On Simplicity: A Piggy-Back Post Off Another's Piggy-Backed Post

I probably shouldn't mention that the following (not all) was originally intended as a blog comment. However, I get a little embarrassed when I overtake someone's post by writing a "book" on theirs, so I decided it would be better to post this on my own blog.

In a recent post Heidi @ Minnesota Mom referenced this post regarding simple living and how several in this society have seemed to redefine simplicity as something that doesn't feel all that simple anymore.

Sure, the "olden days" are often referenced as simpler times, and in many ways it was. Lack of media, advanced technology, and ready transportation probably accounted for most of it. But every day tasks were anything but simple! Hey, I love my washer and dryer and have no desire whatsoever to start using a wash board to do laundry. Especially my hubby's pit-stained T-shirts - are you kidding me?!

Of course, people aren't going to such an extreme, but a recent trend for many homemakers has turned towards sewing one's own clothes, planting lavish gardens for canning, baking from-scratch bread, etc. All of these projects save money and for the most part, enhance quality (though I suppose it depends on skill level!). Yet while I dearly love to make homemade bread on certain occasions, most of the time I happily purchase store-bought loaves. Nothing retains a status of special anymore when everything must be placed into the homemade or perfect category. I make boxed brownies more often than homemade, though I enjoy homemade much more. But then when I do make homemade, somehow they taste even better.

Some women today are feeling the pressure to do everything themselves, myself not exempt. I have not tried making my own laundry detergent or multi-purpose cleaner before, although the thought keeps nagging at me that I should. Why not? But time is money, and the generic stuff we use seems to take the stains out just fine, albeit with more chemicals. Perhaps one day I'll feel like trying my hand at the homemade stuff, but right now that would just make life more hectic.

I can't tell you how much pressure I get to scrapbook. Yes I am creative and yes I have made one scrapbook and a few other scrapping projects in the past. But I have seen too many women become consumed and/or overwhelmed by the never ending project. Not to mention the outrageous cost of all the materials! Hobbies are supposed to be stress relieving and leisurely, not pressured and burdensome.

And most recently, since I've mentioned the pregnancy, people have begun advising me to start scrapping the baby book now. I still haven't decided if there will even be a baby book. Who ever looks at those things anyway? And when the baby (and future kids) come along, I will only have less time to even think about scrapbooking, yet it will forever hang over my head if I start now. Why torture myself?

I think a lot of women start scrapping and then because they have invested all this time and money into it they feel guilty if ever they plainly gave it up. Or guilty that the second and third child will feel cheated because big brother or sister got this elaborate memory book and they didn't. Plus, isn't recounting events and memories a reason I blog in the first place? I would rather write a story about my child than arrange pictures of him/her on a page.

I recall this time last year when a lot of my friends declared they had decided to sew or knit all of their Christmas gifts. Talk about a money saver! Inexpensive yet love-invested gifts that mail for just ounces! I grew a little envious because I had just learned to crochet, yet there was no way I'd be able to work up a project for everybody on my list, and certainly not in time for Christmas! Then December rolled around, and my friends began to sound anxious as they furiously worked on their presents, it seemed, at every free second of the day and night. To me it sounded like simplicity turned quickly into nightmare!

In a perfect world with no distractions or interruptions, homemade everything sounds so much more valuable and wholesome, doesn't it? But to hang an inflexible deadline over your head and say, "I must do this!" just doesn't sound very gracious to self nor others who must then deal with our hurried pursuits.

I like small projects that have a clear beginning and an end. I don't want to fear taking pictures just because I don't want to have to add them to the "to scrap" list. Ha! But if I get the itch to scrapbook I will perhaps, as I have before, scrap my Christmas cards. But I think this year we'll just purchase them. :)

I'm sure some women can and do scrap without the pressure, but I know myself. I mostly think on a smaller scale. I'll paint a room, I'll crochet a hat (but not 20!), I'll make freezer jam instead of stove top. Easy, quick, over and done with. To me that is homemade simplicity.

The BFP

(Um, can it be a little more obvious???)



Indulge me as I share my initial thoughts upon sight of those two infamous sticks above:

***

August 4, 2009

How can the pull to keep something a secret and to shout it from rooftops be so equally strong? The first thing I wanted to do when I saw that pink line was to call my family and update my Facebook status with an ecstatic announcement. The dialogue in my head went something like this:

Oh what the hay, tell the world!

No, don’t – you’ll regret it.

Maybe I could just tell my brother. My SIL is just 3 or 4 weeks ahead of me and I am dying with anticipation to share some First Trimester-banter with her.

Uh, better not. It’s safer.

Can’t let Mom find out just yet. Don't want to torture her by forcing her to keep the news to herself. Because we all know she just can't. :)

All I can say is, thank the good o’ Internet for the forums. Oh, the message boards! The one safe place outside your hubby to blab and squeal and openly rave about your newly-discovered “condition”. Jumping around on the boards lets you relieve a lot of that stored up excitement, at least enough to satiate your threatening-to-burst-at-any-moment-baby-bump-bubble. It’s not the same as telling your family and friends, of course. Not even close. None of the ladies on the boards are all that excited for you, not like your aunt or your best friend would be. Nevertheless, they are in the same boat as you, and soak up the giving and receiving of congratulations all around.

I’m actually sort of puzzled as to why women like to keep their secret under wraps for the first few weeks or even months. After all, the enthusiastic support of loved ones during most other new life ventures is normally appreciated. I gather one reason is most likely that a woman has to first get used to the idea that she is pregnant. Believe it, even. Allow for time to get used to the idea and let it sink in.

We had been trying since June, and after one month of no take, I wasn’t super optimistic about July. I went off the Ring and began taking pre-natal vitamins all the way back in November, and I was surprised that we were able to successfully prevent for the seven months before we started trying to conceive (TTC). The natural methods of birth control always intrigued me but I had a hard time trusting my body because my cycles are so irregular. And while I still don’t fully trust the results of my daily basal temperature (since I get up at least once or twice per night and the thermometer relies on a consistent, restful sleep), I was still able to make at least some heads or tails of the time of ovulation. I am not 100% confident about tracking my cycles, but at this point I don’t think I could ever go back to BC.

I was certain I would get pregnant the month we started trying, so when I didn’t I became slightly concerned that we might have to deal with infertility problems. So ridiculous, I know, after just one month. But what girl doesn’t think about these things? I hear just about as many stories about couples struggling with infertility and miscarriage as I do stories of uneventful, healthy, to-term pregnancies. I don’t know if infertility is actually more common in this generation or that people these days are just more candid and open about talking about these kinds of issues than in generations past. Probably the latter. But you don’t really think about it until it’s relevant. And if it happens to so many others, why could it not happen to you?

Two different brands of home pregnancy tests (HPT) later and you have to take a moment or two to realize:

“I’m pregnant!”

