ARUBA /// BUCUTI & TARA RESORT

When our friend Colin told us he was going to propose to his girlfriend Tess, he asked us to go with them to Aruba, Costa Rica, or Belize. To be honest I was praying hard that the final choice would be Aruba, mostly because I have never been and I didn't know much about it. I would have been ecstatic going to any of those choices but mostly we were super pumped about spending a week with Colin and Tess. OMG I was so scared I would text the wrong thread and ruin the surprise too but I didn't!!!!! So WOOO!!! 

We arrived on Thanksgiving to the Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort and they greeted us with champagne and a hot towel. Do you know how good that feels after traveling....it feels amazing! 

We quickly put our suits on and met Colin and Tess at the Beach.... and the vacation began!

We knew we needed the relax and chill time but most importantly where was Colin going to propose and what day? What excursion would it be on? Was I too excited? Was it obvious how I was acting? Maybe but that's ok because Tess had never been on vacation with me so she didn't have anything to compare it to. 

Excursions we took ///

Deep Sea Fishing /// I knew this was not gonna be good for me but I still went to be a trooper and lets get real FOMO. I took dramamine, slept in the cabin almost immediatley, then hung over the side and puked a bunch of water because I didn't eat that day. Never fails, This girl does not belong deep sea fishing.

Snorkel, Booze, and Sail /// THIS WAS THE BEST DAY EVER.... We saw so many fish, we swam and saw shipwrecks, ate lunch, dove off the boat way too many times and PARTIED! I think we were having the most fun out of everyone. True Story. I don't remember the details...

Rented a jeep and drove around the entire island along the coast /// played at secret beaches, stopped at the lighthouse for coconuts and snowcones, went to the oldest church in Aruba, went to natural bridge but it had fallen, went off roading, went to the national park, COLIN PROPOSED IN THE CAVES, Tess chased goats, we saw bats, watched people surf these crazy waves, ate at a local spot called Zeerovers where they serve you the catch of the day (YOU MUST GO), and celebrated at Baby Beach! ALSO BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!

The rest of the days we spent on the beach drinking our drinks and soaking up the sun. If you follow me on IG I'm sure you got a little taste of our experience. None of us wanted to leave the Bucuti... If you go to Aruba without kids you should stay here. They make it really special no matter what the occasion is.

The love birds left on a Tuesday and thats when we headed over to The Renaissance Aruba Resort. I will touch on that in a different post. 

IF WE DID CHRISTMAS CARDS

I wish I was one of those people who got everything on their list done... including Christmas Cards mailed out the first week of December. Those people probably feel real accomplished, stress free,  and I bet they are completely done with all their Christmas shopping too. Not the case for us. We got back from Aruba the first week of December to find out our baby girl (Bootsie) was not acting like herself. If you know us personally, follow us on FB or IG you are aware that we took her to many places to get answers and help and it's been awful. The results came back and Bootsie has cancer. Can I just say it? FUCK CANCER! I'm sorry for my language but that's about the only thing I can say about it. How does this happen? 

Anyway... Since Tuesday she's been feeling better with her meds but we are suppose to be monitoring her and just observing her behavior. I've taken off work a lot to just be with her. All we want is for her to be comfortable and we want to love on her for as long as we are able too without her being in pain. Saturday she was so energetic running up and down the stairs with me, she even wanted to play with her ribbon again. Yesterday she slept a lot and wasn't too active.  Every little snuggle, every meow, and every little lick we are just taking in. I am so happy that I had so much time with her this week when she was back to her old-self. I needed it. I hope she needed it to. Jacob has been having more of a rough time than I thought. I've always pegged him as a dog guy so when I questioned him about it. He said with a dogs love it's automatic they just love you right away. With Cats you have to earn their love, so with Bootsie it's different. 

My cousin Josephine came over twice this week to check on us and cheer us up with lil Wally (her son)  and donuts. It was then that she decided to come back over one morning and take a family photo of us 3. We never took a family photo. Can you believe that? There has been a million of just one of us and her. Anyway, Jo gave us the best gift possible that morning and I am so grateful. I do not want this post to bum you out I just hope it makes you appreciate the time you have with your loved ones. Furry ones and Human ones. We do not have a human baby. We have a fur baby. If you are not pet people you might think we are a little crazy. I assure you WE ARE but it has nothing to do with Pets. A friend of mine, this week said my posts have been a little outrageous. But that is only because he has never raised a pet on his own so I can't be upset by that comment. I am so thankful that our pretty Bootsie found and chose us 6-7 years ago out of all the people on Castle Court. She broke us down and we opened our back door. She is currently right here with me as I type which is funny because she usually sits on the keys so I can no longer type. I guess she feels like being polite or she knows this post involves her so she's cool with me typing. 

So if we did Christmas Cards this year, they would totally be one of these....

I think we need a painting of Bootsie, her face and coloring are just so pretty. I might even try and attempt it. Anyone have a favorite artist out there that I should look into?

AS OF LATELY /// November

1 /// I have had Strep throat, an Ear Infection, and Bronchitis ever since coming back from California mid September. I think it was my body being run down and forcing me to slow my roll. So when the doctor says take all your antibiotics...even if you start to feel better....DO IT! I don't do well with being sick. I am the worst. Thankfully my husband is the best caretaker in the world. Love him and not sure what I would do without him. Back to diffusing oils on the regular.

2 /// I have read two books recently. One my friend/client let me borrow which reminds me I need to get that back to her. Book 1 was The Yoga Store Murder By Dan Morse. It's the true story of a brutal murder that went down in a Lululemon Store. It was shocking and disgusting what some people are capable. Book 2 was The Girl on The Train, I wanted to read it before I see the movie because I wanted to imagine what the characters looked like instead of picturing them when I was reading...except that I know who two of the main characters are already. Now I am looking for another book to read because I'd rather be reading than watching the boob tube. So please let me know if there is a book I must read! 

3 /// This weekend our small group is going to serve Thanksgiving Dinner and hang out with the youth of the Covenant House. The Covenant House is a charity that helps homeless kids stay off the street. I am equally excited as I am nervous. I want to help so much with a strong face. I tend to cry a lot and get overwhelmed with emotion when I am doing these things. 

4 /// Recently my Cousin asked Jacob and I if we wanted to be a part of something exciting and something we have never tapped into. I had to keep it quiet at first but now I can share! We have invested in a restaurant here in Houston. On 11th street in the Heights to be exact. It's called Presidio. Roosevelt General Contractors have been doing the build out and our friend Adam Dorris from Pax Americana Will be the executive Chef....So it's a win win! We said yes before Adam was brought on and now I feel like that was the best decision we've made all year! I'll let you know when it gets closer to opening! If your curious about Adams cooking and you haven't been to Pax you should come to Lady Birds Bar on Nov 19th for Ghetto Dinner, You will not regret it. Music, Food, Drinks, and a good time! Hope to see you there.

5 /// Jacob and I have never been to New York together so we will be spending 1 day there before heading to Aruba to meet up with our friends Colin and Tess. A first for us both! I have been singing THIS non stop since I have found out we are going. AHHHHH I can't wait!