Saturday, November 29, 2014

House Update

The house is coming along. We don't have internet at my father-in-law's, and taking Madeline to Starbucks to blog isn't exactly easy or fun so I may just stay behind for a while!
 
Anyway, the house is about halfway bricked, and the inside is ready for trim work and what I think is the fun stuff! My most stressful decision this week is paint! How do you choose between 6 million shades of gray? I think I found the right one though and will be testing it out Monday. So this week they'll start painting and trim and tile I think? I haven't quite figured out what's supposed to happen when. The cabinet guy is supposed to be getting started too...we decided on the style and finish so we're just waiting on him to give us a drawing, I think. I am SO excited about the kitchen! I think it'll be my favorite room in the house.
 
 
The latest pictures...
 
Here's the tile I picked for the bathrooms...it's a tough decision. I really thought I wanted gray and white everywhere but changed my mind. I think I am going to like this a lot...I hope. I want our house to feel warm and inviting so I changed some things I thought I really wanted when we first started.
The tile on the top of the pile in this picture is what will be through the main part of the house. It's porcelain tile and is supposed to really look like wood but hold up to the Florida weather. I hope it looks good...
 
The below picture is the living room. I can't wait to see it all done!



The kitchen and dining room. The semi-open kitchen was a big compromise for me with Terry, but I think I am going to like it when it's all done. 
 
Then it's Madeline's room with a bump out for her window seat (yay!), her bathroom, the guest room, and the office. The ceiling in the office is coffered and I picked a funky light to go in there. I'm pretty excited about it!


 
Then, Terry walking around in our closet, our bathroom, our shower with Terry's favorite thing - the rain head from the ceiling, and our room. 

And, just because she's so cute, Madeline! Somebody PLEASE tell her to STOP growing! I can't handle it! 
 
Hopefully, the brick will be done this week. Our builder says we'll be in the house in December but I don't see how. I am hoping he's right though!!!


Overwhelmed

We officially celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday at my parents house. Terry and I had to work Wednesday so we just drove down Thursday and decided it would be better to just cook and eat tomorrow. Some of my cousins and their kids were here along with my favorite aunt and uncle. Is that wrong to have a favorite? Well, I do. haha

I am so thankful that we can be with our families on holidays. I am so glad we're home!
 
Life isn't perfect. Living with my father-in-law has some challenges, mostly consisting of what to do with 3 people's laundry in one room! He is so gracious to let us invade his home! Anyway, there were a few times since we've moved that I've felt completely overwhelmed. Once was when I was waiting on a call for a job, once was a Sunday and the reality that we had actually moved set in, and then there were a couple of times here and there in between those times. Every time I would get in my car, the song "Overwhelmed" would be on. There's this part in it,
 
I know the power of Your Cross
Forgiven and free forever You’ll be my God

All that You’ve done is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You
 
I lost it every single time I heard it. Partly from conviction because I knew I was worrying and wasn't delighting in Him, but also because I am overwhelmed when I think about God's goodness.
 
This Thanksgiving, I am truly overwhelmed. I could make a list that goes on for days but the highlights are:
 
1. My relationship with Christ...He continues to show me grace when I don't deserve it. I have set a goal to really try to delight myself in the Lord, and stop letting the trials of this life get to me.
 
2. My Dad. He's here and healing beautifully...if I really think about the what if's and the statistics I know to be true about the complications he had after his surgery, it is terrifying. God saw him through that, and truly worked miracles in my dad's life. How do you say thank you for that?
 
3. Our move to Florida. We miss our friends terribly, but we are loving spending holidays and weekends with our families.
 
4. My job...I can't even express how much I LOVE my job. It is such a positive place to work, I'm on days, and pretty much have every weekend off.

