Thursday, March 28, 2013

Happy Happy Spring!

Today is the first official day of my spring break and I am loving it already! Today is an early release day for parent teacher conferences so I got to play hooky since I wasn't needed. I am so excited for spring break because there are some house projects I plan to get done during my time off. Unfortunately Chris is still working six days a week so he won't be able to help. Lucky for him, right? But no worries, my handy dandy Dad is always there to help! 

I'm going to do a "before" post of the house so you can see what it looked like before we moved anything in. I always like to see other people's before photos so I can see what they did with the space. The house is totally move in ready but there's a couple of small cosmetic things I want to do! Can't wait for you to see!

In the mean time, here are some of my easter decorations around the condo. I don't have much up since I'm packing a few things at a time - the first being all my holiday decorations. Can you believe Easter is here? Where has the time gone? Now, I'm just ready for spring to truly make her appearance! Any day now, girl...

I bought this wreath last year and have waited all year to use it!

My sweet Birthday flowers are perfect for Easter!

I LOVE Easter eggs


Sorry for the reflection on the frame - I love this print





I keep forgetting the chalk...
Sweet little bunnies!



Thursday, March 21, 2013

A long time coming!

I have wanted a house of my own as long as I can remember! I get it honest from my mom I guess. We love looking at houses and have always watched HGTV religiously. I can remember how much I loved decorating my Barbie houses. I was always drawing tiny pictures to hang on the wall and using fabric scraps to make teeny bedding and creating fantastic additions (at least I thought they were)! 

When we bought the house in Athens I was over the moon! It was so much fun getting to decorate it with my family. I loved living in the dorms and my apartment but there is just nothing like knowing the home is yours. You are more proud, more comfortable, and just more happy. The two years I lived with Hal in Athens were the best! I miss that house every single day. It was my first real "grown-up" home. Y'all know how much I hated to leave that house but I've been looking forward to this moment ever since.

Even though I've been waiting for this for what feels like a lifetime, throughout the process I was always worried that we were rushing! Chris and I talked it over a thousand times and I prayed for very specific signs from God. When we put in our offer on the house I prayed that if it was God's plan for our lives that our initial offer would be accepted. Looking back that seems crazy because it doesn't usually happen that way but it did! I still can't believe it! 

The process couldn't have been more simple - that's what made it such an easy transition. Y'all know I don't like change - even if it's something I want I always panic. I have had an overwhelming sense of peace throughout this entire process. Our initial offer was accepted, the seller paid for everything, our home inspection and appraisal were perfect, and we basically just turned in our documents and showed up at closing. I owe my sweet husband all the credit. It's only because of him that all of this was so perfect. He works so incredibly hard and has built such a wonderful nest for us already! I am constantly amazed by him! (Ok gush fest over) 

Here are a few photos from the past couple of months - I'll post some interior before photos soon!

Our first time seeing the house

We took this picture in the driveway to document "starting" to look at houses

"Just in case..."

Chris's text message when we got the great news!




First piece of furniture in the house

Mom and Dad came over after closing




First photo shoot!




The beautiful towel Hal gave me in our new kitchen!

Perfect end to a perfect day





Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Officially a grown up

That's right, ya'll. We are officially grown ups! We bought our first house and we are so excited! More pictures coming soon!




xoxo,


Thursday, March 14, 2013

My most recent bargain

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. I have a tendency to hoard and it is much worse when it is something sentimental to me. This explains why I randomly spent hundreds of dollars on china pieces a couple of weeks ago.

A year ago (WHAT?) when I was doing our registry I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted to register for china. I figured if I wanted it I could start a collection anytime. I set up our registries at the local stores (where 99% of our gifts came from) without registering for any china. After our first shower I had to go back in and put some more items on the list. That's when I saw a pattern I fell in love with and added it to the list without a second thought. 

Since I added it late we didn't receive very many pieces. I wasn't concerned since I knew the china would just be stored at mom's house indefinitely. I do get it out from time to time to look at it because it's so darn pretty! I feel fancy just playing with it.

Two weekends ago when I was at home Mom and I stopped by the same shop to do our wedding season gift shopping. It just so happened that there were some mismatched pieces of my china pattern for 50% off! China rarely goes on sale so we couldn't pass it up! Mom and I bought all the pieces and it just so happened that it almost exactly completed my set! I have everything I need plus accent plates I didn't even originally register for. I ended up with two extra plates but that's okay with me!

I specifically registered for a simple silver pattern because I knew I would want to mix and match it with my great grandmother's china. Her china is silver and a mint green color and is in perfect condition. It was passed down to my Meme, my Mama, and now to me. It may seem silly but I can't even explain how special it is to me.

After I got the new pieces home I got out the old china and played around with it. I love how they look together and can't wait to use them one day!










Monday, March 11, 2013

I love the weekend

Chris had Friday off so we spent the afternoon running some errands and went out to dinner before he had to hit the hay. Mom and Haley (and Jaspy too) came to visit us this weekend but they got to our house late on Friday night. They planned to leave on Saturday but ended up staying the whole weekend. I love when that happens! 

On Saturday we headed to another baby shower for Beth and had so much fun seeing her. Baby Luke will be here so soon and we cannot wait! After the shower we headed back home and had dinner at a delicious Mexican restaurant in town. They have the best quesadillas ever. Seriously y'all, I didn't know I could love quesadillas more than I already do. Uh oh. Moving on.

Jas enjoyed the trip - especially visiting the dog park on Sunday. He decided he needed to sit in the front seat so of course Mom and Haley jumped in the back. He got to play and get out some energy before the long drive back home. 

Here's a few blurry pictures from the weekend!

Wolf Snuggles

Love

Spoiled rotten

Loving the wind in his fur



Chris left this for Mom and Haley when we went to bed Friday night 

And Haley left this for Chris on Sunday


Happy Monday, y'all! I hope it's not pouring wherever you are like it is here! Maybe it's nap time...




Sunday, March 10, 2013

Why so serious?

Have you ever seen anything better?


Didn't think so! This is from last weekend and I just had to share. Love this sweet wolf!