Week 15

April 8, 2012 - We're back on the road again today, so it's goodbye, mountains, and unfortunately, goodbye Devin too. It's not a bad drive though - mom and I had fun listening to our books and eating bad food. Yay, road trips!




April 9, 2012 - I miss this face today, so I put it on my iPhone background. I have been showing him off to all my friends today. They aren't quite as impressed with him as I am.




April 10, 2012 - If you eat a meatless dinner, is it okay to finish the Tagalongs? I'm going to say yes, yes it is.




April 11, 2012 - I completely realize what a dork I am, but I am crazy about my onion goggles! Jack got them for me a while back and I get so excited every time I have to chop onions and it doesn't affect me at all. I used to have such strong reactions to onions. Not anymore!




April 12, 2012 - Happy birthday, Jack! Today my husband turned 33 years old. He came out to my work and we had lunch together at a sushi place, and I made him one of his favorite soups for dinner. Pretty low-key, but I had a great time celebrating my friend!!!




April 13, 2012 - Tonight my friend Joanna and I went to a BikeMS top fundraiser event at a Rough Rider's minor league baseball game. We didn't even make it to our seats or watching any baseball! We hung out in the MS pavilion and visited the whole time. So much fun!




April 14, 2012 - Tonight we went to Jack's college friend Jason's wedding. During the reception he sang to his new bride, Rebekah. So sweet!

Week 14

April 1, 2012 - Today we had lunch with TJ and the rest of the taekwondo gang before TJ had to leave town. We have such fun with that group!




April 2, 2012 - Some days, you just forget to take a picture-of-the-day until you're about to go to bed. But look, isn't he cute?




April 3, 2012 - Today we had a bunch of tornado warnings. I was working from home and Jack cancelled classes, so we were safe, but Owen was nearby at Saxby's so I made him come over to our house too. We actually had a really fun afternoon together!




April 4, 2012 - Last night (well, this morning, at 3:30 a.m.), I had just laid my head down on the pillow when my mom called and said that my sister-in-law's water had broken, so we packed in a hurry and headed to Colorado today. Her labor slowed down tonight, but it's nice to be here! We started cleaning their house today, since they only moved four days ago and they had barely had a chance to unpack.




April 5, 2012 - I woke up to this today - Ajax was literally pushing me out of bed. Funny dog. My sister-in-law's labor has basically stopped now, but we spent the day cleaning like CRAZY. Their house is really starting to look great!




April 6, 2012 - Today is Good Friday, and a great one for me, because I got to meet my nephew, Devin Jett Crawford. I am completely head-over-heels crazy for this kid. I can't wait to buy him many shiny things in an effort to become his favorite aunt.




April 7, 2012 - Today we spent all day at the hospital with Shane, Cassandra, and Devin. It was so much fun soaking up every second we could with the kid. I can't wait to come back when we have more time to stay.

Week 13

March 25, 2012 - We left Las Vegas EARLY this morning, as in, "we got 2 hours of sleep last night" early. It's nice to get back earlier, but these flights are kind of a beating after a long weekend! It was pretty easy to sleep on the plane, though.




March 26, 2012 - Today was my Monday off, so Jack and I went to the morning showing of "The Hunger Games." It's been a long time since we have been to a movie, and since we both just read this, we were really excited about it. It was fantastic!




March 27, 2012 - Our house's cleanliness really takes a beating when we get home from vacations.




March 28, 2012 - I recently discovered the game "Draw Something" (Basically Pictionary for phones and tablets). It has been SO MUCH FUN playing back and forth with a bunch of my friends. Even more fun in person today with Eric, since we share an office.




March 29, 2012 - I have been taking Maggie on long walks after work every day (it's good for both of us) and we have really been enjoying soaking up the extra daylight and enjoying the lovely surroundings that I somehow miss most of the time even though they're right outside my door. It's also a good opportunity to listen to my "This American Life" podcast (see also: I am a giant nerd).




March 30, 2012 - Maggie is just SO cuddly in the morning. It makes it hard to get out of bed sometimes because she's so cute!




March 31, 2012 - We had such a fun evening tonight! We took Jack's main instructor out to a steakhouse because he earned it from his last testing numbers. We had an amazing meal and then met some more friends for drinks afterward as well. TJ is also in town, which is always super-fun.

