Myrtle Beach, Part 3

Saturday we enjoyed more of the beach in the morning. It was kinda cool, but nice and sunny. 

 I remember Chloe didn't want to nap and we needed a break from the sun so we headed back over to Barefoot Landings for lunch. There is a really cute marina on the side of the shopping center where we had lunch at Greg Norman's restaurant. It was so nice eating right by the water, reminded me of Florida. 

Chloe was really into our sauce from the onion rings. It was empty but she loved licking the sides!

After lunch Clarke went to play golf and I met up with a friend who also happened to be in Myrtle Beach that same weekend. We didn't plan to go at the same time, but I'm glad I got to see her and her family. They had a lazy river at her pool hotel so we tried it out.

It was fun catching up and swimming. We had a quiet evening at the condo that night. In the morning we went back to the beach for a little while, then packed up the car and headed home. This trip was such a nice little break from house hunting and the daily routine. 

Myrtle Beach, Clarke's Birthday

Friday of our trip was Clarke's 30th birthday. 

We started out the day by hitting up the main pool. They had a little baby pool and we had it all to ourselves! We went to the beach later on and just enjoyed the day.

After lunch and Chloe's nap we headed back out to the pool by our condo. 

I'm glad Chloe has so many bathing suites, came in handy for this trip! 

For Clarke's birthday dinner we went to Jimmy Buffet's restaurant Margaritaville at Broadway at the Beach. We walked around and took lots of pictures while we waited for our table.

They made Chloe a cute balloon dog, we didn't even ask for the pink one too, haha. It was really fun, afterwards we did cake and presents back at the condo. Hard to believe my husband is 30, and I am next!

It was another great day of vacation. One more post left!

Myrtle Beach, Part 1

Yesterday we returned from such a great time in Myrtle Beach. It was too short, only 4 days, 3 nights but I'm so glad we went. It was one of those trips where you just really need a break and after coming back feel so much better! The main reason for going was to celebrate Clarke's 30th birthday. 30! It was also Chloe's first time seeing the ocean, and of course she loved it. 

I decided to break the trip up into 3 posts since I took so many pictures. Here we go....

We got there before our room was ready so we walked around Barefoot Landings, which is a cute shopping center with restaurants on the water. It was a great sunny day, the forecast for the whole time we were there was storm clouds and rain, I was so worried but we ended up having great weather the entire time, so thankful! 

As soon as our room was ready we headed down to the ocean. Our condo at the resort wasn't too far from the beach which was so nice.

Chloe loved the sand and water. It was perfect because it wasn't too rough where we were. We stayed at this resort called Ocean Creek. It's where an inlet meets the ocean and it's so calm, the perfect place for a baby to play and explore. It's actually where I stayed when my family would come when I was little. 

We had a low key night at the condo. It had a kitchen which was great because I brought some easy meals to make. 

Next up: Clarke's birthday!!

Catch Up Post

Y'all how is it already the end of August? I haven't updated about life here recently so I thought a little catch up post was in order.

Life has been pretty normal around here. Somebody loves to stand. There has been way too much house hunting. Since our last house fell through it's been hard to find another. I guess it's good we signed that 6 month lease after all. 

Probably the most exciting thing has been starting to officially train for my half! It was a rainy morning for our first run, but I actually had such a great time. I admit, I was nervous about training with a new program, new teammates and coaches. But everyone was so nice. I was also afraid I would be the slowest one (not that there is anything wrong with that) but I definitely wasn't. If my foot wasn't bothering me I would move up to the next pace group. Well and if it wasn't for those hills. But. I'm really excited about the next 13 weeks of training!

We've had visitors the past 2 weekends. My mom was here, then Clarke's family. It was so nice to show them more of our city and spend time together. Me and Clarke even got date nights 2 weekends in a row, I actually saw a movie. In the theatre! Haha, but Chloe loved seeing her grandparents. 

That's about all that has been going on around here. So excited for vacation soon!!

Less is More

When I was in middle and high school one of my best friend's mom had this quote on her refrigerator, "less is more". I don't know why but we always thought it was so funny. My group of friends would always quote it and laugh about it frequently. It really was and still is such a funny joke to us. 

When I was in college I studied Interior Design. When we were studying Mies van der Rohe,  I learned that he was the original author of this quote, specifically when he was talking about his design philosophy. He was always, and still is, one of my favorite designers. I learned that yes, less actually could be more, the simple clean lines of mid century modern furniture and architecture were so much more appealing to me than the curvy, overly decorated victorian style that was the norm at that period in history.

I still hear less is more, and I whole heartedly agree. As Americans we are told "bigger is better" and "you need to buy this to be happy". We have bought into this notion that more earthly possessions and a big house to fill them with will make us happy. If we could only have what the jones' have then we would be content. 

I guess I am blogging about this because while looking for a new home it is so easy to get caught up in that. I constantly remind myself that less can be more. I really do believe that too. It's funny because I keep reading blog posts about it, like this one and this one. God is really teaching me this lesson.

I must say it is freeing. When we moved here I couldn't believe how much stuff we had. Our house in Virginia wasn't big, almost 1400 sq ft. So I guess it never seemed like we had a lot of things, and if you know me in real life you know how much I hate clutter! But, once everything was taken out of the closets, cabinets, and shed it's amazing how much we really had. We got rid of lots of things we no longer needed or wanted. It was freeing to give them away, hoping somebody else would find enjoyment and use for them.

