A 906 Christmas {10 days late}...

I'm back!!!

Sorry for the quiet around this place

but

WE HAD 10 Christmases!!!!!!!

And there is some recovery time needed after all that festivity

What"s that?

You don't believe me that we had 10 different Christmases?

Oh well I will give you the run down of it all in case you can't wrap your mind around that

{it took me about 4 years to realize this was in fact my reality- usually resulting in my crying and trying to pull my hair out sometime around 2:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve as I realize I have 12 more presents to wrap}

Christmas 1-  Our Christmas with just my immediate family- we did this on the 18th for my sanity and to include my littlest sister Mo who was going on an 8 day cruise for Christmas...

Christmas 2- Christmas at my Grandma's house on Christmas Eve starting at 12:30 with my mom's side of the family

Christmas 3-  Ryan's Grandma W. also on Christmas Eve from 5- 7:30 with Ryan's mom side of the family

Christmas 4-  Ryan's Opa's the last celebration of Christmas Eve from 7:30 to about 10:30 

Then we go home and prepare for the next day this year I was in bed by 1 which is the earliest I have ever been to bed on Christmas Eve since me and Ryan started living together.  Only a couple of presents to wrap in the morning which would have been a piece of cake except...

Our alarm didn't go off!!!  So Ryan helped me wrap presents like a mad man, half asleep, and one little tiny fight later we were out the door in sweatpants and baseball hats {sometimes something has to give and this year it was showering on Christmas}

Christmas 5- Ryan's dad's on Christmas morning around 10 to 12 

Christmas 6- Ryan's mom's Christmas morning from 12- 1:30ish 

Christmas 7- My dad's side of the family Christmas from 2- 5

Christmas 8- Ryan's dad's side family Christmas 5-9

Then Christmas is over right?!?

No...

Christmas 9- Ryan's Oma on the Thursday after Christmas

Christmas 10- We drive up to Chicago to see Ryan's Grandpa who lives outside the city for New Years Eve weekend...

That's not even including some other visits that were made to see family members from out of town just cause.

It's a pretty hectic time

and I am wiped out.

We are extremely blessed to have to many people who love and want to see us and SPOIL US ROTTEN!!!  Ryan is completely blissed out during all of this and I am learning to slowly let go of my expectations of the holidays and just sit back and enjoy the ride.  

 I will say that this was the smoothest year to date and me and Ryan even got to have our own little Christmas on Christmas Eve Eve which we had never done before! {this was the first year Ryan actually wrapped my presents!}  Ryan kept telling me what a good job I was doing and how proud he was of me.  I was prepared this year.  I didn't take on too many projects and put to much pressure on myself.  I also didn't have cramps so bad that I was puking so that always helps.

I don't have pictures and it has taken me about a week and half to recover

BUT my house is back in order thanks to my awesome husband who is clearly nesting...

I will be back full force this week with:

Resolutions and goals

A deep thoughts and belly shot

And a little surprise announcement!!!

How many Christmas celebrations do you have???  How do you get it all done? 

A Halloweeny Party

Ryan turned 28 this Halloween so we had a little party to celebrate {and by little I mean about 30 people!}.  Here is what it entailed:

Homemade potato soup & chili

A dessert table out by the bonfire

Snuggle blankets to keep toasty warm

Cider and candy to munch on

Homemade bread and baked beans 

Lots of family to celebrate Ryan!

I didn't get any pictures of the actual party because by that point I could barely waddle around from being on my feet so much.  So there was a dessert table I promise and it was awfully purdy for a boy party- good thing my husband pretty much lets me do what I want right now cause I am growin' his baby inside of me.  

The party was a complete success!  Even if it did take me {and my kitchen} days to recover I am so glad that I did it.  Since this is our last Halloween without kids I wanted to really make Ryan the center of attention since for the next 13 years or so it will be more about the kids then him {on his actual birthday- don't cry to much for him he will still have birthdays- just not on the actual date!}.

He always tells me that he doesn't need a party but I could tell this year he was really glad we did!  Happy birthday baby!  Here is to the next 28 being just as wonderful!!!

PS Did I mention that I wore sweatpants to the party? Yeah I did...cause I am pregnant and I can.

Wedded Bliss...

