House Reveal

Hello, friends. Long time, no chat. I'm writing from my lovely new home that is completely unpacked aside from two large boxes. The military taught me to move in quick and make my space home because we never knew how long we would be there. As I lovingly put together the house this time, I did so feeling as if we were finally home and I just wanted to get everything together so I could enjoy it. Seven moves in over the course of our (almost) four year marriage took its toll on us, but I can honestly say that we are doing well. It's great to have a space of our own now. It's more than that, though. It's a beautiful home that we surely don't deserve, but one that we are thanking God for every day we wake up in it. I want to stay here for years and years (and years). Here's a peek around. Honestly, this house is too big for us. We don't have a lot of furniture to fill it yet so it's all a work in progress. Won't you come in?

We'll start with some empty rooms:

These two rooms connect just off the entry hallway. The formal room is bare and nothing but our table is in the dining area, but that's okay...we'll get there.
Anyway...this way to the bedrooms!

The other bathrooms are new and completely re-done, but this one has the charm of an old home and I happen to think it's perfect as a jack-and-jill bathroom for the boys...

There's a sun room that will surely be an oasis for me when I fill it with comfy chairs. I imagine this is where I'll do my morning bible study.

It connects to the den and kitchen, both of which I love.

I grew tired of snapping photos and loading them, but there's a whole downstairs to this house, too that has a playroom (that I totally plan on making an exercise room in the future), a man cave area with kitchenette, a guest suite, and a closet especially for all my Christmas things! I'm a big fan.
So that's where I've been--setting up and enjoying this lovely home. I hope to catch up with all of you soon.

Love,

P.S. Step out of your readers and come see the new look of Mrs. K and Captain J, too. Freeborboleta Designs spruced it up! I love it.

High Five For Friday!

There's a crisp autumn wind floating round the leaves and there's an excitement in the air and in my heart because this, my friends, marks four days until we have keys in hand for our new house. If that's not a reason for High Five For Friday then I just don't know what is.

1/ I took a walk -just me and my headphones- and collected leaves I thought were pretty. 2/ I finally convinced my husband that he has little gray hairs sprouting up over his head. I also told him he should embrace it. Gray hair is sexy! 3/ I ran sorta fast on one of my runs. (Hey, it's fast for me) 4/ I finally got to meet the sweetest little newborn around. My best friend had a baby! 5/ I started and finished Silver Linings Playbook. That book was right up my alley. I enjoyed it very much!

I hope you also had a great week. What were some of your highlights?

Link up here.

P.S. Please ignore the coding issues on my blog for a bit. I've got someone working on a new look for Mrs. K and Captain J. I'm excited!

10 Months

Dear Baby A,

I went to get out the ten month sticker from the small brown envelope that has housed all twelve since they arrived in my mailbox last November and I was alarmed by how few are left. Are you really almost a whole year old? My small mind can't fathom it, after all it was just yesterday that you came crying into my world, laying on my squishy new mom tummy, and my heart opened up even wider than I thought possible. You, my son, are so so sweet and I have cherished this time that you have been mine, wanting only me most days. I can see the change creeping in, though. You're mobile now. You crawl around the house chasing after your older brother and holding your own in toy scuffles. You pull yourself up to your feet and I know it's just a matter of time before you are walking, then running, then graduating college. I can't bear to think about you leaving me right now. My mama heart is still very much in protective mode, perhaps it always will be, but I don't want to think of you anywhere but by my side. I love you so much. Happy 10 Month birthday, Little Man. You are so dearly loved.

Love,
Mama

Fall Fun

12 days (knock on wood) is what separates us from living as a family of four again. Our time in my childhood home is winding down and I'm looking forward to settling in a new town, finding a church home there, and making a life for ourselves. With each move we've made, there's been a sense of a fresh start. It's true for this one, too. I've been contemplating going back to work or going back to school. In general, life is looking up! We've had some struggles over the past few months but it must have been the stress of moving again. So many homes the Captain and I have shared together float through my mind and I can hardly keep them straight. We are happy to finally have a house of our own in a town close to "home" that we will be staying in with no plans of moving. We've never had a permanent place. The feeling is exciting. I hope we don't get anxious. We are very much a military family at heart, after all.

Enjoying fall has been a top priority around here lately. We also haven't had a true fall in a long, long time. Living in Louisiana prior to Florida didn't exactly provide for changing leaves and cool evenings. It was just hot all the time. 

A trip to the pumpkin patch was in order-

Some hiking around Frozen Head State Park-

and K even caught his first fish-

We're makin' memories and trying to enjoy the present. 

How have you and yours celebrated fall?

My purpose is in them.

Photo by Becky at Archives Photography

There's truly nothing more precious than a sweet baby smile, an excited giggle, or the gentle clap of tiny little hands. It was this that brought me out of the fog that I've been stuck in the last few days. I was in deep. If I had stretched out my arm, I wouldn't have seen my hand. Perhaps the outline would have been there, but it would've been unrecognizable. My heart was hurting in a way that felt so hopeless. It's incredibly painful when you realize you're not being a good wife, mother, or friend. It hurts to think that there's no purpose in you. And by you, of course, I mean me.

"To every broken heart, he stands with open arms. You are wanted." - Dara Maclean

But these babes, they need me. They want me around and I know I can be better for them. It's my goal every day. My purpose is in them.

When I'm feeling sad, I need only to run to my children who light up my world and clear up the fog that tries to engulf me with a simple smile. When K excitedly runs up with his latest, favorite train in his hands and tackles me for a hug...when A decides he'll let me snuggle with him for longer than thirty seconds-- these are my favorite times. Treasured moments. I want to hold on to them forever.

Beauty and the Beast

My mother-in-law got me a ticket to go with her to see a Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast at the Tennessee Theatre earlier this week. I haven't been to a play or musical in ages and I had forgotten how much fun they can be. This is one of my very favorite Disney movies so I enjoyed singing (silently in my head, of course) along and remembering all the songs. It was also a nice break from the kiddos. I got to wear heels and feel like a person!

Jeans: Forever 21, Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft (thrifted), Shirt: White House Black Market (thrifted)

I wouldn't be a proper blogger without an #ootd selfie, now would I?

Anyway, the show was amazing...and long. I loved it, though. It was magical!

Photo found via Lehigh Valley

And the detail in the costumes made me pumped about Halloween! I've been in a bit of a funk since we aren't settled yet. I always decorate for Halloween. I enjoy planning our costumes and making them. My sewing machine is packed away, though and I've just been a bit of a Halloween scrooge because of it all. I was inspired by their clothing, though and the next day I went to work planning our own family costumes for this year. I'm getting excited. Hopefully I can throw something together!

Do you like musicals?