Our 1960 Fixer Upper!

What? A blog post 2 days in a row? Shocking. I know. 

I figured I'd give the grand "before" tour because *hopefully* come June 1st this will all look totally different. Basically, every single room will be altered, so it's a whole big project! Let's begin! (That's not my car... I stole this picture from the listing agent!! Lol)

First you walk into the living room. Let me just start off by saying every single wall and ceiling of this house will be painted, no fear! These colors are going bye bye!! 

To the right is an archway, it will be squared off and returned to the way God intended it and prefer it! ;) Straight ahead is the hallway that leads to the 3 bedrooms and bathrooms. Not pictures and to the left is a long lovely window that looks out over our front yard! There's also a random useless closet that will be dry walled up and blown out to the other side where we'll extend bedroom 1's (Anderson's room) closet. There will be new floors throughout as well!

Next we go to the right and see a bizarre use of space. The kitchen... which they tried to open up? I'm not sure why it is this way... but it won't be for much longer! 

It's the tightest space ever. The layout itself we'll work with because it's most cost effective, but the walls must come down!! The cabinets will get a facelift, the countertops and backsplash will be replaced, hopefully we'll get new appliances (definitely a new oven), new recessed lighting, a pantry to the right (where that broom is) and my favorite... a large kitchen island! We'll get new floors and paint and flip flop the layout for our dinning room table & create a play area for the boys to the right of the pantry! 

We'll replace these French doors with ones that aren't rotting (and the ugly curtains that don't reach the floor!!). We'll also remove the gaudy molding & simplify to a cleaner more craftsmen style. The dining room table will be to the right of the doors and will have a fun statement lighting fixture over it! 

I don't have pictures of the "laundry room" currently... but believe me... that will take up a post of its own! Yikes!!!

Bedroom 1- (Anderson's Room)

There's a lot of work to be done in this small room! First we must repair the ceiling. It's rotten, but thankfully the roof is new and the ceiling had just not been repaired. Next to go is that ceiling fan! It's spray painted purple and has purple duct tape all over it... Why?! This room will be carpeted and all of the electrical will be brought up to code. Like I mentioned before, the closet will be expanded and all of the walls will get a fresh coat of paint!

Bedroom 2- (Raleigh's Room)

This room is in good shape! It just needs updated electrical, a ceiling fan, new closet doors, new paint and carpet. It's definitely the larger of the 2 bedrooms... it may eventually become "the boy's" room! 

Hallway Bathroom- (the original 1960's bathroom)

Oh yes. There will be more pictures of this to come!!! Blue tiles? Pink tub? Oh yeah- it's all going. We'll get a new toilet and tub! The ceiling needs to be repaired and we'll add a vent and light. New floors (ones that won't always look dirty!) & the lovely floral wallpaper is going away! It's basically getting gutted! Woohoo!

The Master- (Our Room!)

This room is huge! See where that wall comes out a little bit on the left there? That's where the original room ended. The previous owner knocked out the wall and expanded and made this a large master with a big walk in closet! Thank you!! This room will be carpeted (the floors aren't in the best shape and we're not sure how well they were installed!)

That's the view from the bathroom looking into the hallway. Now for our bathroom! It isn't the colors or materials I'd prefer or choose... however... it isn't the highest to change on my priority list. 

The glass shower door is coming down! I'm not sure if the previous owner was super short or was just really great a ducking.... 

All the grout will be professionally cleaned and repaired... & then we can host a party?! This thing is massive!!

We'll find mirrors I like and replace the lights... & call it a day! (For now!)

There's one more room... it needs A Lot of work... and paint... 

It's off of the "laundry room" and it looks like they let wild animals loose in it. It used to be the carport but they enclosed it and created a room of sorts. We aren't sure what we'll do with it... but once we've lived in the main area of the house I'm sure we'll have a better idea of what we "need". 

There's so much to be done, but it's exciting and I trust our contractor! We hope to start renovations on April 27th so I'll make sure to follow this journey and document it! I cannot wait to start!! 

