What You've All Been Waiting For!!

So I have had my place for a little over 3 weeks and things are moving along quite well, slowly, but I guess I have all the time in the world?! These are some before and after pictures.

This first one is of my bathroom, this was the day I got the keys. Very yellow.

Before:

After:

And this is what it looks like as of tonight! The color is porpoise(gray), the huge mirror had to come down and I'm looking for a cheap, fun mirror to hang there. And there was some strange lighting above the sink, a friend took out these 2 panels that covered the bulbs. I'm thinking of hanging some pendants from the ceiling, or put some recessed lighting?! But it is all still a work in progress, right now it's functional! On either side of the sink there is the walk-in closet and a bathroom.

So here is my bedroom...this before pic is one they put on the real estate listing, so this was how the guy had it before me, pretty dull. And again yellow.

Before:

After:

What do you think?! The wall my bed is on is a blue accent wall, the other walls are a tan/taupe color. My ottoman was from Big Lots and I fell in love with it! I've had my bed since last year and absolutley love it!! Again, still a work in progress...

Here is the living room, before I got the keys...

After:

Yay!! I am LOVING my Costco couch!!!!!! LOVE IT!! I have to figure out what to put on all of the empty walls...what's on there now will probably not stay.

This is the view from the couch. My tv will be sitting on a different piece of furniture in a couple of weeks...and I still have boxes or things not in there places.

Here is the eating/kitchen/dining room before I got the keys:

After:

The red is not staying my friends...sorry. My kitchen table was a gift from my brother and sister-in-law! It is wonderful!! And my pie-safe was an awesome antique find from a place in Winston. I am going to paint the walls green. But again it's liveable right now!

And this is the guest room at the moment! HA!

And here are a couple of randoms...

My great friend from work, Amanda, had her sons birthday party this past weekend, so I went to help her get set up for it! She and I are going to an Abba tribute band concert this weekend with a couple of our other friends from work, so I am very excited about that!!! She has really become one of my best friends, and having a friend like her at work is such a blessing!! Everyone gets us mixed up, over the phone or from behind in the hall-way or side-by-side...it's pretty funny! Love you Amanda!!

And this is Gayle and Rodney, two friends from work. Rodney got a pair of scrubs the other day that someone had cut off the bottoms, so he wore high-waters all day. We all gave him such a hard time! Gayle is a nut!! She has been working there for about 30 years and has a great big heart, and is loud, and has made me cry before(not in a good way)! Love ya Gayle!!


And then last but not least...Me and Maggie, my wonderful dog that is being shared between me and my parents at the moment. I tried to get her to look at the camera, but she didn't get it?! Can you believe that?! She's my buddy though...and I wuv her....Wuv you Mags!! Kisses....

First home-made meal...

My first meal...Chicken pot pie, squash and homeade bread from mom.

Looks tasty, huh?

I ate, read the Sunday paper, pondered my red walls, and admired my beautiful and re-furbished kitchen table and chairs from my awesome brother and sister-in-law! *(Notice the 'R' on the back of the chair!!)*

Before and After pictures will come soon...just have to get a few more things done!!

I am exhausted. But I had things on my mind and I want to get them out. I closed on my house on Tuesday!!! Everything went great! Monday night I got a phone call from my realtor saying that the money from the seller had not showed up in the bank yet for the closing, so she didn't know for sure if I would be able to get the keys at the closing...so I was pretty bummed after hearing that!! But an hour and 15 minutes before the closing the money showed up!!!! I was so thankful!!

I feel so blessed with the people that God brought in to my life with this whole home buying thing. My realtor, Karin, was on top of things and was so easy to work with and made me feel so comfortable during the whole process. She is a member of the Rickelton family for sure!!! And the lady I worked with at Piedmont Federal, Lois, was also on top of things and took care of me completely!! She even prayed for me. So God really took care of me through those women.

