nothing new I guess, but it doesn't feel like work at all because the haunted house is turning out sick!! 250 feet of pure awesomeness, and we haven't even started the decorating process.

One of my favorite projects was creating Weiser's costume, and I just can't wait to share it! It turned out awesome, and it only took to tries to get it on him:

Not the best iPhone video quality, but you get the picture.

I get to pick Buck {Colorado Springs BFF} up from the airport tomorrow, and he's staying until we head to Jacksonville next weekend where my BFF Dani is meeting us. I can't believe they are both flying across the country for me, but it makes me feel super special! To be honest, I usually milk the whole month because Will always misses my birthday, but with us being so busy I haven't gotten any special treatment. Hhhhrrrrmmmppphhhhh, haha. He's lucky that having him here is the best gift I could ever get.

But for now...it's party time!!!

Happy Birthday Month To Me!

I typically hate my birthday, and before you go there- it's not because I don't like getting older. Simply put...the extra attention makes me feel super-dee-duper awkward. I'm not saying I don't like the attention, I just feel so awkward that I don't know how to have fun. Well, that was until my amazing husband came in to my life. Ever since, birthdays have been soooo much more special, and that's saying something considering he's usually off playing soldier when it rolls around. Not this year, though! He is stuck with me ;)

There is one more element that will make this year extra special, and that's the fact that two of our best friends will be celebrating their birthdays in the same week. That means I get to happily share the limelight, and plan 'OUR' birthdays. I HATE planning my own, but I have no qualms about planning a party {or lets be real...part-IES} for all three of us.

As such, I am informing everyone {including Will} that I don't want presents for my birthday...just scary Halloween decor, booze, gift cards, and/or other forms of dinero, because I have a party to plan! I just have to keep reminding myself not to go too crazy...this needs to be F-U-N and not give me an aneurysm. Oh, who am I kidding? We all know I'll go crazy. Twenty-eight years on this Earth has at least taught me that.

Sidenote: Cookie cakes, Carrot cakes, Chocolate covered strawberries, and other delectables do not count as gifts, and will be accepted. Please and thank you.

Sorry I'm Late, Boss!

Technically I don't have a boss, though Will likes to think he is. I passed out at 8PM last night, but woke up knowing I didn't have a blog post ready, to which he replied: "I'll allow you to post late tomorrow." Whether I wanted to listen to him or not, I was back to sleep not long after that. I guess I really have been busy lately, and I wasn't looking forward to waking up early for lab tests AGAIN. Yep, I had to fast twice this week, had to wake up early twice this week, and had to have blood taken TWICE THIS WEEK.

Confession || I use the fasting as an excuse to eat like crap, which makes me feel like crap :(

Confession || Things are really good these days, but I still feel like something is missing.

Confession || I wish I were home with my Dad for his birthday.

I will always be a Daddy's girl, and couldn't be anymore proud of my wonderful, loving father. At least I got to see him last week, and I'm already counting down the days until I see him next. He showers me with hugs, love, and has always makes me feel like a princess. He most definitely taught me to set the bar high, and I'm thankful for that. To the best daddy in my world, Happy Birthday and I LOVE you!