A New Year

A New Year means a New City for us.....we are moving to Atlanta next week! I feel like I was just starting to get settled in Chattanooga and starting to find some sweet, Christian friends. But we definitely feel God's hand protecting and providing for us and have a peace about everything. We have both found good jobs for which I am so thankful! I will be working in pediatrics again...this is a huge answer to prayer!

After relentlessly searching different areas of Atlanta and housing options...we have found a condo in Midtown to rent. We had both been praying and knew it was going to be a challenge to find somewhere affordable, safe, and close to our work {read: not excited about the traffic in Atlanta}. When we felt like we had exhausted all options and had agreed to just rent an apartment....I get an e-mail. It was from a lady that I had looked at one of her condos to rent a few weeks prior but ultimately decided that it wasn't the right option for us. She asked me if we would be interested in being property managers for her completely updated, gorgeous condo that is for sale. She is giving us a great deal since we are agreeing to keep it staged and show ready. It was really too good to be true and was such a good reminder of how much God cares for us and that He really does answer prayers.

The outside of the building....love the bay windows that overlook the Park!

We are excited about this new journey and are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us this next year. Did I mention the condo is less than 2 miles from Trader Joes and only 2 miles from Whole Foods?!? I am sure I am going to have to remind myself of that often when I am complaining about traffic.

For New Year's Eve this year we had a relaxing dinner at home. During the midst of all the craziness right now, it was actually perfect! And on New Year's Day we had some out-of-town visitors...

My parents came and stayed the weekend with us. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Easy Bistro, exchanged Christmas gifts, took them to our church service, had dinner at my in-laws' house, and also managed to get in some sightseeing. The weekends always seem to go by too fast and it is never easy saying goodbye, but I am looking forward to Atlanta being 2 hours closer!

Now that family is gone, it is back to reality....we haven't packed one thing yet! I really can't think of many things that I dread more than packing and unpacking. 3 blog post in less than 24 hours wouldn't be a sign of procrastination, would it?

The Big Reveal

I know everyone has been on the edge of their seating waiting to see how the renovation turned out. Well, I am excited to finally be able to announce that construction is complete, painting has been done, and the final touches are being placed. Overall, we are very happy with everything and are hoping this will utimately make our house more marketable for a potential buyer :)

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We are almost finished with all of the HGTV projects around here. Just a few more little things to purchase for staging purposes, but the majority of the work has been completed. Now we are just praying for a buyer!

Christmas in Chattanooga

Christmas morning was one I will never forget. I was in complete awe of the snow falling down. It made me not miss home as bad, knowing that I would never see this in Mobile. It was absolutely picture perfect!

We left our house that morning and headed over to Ben's parents house. Jacob had flown in from Boca Raton Christmas morning, so it was really good to see him. Ben couldn't wait to get over there so they could play in the snow!

Carol is truly the hostess with the mostess. I have some big shoes to fill that is for sure...I own like 2 Christmas decorations and did not even put up a tree this year. I am pretty sure she would be appalled if she came over to our house and would have sent some kind of emergency decorating crew over.

I mean who doesn't own casual Christmas china and formal Christmas china? Totally normal, right?

Working really hard to create that perfect snowman!

Jacob diligently working....not knowing a large snowball was headed his direction...

Guilty...

I guess he asked for forgiveness by offering to clean his neck off

All of the yummy food

After dinner, we enjoyed some tunes from someone's new toy...

 Later that day, we headed over to see Miss Dottie, Ben's grandmother, who unfortunately fell the week of Christmas and had to spend Christmas at the rehab center. In her words, "this is the most unusual Christmas." Due to the snow, she didn't want to get out as she was afraid she might fall again. So, we brought the Christmas presents to her. But I think the gifts cheered her up!

We had a great time with my in-laws and I feel so blessed to have 2 families that care about and love us so much. And I must admit, it was really nice not having to travel and waking up at our own house on Christmas morning!

My favorite Christmas gift this year was from my mother-in-law, who passed on her silver tea set to me. I don't know that I could ever bring myself to use it but I think it is absolutely beautiful just sitting on our buffet. I have never mentioned to her that I wanted one, but I couldn't be more excited that she has entrusted me with hers. I love sentimental things and this means so much more to me than any tea set I could have gone and bought.