Our Future Home Sweet Home

 We're building a house! Yay!!! I'm so crazy excited. We have waited and waited and searched and searched for what seems like forever and finally we've made a decision. We signed the papers on the lot way back in March and chose our plan.

Then the fun stuff began!  First, I poured over the plans for hours and hours tweaking this and that making the plans fit our family exactly (at least I hope). We took out closets here and added walls there. We also added a third floor! Yeah, isn't that crazy? For those of you from the deep south this was definitely something for us to get used to up here. There aren't a lot of basements here and if you happen to find a lot where you can have one they are CRAZY EXPENSIVE! Thus, the 3rd floor. We absolutely ADORE having guests in our home so one of the biggest things we were considering when choosing a plan was not only does it have plenty of room for our family but does it have plenty of room to entertain. Adding a 3rd floor was a huge deal to us so we would have that extra place for the kiddos to run off to play or for the guys to hang out to watch a game. Basically, it's a basement on the 3rd floor. Although we aren't going to finish the 3rd floor immediately it is my favorite addition to the plans because the added floor totally changed the pitch of the roof which really added to the over all look of the house. I've always loved the farmhouse look and I think this is pretty close.

Another major priority for this "Southern Belle" was a front porch! Why sugar, what proper southern home is complete without one? I absolutely can't wait to spend my mornings out there rocking and sipping my coffee and my evenings having "porch time" with my hubby,  sipping a tall glass of ice cold sweet tea, as we talk about our day. Simply dreamy!


The next step was my absolute FAVORITE part so far!!! I had my 4 hour long selections meeting where I picked out all the details. Y'all know me, there are NEVER enough details in anything I do! It was so much crazy fun! I truly felt like a kid in a candy store...except for having to stay within budget. UGH! We joked all morning during the meeting as I borrowed from Peter to pay Paul that Peter was flat broke and in the poor house by the time I finished. It all worked out beautifully and by eliminating this and that I was able to add other things that made me CRAZY EXCITED....like a farmhouse sink!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! It became such a big deal me saying "no I can't add that because I have to have the sink" that the joke is now every time someone rings my doorbell my first greeting to them is going to be  "Do you want to see my sink?"It has been so great! We are so, so, so very blessed to have this opportunity. I'm not sure if this is our forever home but I'm doing my very best to build it like it is.

They've cleared the lot and slowly but surely things are beginning to happen.  You see those trees back there...we fought for everyone of them. Well, not really, but I'll tell you I was more than willing to chain myself to one and I had a few friends willing to help me if the threat of those big ole dozers taking them all down arose! You know builders, they like to wipe the slate clean, but I wanted my trees! We so missed having trees while we were in Texas. Being surrounded by trees once again is a dream come true. We still have a lot of cleaning up to do back there but hopefully the beautiful huge oak trees will continue to stand strong!

As of right now this is where we are. All cleared and ready and waiting.

The wait is supposed to be over first thing Monday morning when things are scheduled to begin! Yay!!! I honestly have butterflies in my stomach I am so excited! We've lived in several new homes over the years but this is the first time we have built one from the ground up. In my mind it's completely finished and is absolutely gorgeous. Now,  I just have to wait and see if it all turns out as I have planned.

First Day of School 2011

It is so crazy unbelievable that the twins are old enough to be in older 3's preschool! They will be in pre-K next year!!! Where in the world did the time go?


Before we got out of the car Grant told Betsie, "Betsie, don't cry!" It was absolutely so cute. He knows how ultimately attached she is to her mommy. They were so precious walking in holding hands.

I used to ask the girls before the twins were born, "What in the world are we going to do with two babies?" Gracie would always say..."Just yuv dem mommy." So true, but in a million years I never could have imagined how much I truly would "yuv dem." Monty's mom (Monty is a twin) told me when I was pregnant that "God only gives twins to very special momma's." I know one thing for sure and for certain, being the mommy of these 4 kids sure does make me feel like the most special momma on earth. God is so very good. Even when we are shocked and completely overwhelmed with His gifts, He knows we will one day be completely consumed and overwhelmed with the reality of His amazing love presented to us as such precious bundles of joy. Oh, how I wish I could have 4 more, or 8 more... Oh, my God is so good. For He knows the plans He has for us.

