10 House Goals for the New Year

I have been a little out of the loop, but I want to start the year off with a new outlook and get back to doing the thing I love doing...blogging.
It helps me get my creative juices flowing, makes me accountable for goals that I set myself, and allows me to share a piece of myself with others.
This past year was so busy and packed full of exciting moments that I just didn't get a chance to share with everyone. Landry is definitely one of the best things that has ever happened to me. While it can be very exhausting at times, it is the best job I have. Nothing beats that smiling face! Since we have more of a schedule down now, I am thinking I will have a little extra time. Plus, my husband got me a wireless keyboard for my iPad for Christmas, so I can now enjoy blogging when we are out and about.
Obviously, my favorite thing to blog about is our journey in making our house a home. That's why I think it is so fun to make this list.

Since we got a little off track last year, I am going to add in some of the goals that I didn't accomplish.
Here it goes...
{one}
Repurpose the living room- more on that later!
{two}
Get new bedding for the guest bedroom
{three}
Paint the cabinets in the den
{four}
Get one new rug for anywhere in the house
{five}
Get two new lamps for the guest bedroom
{six}
Make a place for Landry's toys in the den
{seven}
Paint the doors inside the garage- and possibly new hardware
{eight}
Have rocking chair reupholstered
{nine}
Paint one of three things {the coffee table, the breakfast table, or the desk}
{ten}
Plant something in the front flowerbeds

I am hoping to cross at least five things off of that list. I would consider that to be a successful year! After all, you never know what the year may hold.
Do you set yourself goals for your house? If not, think about doing it. Write it down and post it somewhere you can see it.

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Long Time No See

It’s been so long that I don’t even know where to begin. Life is so hectic these days. After working all day, all I want to do is spend time with my sweet baby, do the necessary chores each night, and collapse. Blogging crosses my mind nearly every day, but I just can’t muster up the energy to put together a post that would make any sense at all.

Maybe over this little Thanksgiving break I can catch you up a little. I want to blog so bad, and maybe one day I will get to a point where I can do it more often. Right now though, it’s hit or miss. However, I know I’m not the only one in this stage of life. When I first started blogging and following other bloggers, we were all blogging machines. Now, we are all at the same point in our lives and so are the blogs. Funny how things happen like that!

I really do have so much to share! Ugh! I hate I’m so behind. After all, this is my way of looking back at some wonderful memories.

Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought it was only right to share what I am thankful for, especially since I didn’t participate in the daily posts that everyone on Facebook was doing.

So, here it goes!

{One}

The biggest blessing that I have had this year is becoming a mama! My sweet Landry is growing every day, and he is the best thing to wake up to in the morning and the best thing to come home to in the afternoon. He is my heart, and I had no idea how much love I could have for such a wonderful little person.

 

{Two}

My husband is my rock. He loves me unconditionally, keeps me strong, helps me make difficult decisions, and is a wonderful father to Landry. He’s definitely my other half that I couldn’t live without. He is an amazing provider and works so hard to make sure Landry and I have all that we want. For him, I am very thankful!

{Three}

I am thankful for family. Between my family and Colby’s, we have more than enough family to go around and more than enough people to love us and Landry.

{Four}

I am thankful for my job and all the craziness that comes with it. Seeing my kids learn, enjoy learning, and having fun are just a few of the blessings that come with it. Having this job also supplies us with an income and built in time off to spend with my baby. It’s more than many have and for that I am most thankful.

{Five}

A home of our own.

It’s more than I thought I would ever have by the age of 25. It’s a forever home that I look forward to making memories in, renovating to make it fit us better, and just enjoying.

And now the list will go by fast….

{Six}

Zeb. A friend. A constant barker. A protector. A fast runner. A future pal to Landry.

 

{Seven}

Sweet potato pies. Oh how I love making the sweet potato pies that was the recipe of my Paw Paw’s. It’s like we have a little bit of him with us every time we take a bite.

{Eight}

Nice neighbors. It’s nice to know you have neighbors that look out for you, your home, and are truly nice people. It’s been a nice change from before.

{Nine}

Friends. They have been so kind to us this past year as we prepared for Landry. They blessed us with an unimaginable amount of gifts that we are truly grateful for. I know our baby will have lots of people to look out for him as he grows up.