Tonight I went to the my house to do a few things and 2 of my best friends moms wanted to come and bring me dinner, so of course I said sure!! And when they came up to the door, Jolene had an enormous basket in her hands overflowing with cleaning stuff, a broom, papertowels, toilet paper, plastic ware, lots and lots of other goodies! And they got me this basket(yay Sarah!!!) that I have admired for months with my name on it! They also got me a set of dishes ( which I didn't have) and some drinking glasses and silverware!!!! Nice silverware!! Oh man I was so excited!!! They were my first dinner guests and we ate on my patio!! They are the most generous women!!! I am so thankful to have people like them in my life! Thank you so much Lesa and Jolene! I love y'all!!

So thankfully I have a 3 day weekend and I will have time to paint and get some other things done. I am a little overwhelmed but just so excited for this new journey in my life. I love new journeys, new beginnings, new places! I am so thankful that God made this possible and I'm sure it will make me more dependent on him, which I need!

Now...I need to make a list before I try to fall asleep!! And I will leave you with some pics...

Happy Fourth Of July!!!!

Beach trip 2009!!!

Our yearly beach trip is what the whole family talks about all year long. We always have a great time and now that the kids are getting older (and one on the way!!!) it just gets better! We spent most of our time at the pool, at the beach, and at night eating dinner together and playing games every night. Not knowing what time of day or day of the week is freeing. I wish vacation like these happened more frequently. I am very thankful for the family that I have and for having family that actually want to vacation together. Ava and Jackson are so blessed to have 2 aunts and an uncle and a mimi and a papa who spend so much time together!! Can I PLEASE so back now!!!!

2 years!!!

Next week will be my 2 year anniversary working at Baptist Hospital. I never thought I would ever say that! Recently I have been thinking about what a huge accomplishment that is for me. I looked for an old journal that I was writing in the month or so before I started work in 2007 and wanted to share what I had written.

June 19, 2007

I want to be at peace with my job starting next week or even some reassurance that this is the right thing. I know I need this experience and this struggle to mature in all of lifes areas. When I walk in there on Wednesday morning I want to feel God carrying me through, to feel his presence. I can't get through this without God. This job is satans trap for me because I'm entering a place full of doubt, selfishness, lies and aggressiveness, all of those things satan knows that I struggle with. I'm scared.

June 22, 2007

God- when I walk in to Baptist allow the Jennie that you created to come out, to blossom, allow me to have an attitude that is humbling and serving. 3 more days til I start. On the 3rd day Christ arose, maybe today is the day for a new resurrection.

Two years later I am still there. Working hard every day. Holding patients hands. Standing up to people who want to see my fail. Proving that God never lets go of his beloved. During those times before and during work I doubted God. Not understanding why he would put me in a place where I could have easily failed. And there were times that I did screw up and I am still learning every day how to do my job better.

I don't have the perfect job. I stand on my feet about 7 out of the 8 hours every week day. I wear 20 pound lead every day. I listen to doctors talk badly about everyone but themselves. I smell/see/hear the most vile things.

I just wanted to share my thoughts because if you have been praying for peace and reassurance about something, know that God doesn't always answer and show you things right away. He wanted me to work where I work in order for me to grow and look to Him in a deeper and a more intense way. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had at work and for getting to know some very big hearted and funny people. And thankful to have a job right now...even though I am writing this while I am on-call and that beeper could go off any time between now and 7 am tomorrow...I am still thankful.

Congratulations Byron and Sarah!!!

Getting in the car!

Sarah on the way to the ceremony!!

I was so honored to be a part of their special and rain-free day!! I will miss both of them so much, but so excited for their new journey!!! Love you guys!!

I'm a big girl now!

I bought a townhouse!!

More pictures to follow, but just thought I'd give a view of the front and back!

And just wanted to give a shout out to my neice Ava. I went to her dance recital on Sunday and was just so amazed at how excited she was, how great she did, and how fearless she was! She has made my name mean so much more (Aunt Jennie), she brought our family together and my heart melts everytime she runs in to my arms for hugs. Her giggles brighten my day, her smiles tell how much love she has to give. I get so excited when I know I get to see her again! She is my buddy and my favorite neice!!! Can't wait for the beach this year Ava!! I love you so much!