“My body can actually do this!”

“I’ve officially joined the Baby Mama’s Club!”

“Am I seriously going to have to clean up after projectile vomit and diaper blow-outs in just another eight or so months?!”

And if this has never happened to you before, planned or not, it’s a little freaky to think about. Surreal. Life-changing. Instant perspective-gaining. And if for the hormones alone, you really don’t care to have all your Facebook friends bombarding you with a million questions and advice. Not just yet. For as long as you decide (and don’t yet show!), these secret-harboring moments are all yours. An intimate time mixed with realization and disbelief. Sober gratitude and outright giddiness between you, your husband, and the God who created this brand new eternal soul. You can never get this time back.

So, we are going to enjoy it. As much as it absolutely kills me. Ha!

Another reason, I think, women like to keep their baby news to themselves is the wait to get beyond the risk of an early miscarriage. I guess this is so to prevent any awkward interaction between family and friends who don’t know how to comfort the grieving parents and the grieving parents who don’t know what kind of comfort they need. Maybe a cop-out, but a reason, nonetheless. Some women adamantly believe in spreading the word about their bun-in-the-oven for the immediate prayer support. Especially those who have previously miscarried and/or are considered a high-risk pregnancy. I don’t blame them.

I think I stand somewhere in between the two extremes. I could never wait 5 months tell everyone we’re expecting, though I know some who have. However, living 1000 miles away from most of my family and friends does give us an advantage. Since I don’t see these people on a regular or even occasionally doesn’t put me in moments of temptation where I might reveal the existence of our Little Peanut earlier than I would like. Keeping the secret from Jeromy’s family, however, will prove a little bit more difficult, as we’ll be seeing them for Grandma Roxie’s 75th birthday in just a couple weeks! It will not be easy to mums the word (especially if the birthday bash becomes a puke fest!), but hopefully we will stay strong.

I would like to wait until maybe I’ve reached the 12-week mark. As of today I am at 5 weeks and 2 days, thanks to my handy dandy cycle chart. I have an appointment this Friday morning for blood work to determine gestational age more accurately. But I still think I’m right, so we will see! At any rate, I don’t think I could wait much longer than another 8 weeks before blabbing. If I end up even waiting that long. But something about exclusively knowing about something is sort of fun, too!

So I had this super great way to tell Jeromy about the pregnancy. Of course, he knew I was having a longer cycle this month, but I’ve had a 34-day cycle before, so he was still pretty nonchalant. I had thought of taking a test on Tuesday (today) morning, but I got a sudden bout of unshakable curiosity Sunday night and took two tests within an hour of the other around 11pm-12am (while Hubby, unbeknownst to him, was sleeping the night away).

After I got my BFP (which is board talk for "big fat positive") I devised how my plan would go down the next morning. I had purchased a “Baby on Board” sign for $2 at Target back in April (just in case we “oopsed” before officially TTC. (There were a couple months I thought for sure we were pregnant, so I had to be ready!) Since I always wake up before Jeromy I knew it would be easy to sneak out the door and attach the sign to either the driver’s or passenger’s side window. He would either notice it when he got in the truck or a couple miles down the road, depending on where I would have placed it. At which time I would have promptly received a phone call, and I’m sure he would have turned around and gone back to the house to freak out with me. Genius, I know.

But, sadly, that’s not how it worked out. Though I’m sure we’ll still get plenty of use out of the “Baby on Board” sign.

After the BFP you couldn’t pay me to sleep. I laid down and could feel my heart beating hard at what felt like a million times a minute. I remember the progression of my very first reactions while holding the two sticks after they had turned positive:

“Nuh uh!"

“Scary!”

“Unbelievable!”

“I am so freaking scared!”

Wait…

“I am so freaking excited!!!”

And from there on out, it was pretty much elation. I have not been scared or shocked since those first few seconds. Maybe if we were still in our first year of marriage I might have been initially devastated, but this Little Thing is/was planned and that made for a quicker transition from “I don’t know if I’m ready for this?” to “I’m a mommy – yay!”

And I couldn’t stop thinking about the BFP, try as I might to turn off the brain and get some sleep. So I figured it would be more productive – and fun – to hop online and check out all the pregnancy websites I’d been anxious to have a reason to visit than to lie in bed and listen to Husband saw logs until dawn. Plus I didn’t want to wake him with my tossing and turning because I didn’t want to be tempted to tell him before I could carry out my plan!

Around 3am I got off the couch to hit the restroom in the hallway. Afterward I peeked into the bedroom and noticed that Jeromy wasn’t in bed. And then I saw the sliver of light in the doorway of the master bathroom.

Oh the horror! I ran to the door and opened it just in time to see Jeromy leaning over the sink right in front of – you guessed it – both HPTs. My fun little “Baby on Board” plan shattered to pieces as realization came over my sleepy hubby. As soon as he noticed the results of the tests, I bent over and looked in his face and said, “Hi.”

Jeromy wrapped me up in a big hug. For a moment neither of us mouthed a word. Then Jeromy said, “I’m happy!” I don’t recall what else we said but I think I told him that he wasn’t supposed to find out until the morning. But it was kind of fun how it happened because it turned out to be a special moment. I just didn’t want Jeromy to be up for the rest of the night and as sleepy as me the next day.

We laid in bed and talked – marveled – for the next hour. We prayed together and thanked God for this little life, for the privilege to become parents, and for a healthy and safe pregnancy. What an unforgettable time! I remember thinking that the last time I couldn’t sleep like this was the night before my wedding, and now it was the night I discover I’m carrying my first child! I finally drifted off to sweet dreams around 4am, thankful I was not scheduled to work in the morning!

I haven’t been experiencing a ton of symptoms so far. I guess they are supposed to intensify around the 6-7 week mark. Maybe I will beat the odds, who knows! But apparently, a lot of women like morning sickness and all that because it signifies that there is still a baby growing inside them. When the symptoms wane some women get scared something is wrong. My chest has been sore for a little more than a week, though at first I suspected it was due to an imminent menstrual period like normal.

Strangely, I’ve endured two evenings of pretty severe nausea, but none since. The first time, the waves started coming on while I was reading in bed at about 9:30 pm. It just kept getting worse and worse. I usually eat dinner pretty early, so by about 10:15 or so I thought I was just hungry like I sometimes get before bed. But I was too lazy to get up, eat something, and have to brush my teeth again before turning in.

The nausea wouldn’t let up, though, so I went to the kitchen spice cabinet, grabbed the bottle of peppermint extract, dabbed a drop under my nose (I heard peppermint soothes an upset tummy). That brought temporary relief but I soon got up again. This time I sliced some Havarti cheese on a multigrain baguette, but felt that wasn’t enough so poured half a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats. I gulped that stuff down like I’d never eaten before!

