Kind Of Fun Paperwork & Home Buying Tips

 Photo via Google 

This weekend Cory and I have been knee deep in paperwork. Thanks to the Lord things are moving forward with the house we have fallen in love with. Lots of things go into buying a home. 

I feel extremely blessed by all the support that Cory's parents and my parents have given us during this process. Buying a home can become stressful and it is more than a blessing to have people in your life who know the insides of home buying. 

Here are a few things that have made this process less frustrating:

1. We started this process when there was no rush to move.

2. We searched homes for sale a few times a week.

3. We were open and honest with our parents with things we wanted and needed help with.

4. It is more than good to know someone in the business. 

5. Stay motivated.

6. Pray. A lot. 

7. Don't be a procrastinator on anything regarding the home-buying process. 

8. It's good to have a wish list, but focus on the need-list. It's okay to be picky, but know your priorities.

9. Be realistic with your budget, your time, your skills.

(New home vs fixer-upper)

Remember to have fun with the process. Even though it has bee a little annoying at times, waiting to hear back from the bank and such, this whole process has been fun. Still praying everything goes through! 

Pics Pics Pics

I use the company Shutterfly all the time. I used it to make our photo guest book at our wedding, our photo book of all our wedding pictures, and a picture coffee mug for Cory's grandma. Recently I made an iPhone cover case and some magnets for our fridge. This site always has a sale going on and their products turn out really nice.

I am in love with my new iPhone case:

Fridge magnets are always fun:

Go make something!

Neighborhoods

Cory and I are in the process of house-hunting (we have an offer down at one place and are just praying and praying the bank accepts). With house-hunting comes neighborhood hunting. We want to love the house we live in, but we need to really like the neighborhood. Sidewalks vs. no sidewalks, how close is a park, how are the schools, busy roads or dead-ends...so many things go into house hunting. 

As I've probably mentioned before, we live in a house-turned apartment. Its so beautiful and has so many old antique little touches to it. The neighborhood we live in is so beautiful too. Very walkable and safe. Kind of near some busy roads, but so many quiet streets right near by. Throughout our looking's its hard not to be a little picky. 

I went on two walks today and these are some sights that I loved:

St. Helens over Portland: 

I really love this neighborhood, especially when its sunny and spring!! So blessed with our first place and the neighborhood its in. 

Weekend In Review

Rest. That was the theme of this weekend. I finally came down with what I think is an ear infection (survived the flu season without getting sick till Mar 1st. Not bad). So will little to no energy we didn't do a whole lot. 

Friday night was spent hosting a quaint dinner party for my parents and two of their close friends. We made clam dip,  steak, (these) potato au gratin, a spinach salad, and tiramisu for dessert. It was all so delicious and the night was really nice. 

Flowers from my guest:

Saturday I didn't change out of my pjs till around 4 pm. Cory made another wooden spoon and I caught up on all my shows. 

That night we had a quiet dinner at my brother and sister-in-laws house. Sunday we slept in, had lunch with a couple friends (they are planning their wedding so lots of fun convos ensued), and walked around our neighborhood. 

Gosh I love this man:

The weekend was relaxing. Praying I get rid of this bug before work. I'm wrapping up my stay-cation these next two days. I love you vacation time. 

Being Confident Alone

I have a lot of alone time, and I usually don't think much of it. Until this past week. I had my 11 day stay-cation (still have 4 days left of it, yay) and I actually tried doing things by myself. Of course I do a lot of things alone: grocery shopping, clothes shopping, getting gas. But nothing that usually screams "you should have a friend or a date along for this outing".

This week I tried to embrace my confidence in doing things by myself. I went out to lunch and actually sat and ate alone, grabbed a coffee alone, and went to the movies alone (gasp! never thought I'd do that one). 

And I actually enjoyed the company of me. Life can truly be enjoyed with just me, myself, and I. This week has proven to me a lot of things about myself. And I like it. 

However, nothing it truly greater than spending quality time with your best friend over a cup of tea, or trying a new restaurant with your love. Although I would much rather enjoy doing things with others, I now know I can be confident when alone.

What are things you enjoy doing alone? Do you have to talk yourself into doing them?

Diamond In The Rough

As I posted earlier, my friend Sierra Wasserman is amazing. When I went out for my hunt for my wedding dress at antique stores I went looking for a diamond in the rough. I was expecting to find something - it may have needed a lot of work or just a little - but I was determined to find my dress. When I did find it (at the first store I looked) I knew Sierra could help me out. 

She was finishing her degree in fashion and I knew she was skilled. So here are the before and after pics of her beautiful creation.

At first glance..hideous..way too much lace..um ya what was I thinking? What I saw it, I was looking at the material and the fact that it could be made into strapless. The lace on the body was simple yet beautiful.

 And she made it into this: 

Ya she is awesome. 

Lessons in Marriage #4: The Motivation

As I was reading my Bible this morning out of Philippians several verses struck me hard. Words suck out at me - same love, united, in humility, be moved... Philippians 2: 2-5 These verses made me think about marriage, my marriage with Cory, and what motivates me to love him.

Sometimes it is hard to show the fruits of the spirit to your spouse. (Patience and self-control right now? Ya right Lord). I know it's happened to the best of us wives. In Philippians 2 Paul wrote a great little motivator on love.

"..Complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose.

 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 

Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.

You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.."

How exciting it is to think that when we married our spouses we took a commitment, having the same purpose, that united our spirits. Loving our spouses can be hard at times, but think about the motivator that keeps you loving him.