Twenty One

On August 29 I turned the magical 21.

Seriously I'm not sure why they make such a big deal about 21, besides the fact that you can legally drink BUT since I don't drink 21 was just another year. However, I did have a most wonderful birthday. First thing I did though was go to the DMV to change my name, become a Washington resident, and get that lovely red box taken off my license. I was lucky though and only had to spend about 30 minutes there total. Brad totally spoiled me and I got a new camera, a nice fancy one that I have been wanting for YEARS. Seriously best gift ever. We went to Red Robin for dinner and came home and had some cake that I had made earlier that day. It was most definitely a low-key birthday but for those of you who know me, know I wouldn't have it any other way! Here are some pictures from the night! :)

p.s. When I was younger I always wanted to be married by 21, lucky for me that was the case and I married the man of my dreams! So Blessed :)

When Mo Came to Visit and Home Tour! :)

Remember that one time that Mo came and visited me in good ol' Washington and we got our craftiness on and made the apartment look real cute and I promised a blog about it? Yeah, well I finally got a spare second to get it done. What am I talking about I have lots of spare seconds, truth is I just finally sat down and did it.  So while I am listening to the Spice Girls on Pandora {don't judge me} I figured I would share some pics of our temporary home!

First up is the living room! I am absolutely in love with our arm chair which I was really worried about since I ordered it online but I think it goes perfectly. I also love our couch because it turns in to a queen size bed which was nice when Mo missed her flight, and it has space underneath to store blankets and pillows. Also what I like to call our dining room/area. I absolutely love having a bar table and I am obsessed with my square plates!

{Couch-IKEA, Arm Chair-Target, Pillows-Home Goods/Kirkland's} 

 

{Frame Set- Christmas Gift but from Kirkland's, Table-IKEA, Plates-Target, Place mats-Stein Mart}

Below is our entertainment center. Before Mo came to visit it was completely blank so that was my main focus of the week because it needed something. So we got all crafty and made it look real cute!  

{Live, Laugh, Love Sign- DIY project, Entertainment Center- IKEA, Jars- DIY project, Willow Tree Figurine-Birthday Present, Letter S- Stein Mart}

 The bedroom isn't completely done yet but I will show you a little preview, I probably won't be finishing it while we live here since we will be moving in November.

{Pillows-Stein Mart, Hobby Lobby, Ross, Always kiss me goodnight sign- DIY project, Chalkboard- DIY project, Bed Spread- Bed, Bath, and Beyond}

And last but not least the bathroom. I am in love with our shower curtain and color scheme. I have neutrals all over the place!

{Shower Curtain-Ana's Linens, Curtain Rings- Ross, Soap Dispenser- Target}

I am loving how much more of a homey feel the apartment has and have enjoyed seeing it all come together! I look forward to more DIY projects and I am so grateful that my mom was able to come stay with me and have girl time while Brad was gone. I am so blessed! :)

blessed

Today I am feeling so blessed.

I have an amazing family that will always love and support me. Mom, Dad, Afton, and Colby, thank you for always being there for me. Even from a distance I know that y'all will be there. I have an amazing husband that works so hard to take care of me and balance all of his responsibilities. He has an incredible job that makes it to where we have a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in, food in our bellies, clothes to wear, and a car to drive. I have the opportunity to further my education, something that a lot of people take for granted. I have freedoms that so many people do not have the right to enjoy. I have a healthy body, that even when I get the silly flu makes me so grateful that I do not have any life long illnesses that I have to constantly battle through. I have the knowledge of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, something that brings me the greatest comfort in my life. I have a loving Heavenly Father who has given me so much to be thankful for and who is constantly watching over me. I need to be better about looking at all the good things I have been blessed with instead of dwelling on the not so great things that will eventually pass.

 

Happy Birthday

Today is my best friends birthday. My best friend just happens to be my Mom. I would like to thank my Grandma for giving birth to my momma on this very day because I can't imagine my life without her in it, let's be honest I wouldn't even be here without her. She has been a constant support through my whole life and at some times my only friend. There have been many nights where we would stay up and talk in bed for hours on end. She always has my back and has taught me some of life's greatest lessons. I have been so blessed to have the relationship that I do with my mom. I can only hope and pray that one day I will be the kind of mother that my mom was to me. Thanks for being so amazing mom and for teaching me how to be a wonderful wife and mother! 

Happy Birthday, best friend!

p.s. Mo just visited me for a week while Brad was on a business trip, stay tuned for what we did! :)

Insta-Lately :)

Capturing our life via Instagram! 

Here is what we've been up to.

1. Flowers husband got me from Pike's Market

2. Blackberry picking

3. The new Ferris wheel on the Pier

4. Public Market Center sign

5. Gum Wall on Post Alley

6. Husband picking blackberries

Random Ramblings

So today Mo told me that she liked it when I used to blog about random stuff. I have so many random thoughts that I usually just keep to myself because I figure no one else would want to hear about that, but now that I know that is not the case maybe every now and then you will get some random ramblings. 