I’m not sure if I just needed food or what, but after then taking a couple Tums I laid back down and fell asleep soon after, when the nausea subsided. (And without brushing!)

That was early, too, at least a week and a half ago, if not two. Perhaps there was a surge of hormones when the little bean implanted in my uterus that night? Who’s to say, but if that night was any hint at what’s to come, I’m about to become a physically worthless mama-to-be in a few weeks! But hopefully not. I usually eat every couple hours anyway, and I hear that helps a lot.

***

August 25, 2009

I am 8 or so weeks along. My first OB appointment is the day after tomorrow (yay!) and I’ve heard lots of stories of women whose doctors measure their babies a week behind. I don’t want to go backwards. 2nd Tri, here I come!

During the first 5 full weeks of this pregnancy I felt invincible. Not really tired or sick or bloated. Then week 6 hit and I learned really quickly what morning sickness is all about! I was hoping I’d be a lucky one and avoid getting nausea. Or at least that I’d be able to rise above it and function at 100% as usual. However, that’s not how things have gone down. This baby is kicking my butt!! Or rather, the hormones are!

I don’t know if I should be grateful or not, but I have not actually thrown up yet. I have found that eating every couple of hours keeps nausea somewhat at bay. It doesn’t make it go away, but at least it becomes tolerable so that I actually feel well enough to shower and go to work and maybe clean the bathrooms or something. The only trouble is, the “cure” is the enemy. Nausea is so frustrating because you know that eating will help but you can’t bear the thought of putting something in your mouth, chewing and, even worse, swallowing. Everything is revolting. Yes, everything. Yet you force down some form of substantial calories because it allows you to find some relief and perhaps even sleep a few hours.

I have to admit that I’m not bent-over-can’t-get-out-of-bed sick entirely 24/7. There is usually a little window around 4-7pm or so when I feel relatively fine. Thankfully, that has afforded me the ability to eat fairly decent dinners. My worst moments come between 2am and 10am. Such a long stretch of YUCK!!

***

And thus, no more words until week 15. The weeks in between include just more of that last entry. A lot more.


















In Pittsburgh on our 3rd anniversary and one week into hiding our little secret! And let me say, The Melting Pot never tasted so good!

Happy Easter To Us!

Now if that doesn't make you go back to the question of 'which came first'?!

That's right, this brand new Mama Hen is incubating her ever first baby chick, estimated hatching on Easter Sunday! Specifically, April 4, 2010.

Though my posts are usually few and far in between, lately they have been extra sparse as, with tape to our mouths and mitts on our typing fingers, we impatiently waited out the first trimester. But once we saw our Chicken Little via sonogram last week, it was secret no more! Everyone I've ever (and never) known found out our news within a matter of hours.

This Age of Facebook made keeping things under wraps much more difficult than I'm sure it was for our parents' generation. It killed me to not be able to tell my closest family members and friends during those first few weeks. I just knew that if any of them found out the whole world would find out. Just like in this moment I know about a certain someone's pregnancy, though I am not supposed to know, except for another person (who, by the way, was also not supposed to know) decided to tell me. FYI: If you're asked to keep a secret, please honor that request! These people thought they could trust you! Needless to say, that did it for me, and our baby news became one secret I decided to keep to myself!

However, there are huge benefits to sharing such exciting, once-in-a-lifetime news with your extended family and friends on Facebook. Of course, we phoned or told in person each V.I.P. in our lives (parents, siblings, a few friends) who ought to know before your 1st grade Sunday School teacher finds out via the Internet! But after that, how. Much. Fun. is it to receive such an overwhelming response of congratulations all in one place?! Especially since we live so far away from many of my friends and family members, receiving so much support from everyone made it seem like I was at a reunion or something! It felt kind of like it does reading your wedding guest book over and over. So precious! Which reminds me, I need to copy and paste all of those well-wishes for the baby book!

Of course, nobody could be more happy about this baby than we are! I cannot wait for every milestone in this pregnancy (well, now that the worst of the morning sickness is behind me *knock on wood*) and all of the joys and fun challenges ahead with getting used to a newborn and raising our very own little person! As every expectant parent knows, this is one time that is both ultra exciting and ultra scary! Yet we have confidence that God will meet the unique needs of each day and that by Him we will become thriving parents. The result of our parenting is ultimately in His hands, as is our child.

Good intentions, good intentions! I had hoped to document in writing more of these first few weeks of pregnancy. But as alluded to above, the Big, Bad Nausea Monster came a-knocking at about week six. Even now, at almost 16 weeks, I have days where I feel better than others. But UGH! I was not a fan of pregnancy the duration of the last couple of months! You simply don't want to do anything when you feel that horrible. I went over a whole month without touching my house with a dust mop or cleaning rag. And for me to not care about a clean house meant this sickness was whipping my tail!

The first few weeks of the Crud I lived off chicken noodle soup and Sprite, though I knew my body needed more substance to get through the day (and night). So I tried incorporating more protein into my meals, chowing down lots of cottage cheese, gnawing on beef jerky, and over time scrambling more than a few dozen eggs. I also found that pasta/chicken casseroles did my tummy good, as did (and still does!) mashed potatoes. I do have to say, I miss my cold deli meat sandwiches! I frequently make grilled ham and cheese with tomato soup just so I can have shaved ham! (Besides, of course, the given yumminess factor of that entire meal!) I've tried nuking the meat to kill any possible bacteria and it's just not the same. But I know all this is for a good cause!

Just don't give me a banana, especially if it's the least bit overripe. I can't stand the smell, nor do I have any desire whatsoever to indulge. Which is actually a self-fulfilled prophesy. For more than 4 years I had been eating for breakfast a toasted English muffin spread with peanut butter (couldn't keep enough jars in the house!), a drizzle of honey, and sliced bananas over the top. In fact, I actually preferred the banana a little on the ripe side. One day, long before I got pregnant, I told Jeromy that once I'm pregnant I will probably repulse at the thought of this breakfast. Oh how true that remains! I still remember the last time I ate that for breakfast, around the time I started really feeling sick. I could barely eat a bite or two, though I fought it. I love this stuff, remember?! I think if I made that breakfast today, I could stomach everything but the sliced banana on top. Although I really don't have the desire to make or eat it at the moment. Hmm, maybe God's preparing me for a peanut-allergic child and is making it easier to wean me off my formerly beloved peanut butter. Who knows?

As for actually throwing up, I hadn't looked the Porcelain Throne in the face (except to clean it!) for years and years until week 12. I threw up 4 days that week, and then one day in week 13. What's up with that? Just when I thought the nausea was starting to taper off, WHAM! Usually I had found ways to ease the nausea if I felt like throwing up. For a while sniffing peppermint extract until I obtained a palatable calorie source seemed to work. But those days I threw up I quickly came to the realization that nothing was going to stop the floodgates this time! I think possibly I let too much time pass before eating something. Maybe I had been starting to feel overly confident that the nausea would go away by the end of the first trimester that I let my eating slide. That's my guess, anyway. Since then I've tried not being so stupid and keep snacks with me everywhere. Although I still gag/heave on my toothbrush most mornings, which is highly annoying...

