A Cleaning Fool

Today while Wyatt was at school, I drove out to the new place and did a little (very long overdue) cleaning! Needless to say, I'm having to take it one room at a time since it took me 2 hours just to clean the living room. I must say, I really did enjoy it! It's so nice just to crank up the radio and get down to business. I washed all the trim, cleaned the windows, attempted to clean up the fireplace, and swept and mopped the floors. I'm pretty pleased with how it looks now. We've decided not to paint the living room and the master bedroom. I think a little cleaning is all the needed! Since we don't want to spend a lot of money on the place, this will save a little and we can buy a new light ceiling fan for the living room. I'm excited to see just how cheaply we can make this our "home"! Plus, it means more money I can put into our future house when we build.

On another note, I'm so excited about our Craigslist find of our appliances for the kitchen! We came across a stove/oven, microwave and dishwasher for $350!! They are black, which I'm sure won't look the best with white cabinets, but as long as they work I'm fine with that. They don't appear to be very old, so I think we got a pretty good buy!

Tomorrow Wyatt and I are going to lunch with a friend and then running a few errands in Huntsville. I'm excited to have a fun day tomorrow and go do more cleaning on Thursday. I'm so thankful that I can get things done while Wyatt is at school. I'm getting used to this "Mother's Morning Out"!

Today was a beautiful day for a wedding here in Alabama (well, technically Tennessee). The weather was cool and beautiful. The perfect fall October day. My sweet friends Levi and Brittany asked me to photograph their special day. I don't do weddings anymore, but since they are friends I wanted to do this for them. I had so much fun and everything was just GORGEOUS!! The wedding took place at an old church in Prospect, TN. I was really glad that they asked me to be a part of their special day. After 10 years of dating, it really was a SPECIAL day for them!

Before I headed to the wedding, I stopped by the new farm to see what Morgan was working on. Unfortunately, the dirt guys ran into a HUGE rock while doing the finishing touches on one of the chicken house pads. Morgan rented a piece of equipment to go on the front of his bob cat to bust it up. It looked like it was slow go, but he was determined and I think he should have it all taken care of in a couple of days. 

I'm so excited to announce that our renters are FINALLY out of the house! We went in last night to see the house empty and it was exciting, but depressing at the same time. I'm not really looking forward to all the work that is going to have to be done before we can move in, but I think with a little bleach, paint and love we can make it home. I keep telling myself, "You can do anything for a year!". I know it is a blessing to have a house to live in, so I'm trying not to complain but it definitely isn't what we are used to. We have decided not to put a ton of money in it since it is so temporary, but I really want to make it homey for Wyatt especially. I don't want him to feel like it isn't home.

As I sit here writing this, my eyes are literally crossing! I'm so exhausted but I'm trying to do better about blogging. I'll probably read this tomorrow and none of it will make sense! I apologize :) Hopefully I can post again soon with more updates and pics of my boy! Until then, I'm off to bed. I hope Wyatt sleeps late in the morning....hehe!

Easy Mac Conversation

Our conversation at supper tonight over Easy Mac (so healthy, right?). My sweet boy talking about all his "best friends"...... love this boy!

New Farm Logo

Our new logo is finished! I'm so excited about the way it turned out. Ariel at www.velocityvectors.etsy.com did an AWESOME job and was so easy to work with. I'm so excited to use this on all of our "farm" related stuff! I'm planning on getting Morgan a farm sign made with this logo for Christmas.....shhh!! Don't tell :)

PIcture-less Ramdom-ness

1. Yesterday, September 24, Morgan and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! Some days it's hard to believe we've been married that long and others it feels much longer. It has been an amazing ride and I'm so glad that God put him on this earth just for me! He's the best husband and father a girl could ever ask for!

2. Our anniversary gifts to each other: Me to Morgan- a custom farm logo for our new place! Morgan to Me- house plans! We had said we weren't getting each other anything, but our house plans came in last week and Morgan had to write a check for those so he told me that was my gift....hehe. Granted it was for both of us, but since he's letting me pick out everything it really was such a gift to me. I'm so thankful they are finally here and in my hands! It makes it feel so real. I'm so excited to start picking out things. I know the building process will be here before we know it. About my gift to him. He didn't ask for it, but I was browsing Etsy (which always gives me ideas) and I came across a designer that would customize logos for you. She had done a farm logo and I absolutely LOVED it! I contacted her and we are working together to make one for us. She's been great! I'll post a picture when it's finalized. So far, I love what she's come up with. I plan on getting shirts, signs, etc made with our logo.