{Ten}

Wonderful nurses. I’ve been in the hospital more than I would like this year. Luckily, I have had the MOST AMAZING NURSES!!! To be specific, I’m thankful for my nurses at DWM…Jessica, Heather, Tiffany, and Kathy; I’m also thankful for my wonderful delivery nurses Jeana & Jeanette! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!

{Eleven}

A small town. I love our town and all of the lovely changes that are being made to make it a town that people will take pride in again. Support your small businesses, people! They’re what keep this town going. Attend events around town, so they will continue to be done!

{Twelve}

Changing leaves. The colors are gorgeous! God’s wonderful creation right before our eyes.

{Thirteen}

Colby’s lawn business and all of his loyal customers! We appreciate your business. It’s a great provided for our family.

{Fourteen}

Christmas movies. Ahhh….I just can’t wait for a little of the Griswalds and the Grinch. Christmas classics at their best.

{Fifteen}

My phone. It lets me capture those special moments wherever I am!

{Sixteen}

Little Einsteins =) I can now cook supper at night thanks to them!

{Seventeen}

Blogging {even though I’m struggling with that right now}. It’s my creative outlet that allows me to share things with you all and receive encouragement when I need it most. Thanks!

{Eighteen}

Laughter.

{Nineteen}

Happiness.

{Twenty}

Last but certainly not least, I am thankful for our faith. What would the holidays be if we didn’t thank the One that has provided us with all of these wonderful blessings? Be sure to thank the Lord for all he has done for you and not just turn to him when times get tough.

I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and express how thankful you are for all of the blessings in your life! I stopped at twenty because I feel sure someone is moving around in this crib, but I am blessed far beyond this list.

From our family to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Landry is 3 Months!

Noticed anything?

Yep! I’ve been MIA. Teacher, Wife, Mama, Maid, and Chef are currently my titles, and those are just the ones I’m claiming. Wearing so many hats is exhausting. Add in morning duty at school and this chick was ready to throw in the towel.

I swear I have yet to catch up at work. There’s so much to do and not enough time in the day to get it all done. Same story at home. We’re getting the swing of things though….slowly but surely.

Since I’ve blogged last, we’ve been to Auburn to visit Judd and Abby. That trip was a success. Landry was an awesome little traveler.

We also went to Art in the Park yesterday, which was a nice little family outing. Fall weather + strolling in the park + Amazing art = One happy mama! If you missed that, then you missed out! Seriously….I should have brought way more money. So many talented people in our small town! Maybe next year even more people will get involved.

For now though, I scored a great watercolor by the late Louis Garrett, which will find a home in my kitchen once framed, as well as two lovely pottery bowls by Jim Gay. I love our little small town and all of its efforts to promote all of its beauty and uniqueness.

Anyhow….Landry is now two months old. He’s definitely more awake and active and developing the sweetest little personality. He loves to be close to his mama in the afternoons, and after a long day of work I’m happy to cuddle with him. It makes preparing supper a little more difficult, but hopefully the sling I’m about to order will make things a little bit easier. He’ll be able to cuddle, and I’ll be able to get a thing or two done.

I know this post is pretty much all over the place and full of worthless information. Maybe I’ll eventually be back to normal blogging, but I’m beginning to wonder if that’s ever going to happen. Hang in there! I hope to be back one day with some house updates, crafting ideas, or decorating ideas.

Maybe…..

one day….

I Survived

This week was my first week back to work, and seeing as how I’m typing this post it appears that I have survived. The first few days wore me slap out, but by the end of the week I felt like I was getting a better handle on things. Last weekend, I had the stomach virus, and I still wasn’t feeling too hot on Monday and definitely didn’t feel good on Monday night as I had a small relapse. Luckily though,  it seems that I’m finally over it! When you pair recovering from the stomach virus and no sleep on another, it takes a toll on you.

What makes it all better though is getting a text from your husband that said he had cleaned the house! Seriously….day made! He heard my pleas and frustration of not being able to get it all done, and he took care of business without me asking him to do it! Best husband ever!

I really can’t believe that I’ve only posted five times {now six} this entire month! Can you believe we are just days away from October?!?! Life has just been so busy, and when it wasn’t I was enjoying every minute I could at home with my baby.

Now that it is fall, I have so many projects I want to complete, but I’m just wondering if I’m going to be able to find time to do them.

I’ve been wanting to make these ghosts to go on the porch…

and these door hangers for my front doors for the fall season….

or these for the Halloween season….

 

and make my dining room table look totally awesome….

and my mantle needs a little fall makeover….

but I’m just not sure if all of these projects are going to get priority this year.