Worst "blogger" Ever!

I basically blog for me. To keep a diary of sorts about this chapter in our lives! I also do it to update friends and family... and sometimes to share fun things with strangers! Clearly, I've slacked off in a serious way. It's been about ohhhhh 10 months since I've written and I mean what could we have possibly crammed into 10 months?! HA! Well, let me fill in the blank space.

July 2014- We had an amazing vacation with my family and Nathan's mom in NC. It was such a blessing. We hung out, read, played cards, hiked, zip lined, junked and antiqued, saw elk, played in streams and ate! And... apparently we made a baby.

August 2014- We were preparing and planning a big celebration for our little man's first birthday on August 22! The week that Raleigh turned one (Tuesday 8/19) we found out two very important pieces of information. 1.) we had to move out of our apartment by Nov. 1st 2.) I was pregnant with a BIG surprise baby #2! Oh man. As we processed all of that we celebrated with all of our friends and family Raleigh's first birthday, it was perfect! We went ahead and took the opportunity to tell our families together that we were expecting. God's timing is perfect... even though my head was still spinning!!!

September 2014- This was a blur of resume sending, praying and trying to not stress about the future. Raleigh and I managed to visit Whitney! We took the opportunity to have pictures made with our boys! (Thanks Brett Seay!!)

October 2014- This was also a blur of resume sending, deciding to step out in faith and move to Tallahassee, FL to *hopefully* get a particular job, be near my parents and live in a place that was more affordable. (WPB is pretttty expensive!) We moved the last week of October and our wonderful friends Krystal & Leo (Tia and Tio) helped us along with my parents. I was exhausted and thankful I was in the second trimester of my pregnancy! We celebrated Halloween with our little elephant in Tallahassee.

November 2014- It was a great month... minus the whole not having a real income! We had so much family time. We got to know our new city (I introduced the boys since this is my hometown!). It was football season... we spent lots of time with Gramma & Papa... and Raleigh quickly adjusted to life here. Oh! My parent's gifted us a trip to Savannah, GA for our anniversary and watched Raleigh for us. It was our first time away from him and although hard, it was so needed and enjoyed! We still FaceTimed him every night!  

December 2014- We had a break through with the job search! Nathan had interviews and met with church committees. We were told that he had the job just as soon as the entire church voted him in! We also found out that we were expecting another baby BOY! Anderson Thomas Price. Anderson after Nathan's grandpa "Samuel Anderson Hambright" and Thomas after my grandpa "Thomas Clyde Owens". We were so excited that Raleigh would be getting a little brother!! After all, they'll be so close in age... hopefully they'll be best buds! We spent Christmas in South Carolina with Grandee Carol and Nathan's family, but had to come home a little sooner than intended due to more melanoma. Yes, I was diagnosed with a very early (Praise GOD) stage of melanoma. Yes, my second one... each time while pregnant. Hormones can do crazy things! It's also one of the few cancers that can actually cross the placenta! Scary stuff.

January 2015- Nathan started his new job! His first day on the job I had my melanoma cut out... so thankfully the church and staff are extremely understanding and he was able to help me at home a majority of his first week there! I found out they had gotten all of the cancer and that was a huge relief. Raleigh's personality really started to shine and he won the hearts of basically our entire new church congregation. He is such a joy!

February 2015- We celebrated Valentine's Day and my 28th (eek) birthday. Auntie Katherine came for a visit (she got a week off for Mardi Gras?! Only in NOLA!!) We started to consider looking at homes here... and at the end of the month we put in an offer!!

March 2015- UGH. That month was filled with house stuff! Our offer was excepted!! YAY! That meant we had to get everything together and send it to our lender. However, we opted for a specific loan which incorporates renovation cost into your monthly mortgage. This meant I had limited time (like 15 days) to meet with a ton of contractors and make a plan of everything I wanted done to the house specifically. I mean real specifications. Then I had to pick a contractor, have my list of renovations, get all of the house stuff done (appraisal, inspections, loan junk and what felt like a million other things) all while being very pregnant and chasing a toddler. I am not sad that March is over! We did manage to squeeze in a maternity shoot with Sarah Gray Photography. Best part of March!! I love every single picture!!!