I am a little late with this post but on September 4th we celebrated our first full year of marriage.  It was pretty low key.  We slept in, hung out with family, got Buffalo Wild Wings to-go, and watched a scary movie OnDemand {my most favorite invention ever- who needs to go to the theaters when all you have to do is push a button and boom- new movie???}

Sound kind of lame?  Exactly and that was PERFECT.  After the wedding last year I was wiped out.  All I can remember from my reception is wanting to go home and sleep after 9 pm.  I did way to much DIY and I will be the first to admit it.  So this was the perfect way to celebrate, low key all the way.

This weekend we stepped it up a notch and went out to our favorite fancysmachy restaurant, Kofusion.   Ryan had the strip steak- or at least I think he did one minute it was there and then next minute it was gone!  I had the Alaskan Halibut with a red pepper sauce and it was amazing.  Beautiful crust and the sauce was so yummy that if people weren't watching me I would have picked up the plate and licked it.   It was delicious and I cleared my plate which made my hubby happy.  

After dinner we walked downtown a little bit and hit up Cream and Flutter, a little shop in downtown Champaign that sells cupcakes and wonderful little treats....or at least we thought it would be wonderful.  I had a red velvet cupcake and was so sadly disappointed.  Disappointed by both the icing and by the texture of the cake.  It was grainy and no bueno. 

I threw away my second one and if you have ever seen me and cupcakes you would never in a million years believe I threw one away {at my moms birthday party a few weeks ago I ate at least 8- I'm pregnant yo}.  Very disappointing but the shop is super cute and you can tell they watch the blog world and are crafty.  So A+ on aesthetics. 

*I do have to mention that I did have a brownie in a custom package we received at work as a thank you for referrals and I had a brownie {not available to purchase in the store} from Cream and Flutter and it was wonderful {but what good is it to have the best brownie of your life if you can't go buy one on your own???}  I do think I will give them one more shot with the cupcakes but maybe not the red velvet.

To top the whole evening off with one giant cherry we went looking at baby stuff!!!!  Since I am officially in the second trimester I figure it is safe to start looking around at places to register.  It was so much fun going to all the baby stores, picking out what we liked and needed.  Amazingly enough we agreed on almost everything!  It was so easy and fun.  Nothing like planning our wedding together or decorating our house.  When it comes to baby stuff me and the hubs are on the same page. 

I can't wait to go back and get crazy with the scanner.  I am dying for a shower!!!  I loved my bridal shower and have been eagerly looking forward to the baby shower...I hope someone is planning me one : ) cause I am ready to register and show up and look pregnant.  That's about all I do anyway these days.

Next weekend we are going to end the first year marathon celebration with a little trip to Le Claire, Iowa.  What? Yup, Iowa.  I figured since France was mostly all me last year, this year Ryan pick out our little mini vacay and he choose the hometown of the American Pickers!  It is his favorite show and I have to admit I am pretty excited to get away and to see the shop! It has been a good year and we are having fun celebrating who needs one day when you can spread it out over 3 weeks???

906 E. I'm never gonna leave this place...

* Warning- the following post is dangerously close to a pity party... proceed only if you are able to put up with extreme pregnancy hormones/emotions and either A) agree with me or B) KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!


Three years ago me and Ryan made the big decision to move in together.  It was a fun and exciting time in life.  While most people pick out something together, Ryan already owned a home.  So we waited for his room mate to move to Oregon and then we made the big leap into co-habitation.  At the time I didn't really think much about the house...I was blinded by love.

The house was for lack of a better word {or words} a bachelor pad.  Gross stained carpet on the floors, dated 1970's kitchen with dark red paint on the walls, bathroom with a tub that was black.  The bedrooms are small with tiny closets and the windows are old and single pain.

This is a resale nightmare and I am living it.  For the past three years I have been working my fanny off to get it on the market and each year goes by and I seem to get further and further away from that goal.  Sure I have learned a lot along the way- like don't paint your trim and doors with flat paint {wish I had found Young House Love a little sooner} and my tool belt has grown considerably.  And yeah, yeah, yeah, I did a bathroom makeover all by myself while Ryan was out of town...but what do I really have to show for it???

I'll tell you what- a to-do list that is even longer today then it was 3 years ago.  I am going to be stuck in this 900 square foot twilight zone FOREVER!  I hear that doo dee doo doo music in my head right now and I am going crazy.

How will we be able to fit a baby in here?  How are we going to put it on the market and be able to show it when we have an infant?  Where are we going to put said infant?  Are they going to tear down the house that is falling apart next door?  Are they going to sell the empty lot next to us and try to put a house on it, even though it's not zoned for a house?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!!?

