March '12 - so far

We were blessed with the help of my mother, who took time off to come help us with the kids while we moved in and got things settled. It was a busy couple days but our place looks more like a home instead of a box landfill.

We've been getting to know our new town, checking in to a local church last Sunday, dining at a couple local eateries, and enjoying the ridiculously nice weather we're having!

Too grown

Can you tell how she feels about hats?

My family

Here is a sneak peek of our new home now that things are a bit settled:

Living room into the dining room

Dining room

Dining room looking at the kitchen

Kitchen

Playroom / Sunroom

And here is little Ham at 1 month:

Baby wearing dad

Faux-hawk

February '12

Tristan had been in talks with a couple of different golf course superintendents regarding assistant positions for a few weeks and we were just in limbo to hear back from the courses. Each one represented a different adventure. There was just so much up in the air: When is the baby going to arrive, which course is going to offer him a job, how soon will be have to move?

After what seemed like forever, the right offer came our way, from Prestwick CC in IL. Two days later, our little Ham joined us on the 9th. All the worrying and questions were finally answered, though many more surfaced. I was in a kind of planner's heaven though, because now I could get down to the details of things, like where to move, when we were going, booking movers and shipping pods, changing addresses, and all that fun (!) stuff.

After Ham was born, we took a couple days to relax at home and just celebrate and recover as a new family of four. Bird loved on her little brother and we loved on the both of them.

The following Thursday we headed on a home hunting trip to IL, complete with our 2 year old and 1 week old. Some may think we're crazy, spending 2 nights in hotel room with these kids so soon after welcoming an addition to the family. All I say to that is, the clock was ticking and we had to find a home sooner than later. We spent a day checking out places we'd found online, through referrals, and using a realtor. Lucky for us, the weather was great and the kids did amazing with all the in and out of the car and being off schedule. We ended up finding a great place, in a pretty cute location and got all the paperwork taken care of all in 2 days.

We came back, and with the help of our great family and friends, we packed up, said our goodbyes and moved to Joliet, IL on March 1st! I was and still am amazed at the outpouring of help from everyone, from meals, to lending a hand with the packing to just stopping by to hold little Ham for a couple hours. We were surrounded by the most amazing people who care for us.

Pre-labor

Ham - 2/9/2012 | 8 lbs. 11 oz. | 21 in. | 12:52 pm 

One-eyed glance | Standard

So in love

"Eye!"

Sister & Brother

Knocked out at the hotel

Father & Son

Uncle time

Where I've been

Here's the deal: at the end of my pregnancy, I was no fun to be around, including on the internet. So I saved everyone the trouble of having to listen to my laments via written word and just hunkered down and waited for the funk to pass and our little boy to get here.

Well, the funk has passed indeed and our little boy is finally here. Albeit, I'm writing about this after he's an entire month old. Don't fret, I shall be recapping the best parts of the time that I wasn't around, including some fun right before our little Ham was born, his birth, and our recent move (!) and new home.

To tide you over, here is a lovely shot of him sleeping this morning, allowing me to write this short post!

Happy renters!

As of last Friday, we are no longer homeowners!

There were so many little setbacks that popped up along the way, especially these last two weeks. From last minute upgrades to the house to the buyer going to the wrong office to sign the closing documents, we ran right up to the last hour. In the end all the papers got signed and everyone could breathe a sigh of relief.

The best part of the whole closing was after everyone left the real estate office. We were sitting in the car and the new owner and her man were walking out of the office. She looked so happy and then she broke out into a dance + started jumping up and down! She had no idea we were watching. To see the sheer joy that we helped bring her, that moment was worth it all. We couldn't be more grateful that the house has moved on to make someone else happy for a season of their life.

We are still getting settled in our new place, the last of the boxes + bins should be emptied this week. I'm looking forward to making this place our home. I'll be sure to share some photos as soon as things settle down a bit.

Happy Monday from your happy renters!

Secret bonus of moving

In 2 minutes I was able to lower our car insurance by over $150, just by updating our address with our insurers! This move just keeps getting better!

Happy weekend everyone!

p.s. cross your fingers that our closing goes well today, updates on Monday!

Get to know your neighbors

Even though last week was busy with packing, work, moving, seeing friends and more, I took a little time out for myself to find a little something for our new place. I had been eying a couple pieces from everyeskimo for a bit and finally bit the bullet and clicked "checkout."

Lucky for me, everyeskimo is local to me, so not only did I get to save on shipping (cost cutter!) but I got to meet the lovely Regina behind the great finds and cute little stitched friends. She was just as adorable as I expected and her home (the little bit that I saw) is an aesthetic extension of what you see in her shop, amazing. She seems like the kind of lady I could be friends with! Ah, Etsy, bringing people together!

I adore the packaging!

a kind note

And what did I pick up you ask?

for my jewels

for my office space

I am finally getting around to getting these pieces out as everything is finding its new place in the new space.