April 2015- We made it. We celebrated Easter with our new church family and Nathan's mom came down for a visit! We closed on our house on April 9th and we plan to start renovations April 27th! Basically every room in the house is getting something done! I'm now 37 weeks pregnant with Anderson... and hoping he'll come before his brother did! (Induced at 40 weeks due to lack of movement!) It has been a whirlwind journey... but God has guided our every step and I love looking back and seeing Him walking with us even in the times of uncertainty.

We could not have planned any of this any better than He as orchestrated it. We feel blessed!!! Now we await more exciting things! Coming up? New baby! Renovations on our new house! Nathan graduates from seminary with his masters degree! Nathan leaves me (AH! Pray for me!! lol) and heads to Honduras for a mission trip! Life is exciting my friends. I'll try to keep y'all updated... especially since life moves fast and I want to remember all of the details of this chapter.

To keep up on our life on a daily basis... check out my Instagram

Ten Months!

DOUBLE DIGITS. Oh my goodness!? And in a blink of an eye we've hit the 10 month mark!

The last month has been a whirlwind of learning and growing! He's gained a tooth, more balance, more voice, even more personality (if you can believe it!) and more motor skills.
Raleigh is the friendliest baby I've ever met. Just the other day in Chipotle he tapped a lady in front of us and she turned around. He immediately stuck his arms out to be held by her... yes a complete stranger! Of course she was smitten. Eventually I let her hold him and he just grinned and flirted. This is not an exceptional event either. He does this just about everywhere we go! I think we'll have to have some serious "stranger danger" talks in the future, but right now it's absolutely precious.

What's New:

• Raleigh still eats like a grown man! Seriously, he may just be the Very Hungry Caterpillar!
• He is walking. There, I said it. I've been in denial. He will take 6-7 steps consecutively before he sits down! I can't believe it. Also, let the record show Raleigh's first steps were at 9.5 months and they were to his Tio Leo! 
• He officially has 7 teeth! I think he's already working on his one year molars too! He loves gnawing on everything with his back gums.
• He loves swimming! He went into the ocean for the first time this month and he LOVED it. 
• Raleigh went to his first basketball game. He was a big fan of everything about the game except the buzzer. He eventually got use to it. He cheered and clapped and of course made new friends!
• Mommy got a baby play yard... so she still has her sanity! Raleigh is into anything and everything. He's very courageous and curious. A dangerous combination! Pray for me! ;)
• He loves blowing his lips together, sucking in air making a high pitch squeal and he's started to do this silly under bite grin. It's too cute!
• He loves strumming the guitar and playing with his fishing pole!
• He stands up unassisted for a long time now. He can even bend over and grab stuff while standing. His balance is pretty impressive!
• He now annoys Eli sometimes! He's just so interested in what Eli is doing and wants to be a part of it... but he has no sense of personal space or boundaries. It makes for a pretty interesting exchange!
• He is a little dare devil. The higher you throw the better. The rougher you wrestle the more fun!
• His laugh and grin are probably my favorite things about him.
• His hair is getting much lighter!? Like heading towards blonde!! Maybe it's the summer sun!?
• I think he's taken after his daddy's skin! Thank goodness. He's already got a better tan than me!
• OH- Raleigh loved his Papa John's (Papa Antoooonio) spaghetti... we loved watching him eat it!!! 

When I see this... I see Nathan!! Wow.

 

*10 month shoot pictures to come!*

It's been an amazing 10 months! I cannot believe you're almost one baby boy. Blows. My. Mind!

Oops. Months seven, eight, nine!

Oh man. I'm already so far behind and this is the first kid!! I can only imagine how Raleigh's poor brothers or sisters will be neglected when it comes to keeping track of these milestones! Here's the condensed version of the last 3 months.

