Bucket's Birthday Bash!

I've been a little busy lately but I wanted to post something before we hit the month mark since Nathan's birthday!

It was my first time throwing a birthday party for my husband... and this one was big! It was the big 3-0! I really didn't do too much because let's be real, Nathan doesn't care about the cutesy little details! I just made a few of his favorite dishes, used simple buckets as decoration and invited some of our new friends down here. Steve & Tina Wright were kind enough to let us use their home! Here are a few snap shots:

I found these super cute bucket drink dispensers on clearance at Target!

The cutest kiddo ever!

Tyler and C.A.R!

This party had security thanks to Marquis! ;)

 

Friends!

The handsome birthday boy! :)

There were a lot of candles...

30 to be exact!

 

 

Sweet Tina!

Matt & Mel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of people love Nathan!

  

This kid!

A little game of Jenga! Unexpected, but totally appropriate!

I love my thirty year old!

A random assortment makes plenty of sense...

For whatever reason I was slow to hang things up in our dining room in this new home. Come to think of it, that was also the last place I hung things in our last home!?
Weird.
Maybe it's because I like food so much? Maybe I just consume my food with complete disregard for my surroundings? Possibly...

Anyway, I finally made a choice & hung stuff up! (with the hubby's help of course)

Whoa, that's a lot of red. FYI those are the only 2 red walls in our house, thankfully my colors worked with the walls that were already painted! Also, I just love that mirror!

My random assortment of 'art'.

I found this at Anthropology. (on clearance of course, who has that kind of $$!? I got it for $7)

I've shared this before but, I just love it. North Carolina is where we met, married & had our first home together! I wonder who took the time to stitch it together? Thrifted- $5

I found this window at a garage sale for $10. I painted it black & put 8x10s trimmed down in it! I love our engagement pictures. (Thanks again, Kelly)

Last piece, I just love these calendar pages. This one is from February (my birth month). I'm still on the hunt for October (Nathan's birth month... which is now!!). Thrifted- $5

Our home is feeling more complete! Let's be real though, I'll never being finished! I have way too much fun changing things up!

Rants, Steroids & a 3 Day Weekend!

Good grief. What a whirlwind it has been the past month & half or so! As soon as we got back from South Carolina I started my full time job. Then that weekend we hosted Nathan's mom, maw maw & aunt! We loved having them here. The following weekend my parents came to town! It was so nice to have family around us but let me just say I haven't been able to do anything I typically did before my new job.
No meal planning. No cleaning. No crafting. I'm talking bare minimums here.
How do women do it?
How do MOMs do it?
I mean seriously? Working full time & being as involved in church activities as we are has pretty much kicked my butt. Praise the Lord for a 3 day weekend with my husband and for being home!!!

Let me back up, 2 weeks ago (amidst the chaos) I realized I needed a dentist fast. My tooth had been bothering me for months & I had ignored the pain. Dumb, I know! Turns out I needed a root canal. Awesome. I have been on antibiotics, pain pills & steroids for 2 weeks. Not fun. However, it had its perks.

This weekend was it. I couldn't stand our house in it's condition for one more second! I took my six steroids Saturday morning and harnessed their powers! We cleaned... and cleaned... and cleaned. It was amazing. I had mountains of laundry, a suitcase still semi packed from our impromptu trip up to South Carolina (at the BEGINNING of September) and floors in need of a serious vacuuming- that is after all the crap was picked up off of them!

With my sweet husband's help we got it done. I feel so much better- I feel like I have control over things in my house again.

Since we've lived here I haven't really blogged about our bedroom... so here you go!

Here is our king size bed which are so happy we purchased! We agree it's the best $375 we've ever spent. Thank you Tasha for selling us your bed!

I found our comforter at Costco!? It is super comfy and the perfect weight for South Florida sleeping. I love it. Amazingly... it cost $80 which included the comforter, 4 pillow cases & a quilt!

I hung these up a couple weeks ago. I just love our wedding pictures! Thanks again Kelly Hunter of May Photography.

Here is the master bath. It's small but perfect. I love that shower curtain, I found it in South Carolina for $8. Holler.

