Disney Trip!!!!!

We just got back from Disney World, and I wanted to blog about it while all the memories are still fresh! We had the best time, it's so true about experiencing the magic through your child's eyes, it's the best!

We started our trip with lunch at Chef Mickey's. I went here when I was their age, so it was so special. Chloe got to meet her beloved Minnie Mouse. 

We checked out our resort next, especially the awesome Finding Nemo pool.

The next day was a full one, spent in the Magic Kingdom. 

We had lunch at Be Our Guest, besides having to wait for our reservation, we loved it. It really is just like the movie.

Of course we had to do It's a Small World!

We got to meet lots of characters, eat yummy treats and I got to share the Country Bears Jamboree with the kids. It's a classic and it was so fun to see them enjoying the exact same show I once did too.

I was hoping the kids would make it to Wishes, but with small children you never know. Well we made it, even Luke enjoyed it. Perfect way to end the best day ever. 

The next day was more low key, I knew Luke would def need a nap after Magic Kingdom. So we headed to Disney Springs and then lunch at Wilderness Lodge.

That afternoon Clarke took Chloe to the pool while Luke got to nap. Then we headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner at Boma. Got to see the animals first!

Our last day was the Mary Poppins breakfast at the Grand Floridian.

Luke absolutely loved meeting Alice. It was the only character that he really smiled at. It was so cute. 

When we were getting ready to hop on the monorail we ran into Sleeping Beauty!! Chloe had wanted to meet her, and we just happened to be in the right place, right time. It was very special.

We took a quick stop at The Polynesian for some Dole Whip! 

Then we headed south to my dad's condo for a few days with family. I was so thankful to be able to do this. It was our first family vacation as a family of four. And now I can't wait to go back!!!

Pool!!!!

One of the things we love about our new house is the neighborhood pool. It's a five minute walk from our house! I have many fond summer memories at this same pool. Although last year they renovated it, now it's even better.

It's gonna be a great summer!

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. 

2 houses and a chair

Since we are moving to North Carolina we put our house on the market to sell about 2 weeks ago.

This has been such a great home for us over the past 3 years and it was really a hard thing to do. We knew this would never be our "forever" house as it only has one full bath, but we never thought we would be selling it so soon.

We had our house professionally photographed and I love how all the pictures turned out.

Our house has been on the market for 2 weeks now, and we've had 10 showings so far. We are just waiting for that offer to come in now, although it really is going to be bittersweet saying goodbye.


Onto house 2, my mom officially sold our childhood home a little over a week ago. This was also hard saying goodbye.

This house has 20 years worth of memories in it. From birthday parties to my bridal and baby shower, so many holidays, both good and bad and everything in between. I remember reading my acceptance letter to JMU at the mailbox,  planting flowers in the backyard with friends, playing on our swing set, countless sleepovers, practicing gymnastics routines in the huge room above the garage, getting ready for my wedding, family dinners and most recently playing with Chloe there. This house will always be where so many wonderful things happened for me as I was growing up.

I love this house, but it was definitely time for my mom to sell it. A 5 bedroom house is way too much for one person. Thankful for the time I got to spend there.


And now the chair. This was Clarke's highchair when he was a baby, I thought it was really cute but wanted to add some color to it.

I was inspired by young house love's yellow high chair, so I went to Lowe's and got some yellow spray paint and started spraying away. I love how it turned out!

It's hard to believe that Chloe will actually be using this soon.


So there you have it: 2 houses and a chair. :)

Getting Started

I wanted to post some pictures of what we've been doing around here today.

We've started painting nursery furniture! We are using my old dresser and nightstand that I got in middle school. I got it unfinished, and never did anything with the nightstand. The dresser is white, and I never sealed it, so there is no sanding involved which is nice.

I brought the drawers downstairs, and of course Betty had to check them out.

I told Clarke I might take pictures and post her reaction to everything we do to get ready for this baby. She always wants to know what's going on.

We still have quite a bit of painting left to do for her furniture, but I keep telling myself when summer school is done I'll have plenty of time. So for now I'll just enjoy the Olympics!

21 Random Facts

So I was tagged by GBA_gf over at Neurosis of the Stay at Home Marathoner of 3 to write 21 random facts about me. Here I go....