Here are a few as of late:

*I just got an iPhone. Can you say obsessed? Instagram is my newest addiction.

* I'll start off with I HATE driving on interstates. Maybe it's because I didn't really get much practice back in Georgia? Interstates are the only way you get around here in Washington, it's killing me. I miss my back roads! Oh plus when I did drive on the interstate in Georgia you had to drive fast in order to avoid getting run over. Here it is the complete opposite, the speed limit is 60 mph and people are driving 55. What in the world?!?! I am no longer considered a granny driver, instead I'm a speed demon.

*I am enrolled in an online degree program through Troy university. School just started yesterday. I am taking 3 classes. Truth is...I am already done with all the work for week one. #iamanerd.

*I don't know what it is about those hash tags and I lately but I am loving on them, and no I do not have a twitter. I do not feel the need to tell everyone what I am doing every second of my day, nor do I think people would really care. 

* I feel the need to change my email address. I've had the same one since I was like 8, and people are looking at me funny when I tell them my address. Might be time to say goodbye to brettbeauty. {feel free to laugh}

Care to share your random ramblings? Leave a comment! :)

Put On Your Big Girl Panties

You can only sit in an apartment for so long before going crazy, you can only clean a bathroom so many times, and eventually you will run out of dishes to wash. I have enjoyed being able to sit down and have lunch with my husband every day and being home with dinner ready once he gets off of work. But like I said I can't sit at home all day bored out of my mind. I run out of things to do. Solution to that problem, get a job.

Brad and I had discussed me getting a job once we got married. We are so blessed that Brad has a good job and that I have the option of staying home if I wanted or needed to. However I would go crazy sitting at home all day every day by myself just waiting for Brad to come home. We both know school is my top priority so it would just need to be a part time job. Since I am taking online classes my schedule is pretty flexible.

I didn't plan on getting a job until after school had started that way I could have a good idea of how many hours I could handle. I had been looking at all the stores I would stop in to shop at to see if they were hiring and it seems like everyone here is. My mom told me to look online and see who was hiring on Monday. I came across an ad offering a part time job for two adorable little girls. The ad had just been posted so I decided to act fast before I missed out on what I saw as the perfect opportunity. So I applied and not more than 10 minutes later I heard back. We scheduled to meet the next day. So yesterday afternoon I went over to meet the girls. They are ages 2 and a half and 5 months and are the sweetest, cutest girls. We hit it off immediately. I left feeling confident that I would get the job and so thankful that God always puts the right things in my life at the right time. 

Today I got a text from the mom asking if I would be their nanny and I am so happy to be able to accept that job. I have LOVED all my past nanny jobs and God has blessed me so much with them in the past. It's a job I truly enjoy and seeing that it fits PERFECTLY with my school schedule I couldn't be more thrilled. 

So it's time to put my big girl panties on and start the juggling act of my duties as a wife, student, and now employee. I am so excited to see how it goes and am feeling so blessed with the life that Brad and I have.

Weekend

Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Ours was quite busy. 

On Friday I met Brad and his coworkers for lunch .Let's just say I was a little intimidated to tag along mostly because 1) They are all SO smart and 2) Because I would be the only spouse there. We went to this fun pizza place called the Rock. At lunch time they have a pizza buffet with wood fired pizza. So delicious, and the strawberry cheesecake dessert pizza was to die for. I am glad I tagged along because it turned out to be so fun, and everyone talked about the Olympics which was a relief because I am no engineer.

Temple Date with the Husband

After Brad got home from work we ate dinner and headed to the Temple. The parking lots were overflowing, turns out it was Stake Temple night. I really enjoy going to the Temple because I always learn so much and because I leave feeling spiritually uplifted and this time was even better because my husband was there by my side the whole time :)

Saturday was the busiest day for us. We slept in a little bit though since we wake up early every day of the week. Our first errand was off to AT&T to get me a new phone on Brad's plan. My man really loves me because he let me go all out and get an iPhone. I have to say I am in love with it so far but am still figuring it out {what is your favorite/ must have app?}. After we got the phone we were off to re-buy wedding gifts. My favorites that we got: Kitchen Aid and a Dyson Vacuum cleaner. Seriously nothing spells clean better than fresh vacuum lines. {it's the little things in life}. We also got a new bed spread while we were out that I am absolutely in love with. 

Saturday evening one of Brad's coworkers hosted a little get together since she is moving to Nashville. So we headed over to the party. They had the prettiest view of the Seattle Skyline. I was so jealous and their deck was the perfect party place. I wish I would have gotten a picture. I met a new friend and talked to her the whole entire party. We had a great time and ended up staying till 11. My poor body was so tired, I am still adjusting to the time change.

Sunday we went to church. Our new ward is HUGE, I am talking 1,100 people huge. The clerks advice to us "Try not to get lost in the ward, and be brave and go find people, because everyone blends in".  I will remember that. Although, rumor has it they are splitting the ward next week at Stake Conference. So we will just see what happens. 