At almost 16 weeks, I think I am finally beginning to show. Or at least I can't suck in as much as I used to! I think it's a combination of the growing uterus and my lack of exercise as of late. Some of that belly I'm seeing is more than likely real fat! Unfortunately, since being sick, I have happily gotten used to not working out. It's actually decreased stress in my life to not always have to be on the treadmill. The angel on my other shoulder, however, tells me I've turned into a lazy butt and that I need to at least get in some form of cardio. I am not used to becoming out of breath so quickly! And I don't like watching my buns and thighs grow along with my belly. I'm not used to this. Hopefully I will get back on the horse, but it's not looking like anytime soon. I really have become lazy! (Or maybe my priorities have shifted, I don't know.) I just don't want to become the woman who hides behind her baby, and now that everything is all about the baby, she lets herself completely go. I don't want to become her! Hear this, Blogworld: I refuse to wear Mom Jeans!!

Well, on that note :) I'll just take my place behind my adorable little peanut's first baby pictures and gush over his/her already-prominent cuteness! Of course we are biased, but even the ultrasound technician commented on how crisp and clear the images turned out. I wish they weren't copies of copies, but I could still stare at them for hours!
















I love how you can almost count the fingers on that little hand! (This sonogram was taken at 14 weeks 1 day.) We call him/her our Squirmy Worm. The baby wouldn't keep his/her arms and legs still. It would cross and uncross its legs, and even flipped over several times during the ultrasound. (Jeromy said it reminded him of how he flips over at night!) Wonder if this is a hint of what's to come! We might want to stock up on baby gates!!!

















In this image the little one appears to be sucking his/her thumb. We're not sure if that is actually the case, but we saw this a lot! It's too bad you have to retain such a full bladder during the sonogram because part of you overwhelmingly wants to be done so you can go pee, but mostly you just want to lie there and enjoy watching this miraculous life hang out inside your uterus! I had to keep restraining myself from laughing because it made the screen bounce, but it was so surreal I couldn't help it!

















I looooove this profile shot. You can see the outline of his/her tiny button nose and lips. In this picture he/she looks like it's giving the "hang ten" sign! It was so unbelievable to watch the baby move around so much and not be able to feel a thing. They say you normally start to feel movement anywhere between 18-20 weeks, though some have said they've felt it earlier.

My next appointment is on October 30, two weeks from today, at which time the doctor will schedule the next ultrasound - where we should hopefully be able to find out the sex! My brother and his wife are about a month ahead of me on their 2nd pregnancy. They found out just yesterday that they are having a BOY. So the pressure is on because Jeromy wants a boy. I'll happily take either, but I really think it's a girl. We'll see in the next few weeks!!

Thanks for sharing our joy with us! I'll go back and post the initial thoughts I typed up the day after I found out I was pregnant and how I told my husband and all that fun stuff. And hopefully I won't continue to be such a stranger on the blog now that the secret's out! You were probably wondering if all this girl is ever going to post is recipes! Well, I can't promise no more recipes since we are, after all, in midst comfort food season! But I'll also try my hardest to write about other things besides just the baby!

Got Ice Cream?

Then you will love this super easy topping recipe. It is my go-to/master recipe for chocolate sauce/glaze and it is so amazing and so delicious you just might throw away your bottle of Hershey's! (Well, or at least keep it around for the occasional chocolate shot mouth-squirt.)

It's smooth....glossy....thick....buttery....and oh, so rich!
























Need I say more??

It is absolutely terrific warm but I love it after it's been refrigerated a few minutes (I don't like soupy, melty ice cream).

Try it! And, you might as well add a few copies to your files now because it won't be long before your recipe card gets all yummy-smudgy!


A VERMONTER'S CHOCOLATE SAUCE

3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dutch process this time and oh. My. Word.)
1 Tbsp oil
1/4 cup unsalted butter (no pre-melting necessary)
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 to 1 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk

Whisk all ingredients together and bring to a boil slowly until thick. When thickened, remove from heat and add 1 tsp vanilla.

Serve over ice cream, pour over brownies, glaze a bundt cake (I've tried all three!), or devour by spoonfuls (I mean four!).


Note: May wish to double recipe if serving more than 2 or 3. You will want seconds!



















*Created, developed, and perfected in Vermont by Mr. Bruce Nyquist. I am forever indebted to your "culinary" genius!


Kelly's Korner is whipping up a triple batch of dessert recipes today. Check it out and tempt that sweet tooth!

Scarlett Gives Hugs to Grampa

I realize that this is a totally super-spiritualized thought (or at least entirely un-Baptist) but I believe that he at least knows what's going on in our lives and perhaps that God even lets him glimpse his oh-so-loved-and-missed granddaughter growing up. In any case, we are most certainly on his mind as he continues to wait for us.
























Closer to me You're in the laughter and the tears
Of the ones I leave behind me
Who have prayed me through the years
Closer to You
And I know it won't be long
Till You're running down the pathway
Just to take me in Your arms

-Mark Schultz

Not Your Ordinary Fruit Dip

It's Boo Mama's DipTacular 2009, and I thought I'd participate. At first I didn't think I had anything worthwhile to share. I am all about from-scratch cooking and baking, but my dips usually consist of some or other Tastefully Simple seasoning blend or Hidden Valley Ranch powder. If you have not already mixed ranch dressing powder in your cottage cheese and eaten over Ritz crackers, you have not lived!

My dip to share involves an unusual and at first disturbingly disgusting-sounding ingredient for a sweet fruit dip: Velveeta Cheese.

Don't click the back button - stay with me!

I promise you, the Velveeta is used solely for texture. In fact, Velveeta is not even real cheese; the box says "pasteurized cheese product". So it is absolutely nothing like eating sliced cheddar on apple pie, a concept I find completely revolting.

This is the best fruit dip you will ever, ever consume. Try it before you say you hate it. And if you bring this dip to a potluck function, be prepared with ready-made recipe cards to hand out to all the ravers. They will be skeptical at first, too. (Let's face it, I was!) But like you, they'll also get over it when they taste the yumminess in all it's non-cheese-tasting glory.

Tastes more like coconut because, hey, it's got a can of cream of coconut in it! Try it with strawberries and pineapple. Apples and grapes are good too. Pineapple is my favorite. Can you say, Piña Colada?!?!?

Let me know if you've tried it!


VELVEETA CHEESE FRUIT DIP

8 oz Velveeta, cubed
8 oz cream of coconut (usually comes in cans in the drink mix isle)
8 oz Cool Whip

Blend cubed Velveeta cheese and cream of coconut in blender until smooth. Add cool whip. Chill. Serve with fresh fruit for dipping.

