!! Updates Galore !!

Well as most of you know, Brad has been officially working in Meridian since September 24th... It's been a bit of an adjustment to say the least! Even Wes misses having him at home! In fact, this Wanted Poster was recently sited around the house.... I asked Wes why Brad was "wanted" and he said, "I want him to come home... He's wanted"



In other news, all our house-hunting has finally paid off! We have found what we *think* is THE house!!! It's beautiful, in a great neighborhood and in a great school district. The neighborhood is tucked-away and safe AND full of young couples with children Wes's age! We have made an offer and are just waiting for paper work to get processed! BUT if all goes well we could be in the new home by Thanksgiving!

SO...

Wanna see it?

It's very pretty on the outside and already has flower beds with some pretty flowers - even Hibiscus which I LOVE

This is the view from the kitchen to the living area - very spacious and open
(the cute little girl is our realtor's daughter who kept Wes company while we browsed)

Ah, a pretty, clean, white kitchen :)
The aforementioned hibiscus bush is planted right beyond the window! :D

The den :) i LOVE the built-ins :) The fireplace has gas logs...
The door to the left leads to the 2 other bedrooms and bath

The Master bedroom is a cool blue color which might or might not be repainted
and the door to the left leads out to the back patio

And the Master Bath is a not-so-pretty pink which WILL be repainted ;)


Check Out the Stellar Backyard!

AND the playground equipment STAYS! :) We're so excited!

and the back of the house has a great back porch with ceiling fans :)
just needs a few plants and it'll be perfect :)

All in all this house is a perfect fit and we're super excited to have found it :) We'll keep you posted on any new events and once the papers are signed and we have the keys we'll be SURE to post the Big News!!!

Stay Tuned!

Brad's First Day

Hello All! I just wanted to update ya'll on our little part of the world :) Brad started his new job yesterday and had a very positive experience! He said he'll be working with some great people and his boss seems to be ready and willing to teach him everything he will need to know! What a wonderful report! We were both nervous about how this would be but after talking to him last night I really can see what a positive experience this will be! Thanks to everyone who has prayed for both of us and please continue to pray as we still haven't found Our Home just yet! We know it's out there though :) And our realtor has a few new options lined up for us. We won't be able to go this weekend but maybe next weekend! As you can imagine at this point I am all about finding our house and Getting Settled!!!

In other news, we celebrated a Wonderful Occasion this past Monday while Brad was still in town... It was our One Year Anniversary :) In the past year, we have been so blessed and so happy that I can only imagine what the coming years will hold!

So I'll leave you with a fun photo from September 22, 2007 ♥

Quick Update :) Time to Pray

Ok so we were unable to go to Meridian to look for a house after the time we took Brad's parents. Our Realtor now has 4 options to show us but with busy schedules we can't go this week or weekend. Next week, Brad will actually begin working in Meridian full-time – His first official day is September 24th if you want to wish him luck! Thankfully he will be able to go stay with his friend, Tyler so we owe him Big Time! In the meantime, I'll still be at home and Brad will come home on the weekends :( So we are now in full Find a House Mode! We would love to have your prayers and support in the tough time until we move!

Thanks!

Quick Photos

Here are two more fun Wes updates :)

That's right - He ate SHRIMP! and liked it!

and he's really improving on his bike riding :)

we had a fun co-celebration for my birthday and Mom Smith's

and, they sure know their audience! they gave me Chocolate Cool Whip - YUM! :)

In other news, Brad and I are off to Meridian again tomorrow - We're still houseless there ;) so I'll post any wonderful findings :)

House Hunting and Republican National Convention :)

Just a quick Update :) We are still in process of House Hunting...We recently took Brad's parents to check out the 2 houses we liked... And I think the Chili Pepper House really failed the test :) It just needs too much work... But the other house passed with flying colors... SO.... We actually made an offer on the House with the Pool!! Now we will wait and see what happens. In the meantime, here are more photos of our Current Favorite House :)








Also, in case you didn't tune in to last night's convention I want to post Sarah Palin's Awesome Speech here :) She really knocked it out of the park and I was immediately impressed with her! I was already a McCain fan and now I'm a big fan of the McCain / Palin ticket! Can't wait til November!
the embedded files won't work so try these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIqYWPmY-ms&feature=PlayList&p=481389F5D3983AED&index=0
and you can click "play all" to the right

and this one has the complete text of her speech...and underneath that, naturally, there are LOTS of negative comments :(

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/03/sarah-palin-rnc-conventio_n_123703.html

Fun News

Well I have just 2 brief announcements :) FIRST, we are heading back to Meridian tomorrow to show Brad's parents our 2 favorite houses. The Chili Pepper House and The One with the Pool - Turns out, the owners of the one with the pool (which was too pricey before) might be able to make a deal if they take the pool with them when they move!

So here are the 2 options:

The Ever Popular Chili Pepper House

AND the One with the Pool

Lastly, I wanted to share a super fun, long-anticipated Photo!

He's SMILING! Need I say more?

Is It Already August?!

Hello Again! It’s been such a busy Month! Wes has been traveling! He spent 2 weeks with his Nana and Poppy in Brookhaven and 1 week with his Granny and Papaw in Birmingham! In the meantime, Brad got the exciting news that HE GOT A NEW JOB! He’ll be working with the Department of Human Services in Meridian helping to enforce child support! We’re really excited about this great opportunity and I’m so proud of him! We should be moving sometime around the end of September or the beginning of October! Wes is really excited about this move and can’t wait to learn about a new town ☺
We actually went to look at houses one Saturday and found 2 we liked. One was a little too pricey but the other has lots of potential ☺ We talk about renovating the décor and we love the backyard. So for now, this is the forerunner:

We call it the Chili Pepper House because the kitchen has Chili Peppers in the border :)

School has also restarted and FINALLY Wes has a teacher he can be excited about! She’s a sweet young teacher who had Connor in her class in previous years so we KNOW she’ll be great! Wes thinks she’s pretty so we know he’ll pay attention ☺ haha
In other news – He is still embracing new foods and we now have two things he loves ☺ He is still loving the Chicken Alfredo and NOW he also loves Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas! He exclaimed that they were delicious because they tasted like scrambled eggs… We’ll take what we can get!

Also this month, Kim and I finally saw the culmination of all our planning… and sneakiness! We decided in March that we would throw a surprise party for Mom and Dad’s 35th Anniversary (August 11th) and this past Saturday we finally saw the results! Mom and Dad thought they were attending a Sunday School Class Social – Boy were they surprised when they walked through the door and we all shouted “Happy Anniversary!” The Sunday School Class was there in full force and we had several Louisiana Friends, too. The food was great, the friends were fun and the look on Mom and Dad’s faces was PRICELESS!
Soon enough, Brad and I will kick our House Hunting into overdrive and I’ll update you on what we see and houses we like. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with some fun shots of the party ☺

Yes WE did this to you!

Mom hugs the Skinners

Dad greets the Dinglers

The spread! and the Gorgeous Flowers, too!

Ah, yes, Memories :)

Mom and Dad finally see the Recipe Book that has been underway for months!