Can you hear the voices too?

Don't even try to look at comparable houses in our neighborhood it will just depress you you more.  They are neat and clean.  Completely remodeled, with nicer showers and bigger kitchens.  Makes me wonder will I be at 906 East forever?  Will I ever get to put that glorious for sale sigh up in my yard?

Don't get me wrong.  This house has been a great house.  It felt like home the moment I moved in.  I have been the happiest of my adult life at 906.  I started this blog.  I planned a wedding.  We came home from our honeymoon to this house.  Me and my sister in law stayed here the night before her wedding, crafting into the wee hours of the morning.  So many special memories are here but it's time for someone else to make their memories here.

So here is the nitty gritty list of what needs to be done still.  You better read it and leave me lots of comments on how sorry you feel for me.  Cause I need your pity right now people- it's the only thing that is going to get me going again.  I need to know that you have been there too.  That it's going to be better.  That someday this house is gonna be for sale.  I need to hear it!

Here are some of the before pictures just so you can get a good visual of my poor, hard working, life for the past three years...

And while we have come a long way from these pictures we still have a lot to do...

:To Do:

Kitchen

scrap around edges of window frames to get extra paint off

paint underneath upper cabinets

order end cap for counter top on right side

install vent above stove

paint ceiling and lighting medallion

stage and clean for showing

Living Room

clean ceiling with magic eraser

have carpet installed

organize coat closet

paint floor vent

clean windows inside and out

stage and clean for showing

Den

new light fixture

paint windows and scrape edges for clean lines

clean windows inside and out

paint floor vent

organize closet

stage and clean for showing

install new carpet

Bathroom

caulk around the tub

caulk around the edge of floor

paint the floor vent

new coat of black on vanity

stage and clean for showing

Spare Bedroom

install new carpet

paint trim and windows with semi gloss not flat

paint floor vent

paint chain to light white

organize closet

stage and clean for showing

Master Bedroom

install new carpet

paint trim and windows

paint ceiling

paint floor vent

organize closet

hide internet and cable wires better

stage and clean for showing

Extras

Make sure that all door surfaces are painted with semi gloss paint

finish painting the front steps and shutters

power wash siding

stain back porch

paint front door

paint entire basement {walls and floors}

clean basement out and stage for showing

have Restore come and pick up old furniture

re- gravel driveway 

work on curb appeal somehow

So what the heck have I been doing for three years?!?  Sometimes I think I have just been going in circles...So for the next 2 months I will be doing a weekly check in with new after pictures of progress we are making to keep us motivated and accountable.  

What happens when you google "nursery"...

I LOVE looking at nursery inspiration!  It is the best thing after a long day at the office.  I am also starting to really love Pinterest...I have been in like for a while but I never really had to time to sit down and really figure it out.  Call me a blonde but I didn't get what you were suppose to do for a while.  I was trying to have multiple pin it's on my bookmark bar and then weeks later it finally hit me.  You are only suppose to have one and then when you pin it, you can choose what board you want to put it under.

Please do not laugh to hard at me.  I seriously had only given it a second of my attention until recently.  It wasn't that difficult once I just sat down and took a look around, instead of believing that if I though positively enough my pins would just morph into attention grabbing boards. 

Try out Pinterest!  It is a great place to stash inspiration for home, kitchen, and fashion {or whatever blows your skirt up}  Also check out this challenge by some of my favorite bloggers/stylistas, Emily Henderson  from Secrets of a Stylist and Sherry from Young House Love...

My new happy place...

We helped my parents move over the weekend.  Even though the house was in the same town I had never seen it before and let me tell you- it's so super cute!  It has so much character and possibilities but my FAVORITE part was the kitchen.  This kitchen is what my kitchen wants to be when it grows up.  I would find myself just standing in their new kitchen because it makes me smile.

My parents are still unpacking and finding homes for things so this pictures will have to do for now {just wait till you see the bedding we put together for my parents room}. Tomorrow will be the final Travel Tuesday for Paris! {you thought I forgot didn't you? well I kinda did with the wedding and all of the hoopla going on around here lately but tomorrow I am back in the Travel Tuesday saddle}  Happy Monday to you all and thank you for your lovely comments on my pictures last week! {so sweet }

There was a wedding Sunday...

there was a pretty bride...
and a handsome groom...
and LOTS of pinwheels...

more details to come but first I must edit the pictures!

Laundry room inspiration and an easy project...