3. Wyatt is doing much better at school! I'm so thankful that he isn't crying anymore. Last week, he missed Tuesday due to the crud that's going around. When he went back Thursday, it was picture day. That was a little ordeal. He said that I was the only one that took his pictures. I explained that the photographer would be very nice and that he needed to smile like a big boy so I would always have sweet school pictures of him. From what I hear, he did great! I guess we will see when the proofs come back....lol!

4. My bestie, Christy, finds out if she's having a boy baby or girl baby tomorrow!!! I'm so excited. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight! I think I'm more excited than she is. Her son is Wyatt's best buddy and I can't wait for her to have another sweet baby for us to love on!

5. The dirt work for the chicken houses is moving right along. Our dirt man says we should be completely done in 8 days, weather permitting! One step closer to start chicken house construction. It seems like it is flying by! I get so excited to ride out there everyday and take pictures of all the progress they've made. My iPhone is FULL of pictures of dirt (so exciting, right?!?)! I hope to upload them here soon.

6. The water department finally put in our meters this past week. This has been such a headache! I thought Morgan was going to cry when he saw them in the ground! Just kidding, but it was such a burden lifted. I'm so thankful for the little things these days. My sweet hubby has worked so hard, when he's stressed it breaks my heart. I know it will all be worth it in the end.

7. I've been so busy lately with newborn sessions. I'm so thankful for that! When I first started in photography, newborn sessions stressed me out, but now I'm finding they are probably my favorite! I've had the sweetest babies recently. It's so fun to love on babies and get paid for it!

8. Christmas shopping has officially begun around here! I'm trying to spread out the gift buying so I don't have to do it all at one time. It makes it a little less stressful, that's for sure! Plus, I love to buy gifts so I feel like I can take my time and find things that my loved ones will really love. I'm having so much fun finding things for Wyatt too! I was really worried about what to get him this year, but I think he'll be happy with what "Santa" has in mind this year.

9. Why am I just now finding out about Scentsy products?!?!? Oh my heavens, I'm obsessed! A friend from HS was having a party so I ordered a few things. I swear, they burn all day long at my house and make it feel so cozy! I may never buy a real candle again! Oh yeah, they are totally on my list for the ladies in my life this year. I think all girls need one!!

10. Another obsession, PINTEREST!! I'm not sure if I've mentioned it on the blog before, but I have a serious problem with this website. I could spend hours upon hours on it! I find the greatest ideas for home, recipes, clothing, kids and anything else I can think of! I've even gotten my mom hooked. It's pure awesomeness and I'm amazed at the creativity and talent of some people!! Sometimes it makes me feel like I don't have a crafty bone in my body, though!

Well, that's about as random as it gets I guess! Hopefully I can do a picture dump soon. I've GOT to clear some room off of my phone for more pictures of dirt!!! lol!!

OUR New Farm!!!!!!!

The day is FINALLY here and we are now the owner's of a new farm!!! It's bittersweet that we will be moving from the place that we became a family, but it is so exciting to start this new adventure in our life. This has been a long time coming. We first started searching for land last November and we found this place in March. Here we are 6 months later and it's finally ours!

The new farm is a lot more land and definitely a lot more work, but we are up for the challenge. I know if anyone can handle it, it would be Morgan Ellis. I'm so thankful for such a hard-working husband. He's the best!!! Never in my life did I imagine this would be my life, but the Lord has blessed us beyond anything we deserve.

We closed the deal on our farm as well this farm today so it is all a done deal. We were extremely nervous going into the attorney's office today, but it all went off without a hitch! The previous landowners had been quite difficult to deal with throughout the entire process so I figured we would have some issues today, but everything went better than we could've ever imagined. It still seems surreal, but I know it will begin to sink in when we can actually step on "our" farm tomorrow!!! The dirt guys will be there first thing in the morning to start on our dirt work for the new chicken houses. I have a feeling everything is going to start to move fast from here on out!! We will continue to live in the house we are in now until our chicken houses are built and then we will move into the old farmhouse for a while. She's not very practical and definitely needs some cosmetic work, but I do love her old house bones! We won't be doing much to the house since we don't plan on being there long, but new carpet and a little paint is a must before we move in!

Across the road from the house is 2 barns and a silo. These will stay, but Morgan will also be building a new shop and our chicken houses will be just south of these buildings. Our land is on both sides of the road, so the majority of the "farm" will be on the east side. Our house and the hills/hunting land will be west side of the road. I hope to take a wide-angle lens to the top of the hill and get a better picture of the place. It is kind of hard to explain in these pictures.

This is part of our bean crop this year and the location of the chicken houses.

I found these 2 cows wondering the property yesterday! I have no idea who they belong to, but they had ear tags so I'm assuming they were from a nearby farm. Morgan ran them down the road to a pasture north of us. We think they belong there, but who knows?!?! haha.

