Friday's Letters

Bella Louise. Eight Weeks!

Dear husband, guess what?! It's almost my birthday month! Yay! I can't wait for my birthday trip. It is going to be a much-needed getaway for us both. I know I won't see much of you the week of July 4th. Seeing as I have that whole week off because the daycare is close, I'll spend most of my day missing you, but thinking about that whopping paycheck you'll get from it. Dear mortgage, I paid you for the first time today. Like I said on Facebook, it felt good! After spending months feeling like we were wasting money by renting, that same money actually went somewhere this time - to paying off our home. It felt like an investment and not like a waste. Of course, the fact it was practically the same dollar amount as our rent made it that much sweeter! Dear house warming party, you are creeping up on us. We're making the yummy treats for all our guests tomorrow. I hope my mother lets me taste test a few. Dear Project Life, you took a hit during our move. I'm a month behind, but I ordered all the pictures I need to catch up today. Dear Bella and Bentley, you two are such goobers. I love you both to death, but man you make it hard to clean. Sometimes, it really is like I have two toddlers in the house - leaving toys everywhere, tracking in everything from outside and having your little accidents. You two are also constantly under my feet or following my every step. Let's face though - I wouldn't have any other way.

House Warming Party Invitations

Greetings!

In a little less than two weeks, our door will be open to friends and family for our house warming party. My planning partner in crime (a.k.a. my mother) and I spent the better part of Saturday planning the party and finalizing the menu.

My guests have all received their invitations by now so I figured it was time to introduce them to the blogosphere. Ta-da!

Unfortunately, I only ordered 40 so not everyone that is coming received one. Thank goodness for Facebook events! For those of you who only got invited on Facebook, here is what your invitation looked like. Sorry!

To give you some context, our house was a bank-owned home. When we finally moved into it last month, the house had not been lived in for two years. That said, I'm sure you can imagine how much the weeds and pine straw had taken over our property.

We've put in a lot of elbow-grease into making the outside of our home just as beautiful as the inside. Because of the wonderful presents we received for our wedding, the inside of home does not lack for anything we need. However, we need lawn care items badly! We've got a lawn mower thanks to my generous mother-in-law and father-in-law, but that's about it. Though our parents haven't said a word, I'm sure they are getting tired of us asking to constantly borrow tools, ladders, weed eaters, etc.

Because of our need, I selected a gardening theme for our house warming party. While gifts are certainly not required by any means, I wanted to give those who have been asking what we need an idea for something we could really use. Thus, on the invitations we requested gift cards to Home Depot or Lowe's. The giftcards will definitely be put to good use, because we still have so many little, random projects to complete. Not to mention, we still need an over-the-range microwave to go over the stove...Hopefully, our party-goers won't notice that ugly, gaping hole.

Anyhow, these invitations should be going live on my Etsy shop sometime this week! UPDATE (6/20/13): YOU CAN PURCHASE THESE INVITATIONS ON MY SHOP BY CLICKING HERE.

Until next time!
Miranda

P.S. Something awesome: The Friday's Letters post from last week (6/14/13) was officially my 100th post and I crossed over 15,000 views! You guys are awesome! Thank you!!!

Friday's Letters

Bella modeling our new mailbox!

Dear husband, your All Stars baseball team is playing this weekend in the sub-state tournament. Good luck! As much as I love watching you coach, I'm ready for this two month break. You come home from work, eat really fast and then have to leave for practice. I miss you. That said, enjoy your last few games! Dear Bentley, you've decided you are the same size as Bella. Although you only weigh a whopping 10 pounds, it is still kind of hard to breathe when you lay up on my chest (and face) like Bella. Dear Bella, you are teething. This means instead of being an adorable seven week old puppy you have decided you are an alligator. You've also decided that you like to bite noses. No puppy kisses for you until you get those teeth in Jaws! Dear house warming party, your invitations are out and I'm steadily getting RSVPs! Mom and I are have a planning session for you tomorrow and she's already come up some wonderful ideas. I need to step it up! Dear house, R.J. and I are waiting for a day that it isn't scorching outside so we can get your yard work done for the party. Also, to the weeds in my flower beds, would you please die already?