I'm still a fan of how our dresser turned out! Remember? 

So thanks to time, steroids and a very loving helpful husband... life is back in order. For now. Of course tomorrow starts a new work week so I'll probably feel overwhelmed & out of control all over again, but praise the Lord- He is in control! I'll try my best and thank God for a job I love & for an understanding husband!

Fresh Flowers & Marriage

I'm such a sucker for fresh flowers! Always have been, probably always will be! (hint hint husband)

I feel like that make a room happier & polished. This weekend was FBCWPB's Marriage Conference with Dr. Danny & Charlotte Akin. After it was over I got to take home some of the beautiful hydrangeas from the centerpieces!

Let me just say the Marriage Conference was such an encouragement & so packed full of wisdom. I pray we absorbed all of it & will put to use what we've learned this weekend. I'm also so thankful that we've had Godly couples pouring into our marriage. We are blessed!

Remembering Steve Price

The Steve Price I met was not the one I knew. The man I met first was his son... he is the one I got to know. Through getting to know him, I've gotten a better glimpse of the real Steve.

The one who'd go fishing for hours & be the dad on the sidelines at every game. The one who loved history & read books all the time. The one who volunteered as a fireman & visited every major civil war battle field.

Steve was a responsible man. He was wise with his finances which Nathan & I marvel at & hope to learn. He loved his animals & they loved him. He was smart & enjoyed history. I'd venture to say he knew more about the civil war than most history professors! He was proud of his son. So very proud. He was proud of his new daughter. He teased Carol all the time & that's how he was affectionate! He told her he loved her often. He teared up every time we had to say goodbye & told us how much he loved us.

The man who sat before me was an honorable man who couldn't do the things he loved anymore. He was unhealthy. He had to have missed the outdoors. He didn't sleep well & he didn't pick up his books any longer.

The part of me that is sad is sad for my husband who lost his father, my mother-in-law who lost her husband of nearly 40 years and my future children who won't get to meet their PawPaw Steve.

However, I know I can't be selfish. I am so thankful that today his body no longer holds him back. I know his mind is sharp once again and I pray that he has met our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. I am glad he is no longer suffering. Thank you for all of the prayers & kind words. They have been comforting.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

Stolen from his sister Cathy, circa 1973 (what a hunk Carol!)

Change is in the Air...

For the last 9 years I have worked with kids... whether it be in a camp setting, an orphanage or as a nanny. I have loved all of "my kids"! To think that some of them are already driving & some even starting their senior year makes me feel ridiculously old!! It's been a great run but I'm in need of a change... at least until we have our own kids. (Which still kind of freaks me out to think about!)

Wednesday an opportunity arose. I received a call out of the blue informing me of a need & asking me if I'd be interested in a job! At first I thought, "I already have a great job. I love the kids!" but truth be told I didn't feel like it was fitting & that maybe it was time I take a break from kids so that I can be refreshed & ready for our own.

This week I will be starting at First Baptist Church West Palm Beach! I will be working with the music ministry as a ministry assistant. It's funny how God's timing is yet again so perfect! FBCWPB was in serious need of someone to fill the position & they thought of me. (What an honor!?) While the position is considered temporary, I am still glad to be able to serve my church in this way, make new friends & hone a different skill set.

Another great thing? I can walk to work! Whoohoo for saving on gas. I start Tuesday & I couldn't be more excited!

The Year Round Wreath

I wanted to make a wreath that would be appropriate anytime of the year! Of course I can put up a holiday or seasonal one anytime but, it's nice to have something up that doesn't require to be changed every few weeks.

It was simple... but my finger tips took a beating! (Burlap & hot glue do not go well together!)

All you need is:

• A grape vine wreat
• Burlap(you don't need much, maybe 1/2 yard)
• White or any color you like fabric (you don't need much, maybe 1/2 yard)
• Hot glue gun
• Plastic pearls 

So I just went for it! I tried twisting the flowers to make rosettes & then folding/ tucking then gluing as I went along. Truthfully, I had no idea what I was doing. You just have to be bold & try! I really do love how it turned out. Just give it a try!