Today I am waiting on a chair to arrive at my door. I ordered it from Target and it is supposed to be delivered today! I can't wait to have it in our home! Tonight for FHE activity we will be rearranging our living room furniture! So excited! :)

Honeymoon

For our honeymoon Brad and I decided to go on a cruise. I had been on one but Brad had not. I love cruises and wish I could go all the time! Seriously where do you get food, hotel, and entertainment all included in one price? Side note, one time as a kid Brad got sea sick. If I would have known this prior to us booking the cruise I would have vetoed the idea, but luckily for us neither of us got sea sick and we both had such a great time! 

First Day on the Boat

We picked a 5 day 4 night cruise to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean's private island Coco Cay. It was so nice to have Brad all to myself for a whole week without any distractions! As soon as we got on board we headed to the dining room to get some lunch. After lunch we changed into our swimsuits and went and laid out at the pool. Brad had gotten burned the day before at the beach so he wanted to lay in the shade. We spent a few hours at the pool and watched as the pool deck filled out. Of course before we could leave the port we had to do the drill so we headed to our muster station and probably stood there for 15 minutes. After the drill we headed back up to the pool for the departure party. It always amazes me to see how fast people get drunk and how much money they spend on cruises just on alcohol, but they sure do make things more entertaining. On my last cruise the formal dining was kind of a bust but Brad and I decided to try it out. We ended up loving who we were sat with and ate there every night of the cruise. After dinner we headed to the Welcome Aboard show. The shows are my favorite part about cruises, well that and the towel animals! :)

Coco Cay

Formal Night

Tuesday we arrived at Coco Cay. We woke up in the morning, went and had breakfast then got on the ferry that took us from the ship to the island. The water is so clear that you can see the fish swim up to you. This time we were the only ship at the island so there were actually chairs and hammocks that were open. We spent the first half hour snoozing on the hammock then decided to go lay out near the water. Brad was pretty bummed that there were not any waves so we decided to walk around the island to see what we could find. We ended up finding a stretch of water that didn't have so many people snorkeling so we went out and played in the water. It was fun to see all the fish swim up to us. Once we got back on the ship we went and got ready for dinner. It was the captains dinner so we got to get all dressed up :) After that we went to the show of the day and then to the honeymooners gathering. There were about 6 couples and they had raffle gifts but we didn't win anything but we did get chocolate covered strawberries and a cupcake. It's a good thing we had already decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator or else we would have come of the ship as fat kids. haha. When we got back to our room we found a towel monkey waiting for us!

Bahamas

The next day we were at Nassau, Bahamas. I was on a mission for my mom to get knock off Coach bags because on our last cruise we made such a bargain! So we headed to the Straw Market. However, the government has given them a nice building and now regulates what they sell in the Market. So now there are no coach bags to be found. We ended up looking for 3 hours and decided to call it quits, as we headed back we saw a local and decided to ask her if she could show us where to get knock off bags, she ended up taking us down an alley and the mission was accomplished. After that adventure we were ready to go back on the ship and relax.

The next day was a day at sea so we enjoyed pool time, the $10 sale on board, shows, and spending time with one another. We had such a great honeymoon and were sad to see it end. Now we are getting all settled here in Washington! :)

Our Reception

This might be the longest post ever known in bloggy land. The Friday after we got married we had our reception. We had it at a clubhouse in a local neighborhood. Friday Morning Brad and I drove down to meet my family to help set up for the reception in the evening. After we got all the tables and chairs set up and all the decorations we headed back to the house to do food preparation. All the women folk in my family spent the morning chopping food up and getting it all ready. Brad spent the morning sleeping, poor boy was exhausted and I knew that would be the only time he would get to sleep that day. My friend Angie came over to do my hair again, I'm telling y'all she is hands down the best! After that I rushed to get my makeup done and Brad and I drove over to the clubhouse for bridal party pictures. 

I might as well just go ahead and admit that  I kind of pulled a little bridezilla at this point. I had sent out information cards along with the invites to be at the clubhouse at 4 pm for pictures. When we got there only 1 member of the bridal party was there and he didn't even have his tux on. By the time everyone got there it was around 5. So we finally got the pictures taken and they look so good in my opinion!   

At 6:30 pm my dad conducted a ring ceremony for family and close friends. He did an amazing job and I have heard so many comments from my friends about how sweet my dad's message was. I am so proud of him and so honored to have him as my dad. After the ring ceremony the reception started. There were so many people who stopped by. Brad and I are so thankful and overwhelmed by the love and support of so many people. We truly are blessed.

Just some of the many people who came!

Here are some of the details of the reception:

Candy Buffet :)

Tables & Centerpieces

Flowers

Wedding Cake! 

 

 

 

 

Sister Turner, Mrs. Sheila, Sister Daniels, and Aunt Shelli

My wonderful mother and best friend :)

The reception was so beautiful and described Brad and I perfectly. My mom put so much work into it and it really paid off. A HUGE thank you to these ladies, you made this night come to life!

Stay tuned for honeymoon! :)