Weeks 1 and 2: progress and lessons learned

Week one and two have passed quicker than we could have realized. It is hard to believe we have been in our home for two whole weeks! Although it has only been two weeks, I have already learned a LOT – some happy lessons and some a little discouraging.

Lesson One: I am not good at not being settled. We are currently still living out of boxes and do not have one room that is fully setup, although we are getting close.

Lesson Two: Things do not always go as quickly as planned. That’s right, if you know me at all you know that I always have high expectations – of myself, of others and of the way things are going to play out. Sadly, things do not always go as I planned. I definitely underestimated the time and effort that goes into stripping forty six years of wallpaper from a house.

Lesson Three: Take the time to be grateful and appreciate the people in your life who are there for you. This is something I don’t necessarily need to be reminded of, but rather, something I am constantly thankful for. I cannot even begin to describe how lucky Michael and I are to have such wonderful people in our lives. Whether they help us move, build a fence, paint or just give us something to smile about, there are certainly people in our lives who continually shower us with love and support.

Lesson Four: Take a Break. Sometimes I feel like there is so much on my plate that I just can’t rest until the load is more manageable. Not taking a break can certainly lead to exhaustion and can end up affecting relationships, work and overall well-being. This is exactly the reason I jumped at the opportunity to see some of my best friends who I have not seen in awhile. I drove to Eugene (2 hour jaunt) after work and spent a mere 12 hours with these beautiful ladies who never fail to make me laugh so hard my stomach hurts, and make my heart full of happiness and my mind at peace. I feel refreshed (despite the lack of sleep) and ready to take on the rest of the week full of  disorder and home improvements!

Here are some photos of projects we have been taking on and the progress at the Whaley Home:

Home Depot fun

New toys...although this one came with a GIANT hassle 

First day working on the fence

Wallpaper removing is better with friends

Moving day one 

Summer thought our house was a Jungle Gym

I handed down one of my favorite presents from when I was a little girl

Sweetest face around

Couch forts!

Moving Day 2

Plumb tree break

Summer is helping the big tall guy with the fence

Gage family photo <3 td="">

Our friend Chris making some progress on the fence

Kevin

Miniature pinecones

The building of this fence has been a family affiar

Mike's dad, my brother, Mike and my Dad

Mom is painting away. Somehow she can do it much faster and better than I can.

Sampson and Ollie have to be tied up until we can get this fence done! 

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...part 2

 Bridal Shower/Bachelorette Party

 Some of my favorite party tricks -


Candy Bar: I purchased fun vases from the Dollar Tree and filled them with pink and black candy, this can work for any type of party and it's easy to find candy of all different colors. On the table I also put packages of Ring Pops, perfect for a Bridal event.

 Photos and Flowers: An easy way to personalize a party for someone is by getting photos of them to put on display. Since this was a Bridal Shower I used pictures of the Bride and added some pink beads (which people could wear) and pink flowers to accent.

Sprinkled glass rims: This is something my Mom and I have been doing for years! It's the perfect way to add a little color to your party and it really looks like you went above and beyond with the details. You can slide a lemon across the rim of the glass or dip the top of the glass in honey (which would need to be poured on a plate so it's flat). Don't use too much of the honey will start dripping down the side. Sometimes it takes a couple tries to get it perfect.

We had lots of fun!

One of my favorite things...

Fresh flowers. I swear there is nothing like a few beautiful blooms to brighten up your home. I know I have written about flowers before, but I cannot stress the difference they make in making a home feel like home.

I went with my lovely friend Jessica to check out some of the wonderful things her sister has done in her house. Her home was beautiful and full of creative projects and decor that really made you feel welcome and surrounded by inspiration. I know it definitely got me motivated to make some changes in our house and get everything organized (finally).

The point to this post is, I left her house with not only inspiration - but fantastic Hydrangeas as well! She had them coming out of her ears and was more than happy to share the wealth and sent me off with some purple, green and amazing blue bunches of flowers! As you can imagine, I was quite ecstatic. I rushed home and put together three arrangements to spread around my home. Here are two of them:

Don't you think they make quite the difference? Thanks Mandy!!!

Hello Goodbye

Officially graduated from college?! Really? Where did the time go? I am not sure if I am understanding right, because it certainly does not feel like a big deal and it does not feel like anything has changed. Maybe it's because I had to go through thirteen years of school to graduate from high school, and then after 4 short years I am graduating yet again. I am trying to cherish this moment and see it as an important milestone in my life - but am failing. Does anyone else feel this way?

Although the excitement of being done with my undergrad has thus far eluded me, I was very grateful for my last few days in Eugene and my first couple of weeks back home in Gresham.

Sadly, the end to my time in Eugene did not end as I had planned, but I guess that's how life goes sometimes...okay, most of the time. Leaving my three best friends was so bittersweet. I am moving on to bigger things and moving closer to Michael and to our families, but leaving this group of people was heartbreaking. Most people don't understand us at all, as we laugh when things are sad, make jokes about serious things we can't handle, but most of all - we just love each other unconditionally. It's a weird and empty feeling going from seeing the same three girls almost every day, to seeing them once in a month. I know we are all adjusting and getting through this hard time, but only time will tell how strong our friendships really are. I hope all my friends in Gresham get a chance to meet them, as you all have heard a lot about each other, because I love all of my friends and my everyday conversations are filled with thoughts of you.

Here are the girls and I at our "goodbye" dinner and dessert.





Leaving Eugene was sad, but the weeks following the move were busy busy busy. We had family come from out of town, had a graduation get together to celebrate the end of my Undergraduate schooling! Woo hoo! I was so thankful that so many people were able to come and I truly enjoyed the evening.









And of course, I must thank my wonderful Grandma for cooking delicious Mexican fare for all to enjoy!