Week 12

Week 12



March 18, 2012 - Today after Jack and I checked out of our hotel (sad), we headed to the Dallas Aquarium (which was PACKED!). After we got out of the big crowd though, we had such a fun time looking at all the fishes together! (And the penguins! And the birds! And the flamingos! And the CHEETAH!) I love time with this guy.



March 19, 2012 - We had some pretty crazy storms tonight, and as always, Maggie got very, very nervous about it. She basically climbs on top of me and insists that my hands do nothing, nothing at all, except hold her and pet her. It makes doing anything else pretty difficult, but I must admit, I kind of like how cuddly she is too. Crazy messed-up-in-the-head dog.



March 20, 2012 - Myth: If you work from home, you will have time to do more housework. See also: Our dishes tonight. Yikes.



March 21, 2012 - I ordered my bridesmaid dress for Ellyn's wedding tonight. It's not this one, but they used this one to size me.



March 22, 2012 - It's our anniversary! We have been married four years today. To celebrate (and to compete at a National taekwondo tournament), Jack and I flew to Las Vegas this morning. He got us a BEAUTIFUL suite at the Palazzo. He really does spoil me.



March 23, 2012 - Today Jack competed at Spring Nationals, and he won first in forms and second in weapons in the Master's ring. He's almost annoyingly talented, but he makes me proud.



March 24, 2012 - Today was anniversary celebration day! Jack took me to Mario Batali's restaurant for dinner (WOW, I think that was the fanciest place we've ever eaten) and then to Jersey Boys (WOW, that was one of the best performances we have ever seen!). Everything was perfect.

Weeks 5-11

Week 5


January 29, 2012 - We were going to go skiing again today, but as it turns out, we were really sore, and I had some really not-fun altitude sickness last night, so we just drove back to Colorado Springs instead. About 15 miles outside of Colorado Springs, our very-packed-full-with-luggage-and-people-and-dogs rental car broke down at a gas station, and we ended up sitting there for about 3 hours. It actually ended up being kind of fun though; we played a lot of Words with Friends in that time, and it was definitely a great story.


January 30, 2012 - We had to leave Colorado today, but not before we visited Garden of the Gods (IT IS SO PRETTY HERE!) and had lunch with Shane and Cassandra. We're leaving a little sore, but we had such an amazing time here!! I'm so glad they live here now so I can visit more!


January 31, 2012 - Since we moved to the new building and into an office without any windows and not within walking distance of Starbucks anymore, we have had to find different ways to get a break during the day (OUR BRAINS ARE MELTING!). Brenda brought in the game "Headbandz" and we had a blast today trying to guess what we "were!"


February 1, 2012 - This text stream with my friend Eric cracks. me. up. Joel and I decided to play hide and seek in the theater today (see yesterday's comment about finding different ways to get a break!) and I OWNED that game, even though I didn't get the crawl space closed in time. To be fair though, Joel didn't actually know about the crawl space I was in, so I did have a slightly unfair advantage.


February 2, 2012 - I went to work at the taekwondo school tonight after work, and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of Jack teaching - he is just so great with the kids!


February 3, 2012 - I had a nice, lazy day today on my day off. I did get out to take Maggie to Sonic and get her a corn dog. She gets SO EXCITED about them.


February 4, 2012 - I love this so much! On Saturdays, Maggie and I sleep in together, and in the morning, she gets up on the bed and cuddles for hours if I let her.


Week 6


February 5, 2012 - It's Superbowl Sunday! I couldn't care less about football, especially the teams playing, but the Superbowl is a good excuse to cook a bunch of bad food and have some of our favorite people over, so I'm in!


February 6, 2012 - I got to work from home this morning, so I set up a little workstation in our room. It was so nice and quiet - I could definitely get used to working like this!


February 7, 2012 - I got another order of Zaycon chicken today, which is a lot of work on the day I get it because I have to process 40 pounds of it at once. It's definitely worth it though - I love having good quality chicken in my freezer all the time!


February 8, 2012 - Tonight Maggie stood her bone straight up and down all by herself - it was so cute. She and Jack are so cute together when they play.


February 9, 2012 - Tonight Jack and I discovered that the Cheesecake Factory is open super late (score!). We ate there tonight to celebrate him paying off my car today!


February 10, 2012 - Why yes, I did paint little hearts on my fingernails for Valentine's Day like a 12-year-old. I LOVE Valentine's Day.