1. I was born in Florida, lived there until I was 8, but I hate seafood.

 

 

2. I am trying to convince myself that the marathon has in fact not made me slower. But since it feels like my body just hasn't recovered yet whenever I run. I ran the Turkey Trot yesterday and I know there were lots of hills, but I didn't feel strong. I don't know, I think I am also kinda suffering from post marathon blues.

 

 

3. I hate change, but love it when the seasons do. I'm always ready for the next season. I am totally ready for some snow.

4. When I first wanted to teach I was all about high schoolers. Now I am loving the little ones the most. It's funny how God changes your heart.

5. I lost a whole pant size from training for the marathon. I am determined to not gain it back. I lost about 10 pounds right before I got married, then gained it all back plus some. I don't want to do this again! ( I type this as I eat deviled eggs for breakfast.....opps.)

6. I am one of those people who thinks about their future. Probably too much. But right now I am loving the idea of being one of those stay at home moms who runs a lot. And of course I'll need all the cute running outfits to go along. Ha!

7. The Turkey Trot I ran yesterday was at University of Richmond, where I got my teaching license. Made me think a lot about going back to school there. I really think I will one day.

8. My husband and I were in the same second grade class together.

9. I treat my cat like my first born child. Anyone who knows me in real life knows about my love for cats. I know I'm a dork, but really they're just so cute. Can't help it.

10. I love to travel. Whether it's to the Outer Banks (a place I've been to thousands of times) or a place that takes a whole day to get to (like our honeymoon in Martinique) I enjoy it. Currently planning our spring break trip!

11. I am extremely lucky to have a close church family. I have been going to the same church for 12 years and still love it.

12. I am not really into watching a lot of TV. But, every Tuesday I have to watch Glee. It's def. my favorite show. It might also be my favorite running music as well.

13. I teach gymnastics after school and love it. Sometimes I see the older girls doing things I used to be able to do but no longer can. I think to myself "I can't believe I used to be able to do that!" But then I think about the things I can do now that I def. couldn't do back then, like run 26.2 miles. Yeah, that's pretty cool too.

14.  I am still really close to the same friends I had in middle school. It's not normal, but it works for us and I'm so thankful for their friendships.

15. I love decorating our house. It's def. my favorite part of home ownership.

16. I love all things crafty, art museums and modern architecture. Whenever we go somewhere that has a cool art museum or a famous building I make whoever I'm with go. My husband has come to expect this on all our trips now.

17. I am currently obsessed with pink running clothes.

18. Will Ferrel is probably my favorite actor.

19. I was a blonde for a short time in high school. It's funny to look back at those pictures, because I really like my dark brown hair now.

20. I love Coca-Cola. Always have, always will.

21. Although Glee is my favorite show on TV now, The Golden Girls will always be my all time favorite one. I know I know, I'm a dork, but I already said that.

grandma's favorite holiday

Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for this year. My faith, amazing family and friends, my job, my health, being able to run, my home, I could go on and on!

Thanksgiving was always my grandma's favorite holiday. She said it was less stressful than Christmas, without the presents but it was so nice to have all the family together for a nice meal. The older I get the more I understand this.

Every Thanksgiving since she has passed away (this is the 3rd one) we always talk about her and how we miss her. I thought about her as I drove home from The Turkey Trot I ran this morning. It def. wasn't my best race, and for some reason it made me think about how she never gave up on anything, and I can't either. Whether that's in running or anything else in life. Neways, it made me think about her and how I wish I could celebrate just one more Thanksgiving with her.

There was one Thanksgiving when I was in college, it must have been my freshmen or sophomore year because it was before my parents got divorced, but we stayed up late talking while my grandma made the cheesecake. So every Thanksgiving after that my grandma would bring up this story about how much fun she had that night. I always loved that because it was so simple, and my grandma had traveled all over the world, yet that night of just talking and baking was one of her favorite memories.

 Grandma always taught me that family was so important. This holiday I am reminded of how lucky I am for the family in my life. Clarke's mom, dad and sister came over to my mom's to celebrate Thanksgiving and it was just nice to have them there too. 

When my grandma passed away my mom took her cat, all the way from Florida. My sister in law loves to sit with her on Thanksgiving. :)

I am so grateful for her being in my life. I know God used her to shape me into who I am today. Although I miss her especially today I am happy to say she would have been proud to see us all enjoying her favorite holiday so much.