Our 'Mini remodel'

My husband was lucky enough to get two weeks off for the 4th of July, ok well the plant he works out did a shut down for two weeks.  So I did what any other wife would do.. Made a honey do list lol. Don't worry, he hasn't been working the whole time he's been off. 

First off the kitchen, our kitchen is a decent size, but not very open. There is a door that goes in to our bedroom and a door to come in from the dining room and another door for the back yard/ basement. Our kitchen gets hot when we cook or run hot water for a long time to do dishes, so we found a great deal on a ceiling fan and my husband installed it. It was a long process due to the wiring from the previous owners.. But it's made a HUGE difference in the kitchen. 

It took us 3 days to do a mini remod on our bathroom. 

The toilet had a seat that was too small for the bowl, the previous owners put primer over the tan tiles to make them white, trust me.. You could tell. They also put primer over the white wood in the bathroom. The shower doors weren't sealed properly wich in time meant water under the doors and a mold and mildew growth. I hated those doors, no matter how much I cleaned them it wasn't enough and half of the time the doors were hard to slide. I didn't want J taking his baths in there and putting his hands near the nasty-ness. 

The first thing I did when we moved in to this house was frost the bottom window so my neighbors don't have to see our booties and I could take down the nasty blinds. 

So, we primed the walls and tiles properly, and painted. We didn't want to shell out a whole lot of money to rip the walls down and re drywall.. So we did a 'mini' remodel. 

It's made a huge difference! The dark blue wall is now yellow, and the tiles are grey. We put in a new shower head, a curved double shower rod,new toilet seat, took down the towel bar, put in towel hooks and added storage to our random nook area. 

The shower head was geared a little more towards Joseph, it will make baths easier and J loves his own little shower head. 

It's still a little weird to see our bathroom. It feels bigger, brighter and I just love the way it turned out! We spent around $450 for paint, supplies, the kitchen ceiling fan, shower curtain, liner, shower head, toilet seat, fancy curtain rod , storage area and a few things for my husband.  

I can't wait to start our next project, but for now.. Were getting things ready to do a garage sale. We've moved A LOT with the military and just in these last few years. It's nice to be able to actually get rid of stuff and get permanent items, instead of items that if we break in a move it "won't matter". 

-Nicole

Thanksgiving 2013

Last year at thanksgiving, we spent it at my mother in laws house. My Husband, myself, mother in law, sister in law and Brother in law all stuffed ourselves around a table, Enjoyed an afternoon feast, discussed the Black Friday ads and enjoyed the company of each other. It was my first Thanksgiving away from my family and my first thanksgiving pregnant.. I was very pregnant, very swollen and really tired. Ha! 

Later that night we decided to tackle the Black Friday crowds for the first time.. Remind you again.. I was very pregnant. Lol! We didn't really know what we wanted to buy, but figured we would just see what the fuss is about and go shopping.  Oh the looks I got! We made off with some great deals.. And lots of stuff for my husband. New steel toe boots for half off and some other great stuff! We didn't go back this year, I didn't feel like there was really any good deals on stuff.. And well we are saving any and all money for our new house! 

This year, we have a 10month old (now 11months) an almost empty rental house to cook Thanksgiving dinner with my Mother in law. My husband and MIL cooked all day while I was at work. I got home, loved on my little man.. And we began to feast. We were all pretty tired.. Joseph didn't sleep well and woke up screaming a few nights in a row. This picture is exactly how we felt lol. 

When we moved into our rental, we were faced with the fact that rental houses here just simply do not allow Big dogs. Our Cattahoula that we've had since a pup.. Had to be relocated to a new home.  His Foster parents were heading out of town for Thanksgiving and asked if we would watch Chubbs for a few days. Yes, his name is Chubbs! Ha ha! 

Joseph and Chubbs just love Each other, they always have. I am happy to say that in Jan when we get back and settled in our new home.. We get Chubbs back!  I'm very thankful for the family that took him in for us, and we never thought we would actually get him back.. ( they have two young girls who love Chubbs) but it's best for their family right now, they are simply too busy for him. 