February 11, 2012 - In the "I love Valentine's Day" category this year? Starbucks has Valentine's cups right now! I'm so excited!!

Week 7


February 12, 2012 - Today after church Jack and I followed a sign to an open house in Murphy - it turned out to be a $500,000 house. It was BEAUTIFUL, but I don't think we'll be buying a house like that any time soon!


February 13, 2012 - We just moved to off Fridays to off Mondays, so I was off work today! I spent most of my day with Jack, running around town and working at the school with him. He cracks me up because even though he has an iPhone and all kinds of apps to keep a to-do list on, he still uses a paper notebook to keep track of what he needs to do. What an old man.


February 14, 2012 - Happy Valentine's Day!! Even though Jack and I never do anything for Valentine's Day, I woke up to this beautiful breakfast that he made just for me!! I have a pretty darn good Valentine.


February 15, 2012 - Also on the list of restaurants open for dinner when the Hornbuckles eat: IHOP. It was a fun dinner together but 1) People had their kids out at 10:30pm on a weeknight, I mean, WHAT? and 2) I got CRAZY heartburn from breakfast-for-dinner. I think maybe I'll skip the late-night bad-food dinners next time.


February 16, 2012 - Today all my work friends and I went out for a "farewell" lunch for Joel, one of my favorite people in the world. I hate to see him go but I'm glad he's getting a chance to chase his dreams of freelance voice work.


February 17, 2012 - Today was Joel's last day at work. It was very sad. Before he left, he "knighted" me the replacement fire warden, because he had been the fire warden before. I will try to fill his shoes with dignity and valor.


February 18, 2012 - A few days ago, Jack brought home an Acer A200 tablet that I had been eyeing at Staples as a surprise early-birthday present. I absolutely LOVE IT! It's so nice to have a larger Kindle reader than my little phone, and I'm having so much fun setting up all the other apps on it! I'm a lucky girl. In other news, my friend Brittany is in town this weekend (of COURSE I forgot to take any pictures)!! Today she and I went shopping and to a movie - it is SO MUCH FUN having her around.

Week 8


February 19, 2012 - We're dog-sitting Filbert tonight, and when he isn't being crazy (AKA, when he's sleeping), he's actually pretty cute.


February 20, 2012 - Today after work I was walking through Dillards and saw this Kitchen Aid mixer. It basically took my breath away, it was so pretty, and it matched my kitchen so perfectly. I had to take a picture of it, and I tweeted: "Possibly the most beautiful item ever. Someday."


February 21, 2012 - A few weeks ago my friend Shannon asked me to tell a few stories about our sweet buddy Sara on camera for a blogging conference. Eric was nice enough to video that for me, and even though I am HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE in front of the camera (I'm really good at being behind it though!), I appreciated him doing it.





February 22, 2012 - So, you know how I tweeted about a beautiful Kitchen Aid two days ago? Yeah, it showed up at my door tonight. IT SHOWED UP AT MY DOOR TONIGHT. My brother and sister-in-law just sent it to me, just like that! WOAH. I am blown away. I absolutely love it.


February 23, 2012 - Just about every night, Jack gets home and immediately starts working again. He puts in a lot of hours but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't trade it for anything.


February 24, 2012 - Today we're on our way to Humble for a tournament, and of course we had to stop for lunch at Double Daves. My 32-year-old husband begged me for quarters so he could go play the claw game. Some of them never grow up.


February 25, 2012 - Since Joel left and Brenda took his position, I have been responsible for all of the English broadcasts. This means that even though we're out of town, I'm working. It actually worked out great though - since everything is mobile now, it was a really easy transition - I didn't really mind at all!

Week 9


February 26, 2012 - We headed back from Houston a day later than we had planned, but it was really nice to get to rest a little before heading back. I always like seeing the big Sam Houston statue in Hunstville when we drive back and forth between Houston and Dallas.


February 27, 2012 - Today I dropped Maggie off to get groomed, and I think it might have traumatized me more than it did her! They took longer than they said they would and I was going nuts because I knew she was upset there. When I finally picked her up though, she was so happy to see me! And so cute with her short hair!


February 28, 2012 - Jack decided he was going to start running, and today was his first day. Since I was working from home, I got to see him leave and come back - when he got home, he laid down on the floor, exhausted, and sang the Rocky theme song. What a stud.