However, the husband is working on a project for me right now. Yay for that!

Maybe I’ll be back soon to share it with you. Here’s a hint….

This is my inspiration photo.

Life as We Know It

To most people, our days around here would be boring, but to me these days I’ve had with Landry have been perfect. We don’t do that much. We sleep and eat and sleep some more. At some point late into the morning I find the energy and opportunity to shower and make myself look somewhat decent. Then, it’s time to eat and sleep some more or bounce or swing while I try to accomplish something to make me feel productive that day. We cuddle. I talk to him while he stares, makes faces, and occasionally smiles. It’s these moments that I’m soaking in.

We don’t go anywhere, unless it is to the bank or the doctor. We like staying at home. It’s just so much work to get packed to go someplace. I wouldn’t have it any other way though.

Usually, a grandparent or two will drop in to see us. I say us….really I mean him. We all know they come to see the grandbaby.

We love greeting Daddy in the evenings and spending time with him. It’s our family time. We take advantage of whatever we get since Daddy’s work schedule keeps him away from us more than any of us would like. We’re grateful for work though.

The weekends that we have with Daddy are special, too. This summer I was fat and pregnant, and Colby was working constantly {including holidays and weekends}. That meant we didn’t go anywhere or do anything….literally. We stayed home almost the entire summer.

Needless to say, we have enjoyed my time off. It’s been long awaited and has been great for building our relationship and learning what it is to be a family now. It’s meant spending lots of time with baby and way more time with Daddy. We’ve ventured out twice alone as a family of three, and we’re attempting a bigger trip this weekend to see the BIL and SIL. It’s our last hurrah before I go back to work and adjust to a new normal that will consist of less time with baby and Daddy. Major bummer!

Next week, I will be preparing myself for coming back to work, getting things organized to hopefully have a smoother start back to work, going to doctor appointments, and going to church for the first time since little bit has been born. I know everyone thinks we’ve fallen off the face of the earth, but I’ve found it to be extremely difficult to get us up and going. With me starting work, it’s pushing us into a busier life full of early mornings where we actually have to get up and get dressed versus getting up and going back to bed. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. I would rather stay in my PJs and cuddle with my baby, but that’s not how life goes {at least not for us}.

Since Landry, our life has changed in a big way. It’s been a big change, but a better change. We’re still struggling to adjust, and it’s going to be another big adjustment next week. We’re still trying to figure out how to juggle everything that has to be done here, spend time together as a couple, and try to keep those around us happy as well. We’re not there yet, but we will be. Be patient with us. We’re still learning, too.

Pray for me. I’ve got to come out of my hole {aka my house} and leave my baby. It’s not going to be easy, but with your prayers I’ll make it through just like every other working mama out there.

Five on Friday

{one}

I went to my first consignment sale yesterday, and it was awesome. My little guy scored some adorable cool weather outfits, smocked and appliqued outfits, books, bibs, shoes, and a fire truck embroidered hat. I’ve been so stupid to buy so much stuff brand new. I’ve learned my lesson though, and I’ll be buying a lot of stuff through consignment from now on.

P.S. Cute boy stuff is so hard to find. Of course, I’m pretty picky as to what he’ll wear, too.

{two}

Looking for some football craft inspiration? I found a great post this week that had lots of cute ideas at Ten June. She even found some cute printables for your favorite team that can be used for tailgating or a football party. Oh, how I love that!

{three}

Loved & Lovely came up with a great idea to have an Instagram Party. Seeing as how I love seeing other people’s homes, I’m thinking I’m going to participate, too. All you have to do is take these pictures on the following dates, post them to instagram, and use the hashtag #lovedandlovelyparty.

September 9th: Living Room

September 10th: Kitchen

September 11th: Master Bedroom

September 12th: Dining Room

September 13th: Kids Room/ Game Room/ Bathroom/ Guest Room/ Other

And it doesn’t matter how finished or unfinished the room is! Give it a try! I’d love to see your homes! If you want to follow me on Instagram, find me at brennab52.

{four}

We had a great one month appointment yesterday. Landry gained a whole pound in two weeks! My boy is getting so big! His heel stick from his last appointment came back clear, so I have a healthy, growing baby boy!

{five}

I’m two weeks away from going back to work. Yesterday was my first time leaving him for several hours, and I did fine. I’m hoping me going back to work and leaving him will go just as good. Cross your fingers!