Celebrating THREE amazing years on August 12th!

This Show Us Your Life - Wedding Dress Blog Hop is probably one of the most fun of all Blog Hops/Carnivals! What girl (married or otherwise) doesn't love to drool over other girls' wedding gowns?! Thanks, Kelly, for a chance to share and yet another great way to end the week in the blogosphere!

(Note: The photos are less blurry if clicked on to enlarge.)

1) When was your wedding day? August 12, 2006

2) What day of the week was it? Saturday

3) Did you get married in a church? Yes, Leonardtown Baptist!


















Here my beautiful bridesmaids are helping me get situated into my dress. This was an Eden gown. Very reasonable prices with great variety of styles to choose from and stunning quality!

I originally thought I was going to go with a ball gown (and tried on several), but when I saw this dress online, I knew it was more me. We didn't have an absolutely huge wedding since neither of our families lived in Maryland (my family in MN and Jeromy's in WV), plus it was mid August so I thought the more A-line option might be a little cooler than a poofy Cinderella dress. And of course it turned out to be 70 degrees with no humidity. In Southern Maryland, that's pretty much a miracle!!

4) How many in your wedding party? three bridesmaids (Jenni, Christina, and Elizabeth), four groomsmen (Brad, Dan, Matt, Chad), and my flower girl (Ally)

5) Where was your reception? Bryant Avenue Baptist Church in MN (a week later) and Webster/Bolair, WV (two more weeks after that). Everyone who attended the wedding was invited to the Coffee Quarter after our wedding for a dutch lunch. Things would have been different if we didn't have a far-away wedding!

6) How many guests were invited to your wedding? Whoever wanted to attend! The whole church!


















For some reason, the sanctuary shots turned out kind of yellow. Maybe playing around with Photoshop would help but we haven't tried yet.

7) How long did you wait to Tie The Knot after your proposal? 5 months exactly. March 12th to August 12th

8) Who did you hire as your photographer? Joe Pelletier

9) Did you have a DJ or a band? we didn't have a traditional reception


















Sort of blurry shot of a dad giving away his daughter. (He could sleep through literally anything - ha!)

These next couple photos are very special to me, especially now that my dad has passed away. I am so very grateful he lived to see both of his children married and well taken care of.

10) Did your father walk you down the aisle? YES! Thank you Jesus!

11) What color were the bridesmaid dresses & groomsmen vests? cute strapless black cocktail dresses with a few big periwinkle flowers from Ann Taylor Loft. I though they were SO adorable!

12) What was your first song? The congregation sang "How Great Is Our God" and "In Christ Alone (My Hope is Found)", and Dan, a groomsman played and sang an amazing song he wrote just for us!!! Called, "All the While".


















13) How long did it take to plan the wedding? 5 months

14) What type of limo did you get? how about a rental SUV

15) Where did you go for your Bachelorette/Bachelor Party? Jenni planned a fun little girl party the night before the wedding. We had yummy food and some crazy gifts! Jeromy and the guys went out for dessert and hung out at his place.














16) What type of wedding gown/tux did you two wear? Eden A-line strapless, not quite empire waist, light embellishment down the front and an extra half overlay with lace trim. You'd have to see the picture, I'm not great on dress terminology! :)

17) How was the weather? Can you believe it was a cloudless 70 degrees, NO humidity, in Southern Maryland IN AUGUST!!! That never, ever happens!

18) Where did you go on your Honeymoon? Sunny Seattle! (we actually got sunburned!) We spent a night in a Victorian B&B in Annapolis first

19) What was your favorite part of your wedding day? wearing the gown, saying the vows we had written ourselves

20) How long have you been married? It will be three years next month!


















21 What was the worst part of your wedding day? my literally ghetto up do. I wish I had chosen someone else to do my hair. I could have even done it myself!

22. Did you see your husband before the ceremony? No, I was hiding in the nursery. We did pictures after the ceremony.

23. What kind of flowers were in your bouquet? blue hydrangeas and white roses. The girls carried calla lilies.

24. What were your "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue? Didn't really care about this but...
Old -- Diamond earings from my great aunt
New -- everything else I was wearing!
Borrowed -- Sandi Riggleman's tiara - thanks again!
Blue -- bouquet :)


















White roses and blue hydrangeas. Perfect. Nail polish color choice, not so much....

25. Did you light a unity candle? Yep, while Dan sang. We made our own. Tip: Try to buy the least amount of wedding "things" as you can. Most of them, you can find a way to craft them yourself.

26. Did you cry during your wedding? No, but I cry at everyone else's wedding! It's the adrenaline. You're in "go" mode.

27. Where did you buy your wedding gown? At a small bridal shop in Vienna, VA

28. What flavor was your wedding cake? We had three different kinds at our Minnesota reception. I think two white and one chocolate, all with different fillings like almond, raspberry, and I think lemon. Cake was our one big splurge. We went with Queen of Cakes in Edina, who is spectacular! She's been featured in Brides magazine for a spice cake before.

29. Did you smash cake in each other's face or were you "nice"? I think we tried. It wasn't our actual wedding day so there wasn't as much pressure surrounding the day, but we were wearing our wedding attire so we were careful. I LOVED getting to dress up twice!!!



















30. Did you freeze the top layer of your cake and eat it on your first wedding anniversary? Yes we did! We didn't even take it out of the box, just threw it in my parents' chest freezer and then ate it when we flew home about ten months later. It's not like we could have taken it with us on the plane!

31. When did you open your wedding gifts? When we got back from our honeymoon and reception. And absentminded-me left my little notebook with our "thank you list" in it on an obscure shelf in Target! I was so mortified and I hope our relatives are over the generic thank you's they received. DON'T DO THIS!

32. Did you have a bridal shower? Yes, at The Tea Room in La Plata, MD with Heather Lanham, Danielle Fields, Amy Morris, and Barb Darden. I wish I had known more people at the time!!!


















A week after the wedding we hosted reception in Minneapolis, MN in a stuffy church gym with no A/C. Of course that day it was muggy as all get out. But still a wonderful day, and free of pressure since the ceremony had been the previous week. The reception also happened to fall on my 26th birthday, which made the event even more special. I'd never had such a big to-do birthday party in my life! And I probably won't again until I'm over the hill! :)

The best perk of the day was that I got to wear my dress a second time. Not many girls get to do that! Plus I did my own hair that day and I liked it better. Go figure!

This is us and my best friend from my childhood, Jamila (who just married this past February, I might add!). She and her parents lived two houses down from my house, and we met when we were two years old! My mom just sold her house on that street not two weeks ago, or our parents would all still be living "two doors down"!

33. The night before your wedding, did you sleep much? Not really. I would have taken a sleep aid if I had one!

34. Did your bridal party deck out the get away car? Couldn't, since we were driving a rental up to Annapolis that afternoon!


















