Hardest thing about getting married

Was changing my name.

No, I'm not kidding. Let's go back to last Saturday, ok? We're helping our friends Craig & Janet move into their in-between homes apartment. A few of the guys went back to fill up their cars with things leaving myself, Janet, her mother, and another friend Ashley to line the shelves with paper, put things away, and unpack.

I was getting a few things from off the kitchen bar counter when I saw a folded piece of paper. It was a note from the apartment complex/realtor and then I saw her name. Carrie Cole. Oh my gosh, I almost burst into a thousand pieces. I probably gasped then told myself you are crazy, hold it together. I told them that this was my old name and even though I'm close enough to my two friends to fall to the floor in tears, I don't know Janet's mother well and I mean, Carrie, it's been 18 months. You would think I'd be used to it. I do love my last name and a preschool parent even said it was the most perfect preschool teacher name, but I really do miss being CCC. 

I was reminded of this when I read Cup of Jo's post today on changing your name. I don't think I would've kept using my last name but being CCC was part of my identity so I think {I hope} it's normal to miss something I had for 27 years. Leave and cleave, I guess.

All that to say, Andrew and I are going to visit this new brewery in town soon. :)

Best news in the entire world!!

You know those times when the Lord asks you to wait and not just wait, but wait patiently? Well. It all started back in early July when we started thinking about what was next in terms of housing. I was terrified of buying a home. I wanted to leave our apartment and move into a house we could rent for a year. It felt logical that we would save enough money for a home. So we started driving around neighborhoods and long story short, fell in love with this one home.

Turns out it was a short sale and from what I would learn meant that nothing is ever short about it. We decided to try it out. Everything seemed to be a good fit: price, neighborhood (minus a few things), lots of friends in the area, and the size of the house.

We were in NYC this past summer when we got a call that we needed to submit our offer asap (something to do with short sales, banks, it's all fuzzy, I dunno). We were actually sitting at the Starbucks near my old office (Suz, you remember!) and I was on the phone with our realtor asking crazy questions like "There's nothing mentioned about sewage. Is that taken care of?!?" before we signed on the dotted line. That evening we enjoyed dinner with Mir and Chris and talked to them about it. Thought about it even more and on our way home in PA we managed to find a FedEx to scan and send in our offer! Just in time.

While two and a half months doesn't seem that long, it is when you're waiting to hear about a place you might call home. We thought we were going to hear on Friday and didn't. I was so disappointed. I've been reading through the Psalms and Proverbs in my quiet time which has been very encouraging. I read this verse:

Hope deferred makes a heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. - Proverbs13:12

 I had to trust that in His perfect timing we would know our answer.

We found out today! We got the house! I think we've felt a wide range of emotions: joy, panic (holy crap we have to buy a fridge, washer/dryer, blinds, and so much else), sadness over saying goodbye to an amazing neighborhood and a cozy lil apartment we've loved these last 18 months, and of course we've felt excitement about what's to come.

Here are some pictures back in August when we went with Andrew's mother to show her Rozzie:

Look at that front porch! I need to be on the lookout for rocking chairs.

Who knows if we'll get it!

We got it!! Now, the yard needs tons of work after not having an owner since it was built and we have all the things such as inspection, appraisal, all that. So I guess there's a small chance something could go wrong... but for now, we're on our way to moving into Rozzie in a month if all goes well. We're already dreaming about Saturday morning pancakes with neighbors, praise and worship on the front porch, dinner parties, and visits from family and friends. What a blessing a home is whether it's an apartment or house! 

Life Lately {in August}

Good grief I'm way behind in blogging! 

I've been making this bread a lot lately. 

Ben's birthday celebration!!

Kristin & me 

 

I took a sewing class and it was pretty helpful! I would love to take a quilting class next. 

We're still trying out new restaurants in Charlotte. This was a good one!

Another visit from my MIL, niece, and nephews!

Adia and I had a coffee date and then went to Park Road Books.

Emily's bridal shower at my parents home. Al & Gin did such a great job decorating. Hooray for getting married!

Happy

I really have so much to post but guess where I've been? I've been in my classroom, sitting on the couch working on lesson plans {and making the wreath below for our classroom door}, hugging sweet children, and saying things like, "Oh really? I never thought to put mustard and ketchup on my watermelon!" {play kitchen}.

It's been the busiest two weeks ever and you know what... I love it.

This has to be love

So I'm sitting on the couch with Andrew when he tells me he has a surprise for me. I kind of hate surprises and have to know immediately what it is. He said I had to work for it so I go through 20 questions to get it, although it was probably like 40 questions. 

I finally get close and then guess this:

And I'm right! Andrew pre-ordered the Smitten Kitchen cookbook for me as a congrats on being a preschool teacher gift!

The best and sweetest part is that he spends so much time doing odd jobs on Mechanical Turk that he finally had saved up enough to buy it on Amazon.com without me even knowing! 

So thoughful of him. Now I'm super excited to get it in two months!

Life lately

It's a Friday night and I'm just so happy to be at home. 

Here's what we've been up to lately...

Olympic watching these last few weeks. I'm so impressed with their athleticism. Gold medal cookies.

A few weeks ago I went to see Michelle & Reagan! Oh what a little love!! Mich is such a good mama.

We visited and had some good laughs over lunch.

I held the little Rea most of the afternoon. I loved it.

Ginna came for a night last week and we celebrated our NEW JOBS (more on that later)!

Last Saturday I drove up to PA with my Mother-in-law to get these fun kiddos.

It was a long but beautiful drive.

Maybe 11pm at a gas station with 4 hours to go. Do you see the coffee?

Bedtime stories with Uncle Andrew. So sweet.

This past week I was busy with the shredder. 

Yesterday was such a fun day surprising Lucy at work, having a yummy Greek lunch with my Dad!, hanging out with Katie, Alden & Blythe, then heading to Raleigh to see Gin, Jeff & Reynolds. (Hope you're feeling better, E!!)

That cute Ginna girl.

Last night I spent the night with Lu! Bebe's (Phoebe) enjoyed my water. Animals are so entertaining.

This morning I met Lorrina & Margot for coffee at Dean & Deluca. She is just the cutest, has such poise and style for a 6 year old, and it was wonderful to catch up with them!

Happy Weekend! 

Weekend in Atlanta

This past weekend we went down to Atlanta to spend time with family & friends.

Chloe's 4th birthday celebration! 

The theme was princess & Barbie. While I usually like to buy useful gifts like books, I found myself going crazy at the Dollar Store buying a handful of Disney princess items. 

{Which was really, really fun!}

I love that Maggie is dancing in the background with her American Girl doll.

Andrew and Charlie

Had to capture Andrew drinking out of a Barbie cup.

Caroline made the Barbie cake and apparently it's so easy if you use the Pampered Chef bowl and then flip it upside down. Who knew?

Maybe my favorite moment as Mr. Charlie fell asleep in my arms right after this. 

Around dinnertime we went to see the Parkers!

Al makes the best fruit tea.

Toby was having a slumber party with one of his friends.

Me & Al. She made the most wonderful shrimp & grits for dinner.

Then we decided while watching the Olympics that we needed a baking project. :)

The next morning was Charlie's baby dedication at their church.

Group shot

Oh you know...

What a fun weekend it was! Thanks, Dales & Parkers.