My 2 Babies

Darby does it again...I am so in awe of her ability to capture my children's true personalities. She is so awesome.

Trust me this isn't even the best one! You can see the whole slide show here.

I am so thankful I found her. I have been searching for the perfect photographer since Maggie was born...11 years ago. Darby=that perfect photographer for me. She takes tons of pictures just waiting to capture that perfect expression. She's not all posey, posey, I hate that, this is real life folks, kids being kids. And I love that she is totally up for anything. If I have a vision, she goes with it, even it means she has to hang upside down from a tree...NoT ReAllY...but she has sprawled all out on the ground. Now, that is a photographer after the perfect shot! Love, Love, Love HER!!!

How's Them Apples

A few days ago we made our annual trip to North Georgia for apples. We always go to Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Our main objective was to get 4 bushels of Gala apples to make jars and jars of applesauce. It is so delish and the Gala apples are so sweet you don't have to use any extra sweetener at all. We've learned once you have homemade you can't go back to store bought!
Grant worked...

and worked to help load up our 2 carts with apples.

He finally opted to hop up on the tractor they had sitting in the store. One of his most favorite things in the world to do when he goes to visit Popaw and TaTa is ride with Popaw on his tractor. All he kept saying while sitting on the tractor was "ride with Popaw." He was really checking it out so I'm really glad they were smart enough to remove the keys. I'm sure he wasn't the first little boy itching to take it out for a spin.

We always love getting to taste the fresh apple cider. Betsie enjoyed her cider and Mommy's too.

We always buy the majority of our apples already picked and bagged in the store, but this year we decided to also try our hand at picking a few.  It was a real treat for all the children to go on a wagon ride up into the orchard.

There were apple trees as far as we could see hanging heavy with all types of beautiful apples.

When we reached our destination the apple experts gave us instructions on the proper way to pick an apple. First...twist...Second...pull, and it really worked.

This was very important information for us since this whole apple pickin' experience was a first for all of us, but definitely will not be our last.

We all had such fun.

Naturally, Maggie pondered and pondered picking the perfect apple.

We were completely amazed that all the apples in the entire orchard are picked by only 12 people. In this day in time we simply assumed there had to be and easier way, but we were told each apple is hand picked exactly the same way we picked them, twist then pull.  The twins were old pros after only a few apples. We actually had to encourage them from picking more than our little bag could hold.

The best part of the whole outing was the taste testing. In typical Betsie fashion, she nibbled on her apple, Grant dug into his and Gracie completely devoured hers, I hope she left the seeds. 

 Betsie was still nibbling as we loaded up.

After asking around, we decide to try a local favorite barbecue restaurant The Pink Pig for lunch.

They really got into the "pink pig" theme around there for sure. There where pink pig plates for the kiddos.

There were pigs hanging from the rafters,

and pigs of every shape, color and size in every little nook and cranny. I can't think of a more perfect way to decorate a yummy barbecue restaurant. I forgot to get a picture, but one of my favorites wasn't a pig at all but actually the window treatments, or shall I say mistreatments...they simply had hanging from cord, pieces of red and white checked gingham clipped on the cord with clothes pins. Too cute.

Our adventure ended with a torrential down pour completely soaking Monty and the big girls as they raced to the car where the twins and I were already safe and dry before it hit.

The rain quickly ended and we enjoyed a beautiful drive home. I told the children my Mamaw always said when the smoke was rising from the hills it was a opossum cooking dinner. Where she got that tale, who knows, but what fun to pass down to a third generation.

From the looks of it I think they were having a family reunion!

Happy Fall Ya'll

Fall is in the air and I am sooo excited!!!

September 1st is the beginning of what to me is THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR and the best part is it lasts until December 31st! The house is decorated and plans are being made to pick apples, can tons of applesauce, go to the pumpkin patch, make a trip to the mountains, and ultimately prepare for our annual trip to visit "THE MOUSE!" It's just the most wonderful time of year and I am simply giddy!!!

