Sunday, May 29, 2011

HOMEOWNERS!!

Hi, I'm Danielle....
This is my hubby, Big Jon...
And we are officially....
HOMEOWNERSSSSSS!!!!!!!
 Yayyy!!! What a blessing. I feel as if Jon and I have learned so much faith, patience, trust for God and HIS timing, & perserverance in prayer (did I mention, patience?) throughout this process.  I am so thankful for how everything worked out. That we prayed and prayed. That we trusted God and listened to Him and our hearts. That we didn't rent. That we waited on HIS timing to show us the perfect house for us.  That we stayed with my parents & saved up tons of money for the past seven months. That the ONLY debt we now have is our very own HOME.
{Here we are at the signing}
Can't wait to share lots and lots of blog posts about our new beautiful home and than many memories we will create there!!!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

A sign for the future?

Don't get too excited.....this is still a couple of years away.
Wutcha think??? This was for a Relay for Life skit at school...ha! :) That junk was HEAVY!!!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Where have I been??

I have been MIA for a few days...

We closed on our house last Thursday!!  We had two Relay for Life talent shows at school that Thursday evening (I was in a skit and the emcee) so we didn't get home till around 9:30. The next night we worked some in the house, but our gas wasn't turned on yet so we stayed the night at my parents.  I had school (class for my Specialist's in TN) Saturday morning, so I woke up around 4:45 am and headed that way. I returned home around 4 pm and took a much needed nap in my new bed while Jon and his dad worked around the house. We had dinner with my parents at Texas Roadhouse and worked some more in the house. We ended up staying the night with my parents again because we didn't have our church clothes. 

After church on Sunday we headed to Dahlonega for LAURA'S first bridal shower!! YAY!! It was such a great turnout and she really liked the gift I got her- score!  We headed home around 5:30 and worked some more on the house. My sister and parents came over and were a major help getting the kitchen together for me.  I'm so thankful for the help of our friends and family!!

I started to feel bad on Sunday afternoon so I took Monday off work. I'm pretty certain I have a sinus infection. :( Oh well....it was nice to be able to spend the entire day yesterday shopping with my mom. She has GREAT taste and I enjoyed spending time with her. I was finally able to use many of the gift cards from our wedding, and of course I had to hit up Costco to get us going with all the necessities.  Still, it was exhausting, and Jon and I got another load from my parents' house last night at around 10. We haven't been in bed before 12:30 for the past week. I know that's not that bad, but we have been moving, lifting, unpacking, more lifting, and still waking up normal time for work and church. We are both incredibly exhausted. 

This week has made me appreciate my amazing husband even more! He has been such a trooper.  And who knew we had this much stuff? We have already taken about 6 or 7 BIG trailer loads!!

Sunday night was our first night in the new house. It feels like home already.

So, here I am....
Exhausted, sick, and just absolutely worn down... but beyond EXCITED about our new home!!!!! It is turning out BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait to post pictures....we're getting there!  Of course there's still a lot to do, but I am TRYING (super hard for me- I'm an ALL or nothing person and I like everything to be done immediately!) to do little by little.  And of course, I can't wait to get back to blogging!! Is that sad that I miss it?? Haha! Writing is my outlet...and blogging makes me happy. :)

We are SO blessed.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Chelsi's Bachelorette Weekend

Chels & I decided to do a low- key weekend filled with quality girl time for her bachelorette fun. I really wanted to make this special for her and spoil her the way she deserves, and I did just that!!  We met Friday night at the Hilton in Atlanta, where we stayed up till about 2 am talking and catching up.
We woke up the next morning & had breakfast in the room, 
 then headed to Blue Med Spa for some AWESOME Swedish massages!!
Chels said hers was super intense....like physical therapy, but I think she enjoyed it. Mine was UNBELIEVABLE....BEST massage I've EVER had. If you're ever in the Atlanta area, make an appointment with Joseph @ Blue Med Spa! Awesome!!  We got ready there (spa showers are super cool, and the bathrooms have killer lighting!).  Next we headed to Atlantic Station for some lunch & shopping.
We both enjoyed big, yummy salads from Doc Green's. The weather was beautiful so we sat outside to eat and soaked up some sunshine. Then we walked around for a few hours, shopping & talking.
We headed to the restaurant around 6 to change, freshen up, and make it on time for our 6:30 reservations.
Chelsi's mom, April, met us there & we snapped a few pics before heading in to eat.
Me & the bride-to-be!
 Chels & her SMOKIN' hot mom, April! April (my fitness inspiration) hooked Chels up with the hot outfit she is wearing. What a great mom!!
 We enjoyed some delicious Tapas...
 Then opened the goodies! 
 From her dad..."Sweet, cute, adorable..."
 Awesome Lily Pulitzer pjs for the beach!
 Great color for Chels...
 Super sweet of her future in-laws to swing by to support Chelsi on her special night! They were in the area and came over after dinner to spoil her with some more gifts.
Super hot little getup from Chad's mom!
And a gift card from his sweet sisters so she can buy the hot little number we picked out earlier that day!
(P.S. Doesn't her skin look GREAT? She's been using the Timewise skin care system by Mary Kay....I'm thinking about investing in some...)
All the girls...discussing wedding fun! Only 2 more weeks!!
 Chels with all the girls in her family....(plus Riley!)
Chelsi's new niece...so cute!!
Chelsi was a great MOH for me and I'm glad I've been able to return the favor.  Lookin' forward to the big day!!! She'll be a BEAUTIFUL bride!!

