door closed.

Well, it's official. John and I are no longer residents at Hallman Hill. Wow, so surreal and bittersweet.

I have called #113 home for approximately 3 years now. It is where I made my first leap into "big girl status" by owning and not renting. It is where love was lost, but found again. It is where I spent time planning a wedding that would again change my status, this time from "miss" to "missus." It is where John carried me over the threshold and we started our new life together. It is where I first found out that I would no longer be just a wife, but now a mother, as well. It is where we established life-long friendships. It is where we have lived and loved.

I am not good at saying goodbyes. Really, I didn't have to. The memories made at Hallman Hill will stay with me for a lifetime. While we closed the door at #113, a new door has opened. One filled with opportunity and new memories. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us and where the next place will be that we get to call home.

back.

I'm back home from the beach--back to life, back to reality. I must admit, it was hard for me to relax last week knowing that I would be coming home to a huge to-do list and a lot of unknowns. I also came home to this...

...and boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. 

I spent the majority of the evening yesterday doing laundry (6 loads to be exact), cleaning, organizing, and packing. John helped out by patching holes and replacing original hardware. Progress. I feel pretty confidant that we will have the entire condo packed up, painted, and cleaned within the next couple of days. 

And while we still aren't 100% sure where we are going to move, it's looking like we will be able to occupy a 2 bedroom condo in Hallman Hill until the end of December. This will give us some time to decide on our next move and, oh yeah, have a baby. Slowly, but surely, the pieces are fitting together. God is so faithful.

a first.

I am so excited to announce that we I made our very first nursery purchase! I completely ignored the fact that we don't have a room for the nursery. In fact, in 15 short days we won't have any rooms. We will officially be homeless for 2 months...or later. Our condo sold (such a blessing) and we don't have anywhere to go, yet. You would think that with a baby coming in 4 short months and nowhere to live I would be freaking out, but I'm not. Surprisingly. Don't get me wrong, I have my days, but we are trusting in the Lord 110%. We have a peace that it is all going to work out for the best in HIS timing.

But, back to the purchase! I have a hard time passing up great deals so you can only imagine the excitement that overcame me when I opened my inbox Monday morning and saw that One Kings Lane was having a killer sale! You see, several weeks ago I pinned an end table from One Kings Lane onto my "baby pad- boy" Pinterest board. With a hefty price tag, it was completely off limits, but a girl could dream--or at least draw inspiration from it. Lucky for me, the end table was still available on Monday morning with an additional 30% discount. SCORE. I called my mom to see if it was a good buy and after agreeing with me, it was mine. All mine. 

It is dainty enough that it won't take up too much room and I think that it will look perfect next to the non-existent glider. I am slowly, but surely, putting together an inspiration board for Baby BOY Bryant's nursery (I love saying boy...). I hope to share it soon! 

christmas debut.

Tuesday night, the husband and I braved the frosty weather and bought our Christmas tree. WOOHOO! It is beautimus. I spent all evening stringing lights and hanging ornaments—both old and new. It turned out exactly like I had hoped. Here she is in all her glory:

This year we retired our hand-me-down angel tree topper that we put on my family tree growing up and replaced it with a bow. I made a burlap bow topper using this tutorial. I didn't quite "get" it, so I improvised and used a lot of wire. Not perfect, but it gets the job done. 

             


Now it's time to reveal the rest of the condo’s Christmas decorations! I attempted to deck the halls with more than boughs of holly while trying not to overdo it. It was very hard for me to stick to the saying, "less is more," but you learn to become a minimalist when you live in a one bedroom condo...with a man...and two cats. 

ENJOY!

My childhood tree topper. 

This little guy is one of my most prized possessions. He is also a childhood decoration passed down to me.  

The Reason for the Season. 

Bitty bell tree.

Natural balls and pinecones. 

The wreath is my favorite addition! It makes such a statement in the dining area. 

I hung it with burlap and made the bow separately and attached.

Two rounds make a right!

More pinecones leftover from my projects. Thanks again, M-I-L!

My FAVORITE holiday candle from Anthropologie. I think that this fellow will be making it's debut in the condo very shortly.  

Well, that's it! I hope that everyone has a fabulous and productive weekend. My weekend goal is to finish up our Christmas shopping. Slowly, but surely, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Wish me luck!