Our little chunk was able to enjoy Thanksgivibg dinner. This boy has lots and lots of teeth..he gobbled everything down and saved the ham and turkey bits for last. Of course he ate naked.. Little boys get messy! We're working on using forks and spoons.. Drinking out of a straw Sippy cup (which he's almost a pro at)

We had a low key and eventful thanksgiving. I'm thankful for a MIL that can cook some delicious food, she taught my husband how to cook a turkey and many other dishes!  I'm thankful for my family as well! With everyone being so far away, I feel like this move has actually brought us closer, especially my sisters and I. 

Now that it's December, 

We've got a lot on our plates. We close on our house in 2 weeks, leave for Texas and then celebrate Joseph turning 1! (I'm going to cry allll day!) I'm so excited to start fresh and this new chapter in our lives! 

Oh! We were contacted by HGTVs House Hunters! After many, many email exchanges with one of the nicest people ever! I'm sad to say that due to the timing of our close and move and of course the Holidays.. We won't be filmed. We were so close! Everything was a go, until we discussed dates.. Oh well! 

This weekend is the Christmas party at my husbands job, Joseph will meet Santa and there is lots of goodies for the kiddos! I hear it's really fun! 

How was your Thanksgiving? Did you go Black Friday shopping? 

-Nicole

Recent Happenings

I've been a little quiet within my social media. 

Honestly, I've just been busy.  But every day I think about my blog. "What do I write about? What's all of my other favorite blogs up too?" Well, I'm still reading y'all! 

I've been chasing after Joseph who is a few steps from running! Haha seriously, he's a quick little guy. 

It's been chilly here, so we've been playing "follow the Momma" inside, as I scramble from room to room trying to figure out what to pack and when it's an ok time to do it. It's different packing up with a kiddo. Oh and also packing for a trip too! 

We still have a few weeks until we get the keys to our house, but I'm trying to keep this as stress free as possible. Praying the weather stays on our side as well until after we get home from our trip! 

That'll make for easy and safe moving/ traveling. Don't worry, I've got lists of " To Do's" going on..Other than that.. My focus is mainly on this little guy. 

This was a very sleepy bath baby. He's been taking really long afternoon naps and then skipping his evening naps. So about 8-9pm he's zonked.  

it's the season for your crock pot, y'all! I love cooking in our crock pot! I got to work Sunday to be surprised with a card and this awesome cook book from a co-worker! She's so sweet! 

I babysat another co-workers 1 month old. Joseph was lovin on her and so interested. He's been around babies his size and up.. But never smaller. She will be around more after the 2nd of December. 

We had our first bit of snow for the season. This was the beginning of it on my car while I was at work. I was surprised how long it took for the snow to melt.. It's gone now though. 

If you have Instagram, follow me!  My pictures are private so you have to request it. Since Joseph has started having tantrums when I tell him "No" or "don't hit" or when he's just plain sleepy.. I've been capturing some faces and he's got his own hashtag lol. Yes, I plan on showing him when he is older. It's kinda cute.. For now. Haha.  I believe this tantrum was because I wouldn't let him eat his baby soap.. Yup. 

There's one from when I pulled him away from playing in the laundry shoot.. ( his Dad used to slide down it when he was a kid!) 

My MIL brought us a bunch of storage bins to help move.. Joseph made one for his favorite items. 

While I'm packing, Joseph likes to help put his animal cookies in the boxes or random items.. It'll be interesting to see way we find while unpacking! 

Now we wind down this post with some relaxing baby yoga! He stayed in downward dog for a while.. Watching Mickey Mouse of course. Haha! 

That's what's been going on around here! 

I can't wait to give everyone a house tour when we move! Yey!

Happy Thanksgiving week , y'all! 

-Nicole 

http://youtu.be/gGmYf4BVCXc 

BIG NEWS!

If you follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you can already guess what this post is about.

I haven't been as active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram recently and I felt like people may have noticed that I got quiet. 

Well, I've been busy. I've been stressed, I've been praying and Just trying to remain calm.

I made a post on my Facebook saying we had big news If you follow "Our Humble Webb" on Facebook I'm sure you've seen a few guesses.. And well  Were not pregnant again.. Nice guess lol! 

My Husband and I have made the decision to BUY A HOUSE! 

Our first home to be exact, our starter home a place to raise our son and future children! 

My husband and I had talked about moving back to Texas, we weighed our options and we did some research.. It just wasn't going to be the best for us right now. With my Husbands job and my job..it's best for us to stay here in Nebraska for now. Texas will always run deep in my heart though and we will visit as much as we can! 