Need your help choosing a PHOTO!

I got an AWESOME deal on a 16x20 canvas print for our new house, and I need help choosing a wedding photo to get put on the canvas.  Wanna help??  Leave  a comment with your vote!!
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I definitely like the artistic look of these....and I'm leaning towards black & white, cuz it's so classic & would look good anywhere. Thoughts? Suggestions?? Votes??? :)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom is the greatest!!
I know most people think that, but mine really is.  :) She is beautiful, giving, honest, helpful, smart, and wise. She gives great advice, is super crafty & creative, and is always there for her husband, four kids, and ten grandkids.  She is the BEST Grammy and I can't WAIT for my kids to experience her.  She truly has a servant's heart and is incredibly hard working. Sometimes I just don't know how she manages to do all the does, but she pulls it off like a champ. 
 Check out my Mother's Day tribute from last year to see some lovely pics of "Mom & Me" through the years!
Love you, Mama! Thank you for everything....you are a BLESSING!!

Proverbs 31: 10-12, 25-31

A wife of noble character who can find? 
   She is worth far more than rubies. 
 Her husband has full confidence in her 
   and lacks nothing of value. 
 She brings him good, not harm, 
   all the days of her life
She is clothed with strength and dignity; 


  she can laugh at the days to come. 
 She speaks with wisdom, 
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 
 She watches over the affairs of her household 
   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 
Her children arise and call her blessed; 
   her husband also, and he praises her: 
 “Many women do noble things, 
   but you surpass them all.” 
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 
 Honor her for all that her hands have done, 
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer...Check!!

Jon and I both had busy weekends (post about mine to come)....and I am SO thankful I came home to some AWESOME new appliances. I HATE shopping around, and thankfully Jon loves to hunt deals and research the top new items.  He and his dad spent the majority of the day shopping for the few appliances we need in our new home (we close Thursday- YAY!), and ended up with some SWEET, top-of-the-line stuff & a killer deal. I'm glad Jon had his dad there because Jimbo is a great bargainer/negotiator. I'm also thankful my smart hubby has been saving up and was able to pay cash for all of them... :) I love my husband!

So, check out our new refrigerator, washer, and dryer! Yeahhh!! They have ALL the functions I want....and I have a feeling their little "extras" are going to come in major handy.
 Can't wait to use them!!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Food for Thought Friday: Thankful for Your Health

As I have been in fervent prayer for my sister over the past few days, I have realized that I need to be more thankful for my health. My sweet sister, Tammie, had surgery on Wednesday. They removed 1/3 of her colon and parts of her large and small intestines because of a blockage (her intestines were fused together). She has a 8-10 inch cut and staples and is in a LOT of pain. On top of it all, the also has really bad arthritis in her neck and back.  She hasn't been able to take the arthritis medicine for over a month (and won't be able to for another month because it could interfere with her healing from this surgery) and is having terrible muscle spasms as a result. They are unable to treat her for her arthritis because they are treating her for her surgery/Chron's.  Bless her heart...She is just the sweetest person, and it's heartbreaking knowing how much pain she is suffering through right now. Thank you for the prayers, and please keep them coming.

My "Food for Thought" this week...I want to encourage you to think about the last time you truly and meaningfully thanked the Lord for your health. There is so much in this life we take for granted, and this is definitely one of them.  Give Him thanks...

...Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Ephesians 5:20

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Prayers for Tammie

My sister, Tammie, is having surgery today. She is having 1/3 of her colon removed because of a blockage. Please say a special prayer for her.
Love you, sister!!
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  -Matthew 18:20