What's New:

• Raleigh still loves food!  He has liked everything we've given him... with the exception of avocados. However, he loves guacamole! :)
• He crawls ALL over the place. ALLLLLL over the place
• He has 6 teeth! 3 on bottom and 3 on top. 
• He loves to "direct". He looks as though he's directing a choir, it's pretty adorable!
• He still doesn't like when you blow your nose... but thankfully he doesn't cry anymore!
• He babbles and blows raspberries.
• He still loves clapping and usually does it if he's excited.
• He LOVES music. The guitar is especially mesmerizing!
• He stands on his own!
• He chases Eli around and plays with his friend Zane really well! At 8 months we got to hang out with Harden James Gordon, they were precious together! We actually did Raleigh's 8 month shoot with Harden for his 7 month shoot, since Raleigh was born 8/22 & Harden on 9/21!
• He loves when Daddy throws him in the air.
• He giggles and now belly laughs when you tickle him. He's especially ticklish under his chin!
• I think he's eyes are now hazel! They still seem to change depending on what he wears.

I feel like this set of 3 months he has made some of the biggest leaps and has grown so much. He is way more independent. It's truly crazy how much babies grow and develop in the first year!! 

These two boys. Some of the sweetest!!

Love her! I'm so glad we get to go through this together (even if we're far apart!)!!

EVERYTHING goes in his mouth these days!

Showing off those teethies!

 Little baby boy, you have changed us... for the better! Every moment that goes by I wish I could just savor it and never let it go, but that may mean I'd miss the next! 

You are a joy, thank you for being you!

Chocolate Peanut Butter (ice cream) Cake!

Y'all. I'm not trying to brag when I tell you I made a really delicious cake tonight! It's the truth!! I found this recipe on Pinterest (thank you technology!) and put my own spin on it. It is SO easy and SO good. 

Cake Ingredients:

One box of chocolate cake

3 eggs

1 cup of water

1 pint of Ben & Jerry's peanut butter world ice cream 

Yeah... That's it. 

Dump all that together and use you mixer for a few minutes until it's creamy and smooth. Take a bunt pan and grease it, I used cocoa powder to powder it per my original source's genius suggestion!   

Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. 

Now I added a little something extra! Who doesn't love a good topping?! 

I reduced over low heat a couple scoops of creamy peanut butter in a pan and whisked in about 3/4 cup of milk. I then added about 1.5 tablespoons of brown sugar and whisked until smooth and creamy! 

After the cake cooled (enough... I'm terrible about waiting!!) I flipped it out and drizzled the peanut butter sauce over it and ta-da!! 

Pass me a fork & a glass of milk!! Enjoy! 

Chipotle Lime Pulled Pork

You know when you're trying to use what you have to make dinner? That's where I was this morning. I had thawed out a pork roast which was taking up valuable space in my freezer. I didn't want another typical pot roast... so I was staring in my fridge when it hit me! Lime. 

I threw my roast in the crockpot and dumped a can of La Croix (the most disgusting drink of all time, but my husbands drink of choice!) ;) I went to my spice cabinet and found Ms. Dash Chipotle Lime and sprinkled the roast generously. I pressed some fresh garlic & added some kosher salt. Then I walked over to my produce... grabbed a orange bell pepper & an onion. I sliced each up and threw it in too! I set it on high and walked away! (I love a crockpot) 5 hours later I shredded the pork, strained the veggies & made our burritos! They were delicious!! 

The breakdown:

Pork roast

Lime La Croix

Ms. Dash Chipotle Lime

Garlic

Salt

1 onion

1 bell pepper

5 hrs. on high heat

Shred & eat!! 

I had some left over sauce I had made which a couple days ago. I found the recipe from Rachel Vanoven's Instagram! 

It added a lot of flavor and I love it too! 

1/2 cup lite mayo

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 lime squeezed 

Ms. Dash chipotle lime

Garlic powder

Salt 

Your favorite hot sauce! 

Mix it all together and enjoy! 

So that was our quick and easy meal tonight!