35. Anything special about the day/time of year you were married? We originally planned on an October 21st wedding - exactly 1 year after we met. But circumstances changed (like my host family moving and Jeromy's 6 month lease expiring) where it was better to move up the wedding. So August it was! I had loved the idea of a Fall wedding and since I am not a lover of summer, so God was extra gracious to give us perfect weather! Our anniversary is a week before my birthday, so I have mixed feelings about that!

36. Words of wisdom? A. Always give your spouse the benefit of the doubt. You know who they are. B. Budget monthly/weekly personal spending money for each of you. No questions asked!

What I Learned in Kindergarten

The other day I was thinking of a funny kid story of mine from kindergarten. Hubby and I had been watching America's Funniest Videos when one of the clips prompted the memory. Just the whole idea of laughing at someone's expense.

Why do we get so much glee from the sweetly ignorant things little kids say and do? They never seem to run out of ways to entertain adults with their quirky antics. (Unless, of course, the antic falls into the "naughty" category. But even then it tends to attain a few laughs after the fact. Or, at least, after the mess is all cleaned up.)

If there ever lived an ignorant child, I was her. I always seemed to ask questions none of my other peers had, which often made me feel foolish and dense. Nevertheless, my lack of common knowledge as a child certainly must have afforded my family and teachers many a chuckle in my expense.

Now that I am an aunt, however, I realize a lot of it is provoked, because Jeromy and I frequently provoke our 4-year-old ultra-gullible nephew, Isaac, for a few laughs! Poor kid, he has no idea!

It was Springtime in Minnesota. Spring is always a big deal in the barren tundra land that is my home state. The buds are popping. The air is warming up so that you can safely put away your winter coat in favor of the glorious windbreaker. (Well, almost safely. I have experienced many a late-April blizzard in my day.) The birds are returning with bleached feathers and Southern accents, the lakes are crowded with runners and rollerbladers sweating out their Spring Fever on the paths, and the school year is quickly vanishing along with the last traces of dirty snow.

During the long-awaited Spring Thaw, Minnesotans are ever in a collectively unshakable good mood, even on Mondays.

If you cannot tell, I have been reading Garrison Keillor. Forgive me. :)

This such Spring of 1987 was much like any other. Except that the Twins would actually play an amazing season that year, but that's irrelevant to this story. Ha!

As Spring is given to the theme of "new life", our teacher decided to teach us about the life cycle of the butterfly. We learned about how a butterfly begins as an unsightly caterpillar, then perches on a leaf and hides in a cocoon until he develops wings and breaks out and flies away. What a perfect Spring unit for kindergarten!

For an object lesson, Mrs. Provart had us each craft our own little cocoons to display around the classroom, using what resembled (and probably was) homemade play dough. We were excited! First, we threw on our jackets and headed outdoors to find a twig, on which to attach our makeshift cocoons. Getting to go outside during non-recess time was always the best treat!

I have to say, I probably would never have remembered this project at all, since I was only 6 years old, if not for the incident that ensued.

I don't know if I thought I would recognize a twig when I saw one, but I looked and looked all over the school yard and found not one little twig. All my classmates didn't seem to have the same problem as I, snatching up their finding from the ground and promptly running back to get in line at the door. I was too busy looking for my own twig that I never bothered to look at what the other kids were picking up.

Finally, every last student had found a twig and was lined up to go back inside. Except for me. My child mind simply did not know what a "twig" was. A slight desperation came over me. My teacher noticed me, head down, nervously pacing under the big tree in the yard and came over to see what the trouble was.

"Did you find a twig? We need to go back into the classroom now."

I felt like crying, I was so embarrassed. I didn't know why I couldn't figure this out but that all the other kids could. Not wanting to admit my uncertainty, I exclaimed, "I can't find a twig!"

Mrs. Provart furrowed her brow. Of course, there were twigs everywhere underfoot, but I didn't know it. I have no idea what she was thinking when I told her I couldn't find one, but she bent down to pick up the first twig lying in front of her, handed it to me, and said, "Ok, let's go - it's chilly out here!"

Was I ever dumbfounded, holding what was, apparently, a twig, in front of my face. I clearly remember thinking, 'Why didn't she just say she wanted us to find a stick?'

After getting inside I noticed that my twig was smaller than everyone else's. It also was broken, barely holding together in the middle. But it was too late to go back out to find a different one. If only I had known, I could have found the best twig for my cocoon!

This was probably one of the first times in my life I recall feeling ridiculous and being resentful about it. 'How come I didn't know a small stick was a twig? Why didn't anyone ever tell me? Why didn't Mrs. Provart show us what a twig was before making us find one by ourselves?' Though apparently, I was the only one in my class in the dark. How silly! I remember feeling bothered at the thought.

That day I learned what a twig is. I also discovered that there was much to know in this big, wide world, and that the learning might not always come easily or naturally. I learned that sometimes you will even feel foolish in the process, but that those are the lessons you never forget.

When Cell Phones Gets Wet

Amanda at Mandi Girl Muses recently lamented an incident where their dog ate her husband's Blackberry. Chewed it all up, and right before a business trip! The post reminded me of the time something somewhat similar happened to me...

Still a nanny up to a week before we got married, I helped my host family move from North Carolina to Kansas while finishing up planning for our wedding. I took the family's 1.5-year-old on lots of afternoon walks around the neighborhood, always drawn to the lake around the corner (being the MN girl I am!).

On one such outing we parked ourselves on the dock and I placed my cell on top of the stroller (stupid, stupid me!!) while I went to sit down. Not 5 seconds later I heard a "plop" and it took a moment to register that something fell into the lake. Immediately I was like, "What was that?!" and I looked to see my poor cell phone sink to the muddy bottom of the lake.

My only connection to my directory, quick access to my groom-to-be and everyone involved in the wedding planning -- in just two weeks! Though I was no bridezilla, a girl has only one wedding and she relies on being able to coordinate at a moment's notice.

Lets just say the next few minutes (or maybe hours) were not my most shining moments. Yeah, major freak-out.

Turns out the neighbor across the street (an engineer - glad I married one myself!) attached a magnet to a long stick, retrieved my phone (I have no idea how he found it!), then took it apart and air pressured it so that I could use the first two columns of numbers and access my directory. When does that happen to a drenched cell phone?!

I could have hugged him!

The whole thing was innocent enough. Samantha was simply wiggling in the stroller because she, the little fish, would have dived into the water head first if she could. With her shaking in the seat, my phone must have fallen into her lap. And since she couldn't go for a swim, I'm certain she thought it would be fun to at least throw something into the lake, and so she did. All in a matter of seconds. Poor girl didn't know any better and I was unwise for taking along my phone in the first place!

Since the incident I've been trying to take things in better stride and act instead of react to my circumstances. As much as I would like to control every detail of my (and, what the hay, everybody else's) life, I can't. And what's more, God won't let me. (Well, and how else would I have anything to blog about??) These frustrating little happenings prove that over and over.

So I'm screaming like banshee (figuratively speaking!) and He's like, "Woa, it's really ok! Breathe! See? You're not dying. The sky is blue. And you'll get through this just like every other time."

Thank His goodness God didn't matter-of-factly state, "It is still very possible to plan a wedding 1000 miles away without a cell phone." Although, He very well could have! I'd have burst into tears!

I had this little saying I would often whisper in my head while stressing over some or other college deadline:"If I can get through this, I can get through anything."

For some reason that little phrase seemed to help carry me through the task (possibly all-nighter). And then with a sigh of relief I would look back over the difficulty and thank God for His help and pat myself on the back for my sticktoitiveness (as my dad would say).

Sometimes I still motivate myself with those same words; for instance, when I'm on the treadmill and feel like quitting. Although, more often I tell myself, "Just two more minutes." And when the two minutes are up I say it again. "Two more minutes." Sounds better than reality, which is usually 46 more minutes!

I think, in circumstances where I feel most helpless and desperate I need to remember the verse in Lamentations 3 where it says that God's "compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness". Just wait for it. There's always something around the bend to lift us up, whether after the slightest drizzle or a swirling hurricane. It won't always mean complete restoration of what we've lost or broken, but God will find a way to somehow encourage our heart.

Even be it a mere reminder of how fortunate we are in this country to own a cell phone. Or to wear a beautiful white dress on a wedding day we for so long planned. Or how much more meaningful it is to dwell on what really matters in life rather than the "stuff" that often clogs our lives. Getting to be someone's bride, someone's nanny, and perhaps someone's good example of what calm, sustaining trust in a faithful God looks like.

Things to Consciously Work On

Unpacking, though tedious, can be surprisingly fun. Especially the digging through boxes that have long been in storage and finding places for each item. Over the course of the last week since we closed on our house, some aspects of the unpacking has even felt like Christmas!

"I totally forgot about that!"

"I didn't know I still had this!"

"I don't even remember writing this!"

I have been rediscovering so many papers and journals of my past that I have been enjoying coming across. I love having record of so many little pieces of my past. They've all shaped me. I am no longer the person who wrote in the moment (just as I am not the person I was last month or even last week) but, compiled, they make up my biography.

One such interesting find was a list I made one night back in December of 2003. I believe I was reading the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren at the time, and for whatever reason, I felt I needed some personal, visible accountability in my life. I recall thinking I would scribble up a list of 10 things to work on, and I just kept writing, and writing, until I covered an entire notebook sheet front and back! And I know I could certainly add to the list!

I wanted to type up this list before I lose it one way or another because, if not a standard, it is a good guidline and reminder. I let Jeromy read the list the other day and he said it sounded like a list for anyone.

Many aspirations in this list sound lofty and unreachable (and they are), and a couple of them even contradict one another(!), but I remember being absolutely serious when I wrote out each one. It reveals how God was working in my heart during that time. And maybe once again, now that I've stumbled upon it!



The list is entitled, "Things to Consciously Work On"


-telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but

-selflessness/others-minded

-thinking rationally, logically, and thoroughly before acting or speaking

-honoring my parents

-speaking my faith to believers and non-believers alike

-community with God through prayer consistently

-having a good attitude

-patience and trust when in a hurry or when disappointed

-contentment

-dependence on God - not feeling like I have to seek what I want, knowing God does what is best in His timing

-uplifting and encouraging others in various forms

-dedicating each day to God and living the day in light of that prayer

-Bible study - quantity and quality

-doing everything and living every moment for the glory of God; doing my best with whatever task God has given me to do - any time and any size

-loving others unconditionally when annoyed or rejected

-good stewaredship with my money

-good stewardship with my time - focus on what is really important; don't waste a moment

-stop and reflect on blessings with gratitude

-work on social/conversational skills

-drive safely and aware always of surroundings (ha ha! love this one!)

-not being envious of another's gifts, such as: singing or writing skills and exposure, connections with famous people, spiritual walk, relationship, career, family, friends, motivation, etc.; I need to be thankful for the provision and portion God has graciously given me

-budgeting time and energy (balance); don't get consumed with just one thing, even if it is a good thing

-give full attention and devotion to responsibilities

-stewardship of my body the Temple, including healthy eating habits, exercise, sleep, loud music, etc.; I can't be used by God with a broken body

-stop worrying; give God my fears and concerns instead

-think on Philippians 4:8 things, especially what is real and true; don't dwell on the past or daydream about bad things that could happen in the future, even good things that may or may never happen, as none of these things are true now; focus on the present and take opportunities God provides daily - preparing for future responsibilities, ministry opportunities, etc.

-memorize Scripture, especially reviewing salvation verses so that I am equipped when I need them

-don't allow even good Christian music to run my life - is it becoming a god?

-live so that Christ is my Lord. Seek His will upon decision making

-trust God to help me do something I don't want to do or don't feel qualified to do

-learn how to cook, take care of a car, sew simple things, use a check book properly; education myself about insurance, simle plumbing and housekeeping strategies, equipment, and products so that I am well prepared to live on my own or become an adequate helper for a husband someday (yeah, I was lame for not knowing how to do these things!)

-don't be afraid to fall in love

-don't write to impress others, but because I mean it

-stop being a perfectionist

-obey right away when God directs

-let others know they are loved and appreciated

-don't get distracted easily - stay focused

-go the extra mile in everything (ha! but don't be a perfectionist, how does that work??)

-live above reproach; Christ is the example and goal

-sacrifice and surrender what I want for the good of others

-live for Eternity; don't get caught up even in good things, as this world is not my home. God is my prize.

Little Owl House in the Country

I'm participating in Kelly's home tour this week to cover all rooms because we're just moving into our house and we haven't really made it "our own" yet. But the carnival was just too fun not to participate in at least once! :)

BTW, I am looking for inspiration wherever I can find it - especially for the living room - so I am especially excited to to sneak a peek at everyone's photos this go around! So fun!

















I have yet to write a single post about our new adventure, so I'm sitting here until it's done!

After 2 1/2 years of married life in Southern Maryland, we have just packed up and moved six hours West. (Still, closer to Minnesota!) In March, Jeromy accepted a job in his home state of West Virginia, and we are now finally closing on a house this Friday! For several months Jeromy had been looking into jobs in several states, with no success. We would never have thought to consider West Virginia, what with engineering jobs (or much of any other job, for that matter) normally so sparse out here. Then, lo and behold, a friend from church steered us to a tiny branch of the large company he works for, and here we are.

In the middle of relocation mayhem!