Since my husband is a veteran we are able to use the VA Homeloan services, and seriously...it's the most wonderful service ever! The people were so nice and helpful!  We were paired up with a great realtor here in town, who has been wonderful with meeting our "needs" in a home and giving an honest opinion! Seriously y'all, if you are able to use the VA home loan service.. DO IT! You won't regret it.

Adam and I found a house that we LOVED! It had everything and more that we wanted. We went back to see it for the second time and decided to put in an offer.  

We waited.. Longest 24 hrs of my life! 

I knew they would counter.. But after multiple tries of trying to work with them..there was no budge.

We had to swallow our pride and walk away. 

Let the search begin, AGAIN.

Adam found a newer listing and was intrigued. The price was wonderful, the updates were great..so let's go and take a look.

I went with our realtor while Adam was at work. It was wonderful, beautiful and  I couldn't wait to take him back and let him see everything the house had to offer! 

There's a big front porch, and cute back yard with a big two car garage ( total man cave ready) 

A basement with a family room, a storage room, laundry and an office.. 

Two bedrooms up stairs with a cute bathroom and an adorable kitchen!

Hard wood floors through the house and so much more, y'all! 

There was charm of it being an older house..but the updates of a modern look. 

When Adam got off of work we met back up with our realtor and took another look..Adam loves it just as much as I do, so.. We put in an offer! 

My mind was more at ease with this house, I wasn't worried..I wasn't feeling stressed.

Next thing you know I'm getting a call from our realtor. 

They accepted our offer!

* Happy dance!!* 

We've signed the agreement papers, and scheduled an inspection. 

Praying everything goes well with the inspection so that we can continue to move forward. 

Our closing date is set to mid December, right before our trip to Texas for Christmas! ( we have a thing for moving when it's snowing) ahaha! 

I cant wait to show y'all more pictures, but for now..I will tease you with this one! Yey!

 

-Nicole 

Happy Part-Time Housewife

Its a Proven FACT that a sink full of dirty dishes can make one feel dirty and down.

How do I know this? Because I have tried it on myself..many times.

It's amazing how much better I feel when the kitchen alone is clean, and how AMAZING I feel when the house is clean.

Maybe it's just something with my Anxiety? Clutter and random stuff all around the house.. makes me feel like i'm closed in a glass cage of emotions. Ok, So maybe not that dramatic.

Don't you dare sit there and think "Oh, wow she must be super clean and organized!"
Yeah, you are 75.5% wrong.

I will not lie, This house can be a pit. With a 5-month old needing any and all of my attention sometimes I put the cleaning on the back burner. When we first moved in, I told myself that I was going to keep up with cleaning, keep everything organized and it was going to be so nice and stress free... I Lied to myself. Dirty DIRTY Liar I was. No Pun intended. Now don't go thinking we are living in filth and I should be on Hoarders, because uh... NO.

I HATE LAUNDRY, Seriously.. I will do any other cleaning.
My Husband goes through about 2 outfits a day.. You would think that after dealing with his Army laundry I would be used to it..No. There is ALWAYS laundry in this house.
Depending on how J is, He will go through a few outfits a day as well..and Bibs.. and Blankets... and Toys. Haha.
And well, I am just as guilty. I stay at home with J and then work at night.. Yep, thats about 2 outfits for me as well.

Once J starts crawling, By the looks of it..it will be soon! We need to keep this house a bit more tidy. And by WE I mean WE, Myself and my husband! When J is old enough to clean up his own toys and pull them out again.. we will hit that nail on the head. The wife isn't the only one who makes a mess in the house, therefor the Wife shouldn't be the only one cleaning..and I am not the only one. I adore it when I come home from work and the dishes are done or the living room has been picked up.

The moral of making our house sound like a disaster hole, I have come up with a helpful House cleaning schedule. Now, Please keep in mind that I don't always follow it to a "T" and If I cant get to it one day I don't beat myself up. Our Child is growing and learning every day..And as I've seen before "Please excuse the mess, We're making memories." You really can't understand that until you have a child.

Feel Free to Print these out and keep on your Fridge, Share with Friends or Pin. If you do, Please give my Blog the credit. Why? Because thats the Nice and respectful thing to do.   

Yes, I used the Note Pad on my Ipad, I am just THAT cool. 


-Nicole