5. My sweet little family. We just stick together, us three. I'm so thankful to be a wife and a mom.

Of course, there are a plethora of other blessings. Our families, friends, the list goes on and on.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Hives

Well, we haven't been here even a month, and already made a trip to urgent care. I had to go into work yesterday for a few things and when I picked Madeline up her ankle was swollen. I didn't think too much of it, but then the top of her other foot started swelling. I went to the store to get her some benadryl and by the time I got back her knees and elbows were swollen and she had what looked like bite marks everywhere. I got scared because it was moving up her body, and she wouldn't walk her ankles were so puffy.  I worried about her breathing if it was an allergic reaction to something that bit her so we loaded up and went to urgent care. 

The dr said it was a combo of hives and angioedema or basically swelling on the inside and outside. Thankfully, she her throat and mouth never got swollen. So she got a hefty dose of benadryl, and will be on another allergy medication for 2 weeks. THe dr said there's no way to know what caused it - could be anything from a virus to a bug bite. Madeline cried off and on in her sleep - I am guessing from discomfort. The swelling is a little better but the hives look worse today. She does act like she feels better today though, and she is walking again. My poor girl! 


Go figure she wanted to hold Roger the cat when we got home! 




Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch a couple of weekends ago. It was at a local peanut farm, and they actually grow the pumpkins there too. You pick your pumpkin off the vine! It was SO fun!!! 

Gone are the days of me dressing her up all cute...she refused to wear her pumpkin outfit. I  have to admit I found her  toddler glam look cute though! haha 













We LOVE fall!!! 

Monday, October 27, 2014

MCM

I am really missing my Twayne today. Poor guy is in the apartment with everything gone except his air mattress and a TV. We are so ready to be together again!
 
I have been going through some old pictures at my parent's house and laughing hysterically. Terry and I have been together HALF my life and it's so fun to see how much we've changed!
 
He used to leave me notes and surprises on my car before school when I was in high school! haha It says, "Melissa sure does get in a lot of wrecks", and I am saying "Man, he's good looking."  No wonder I married him! And yes, I had a small stint in life from about age 17-19 where I did get in a lot of wrecks!
 
Twayne - long time supporter of Hobby Lobby! And  he was ALWAYS hurt when we were dating, usually from basketball.
 
 
Prom 2001

We had our pictures made at Walmart for our one year anniversary! hahaha

Lookin' so handsome at our wedding!

And this was last week. I miss my love!!!

 


Thursday, October 23, 2014

House

We have windows! Well, sorta. One is on backorder, and a miscommunication ended up with one not getting put in. Hopefully, they'll be done with them this week so they can start the brick. I didn't really understand why people said building was stressful until this past week. Just a few minor things, but I have learned the hard way that I have to be crystal clear when communicating with our builder.
 
Anyway, here's the latest and some inside shots!
 

The window on backorder...

Living room tray ceiling

The bar looking into the kitchen

Looking into the kitchen and dining room from the living room

Our bedroom and stairs to the bonus room

Madeline's bathroom....with the wrong tub. It's supposed to be all tile above the tub so that's coming out. Just one of the few mishaps last week.

Looking into the master bathroom

 

And the biggest decision we had to make this week was the hood over the stove. It seems like ALL the houses here put the microwave over the stove. It's not that it's bad but I had my heart set on something like this. So anyway, our builder is gonna try to make it happen within our budget. And I think I have chosen the cabinet color...about 98% sure. I am ready for the fun stuff not deciding on electrical and cable outlets.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Need To Know...

I plan to get caught up on blogging...I really do! But just a quick post to update!
 
*We're at my parents for a week or so right now. I wanted to check on my dad and help out my mom. We took my dad to his follow up appointment today. He got a great report!

Turtle face in the drs office

 *I'm officially "in" my 30's not just 30! We celebrated with lunch at The Cheesecake Factory after Dad's appointment. It was delicious!



*Rain boots went on sale at Nordstrom...you know we HAD to get some for Madeline. So cute! She wears them everywhere, rain or shine, with every outfit.



