make it quick.

Alrighty.

I've got to make this house and life update quick because we are racing life at a super high speed right now. My list runneth over, the house progress is, well, not progressing by our liking (thank you rain), and our little one is needing a lot of attention these days.

But, everything going on right now is good and we are feeling extremely blessed by our circumstances. When life gives you lemons...

So, up first, the house. I'll show you the most recent pictures taken last Saturday. You tell me if you think it's ready to host Brooks' first birthday party on Saturday (insert "shocked face" emoji). 

 

Yeah, me neither.

The good news is, the tile is done in the bathroom, the vanity is being made, the paneling is now up on the walls so all we are waiting for is the marble top to be manufactured and the sink and toilet to go in. All you really need for a party is a bathroom, right? It'll have to do since we most definitely will not have a kitchen. 

It looks like the rain has cleared up until Saturday, party day. So, hopefully, the painters can get the inside and outside painted during the next few days (again, hopefully). The floors have been patched and get refinished tomorrow, I believe. And the AT&T guy is coming on Friday to set up our cable and internet. That's right, you need a bathroom and cable for a party.

John and I are going to be moving the remainder of the furniture going upstairs this evening. Our guest room and playroom will be complete. I put our sofa together, by my lonesome, on Saturday. Winning!

And as if I already don't have enough on my plate, I decided to makeover a few pieces of furniture. I painted a headboard, a bedside table, a side table, and a dresser. More on that fun project later. 

Sunday was John's birthday. He turned 29 in the most understated way. Totally his style. But, I am planning on going all out next year for his 30th. It's a good thing Brooks' first birthday and his 30th didn't fall on the same year. I would have totally lost all my sanity. 

And speaking of little buddy's birthday, we are only THREE DAYS AWAY from it. My baby is about to be one. I cannot believe it. I will go ahead and say that I probably won't have his 12 month post ready for Friday. His party prep is first on my list! Time to get back to a little birthday crafting...

...AND packing! 

Wait, the baby's up.

counting down.

Sunday afternoon John and I went to Lancaster to check in on the house. My, what a difference one day of work makes!  

For starters, the entire house is sheetrocked. YES! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looking into the kitchen from the dining room made me so giddy. I love my kitchen already and there is nothing to it! And can we please talk about that oven that is still in the kitchen?! 

The mason laid the brick on the fireplace. John surprised me with a herringbone pattern. I love it. We are going to mortar wash it to give it an aged effect. 

The laundry and mudroom have also taken shape. I hardly remember the "before." Still missing a back door, though.

It was hard for me to look past the wreckage/mess, but John told me that they cleaned things up yesterday. Where did my kitchen floor go?

The carpet cleaners came yesterday afternoon to clean the carpet upstairs in the bonus room. Because we are planning on starting "Phase 2" of our renovation (putting two bedrooms, a bath, and playroom upstairs) sooner rather than later, we decided against putting down new carpet. The old will make do for now. Once it is cleaned I am going to start moving boxes and furniture over. 

The trim is going up this week and the painters are starting on the exterior of the house (weather permitting). Next week they paint the interior and our floors get refinished. The countdown to Brooks' first birthday party is ON! Only 10 more days until that little booger turns one. Sniffle.

I had a minor procedure done this morning and had to drop my car off to get serviced.

 

It looks like I won't be getting much accomplished today. And the above picture depicts exactly how I feel about it. So much to do, so little time, and so little means. 

On a positive note, here is a picture of bubba while shopping Sunday evening. Our little lumberjack!

Those two... 

Happy drizzly Tuesday!

thanksgiving.

What a lovely weekend in Atlanta spent shopping, giving thanks, eating, spending time with family, and eating some more. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Semanson clan. ALL of them. I am so grateful for that!

We pulled into town Wednesday evening and were welcomed by a delicious homemade meal thanks to my mama. 

On Thursday morning we watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade fireside, a favorite tradition. 

We then popped the bubbly and enjoyed some appetizers. 

During Brooks' nap, John and I took a relaxing walk along the golf course. Some alone time? We'll take it and make the most of it!

Come 4:00 it was time to EAT! Mom outdid herself, once again.

Brooks LOVES his GiGi, as do we, and spent lots of time getting loved on by her and put into trances by her magical touch. No, really, it is magical. One of my favorite things in this world is getting scratched by Gram. THE BEST.

See what I mean? 

After dinner, John and I went to BrandsMart USA to take advantage of their early Black Friday sale and drove down to Ikea on Saturday. We came home with a new television, a couch, some knick knacks, and the three chairs I purchased at Scott's a while back. The truck loaded up was a sight to see.

Friday afternoon my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephew came over and we attempted some family pictures. Here are some of the four grandchildren, Abby, Brooks, Daley, and William:

Mom and I also spent the majority of our trip home sewing. What a feat! I can't wait to share what we created! Here is a sneak peek:

We got home on Saturday just in time for the Iron Bowl! HOLY MIRACLE, it was an awesome football game. WAR DAMN EAGLE! We are so proud of our Tigers!

elle bee photography: christopher's baptism.

I just want to thank my friend Margot for asking me to take pictures of this sweet, blessed day. It meant the world to me. I won't be posting any pictures of the actual ceremony, but here are a few that I took before. Christopher's gown was to.die.for beautiful and made with love by Margot's mom (who also made her wedding dress. Supermom!). There were so many special details that I am still drooling over. The day, in one word: perfection.