Until next time!
Miranda

Wall Mirror Turned Chalkboard

Greetings!

My first DIY project post-move is complete!

I have had a full-body wall mirror since I was in high school. Originally, it was screwed into the door of my parents' old home. When we moved my senior year of high school, my dad yanked it out of the door for me. Ever since, it has traveled all over the great state of Georgia where ever I called home at the time. Through the several moves, the frame around the mirror had gotten pretty beat up. However, it wasn't anything my hot glue gun couldn't fix!

With a can of chalkboard spray paint, I converted my old mirror into a full size chalkboard for our kitchen complete with a weekly menu and grocery list.

The idea actually came from my in-laws. In their kitchen, they have a chalkboard where important events and milestones like birthdays, anniversaries or graduations are written for the month. I've always loved the idea of the "birthday board" as we called it. Every July, I love seeing my name in big, chalky letters for my birthday.

With a $4 can of chalkboard spray paint, I applied two coats to the mirror and let it dry for a full 24 hours. Bella and I had somewhat of a mishap during the painting process though. While I was spraying the second coat, she decided to run full blast between my legs and onto the mirror which was laying outside on the ground...Needless to say, she went sliding across the wet paint on all fours and her behind.

As a result, Bella got her first bath. Thankfully, I was able to get the black spray paint out of her fur. However, she still has four black chalkboard paws.

She cried and squealed the whole time, panicking like I was drowning her. After undergoing some intense scrubbing, she was scooped out of the kitchen sink by her daddy who wrapped her up in a towel and snuggled with her on the couch.

Even though you can still see a couple paw prints if you look closely, I think my chalkboard mirror turned out great! You can't beat a project that only cost you $4! After the spray paint dried, I hot glued a sturdy ribbon on the back so I could hang it on my hook. I'm planning on buying some Command strips though to secure it a little more on the door.

Until next time!

Miranda

Friday's Letters

Dear husband, we get our new furniture tomorrow! YAY! I can't wait to snuggle up with you on our new reclining love seat. Too bad I don't get to sleep in on my Saturday though...who the heck delivers furniture at 6:50 am on a Saturday?! Urgh. Dear housewarming party invitations, I am anxiously awaiting your arrival at my door step. I may be a little bias because I designed them and all, but they are so CUTE! I can't wait to share them with the blogosphere. Dear Bella Louise, it has been such a wonderful week introducing you into our little family. We are slowly learning your little quirks and habits. Right now, you are sound asleep on R.J.'s chest. You are so stinkin' cute! Dear Bentley, you are such a great big brother - for the most part. You let Bella nibble on your legs and pull your ears. God forbid you paw at her though. Whenever you do, she turns into a diva and starts whining and crying. Last night, I suppose you had had enough. When she was at the water bowl, you pawed at her and made her fall into the water bowl. She started crying foul big time and you just ran around the kitchen doing victory laps. You stinker!

Until next time!
Miranda

Bentley letting baby sister play with his Chickfila cow

Welcome Bella Louise!

I would like to introduce you all to Bella Louise - the newest (and smallest) member of our family. Bella turns six weeks old today! She is a shih poo or a shih tzu and poodle mix. When she is full grown, she will be about the size of Bentley.

Speaking of Bentley, everyone is curious to know how he is handling his new little sister. So far, he has been mesmerized by her. He watches her every step and comes running with she whines, squeaks or cries. He doesn't even bat an eye when she tries to nibble on one of his toys. Although, he cannot understand why she keeps trying to nurse on him.

At the moment they've worn themselves out playing with each other. Bella's asleep in her little bed and Bentley's curled up on the couch.

Hopefully, Bella's transition into our family will continue to be smooth.

Until next time,
Miranda