Fall to me is the time tidy up and start decking the halls. It's time to get cozy and make every little nook and cranny warm and welcoming to all who enter.

It's the time I love to warm up our home with the delicious smells of a pumpkin spice candle, a big ole pot of soup simmering on the stove and the mouthwatering smell of a freshly baked apple pie.

It's time to pull out those cozy quilts that just scream "curl up with me and a good book."

  

It's time to add a little touch here...

 

and a little touch there,

all that say, "welcome home"

"welcome to a new season of life"

"you are loved"

and, "I'm really glad you're here."



Now, as it is quite obvious, I love details, and more is always better! So, in my book, there is no nook nor cranny too insignificant to be ignored. The one spot in my house that gives me the greatest joy is by far what most people would probably consider to be, well, completely ridiculous. But, it makes me smile. 

Yes, I really do love to decorate my toilet paper.

So close but yet so far...

We recently had the wonderful privilege of having Monty's twin brother and his family here in the states with us for 8 months. Each and every day we spent together is now a precious memory we will treasure for always. They returned home, to another country, a couple of weeks ago. To say we miss them terribly is a horrible understatement. We are not just family but, the closest of friends.  

Darby, from Darby Rose Photography, did an amazing job capturing this precious relationship. You can click here to see our slide show. Thank you Darby. We will treasure these pictures forever. 

What if...

A few months ago I began reading the book So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore. It has now been added to Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, as one of the two books in my humble but accurate opinion, that should be required reading for every breathing woman!!! 

Wow, it really was amazing. I can honestly say, God is truly using this book to really begin a great and deeply needed change in my life. I could go on and on about all the many things that spoke to me throughout this book, but I'm only going to highlight my greatest treasure from the whole book. You see, it spoke so clearly to me and ministered to me in such a way, I really want Sara, from Sara's Art* House to paint it for me, really huge, to hang above my fireplace. That way I can be reminded daily of His love for me and His desire for me to live the ABUNDANT life.

I'm just going to quote it exactly like Beth put it.... 

"Insecurity feeds like a starving wolf off fear of the future- and not just the distant future of aging, infirmity, or death. Insecurity fears what might happen later today. Tonight. Tomorrow. Next week. Next year. Next decade. Its constant mantra is, 'What will I do if...?' Fear of the future makes people settle for things in the present that completely defy abundant life. It also insults the grace of God that will be piled in heaps for us when hardship comes. We agonize over how we'll possibly make it, yet all the while we can glance over our shoulders and see where God has carried us. And often through worse that what we're afraid of now.

 When you feel that familiar panic begin to rise in your heart like a river coursing its banks and your soul begins to roll with another round of 'What will I do if...?' what would happen if you were willing to hear the voice of God whisper these inaudible words?

 Child, you are asking the wrong question. Here's the one that would assuage your fears:"

This is what I want Sara to paint

"What will God do if...?"

This is what Beth has to say about how God would answer that question...

 "Here's a smattering of answers to that mighty good question.

I, the Maker of heaven and earth, will:

 perfect everything that concerns you (Psalm 138:8, KJV).

work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).

contend with those who contend with you (Isaiah 49:25).

fight this battle for you (2 Chronicles 20:15).

equip you with divine power (2 Corinthians 10:4).

delight to show you mercy (Micah 7:18).

meet all your needs according to My glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

give you grace that is perfectly sufficient (2Corinthians 12:9).

do immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within you (Ephesians 3:20)."

Wow, this totally leaves me breathless. Our God is SOOOO GOOD!!!

As I said earlier, I read Beth's book several months ago, but this morning I began to feel that sneaky very familiar feeling of panic begin to rise within me...What will I do if...? What if this happens again...? What if...?!!! I am so thankful God has given us His word to fight the advances of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy our joy, our peace, our ABUNDANT LIFE. Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the FULL" (John 10:10). I have to say it again, MY GOD IS SO GOOD!!! Praise the Lord, I can go on today, refreshed, assured, and confidently at peace, knowing, He loves me...He is in control...and everything will ultimately, according to His will, not just be okay, but will be perfect in His time.

I sure hope Sara is up to painting this, or I'll be forced to scribble it on the wall!!!