*Finally, I got a job!!! It's the same one I interviewed for last week. It's a little bit of a drive but the hospital is SO nice, and it's a dream position. I am so excited to be working DAY shift. I'll be working 3 days a week and the unit is closed on Sundays so I am pumped about that!


 

 
 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Thursday

Last Thursday I had an interview that didn't go so hot...it was for part time nights but obviously they didn't tell me that until I was already there. Terry's cousin kept Madeline for me and after I picked her up, we headed to the beach! 





We had so much fun even though the yellow flag was out and I was a little scared for Madeline. She obviously didn't care, but rip tides scare me even in shallow water. We've been trying to stay busy, but still aren't quite settled...I brought too much stuff with us and I am trying to figure out what to do with all of it still. I had another job interview Monday and they asked me back for a second interview that I did yesterday so hopefully it went well. They're supposed to make a decision by the end of next week. The position is pretty dreamy, but it is a long drive. I do think the commute would be worth it though.

We are loving Florida so far but we do miss our friends! 

House


Here is the transformation of the house over the last week. I've been so impressed with how much they've done since I got here but our builder assured me yesterday that the "visible" progress is about to really slow down. I got a little sad when he told me the house more than likely won't be done by December but I kinda already knew that. 




Madeline and I were fascinated by the crane...ok so maybe Madeline was asleep in the car and I was fascinated. 


Stairs to the bonus room over the garage. 

This was Monday...the windows came in and should be in by today. 

This is the roof color...it's like a grayish-tannish mix. I had a hard time with this for some reason. Roofs seem to stain here for some reason so I knew I didn't want a really light color but I knew I didn't want black either. There are SO many choices for every little thing.  I picked out some brick that I like, and the rep is supposed to put it all together with the trim and stucco so we can make a final decision on that this week. It's getting there...slowly but surely! 

Monday, October 6, 2014

This One's For the Girls

Yesterday was our last church service together as a family. We'll probably never find another church like Veribest. Our first Sunday was January 28th - Madeline was exactly one month old. The people there have become our family in San Angelo, I could never tell them how much they each mean to us. So I just cried my way through hugging their necks yesterday and squeaking out that I loved them. And I do. I really do.
 
I've made a group of girlfriends at church that just planted themselves in my heart. The best group of friends a girl could want. I can't get too much into without having a full blown break down. I'll just say that they've held me up in prayer during what I would say has been the most challenging years of my life. They've hugged my neck, loved on my baby, and encouraged me more than they'll probably ever know.
 
Kaci ~ I thank the Lord for bringing you into my life. From helping me with math (haha) and hanging out watching the finale of The Office to getting to watch you become a mom, it's been amazing to be your friend the past four years. I couldn't be happier to see you with your sweet boys. I love you!
 

 
Eve ~ I will miss your cute sense of style, and how you're ALWAYS on my side when I get a new bag! You've been so good to me, and encouraged me through my journey to hopefully having baby # 2. I love your spirit, and your sweet kids. Easton will always have a special place in my heart - our sweet babies. I hope they'll always be friends!
 


 
 
Shyanne ~ Where do I start? You're my most faithful blog commenter -haha! You have been such a blessing to me from hosting cute parties for our kids, letting me borrow your party stuff, talking name brands and world poverty at the same time - I just think you get my heart. You exude warmth and the extent to which you care about others, particularly children is palpable. I will miss you so much. I just love you and your sweet family, and of course, Madeline is Maggie's biggest fan. She has loved Maggie since she was born!
 



 
 
Brianne ~ If I wasn't sure we'd be friends forever before, the bunny safari sealed the deal. You have the best heart, and I am so thankful for you. I adore your sweet family, and so does my sweet girl. You've been such an example to me, and I hope you know how much you mean to me. Your prayer over me yesterday still brings tears to my eyes. I'm so grateful God put you in my life. I love you!
 

 
Thank you, girls for making life so sweet in San Angelo. I will miss you...you better come see me! :)