Moving break #6

Last week was super busy with moving! Check me on Wednesday, when I'll no longer be a homeowner and I'll have some news in store for you!

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In the photo Friday 

Check the rest here...

Happy weekend! Moving edition

I am sore.
My ankles hurt.
I have climbed so many stairs in the last 24 hours.
Half the boxes are in piles and the other half are still full of "stuff."
I am paralyzed by the sheer amount of things to put away.

On the upside:
The internet works!
Right now it is quiet cause Bird is still sleeping.
I wish I was sleeping but the overwhelming want to get organized has taken over.
I'm pretty sure my day will involve a trip to Target at least once.

Happy weekend!

***

As a treat, get free shipping (everywhere!) in the shop with code  

HAPPYWEEKEND 

enjoy!

Moving break #5

This week is super busy with moving so for the next week or so I'll leave you with little reminiscences of the beginnings in this house and the times we had. 

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Ultimate simple life move

T and I have been discussing our "life plan" lately. You know the "where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?" type conversation. We came to a realization that in order for our plans to come to fruition a few changes would have to be made, including one big change.

Read more here... 

Moving break #4

This week is super busy with moving so for the next week or so I'll leave you with little reminiscences of the beginnings in this house and the times we had. 

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Nursery Pics

  

Check out the rest here...

Moving break #2

This week is super busy with moving so for the next week or so I'll leave you with little reminiscences of the beginnings in this house and the times we had. 

***

Customer Service Error


One of the best parts about a new house is getting all new things for it. Like appliances, toilet paper holders, blinds...ya know, the basics.

Well we decided it was time to scrap our "white" Ikea loveseat in lieu of a new living room set. So we moseyed on down to good 'ole Art Van and found a nice set that we thought would look great in our house. Simple, classic, not too fancy...

"When can we have it delivered?"
"Tuesday between 10 and 1." (which by the way is an estimate, not a guarantee...and also its an estimate of arrival time, not total delivery time...)

So, it arrives and is set up, the chairs that is...and we wait about two days to set up the tables cause we've been busy...





Read the rest here...

Moving break #1

This week is going to be super busy with moving, working, moving, rehearsal for Easter service, moving, cleaning, selling off the last of our unneeded wares, and oh, did I mention moving?!?!

We hit the bricks this Friday and will (fingers crossed) close next Wednesday, my birthday! Can you say best present (for me at this time) ever.

For the next week or so I'll leave you with little reminiscences of the beginnings in this house and the times we had.

***

The Beginning

We did it...we finally did it...T and I are married!

Its been almost two weeks of wedded...fun. I wouldn't say bliss because that's corny and strange but it feels different. I'm excited to be Mrs. W., it feels so official!

We went on our honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas, slept, ate, and laid in the sun a lot, and generally enjoyed getting to know each other as husband and wife.

The past week has been spent moving into our new house! Its such a dream that we now have our own house, a home, where we can do what we want with no one to answer to but ourselves. I hope that in the future it becomes a place for family and friends to congregate and feel at home as well.

I'll have pictures up soon enough, but until then...

Brrr!

Biz cards, G-sales, & Prayers

*Things are really ramping up around here in regards to moving. T and I cleaned out and set aside a TON tonight for our garage sale that starts tomorrow! We have a move date planned (2 weeks from tomorrow) and our list of things to do is getting smaller as the hours countdown to us not being homeowners (see #4). It really feels good to pare down our belongings again and let things go to people who can really use them.

*I was so excited about their arrival when they got here that I forgot to show off my new business cards! I ordered from UPrinting.com and their site was super easy to work with and the quality was just what I wanted. They are little 2"x2", glossy, double sided cuties that I'm amped to share.

*Speaking of amped to share, I have more big news...I received my first wholesale order for a Goose + Trisser product. This spring you'll be seeing my signature Yes, Michigan State Love hoop here. That means two things 1) I better get busy and 2) We're taking a trip to the Island this spring!

*Please pray that we get through the next couple weeks with work, packing, work, moving, work, taking care of Bird, play time, saying bye to good friends, recovering from last week and much more.
 

There was some good news

Last week amid our sad update, we did get some good news! Our mortgage holder (finally!) got it's stuff together and it looks like we are moving in less than a month! We are looking to close by April 15th and despite all the waiting up until now, things have really ramped up around here.

We have our inspection tomorrow, so we're planning a little family dinner date to pass the time (aka be out of the house) and continue planning. There are 4 weeks and a LONG list of to-do's (my favorite!)...oh not to mention Bird, the busy boss, to take care of and my work here + here. Can you say busy! Where's the nanny and my clone when you need them?

First big thing on the agenda? Weather permitting, we'll be having a garage sale this weekend. We got in the mood this past weekend with a couple Craigslist sales and are ready for more! I'm giddy at the idea of our stuff finding new homes and for others to make memories with things that no longer have a place in our lives.

Happy Monday!