I really want a home that is filled with love and laughter. I know that sounds so cliche, but really my family is what makes me the happiest. The things that fill my home really don't matter, and the size of it is even less important. If only my friend's mom knew I was still talking about how less is more. I guess that's why she had it posted in plain sight like that. I think we could all use that reminder daily. Less really is more. 

Refresh

Since moving to Winston-Salem we have really hit the "refresh button" for our lives. It's almost like we are starting over. Maybe that in conjunction with almost being 30 has made me see things in such a new light. 

Take this house hunting thing for example. When we started looking back in April we thought we would end up in your typical suburban neighborhood. That's where we lived in Richmond, where we both grew up, and we both loved it. The more we looked the more the country looked appealing. Not too far out, but just enough so you can feel the peacefulness of it. As I mentioned earlier we had a contract on a cute yellow house, that fell through last week. The major repairs wouldn't be done before closing and we just didn't feel comfortable buying a house with such extensive amount of damage. We just felt like God was saying this isn't for you.

So once again we are hitting the refresh button and starting over again. We are really open to anything, almost anywhere. Yesterday we looked at some open houses in the cutest historical neighborhood of Ardmore. These houses were built in the 30s and 40s and are absolutely nothing like either of us has lived in (well except for me in college). 

With turning 30 around the corner I find myself looking back and seeing how much I have grown. All the different experiences I am so thankful for. I've done things my high school self would have never done. I've done things my college self would have never done. So I keep that in mind with starting this life here in North Carolina. Sometimes different is good. My high school self would have never run a marathon or worked with special needs children. My college self would have never picked up and moved to a new state with a 7 month old. But those things have been so good for me.

We are open to anything now. Hitting the refresh button once again and seeing where God takes us this time. 

9 months

Dear Chloe,
Today you are 9 months old! You are growing up so fast, and changing so much each day. Most mornings when I come into your room I swear you grew overnight. You are such a sweet and happy baby girl. You still love exploring this world around you and figuring out new things.

You love to eat. Seriously, when I put you in your high chair and put your bib on, you know it's time to eat and you get excited. You love any kind of fruit or vegetable, your baby yogurt, oatmeal, turkey lunchmeat, puffs, avocados and most recently spaghetti. Sometimes you get mad when the food is all gone. You have picked up some food yourself and put it in your mouth, but are still mastering that skill. You nurse 4 times a day still. I will also add you are a pro with using your sippy cup now.

You also love when daddy comes home after work. You hear the doorknob jiggling and you almost shake with excitement. When he walks in you smile so big, it's adorable.

Still no crawling! You are starting to stay on your tummy longer and I think you are thinking about moving now, but sometimes you just roll over. I am seeing that you are very strong willed. If you don't want to do it, it's not happening. This month you did start standing though. You really love to stand while holding onto your walker.

Nighttime is getting better. You wake up about 2-3 times at night now. Most of the time if I give you your pacifier you go right back down. You take 2 naps during the day, about an hour long each.

You are still small, waiting to go to doctor for real stats. This month you finally wear size 2 diapers in disposable! You have outgrown most of your 3 month old clothing by now. Your 3-6 month clothing fits you best, but some of your 6-9 month clothing fits you. Your hair continues to grow even thicker, and your eyes are still that beautiful blue.

Another love of yours is your ball. We will sit on the floor and roll it back and forth and you squeal with delight. You think it's the best thing ever! You also love to go shopping with me. You sit in the cart and love seeing everything going on. This month you also have started to really love bath time. You have come so far from those first months of screaming through your entire bath. You love your bath toys and splashing in the water.

This month we started going to the Y. You go to child watch and all the workers love you there. Seriously when we walk in they say "Chloe!" with excitement. I think you like seeing all the other babies and children there too.

You are such a joy to me. I love you so much sweet girl. I am one lucky mommy, really I am. Everyday I thank god that I get to be your mom.
I love you,
 Mommy

Checking In On Monday

Thought I would check in to update what has been going on around here. I haven't updated about the house we have a contract on yet because we ran into some hiccups. Hiccups may not be the right word,  a big problem, like standing water, rotted beams and mold in the crawl space. We have been waiting for what seems like forever to see if we could get it resolved. Turns out the sellers will fix it all, which is so great, because we really love this house! We have to push back the closing date, we still don't know when that will be now, but I am trying to be patient. Yes, God is definitely teaching me patience in this whole house selling/buying thing. It's been hard, but we hope the end is soon. 

Chloe loves to go shopping with me. Which is great because she really doesn't have a choice in that! But thought I would post this picture because every blog post is better with a picture of a cute baby, right?

I am really happy it's August. Family is coming to visit, we finally go on vacation, and my half training starts! Good things are coming and I am so ready! Life has been crazy since moving and I really really really can't wait for vacation. We are going to Myrtle Beach (turns out its closer and cheaper than our regular beach in the Outer Banks). We are so excited to show Chloe the ocean for her first time. 

We started going to a new church, Winston Salem First. It is definitely different and much much bigger than what we are used to, but we think it's good. We are out of our comfort zone, but I think we will really grow from it. I feel connected to God there, if that makes sense. Just that feeling of this is where we should be right now. 

Not much else has been going on around here. I started taking body pump at the Y, and I love it. I did yoga, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Chloe is still doing great in child watch. Seriously the Y has been such a blessing to me recently. It's so nice to go workout and get my mind off things. Hope everyone had a great weekend, happy Monday!