So I am totally in love with this laundry room done by Heather Bullard.  It is so simple and chic.  Oh, did I mention sunny?!  I do laundry in the deep, dark crevices of my basement.  Where the sun never shines and spooky noises scare me back upstairs...don't laugh at me the kitties get scared too {Ryan thinks we are all big chickens}.  It is also necessary to put on a pair of Uggs and a heavy winter coat to do laundry in the winter.

image via Heather Bullard

As far as efficient though I couldn't ask for more.  I have fashioned an old entertainment center into my own laundry mecca.  It has everything you would ever need to do laundry:

A good stain fighter

Extra fabric softener

Detergent on reserve

Hangers for hang dry only clothing

Laundry basket

Rags

Special detergent for dark colors only

Mesh bag for delicate items

Bleach {Clorox Clean Line -brightest whites ever!}

How do you organize your laundry area?  Or what are some of your best tricks for fighting stains, fading, or ruining dedicates?  You wanna know my stain fighting secret???  It this thing call Red Wine Stain Remover. 

This stuff will take out the worst stains you can imagine.  It is like magic in a little spray bottle.  Doesn't leave behind fading or spots.  It is one of the best cleaning products I have ever come across in a long, long time.  

But what I really wanted to share with you, now that I have gotten all off topic, is this great idea.  Did you notice the mirror in the laundry room I shared with you?!?  That mirror looked new when she bought it so she put it out on her porch for nine months to weather it!  I think I can handle that!  Next time I hit up Goodwill or Restore I'm gonna have mirrors on my list!

image via Heather Bullard

38 days, a kitten, and a move

Oh life just keeps on coming. I am feeling very tired. Very overwhelmed. Ryan's job offered him a promotion {good} but in order to get the promotion we have to move {bad}. While it feels like too much right now and the last thing we need- I think it will be good for us. An adventure to start our marriage.

When I get past the anxiety of the unknown I feel a little excited to live somewhere new. To create new habits and meet new people. I am ready to start a new chapter in our lives. Ryan is talking babies but not me. Right now dealing with work, planning a wedding, helping Ryan deal with his loss, I feel stretched as thin as I can go. Being a bride with an anxiety disorder has not been easy. While I love my wedding and want so badly for it to be perfect. My energy, that I once was able to pour into the wedding, is gone.

So I have decided not to push myself right now. I am going to relax for the rest of July. I am going to eat good food and hang out with fun people. I am going to get lots of fresh air and read something other then wedding blogs. I am going to remember what it is like just to be a normal person for a couple of days!

And just so this post isn't pictureless here is our newest friend at our house- Skippy the kitten! How cute is he???

A new day dawns

Sometimes it can all get a little overwhelming. Sometimes things just don't go your way at all. Sometimes it will rain on your parade (or in this case your engagement shoot) but sometimes, just sometimes it all turns out the way you want to. Here is a just a taste of what is to come! Our engagement session part 1 with Brad Hart Photography was this Monday. A lot of rain and clouds canceled the shoot but we were still able to get some great shots! These were all taken in Ryan's Opa's barn. It's over 75 years old.

wedding freakouts and skin care consulations

We are five months away from the big day and it feels like time if just running out! I think I am officially having my first wedding freak out {I spent my entire lunch hour yesterday crying in my car}. I feel like I just don't have enough time in the day. Sometimes I am jealous of fiances who don't live together. The whole wedding planning process seems so much more glamourous.

In my reality I am not just planning a wedding. I am taking care of the house because Ryan is working over time. We are constantly remodeling our house {which takes time and oh so much of our money}. We both have lots of family around and friends. So there are birthdays, and holidays, and it goes on and on and on. Our house is kind of like Monica and Chandler's apartment on Friends, someone is always there. And I just feel like I am losing my mind. I want to go away for a weekend but of course Ryan doesn't travel.

So I am tired. And stressed. And losing everything {yes another set of keys}. I want to share with you what I am doing but I just don't have the time! I promise that I have been DIYing and I promise to share with you soon! I have to be a better blogger next week!

Ryan promised me yesterday that he would help more {and complain less- grr} and that he would take me somewhere special this Saturday night. That is after we install a new front door and medicine cabinet and light in our bathroom. {never ending}

But I can leave you with nothing today so check out this! It's a skin care consultation that takes less then 3 minutes. I love sephora.com I will be making my selections in the coming weeks. I plan on starting a full on body makeover starting in May.