Pages

Monday, November 26, 2012

Black Friday.

Unlike last year, I didn’t participate in the rush to begin Black Friday craziness. We did make a purchase, but we didn’t venture out of the house until later in the afternoon when the lines were gone. Honestly, I didn’t feel like there were any deals good enough to fight the crowds.

The little one picked our a new washer & dryer for her cloth diapers. {I know, she looks like her daddy so much in this picture.}

photo-35

Our current set is our second pair of hand-me-downs from our parents. Both sets are old, not efficient, and one died and the other is on its last leg. Finally time to bite the bullet and invest in a new pair.

We bought this Samsung washer from Lowes.

Samsung 4 cu ft Top-Load Washer (White) ENERGY STAR

And this dryer for a little over a grand total. We debated on spending about $250 more for a front load Samsung set, but settled on this version as our final choice.

Samsung 7.2 cu ft Electric Dryer (White)

Eugene researched a lot of models, and these got very good reviews. Oh, and they’re huge! I’m looking forward to testing them out soon. :)

signature4

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Giving thanks.

As always, we had a very busy, family-filled Thanksgiving. This holiday is Eugene & my favorite holiday, and this year, we had so much to give thanks for {mainly, this little turkey}…

IMG_2939b

The little one had some quality cousin time on the way to Columbus. {I love this girl.}

image

And she loved playing in the leaves. I promise, this photo wasn’t posed…

IMG_2921b

We ate a Thanksgiving lunch with my mom’s side of the family. I made baked brie with cranberry sauce and crescent rolls…

image

The little one was very good, playing with her little book most of the time…

image

And then she took a little nap on Grandma…

image

Next was an hour drive followed by a Thanksgiving dinner with Eugene’s mom’s family. Forty-one people all seated in one room together. This is such a special time for us. Eugene’s grandpa leads communion, reads the Bible, gives everyone the opportunity to share a prayer of gratitude, and then we enjoy dinner. It’s real Thanks-giving, in my opinion. I’m not sure if we’ll be blessed with this type of set-up next year, so I’m especially thankful that Aela’s first Thanksgiving included this tradition.

photo-32

I made my favorite cranberry, pretzel, sweet potato casserole and a new bread machine roll recipe {which I’ll share later cause it’s a keeper!} Yum!

image

The little one slept peacefully through the entire quite part of the pre-dinner traditions, and she woke up with some wild hair…

photo-33

I couldn’t help but cry just thinking about the family around the table {at both Thanksgivings} who prayed for our little one during my pregnancy and once she arrived. I am SO THANKFUL for all who covered my little family in prayers.

photo-34

She is my answered prayer, and for that I am eternally thankful.

signature4

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A roomie wedding weekend.

This weekend, I was a bridesmaid in my college roommate’s wedding in Cincinnati. Eugene & I stayed at a hotel after the rehearsal dinner, and the little one stayed at home with her Aunties. It was my first night away from her. I felt like I was missing something all night, but we both did pretty well with it.

photo-29

God blessed Melissa with an unbelievably beautiful day {especially for November in Ohio!} It was warm and sunny, and the bride was GORGEOUS. Here’s a photo dump from the weekend…

IMG_2772b

IMG_2773

IMG_2775b

IMG_2778b

IMG_2780b

IMG_2782b

IMG_2794b

Melissa definitely gets her sweet spirit from her mom…

IMG_2797

IMG_2801b

Seriously stunning…

IMG_2800c

IMG_2804b

I heart her so much!

photo-30

The happy newlyweds!

IMG_2807

This was probably one of the best bridal parties I’ve been a part of – no one complained about anything, everyone had fun, and the focus was always the bride & groom. Perfect :)

IMG_2809

IMG_2811b

She changed into blue shoes for the reception…

IMG_2812b

IMG_2816b

City skyline…

IMG_2826

The bowties were the groom’s thing. He bought all the groomsmen a different bowtie to wear to the reception…

IMG_2830

My roomie & me…we’re opposites {volleyball/soccer, tall/short, science/communication, etc} but we are wonderful friends. She’s so special to me!

IMG_2832b

The Mr. & Mrs…

photo-31

I love my family {so much.} At the reception…

IMG_2835b

The little one slept through the super loud music. She was awesome…

IMG_2844b

We even partook in the photo booth…

IMG_2870

The little one stayed in our hotel room Saturday night. She did fantastic, and loved sitting on the king-sized bed in the morning…

IMG_2856b

IMG_2859b

We had a wonderful weekend away, celebrating great friends.

signature4

Friday, November 16, 2012

Bathroom upgrade.

When we bought our foreclosed home, there was a small half bath attached to one of the bedrooms. It consisted of this plastic/cardboard, faux floral tile wall covering with lots of chunky wood accessories. The floor was the thinnest shiny faux light grey marble sticky {or not so sticky} tiles.

IMG_3993

IMG_3994

Here’s a close up of the faux tile wall coverings…

IMG_3995

I blogged a while ago when Eugene removed the wall coverings and replaced the flooring

IMG_9512

IMG_0135

He’s still working on the final pieces of trim, and we still have to paint the ceiling and finish some other little details, but our little half bath has come a long way….

IMG_3993b-horz

New pedestal sink, new toilet {with a diaper sprayer attached}, beadboard walls, clean light and bright mirror with new floor and trim.

IMG_2718

IMG_2719

IMG_2720

I made a a colorful doily pendant too – I’ll blog it later.

IMG_2721

IMG_2722

A church friend bought this cute piece of homemade art off of Etsy…

IMG_2723

I bought the light from Menards and got the mirror for $14 from Meijer, of all places.

IMG_2727

IMG_2728

IMG_2724

It’s not perfect, but it’s so much better. Cleaner, brighter, & happier. :)

signature4