Your Newest Scuba Diver!

Here we are descending to about 50 feet

I'm being very cautious...since i'm a scaredy cat

(L-R: Aaron, Me, Instructor)

 Still descending, Jackie, my instructor, gives me the "YOU O.K.?"  signal

I signaled back "I'm O.K."

GROUP PIC

My Scuba Class...I'm on the far right

One of the things I got to see on my first underwater trek

To put into words the feelings I had this past week... tension, anxiety, nervousness, stomach aches,  accomplishment,  pure awe,  excitement... there's so much bundled into this entire adventure.  We started off in the classroom to go over things we learned through bookwork & DVD. We hit the pool to practice our skills learned (i froze that night!!) and then 2 days of open water diving, again practicing just a few of the skills we learned in confined water. There were times I was so scared and wanted to quit.  I was on the verge of tears at one point, because I couldn't calm myself down. (I didn't cry..I pulled it together!).

It's such a unique feeling to breathe underwater and absolutely incredible to be among the beautiful sea life!! I really couldn't believe I was there...hundreds of fish swimming above me...around me...underneath me...it was exhilarating! Aaron was able to accompany us on the open water dives, which brought peace of mind to me. I am really happy we were able to experience my first dives together. I am so proud of myself for accomplishing this new thing I wanted to try! All of the nerves was worth seeing the most beautiful sea animals and plants on the planet. I can't believe I actually did it!

(just a side note-we also were able to see a huge pod of spinner dolphins while on the boat we used to scuba off...very very cool! there was even a baby dolphin! so cute)

Scuba Britney??

Today,  I begin my scuba diving certification class.  A little nervous I gotta say!  I had always planned on becoming certified when we came to Guam and made it a goal to have it done by the end of January (o.k., so I'm off by a week).   The hubs is very excited for me to finally get it accomplished.  I have to complete 'homework' from an instruction manual before class meets, and Aaron will occasionally ask "Have any questions?"  and has been really good with explaining things. ( Aaron has been diving hundreds of times,  knows a thing or two about it all and will thankfully be here to ease my fears)  I should complete my certification by the end of the weekend and ready to conquer the seas!  Well maybe not yet, I'm a bit of a 'scaredy cat' and probably won't go pass all the pretty coral and fish...that will satisfy my taste just fine.  We live on an island with some of the best diving in the world and I really can't pass the opportunity up, no matter how much of a chicken I may be. 

Another year older and wiser too

Yes friends, I have recently celebrated another birthday (eek!!).  Two of our neighbors & I have birthdays within like a week of each other.  They had been planning a birthday party together and surprised me by celebrating my birthday too.  It was so incredibly sweet of them to include me!  People were invited over, we had pizza and relaxed. They made a football birthday cake for us & we exchanged gifts. (our next door neighbors are from Alabama too...small small world) The hubs gave me a kitchen aid mixer! Man, I tell ya he spoils me way too much!!  It was a great night of celebrating! I'm such a lucky girl. I have a wonderful husband, terrific friends, and family who loves me. 

Roll Tide Roll

I just have to give a shout out to the college football team I grew up watching,

 University of Alabama.  They're heading off with Texas for the BCS Title Game.  Alabama has had a fantastic season and I cannot wait for the game in a couple of hours. It's at times like this I wish I was back in my home state. You can taste, see, & feel the excitement during the regular football season. I can't even imagine the ELECTRICITY with them being #1 in the nation & playing for the National Championship Title.  Oh, how I wish I was there.  Just know, I'll be here in Guam on this beautiful friday morning rooting you on!

Roll Tide Roll! Give 'em Hell Alabama!

Our First Christmas in Guam

A gift this big has gotta be good...

What could it possibly be?

       

Man's 2nd best friend, a hot fiery grill

  

I love watching him open gifts, he's like a little kid when he does

(I'm excited he gets to cook occasionally now... so it's kinda like a gift for the both of us!)

Christmas Dinner

   

We had a lovely Christmas this year. Aaron & I spent the morning eating a quiet breakfast exchanging gifts with one another.  I'm just thankful he made it home in time to spend the holiday with us. He had an unexpected overnight delay in Tokoyo.

Anyways, my sweet husband picked up bath items from Bath &  Body Works as my gift, before he left the states. Stress Relief,  (I'm not sure if he's trying to tell me something) but I love it! It makes my skin all tingly feeling & very relaxing. My mother had sent me a necklace that is too cute. We spent the evening with family and enjoyed our fabulous Christmas dinner of fondue & finger foods. I hope all of you had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with your families.

Sending our love and best wishes for the New Year,

Aaron & Britney

Thanks Gran & Mom!

I don't have many Christmas decorations. I have this little 4 ft. tree & a few ornaments. We've lived in apartments and didn't have the room for anything bigger. I really wanted to decorate alot this year to make our first Christmas in Guam feel like home. However, I didn't have a few hundred dollars lying around to purchase a new tree & go all out with decor. So I decided this will do for now and after Christmas I will buy things when they go on sale (or whatever's left at the base exchange).  I made our little tree as beautiful as I could. I was happily content with our small quaint Christmas.

Then one day I received a rather large package in the mail.  Confused and excited I opened it  to find a surprise that made me tear up a little. I had a conversation with my mother a few weeks prior about Christmas and what I planned to do.  My grandmother and her decided to go in together and purchase a Christmas tree for us.  This meant so much to me! I love surprises and this one is definetly at the top of one of the best.  When I called to thank them for their generous and thoughtful gift they asked me not tell Aaron while he's away. Their hopes were for me to decorate  & let him enjoy the surprise  too. I can't wait for him to come home tonight and see what my family has done for us. I know he's going to love it too. I love them so much for this. It's really going to make our Christmas a little merrier. Thanks Gran & Mom!

(oh yeah, the side without ornaments is facing the wall...I still didn't have enough to cover the whole thing!ha!)

What do you think?

 Last week I had an appointment to have my hair trimmed & colored.  I thought I had explained well enough what I had wanted. I had the itch to do something a little different. This isn't exactly what I had in mind, but I thought it turned out o.k. I've never had my hair this dark;and it's growing on me. I know it sounds silly, but I am confused how to 'identify' myself! Am I a blonde? Brunette? In the sunlight you can see red? What am I now?! I did this while Aaron's gone. I'm anxious to hear what he thinks about his 'new' wife? I guess in my heart, I will always be blonde. Maybe I'm not as good with change as I once thought.

So, what do you think?

Then:

Now: