It’s been quite awhile since I last wrote due to the craziness of my life, ever changing. I finished my last fall semester successfully passing all my classes (yes, even organic chemistry!) and even making good grades! It’s amazing the stress that overcomes me during the semester, but I do my best to stay focused and positive. I find leaning on my fiancé when I’m overwhelmed and praying for guidance, helps me persevere. I was rewarded for my hard work with a new house in Fort Hood that is finally coming together. Caleb and I had been borrowing a futon to sleep on for two months thanks to our neighbors. Our king mattress just arrived (which we get to enjoy upon coming back home) and we acquired an entertainment center, bookshelf, couch, coffee table, and Caleb even got me a XBox 1S for Christmas! I’m excited to finish decorating our home! I plan on doing a home post once we eat everything settled. My parent just gifted us the most beautiful comforter and pillow shams for our new bed that we picked out, perfect to fit our boho vibe. Caleb’s parents are going to be shipping his furniture, art, and items to our house, too, so we will finally have a more furnished place!
Right now we are in sunny California visiting Caleb’s mom and dad in Northridge! Two weeks on the east coast surrounded by love. Caleb’s parents are so incredible! We were able to go to Universal Studios thanks to my wonderful in-laws (to be). Universal just recently opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which was incredible! They had two rides including a 3D like one that makes it feel as if you’re flying and a broomstick roller coaster. We enjoyed a delicious frosty butterbeer and even picked a wand out from Ollivander’s (Professor Dumbledore’s of course!). They had Honeydukes candy shop and a wardrobe shop to fit all your Hogwart’s needs. It was so worth it, even the mass crowds pushing me around which causes a good deal of anxiety for me. After spending a good deal of our day at Hogsmeade Village, we headed on a a studio tour which basically is a trolley that takes you behind the scenes of their massive sets. They film The Voice and many other shows currently and we got to see the sets for movies like Back to the Future, Bates Motel, and more. They had a few 3D rides including a King Kong themed one and a Fast and the Furious one. The tour took about 40 minutes, but there was so much to see! We saw Whoville, where the Whovians did a dancing skit with Mr. Grinch, himself. The tour took us through a flooding and rained out old Mexico set and a Jurassic Park. We got to see Bruce at Amityville work his magic on an unsuspecting diver. It was definitely an experience to remember!
The minions had their own attraction where we were “turned” into minions to work for Gru. It ended up being a cute little 3D ride and at the end, Caleb got me the best unicorn that belongs to Agnes in the film! It’s so fluffy! We enjoyed Shrek and Donkey’s 3D ride, and the Mummy’s roller coaster. The Jurassic Park ride was avoided because it was a water ride and we were not about to get soaked! The Walking Dead had a terrifying walk thru attraction which was definitely scare-worthy! Caleb’s mom got us front of the line passes, so we didn’t have to wait in the lines which made the park so much more enjoyable!
I really had a great time at Universal Studios and believe it or not we are headed to Big Bear Mountain! I haven’t seen snow in so long that I am so excited! This will be Mavis’s first time seeing snow, so we’ll have to see if she likes it or not! We will have the cabin for the night complete with a hot tub, so I think that it will be an amazing experience! We haven’t even been here a week yet but have seen such pretty sites!
Yesterday Caleb drove us down to Malibu right on the coast! It was beautiful and we ate Thai food while watching the scenery before driving in the canons back to our home. We’ve spent a day at the Topanga mall looking around and shopping at my favorite stores! I haven’t been on a vacation for so long that this is really so incredible! I couldn’t ask for better company and I’m so grateful I got to bring Mavis with me! She did so great on the airplane, no problems whatsoever! From Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA! Stay tuned to here my part two episodes of California dreaming!
One more thing before signing off, Caleb’s dad is a chiropractor and is determined that he can fix my pain in my back! He says that my spine is so out of alignment and in combination with a bulging disc, this is the cause of my issues. He has done a couple of alignments on me now and it does seem to help. He ordered a couple of x-rays, so I’m optimistic on how things will go, since I’ve suffered awhile with chronic everyday pain.
Stay wonderful!
Xo,
Cass & Mav
Must Love Pugs 