I have to say, it will take some getting used to the slower pace of life in West Virginia. As in the snail. The turtle. A lot of businesses are still considerably old fashioned in their methods and practices. I sense that patience just might become my life lesson from now on!

For instance, today I walked into the post office (which, by the way, reeked of smoke) to get a money order. Once I whipped out my credit/debit card to pay, the little old post lady was like, "Oh, no. We don't take anything but cash or check. We're not computerized."

I was like, "Wha?" And then she pointed to the huge neon colored poster boards on the wall in back of her. (I have no idea how I missed them!)

"Cash/Check Only"

"NO CREDIT CARDS"

"Sorry," she said. We're old fashioned." Those exact words, my friends!

Really.

However, the interstate is not bumper-to-bumper traffic at 6am as is the norm in the DC area. And strangers actually take the time to chit chat! I like that!

And of course, I absolutely love living among rolling hills and distant mountain views! It is annoying to have to pop my ears every day, but that's a small price compared to living along such gorgeous countryside! And the air! The air is so much drier than Southern-Maryland-sticky-peninsula-steam. Can you believe I am actually looking forward to summer weather this year?! I might be the only West Virginia resident ever to dislike sweet tea (don't hate), but be certain I'll be sitting on our back porch sipping a sweet something!

For the last month we have been staying in a hotel in Morgantown, approximately a 45-minute drive to Clarksburg. Not fun. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

We have attended a couple of churches here in town, but the church hunt has really yet to begin in Clarksburg. We look forward to getting involved in a great work and connecting with other believers. The sooner the better!

A couple of weekends ago our hotel got smoked out by a cigarette fire that started outside on the landscaping. Evacuated from our room, we hit up Starbucks to pass the time. As we sat down I noticed a girl crocheting in the seat across from us. I asked her about her project, and throughout the flow of conversation found out we are both Christians. Her husband attends WVU in Morgantown as a law student, although they are from the Clarksburg area. And it turns out the couple is part of a church plant in Fairmont, another neighboring city. Renovate Church meets every other Saturday night, and we are hoping to catch up with them at their next service. What an interesting encounter!

Jeromy is getting situated in his job, but I have yet to find work. There are a few full time positions within Jeromy's company network, but I would really prefer 30 hours or less. And the majority of part time jobs around here involve retail, which I have long proclaimed I would avoid like the plague.

I applied to one position to work with autistic children, which sounded extremely promising! Yet the hourly pay was less than I what made in high school, and included a 25-minute commute to boot. Husband calculated that after fuel and taxes, I would bring home a measly $49 check each week. As neat as the position sounded, there are easier and less time consuming ways to save $49!

So the search continues. We really do live in Podunk, so prospects look grim. But maybe it will just take a little time. Meanwhile, all things "new house" will surely keep my hands from becoming the least bit idle.

So with all that said, welcome to our new home! After seeing more than 25 houses in the Clarksburg/Fairmont areas of West Virginia, we decided to put an offer on the very last one! As first time home buyers, we had no idea what we wanted at the start. If we had purchased a couple years ago we may have considered more of a fixer-upper, but we realized we would really just like to move in and get settled right away. Especially in this buyers market and a state with a cheaper cost of living! But by the time we found this home we had realized what specific things we were looking for - and what we were not looking for.

We looked at several different styles of houses, but we absolutely love our final choice. The only complaint is the lack of a basement. I suppose if that becomes a problem, then it's time to pare down the "stuff"! As for practical storage, we will hopefully add some custom shelving in the future. (Any organization tips are more than welcomed!) This is a new construction, so we are starting from scratch. But for the time being it's more than enough space for us.

We think the front of the house looks like an owl.

















C'mon, you know you know it does. Hoo hoo....
































Some views of our front yard. This really is the country! Especially for this city girl!










































Love, love, love the neighborhood! It's funny, our Realtor actually lives just around the block! We had no idea where she lived until we asked to see this house! I don't know if this will be a good thing or a bad thing, but all in all, she is pretty nice lady!

Also, there is this bluegrass-singing family in our neighborhood - The Vaughns! Check out their tunes on their website! I can't wait to hear them live!
































The foyer and dining room. None of the furniture in this house belongs to us. The contractor staged it with his MIL's stuff. It's going to take some time for us to nicely furnish and decorate this place after living in a simple 2-bedroom apartment for almost 3 years! But we are looking forward to the process...slowly but surely.

At first I wanted to paint right away, but I think now we will wait until we purchase big furniture items like a nicer couch and dining table, to figure out our color palate.

So, I'll be on Craigslist if you need me. :)

















I would like to get a cute bistro table like this one, or perhaps an island with a couple stools. This corner off the kitchen needs something.

















Voila, our galley kitchen! We have ordered black appliances, which are being installed as I type! We thought about stainless steel (or even the stainless "look") but didn't want to have to deal with dents and finger prints. And there are flecks of black in our counter top, so it was just the best choice. Plus, our contractor only gave us $2500 for appliances, and we had none but a microwave, so it saved us from having to spend too much out of our own pocket.





































This is the laundry room, and in the distance you can see the utility room. Additional shelving would be nice here eventually.

















And the living room. I'm definitely not a fan of the furniture choices or placement here. I would like to get a nice couch to divide the room horizontally so there's not as much dead space. At first I thought, we must cover the living room with carpet (it's all I know), but after many comments and opinions of others, I have softened to the prospect of using area rugs. I will need a fairly large area rug to satisfy my preference for coziness, but I'm gaining confidence that this living room will turn out lovely one day.
































I wish I could keep that desk!
































And, of course, the master bedroom. We are ok with the carpet, although we wish we could have picked it out ourselves as we did the appliances. We'll work with it. Owning a matching bedroom suite like this would be so nice, but it's definitely not in our budget!


























































One of two closets in the master, but this one is a walk-in. Definitely could use more shelving here! How in the world am I going to organize shoes and belts until then??

















Master bath with jacuzzi tub. It doesn't have heated jets though.
































Bedrooms 2 and 3.










































Hallway with Jeromy and the inspector. Just outside full bathroom #2.

















Not huge, but it's got everything you'll need! :)




















































A couple views outside the master bedroom window. One of our neighbors has horses!!
































See???

















Backside of the house. The contractor has since built a white railing around the entire porch, which looks beautiful!

















Backyard.

















0.5 acres front and back combined. And it's a FLAT LOT. In West Virginia. That is nearly impossible! We looked at a lot of places with 1-2 acres, but most of the land was a steep grade so we are grateful for this!

However, I will miss living 2 blocks from the nearest (non-convenience) store! Try 15-20 minutes!




I will post updates as we personalize our home. I'm hoping we'll still get a garden going this Spring. There's certainly enough space for one! We're excited to be home owners, even with the maintenance that comes along with it. We can't wait to have people over, so if we know you are you're in the area, let us know! We promise you won't have to sleep on the hard wood floor!