Weekending

Last weekend we threw Sadie a bridal shower. Nothing huge, nothing fancy but so so beautiful and special. I loved watching her face light up with every new face that came through the door. We ate a-ma-zing quiche, drank punch with fresh raspberries and smiled so much my cheeks cramped by noon. I love decorating for parties so that may have been my favorite part. Sadie and Michael really are best friends, which was so obvious in the game we played. Before the shower, I had to ask Michael a series of questions about Sadie. During the shower, as in in front of everyone, I asked Sadie the same questions to see how many Michael answered correctly. To see how well he knows her. They had the same answer to every question but one (which she eventually got with minimal hinting). All in all, it was so special and sweet. Less than 32 days until she’s a MARRIED woman!

A few hours later, I met up with the Kerlin ladies for a painting class at Arté in the Tosa Village (highly recommend for anyone in the Milwaukee area). The instructor-led class was a stretch for my non-artistic self but it was so. much. fun. Two hours and two glasses of cabernet later, our paintings were complete. The acrylic sunset was dreamy but the Adirondack chair was definitely lacking.

Yesterday, Daniel and I sipped coffee and lazily dreaming up renovations for when we become homeowners which may be closer than we think. At 11, we met with our realtor for two house showings. We were equally excited as we were nervous; the first two houses we were interested in had accepted offers by the time our realtor was able to contact the sellers. We got the pre-approval email this past Wednesday and since then, Daniel has been scouring Zillow, Shorewest, Realtor.com, you name it. I have been equally as busy… on Pinterest. We have already decided on flooring from Home Depot and settled on a large farmhouse sink. I can’t wait to start these projects together and I am excited to make a house our home. But, first things first. 11AM we met with Patch (our realtor), Daniel’s parents’ and my mom to walk through the two potential homes – which turned out to be complete duds… but exciting to look through nonetheless! I think this is the most impatient I’ve seen Daniel (he just wants a house with a yard) but I really love how he’s taken initiative and done all the pre-approval work. I haven’t had to so much as bat an eye. I told him the other night, “This whole process was a lot easier than I had thought!” And he kind of laughed. “Easy? I’ve had to send so many emails and do so much paperwork!” Praise for a man who handles all that – I wouldn’t have had the first idea where to start.

Today we took a mental health day – stayed home from church (we’ll catch up via podcast before small group Wednesday), slept in, made a late brunch and went hiking, again at our wedding venue. We didn’t have a timeframe or distance in mind so we just went until we were tired. Which meant a little over an hour and four miles later, we found our way back to the car. The sun was shining the whole time and the snow has all melted. Spring is coming and I couldn’t be happier about the changing season. This winter wasn’t as bad for me as the previous have been and for that I am thankful. I’ve noticed, at least lately, that I think I take life too seriously. I need my apartment clean, I need to make a home cooked meal every night for my husband, my hair needs to look great and I need to be healthy, healthy, healthy. I put too many expectations on others, especially Daniel and even more-so on myself. Trying to allow myself grace to let go and enjoy being almost-twenty-five before the real life starts and I crave the younger days.

New Beginnings

This past weekend consisted of a lot of loading and unloading, packing and cleaning, organizing and reorganizing… and only a little of sleep and downtime.  But it was all for good; Daniel and I hauled all of our belongings into a third-story apartment with little character but great potential (read, vaulted ceilings). The apartment is all. white. and I have been having so much fun finding a place for everything we own (and if I can’t, there’s the donation bag for Goodwill in the corner!)

The main excitement about this new place has less to do with the white walls (which I truly am extremely ecstatic about), and more to do with the fact that in 32 days, we will be living within the white walls together as husband and wife. Husband and wife. HUSBAND. AND. WIFE. What?!

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