February 29, 2012 - I made shrimp baja tacos a few days ago and I have been INHALING the leftovers. The sauce I came up with is amazing on everything. I'm going to have to only make these sparingly - I can't get enough!


March 1, 2012 - I worked from home again today, and Maggie seemed a little lonely so I went to my parents' house and borrowed Filbert for her. He, however, wanted to spend most of the day between me and my computer. He finally laid down so I just used him as an extra table for my tablet. He didn't seem to mind.


March 2, 2012 - Tonight we had black belt testing for the school, and even though it was kind of a small testing, everybody did really well! I do love seeing Jack in his silks too.


March 3, 2012 - Tonight my friend Christina got married! It was a beautiful wedding, and our friend Emily came in for the wedding too. It was nice to have our old high school best-friend group in the same room for a little while.

Week 10


March 4, 2012 - Today we wanted to get out of the house, so we went to a mall in downtown Dallas that we have been wanting to go to. Uh, that might have been a poor decision, because we spent a LOT of money today. Jack won the money-spending competition, finally splurging on a new watch that he has been wanting for several years (a Tag Heuer). He loves it though, and it looks really good on him!


March 5, 2012 - while Jack was buying his new watch, I was dropping my rings off to get resized and refinished (the white gold had yellowed over the years). When I picked them up today I was AMAZED - they look brand new! I absolutely LOVE them.


March 6, 2012 - I know I keep posting photos of my at-home work setup, but I just love it so much! It's so nice to roll out of bed and walk to the dining room and start editing right away, plus I'm WAY more productive on my work-from-home days because nobody is here to distract me. It's a great setup.


March 7, 2012 - Today the admin girls surprised us at work by making us lunch! It was so nice. Cathy made the most ridiculously amazing strawberry spinach salad. It was like eating candy. Delicious.


March 8, 2012 - Today was another running day for Jack and work-from-home day for me, and he requested that I have the Rocky theme song cued for when he came home. He did the "arms up, prance around" thing Rocky does in the movie in our living room as it was playing. This is as close to a picture of it as I could get (he got shy when I got my camera out!)


March 9, 2012 - Today I got to Skype with my guys, who are currently in Israel! As you can see, the screen did something really funky, but it was nice to talk to them for a little while, even if it was mostly about nerdy-work stuff. It will be nice to have them back - this office full of girls is kind of weird!


March 10, 2012 - Tonight Jack took me out for my pre-birthday dinner at a little tapas place called Cafe Melago. We enjoyed Spanish wine and all kinds of different tapas. It was so much fun!

Week 11


March 11, 2012 - I turned 26 today!! We went to church this morning, and then the Moodys, our church friends, took us out to lunch - it was so nice of them! For dinner we went to Spring Creek BBQ with my parents and my mom had made me a special strawberry birthday cake with cream cheese icing (yum!). I'm one blessed 26-year-old.


March 12, 2012 - Today was my Monday off, so I went and had lunch with Jack at work and brought Maggie with me! She is so cute at the school with us! She always gets so excited. We love having her there.


March 13, 2012 - I did some shopping yesterday on my day off, and this was one of my impulse buys - an orange crossbody bag that fits my tablet and DSLR. I love it!


March 14, 2012 - I put this IKEA chair in my office a few weeks ago, and it's been kind of nice to have a place to visit with each other in here. Today Brenda got really comfortable in it!


March 15, 2012 - The taekwondo magazine came in the mail today, and in it were a bunch of quotes from "Weapons World Champion Master Jack Hornbuckle," AKA, my husband! He's kind of a big deal.


March 16, 2012 - Tonight we went to dinner with some taekwondo friends, and ended up having them come over afterward to play pool. They stayed until 4 a.m., and we had SO MUCH FUN. Linda and I got some good use out of my Kitchen Aid, with which we made some slightly salty cookies (Linda's fault for not measuring!) and my Kinect dance game (we are ridiculous). It was a fun, fun, FUN night.


March 17, 2012 - For some reason, Jack has decided to spoil the heck out of me, because this weekend he booked us a suite at a hotel and took me to The Melting Pot for dinner. Oh. My. Yum. Everything was amazing, and it was so relaxing to sleep in a room I knew I would not have to clean! My husband is fantastic.