This is further down the road looking at more of our bean crop. I'm so proud of Morgan. I think it's going to be a great crop this year if we can keep the wild boar and deer out of them! They think we planted them for them obviously. They've had a few meals out there, we've noticed :)

I plan on taking pictures of the dirt work tomorrow. I'm sure I will have lots of updates on the blog from now on. This is only the beginning of this crazy adventure!!

1st Bean Crop at New Farm!!

This afternoon we took a little drive to Pulaski to go to Wal-Mart and on the way we just happened to pass our new farm (totally out of the way, by the way)! Anyway, I'm still hesitant to call it "our farm", but we are supposed to close soon so I'm knocking on wood here :)

We stopped to check on our bean crop and things are looking pretty good! We're definitely praying for rain so the pods will fill out a bit more, but all in all, Morgan's pretty pleased. There are a few places that the deer had a meal, but we hope to take care of that problem soon too! Morgan and I are so excited to do some hunting there this winter. I've even asked for a gun for my anniversary this year!

Here is my handsome hubby in the pretty bean field:

We're still praying and crossing our fingers that all goes well and we are able to close by next week! Hopefully we will be able to get lots of pictures of the farm to post next week!

Moving Right Along!

I am so excited because things FINALLY seem to be moving with our big MOVE! After extending our contract on closing from July to September, it looks like we may actually close before we had anticipated. For those of you who know about this crazy ride we've been on, nothing has gone as planned, so for something to happen BEFORE it is supposed to is actually quite amazing!

The contract states that we close on September 15th, but our banker told us this week it looks like we could close as early as the end of next week. I'm so excited! Things can finally start rolling and we can start the groundbreaking on our chicken houses. The last major hurdle we had to get over was to allow the surrounding land owners 14 days to state an environmental cause of why we shouldn't build there. Fortunately, there were 2 calls but after they realized which farm we were building on, neither of them had a problem. Praise the Lord! That would have been a major hold up in the process. Technically, you can't just shut down the building process of a new farm, but if they can find a reason that we could be endangering some species or some sort of crazy thing like that, then it could get pretty complicated.

On top of the exciting news about closing, our architect finally got our house plans back to us! This is been my baby and my favorite part of the whole thing. We don't plan on building until next fall (2012), but we decided to go ahead and have our plans drawn so we could stake out the area and clear the lot. The one thing about this new farm is that it is going to require a TON of TLC!! The owners haven't really kept the place up because they only use it to hunt and another farmer was renting it. Needless to say, my sweet (and very tidy) husband has already got a list of things a mile long that need to be cleaned up around the place. He's planning on hiring someone to clear the brush and random trees on the hilltops, so we needed to have our house plans finished so we know exactly where the house will be going.

Custom house plans are definitely a lot of work! Our poor guy was probably about ready to kill me. I had seen two houses that I loved on different sites. I loved the interior layout of one and the exterior look of the other. I took him both plans and asked him to blend the two.

* This is the exterior that I loved.

I don't have a picture of the interior layout. It is on my other computer, but basically I wanted the master downstairs and all other bedrooms upstairs. The plans I sent didn't include a playroom upstairs, but Scott was able to put one in our plans. I was very thankful for that! My idea was to be able to keep the kid(s) mess upstairs when we have company. I also knew that I wanted a mud room off of the back entrance from the carport. As it is now, Morgan comes right in the kitchen and it stays a wreck! The mud room will also include our laundry area and a separate bathroom. That was the designers idea because he said people could come in from the backyard and use the bathroom without tracking a mess throughout the house....... GENIUS! I'm so glad there are people out there that have great ideas about this sort of thing. It is so overwhelming! haha.

Anyway, here is our plan!!! I have the layout of the interior as well, but I'll try to upload that another day. I'm so excited about our new farm and eventually building our forever home. It is so much more than I ever imagined for our life and we all feel so blessed.

Please keep our family in your prayers. Things are going to be very stressful around our house for a while especially until our chicken houses are built. After that, we will be moving into an old farmhouse for about a year while we are building that has no central heat and air. I know we will be just fine, but it is going to be a huge change for us. I pray that we are able to keep it as smooth as possible for Wyatt's sake. I know children are so much more flexible than we think, but I don't want to make this too hard on him. Our goal is to keep things as simple as possible and make the transition as easy as we can for him. I've heard that moving/building is the hardest thing we will ever do and I sure don't want it to affect our relationship with each other and the Lord. I know He guides our paths and directs our steps. I pray that we have the wisdom to let Him do just that!

Wyatt's first day of preschool

Last Tuesday was Wyatt's first day of preschool and what an adventure it's been! This is the first time he's been in any sort of program and it's definitely taking some adjusting from all parties involved :) I'm so thankful to stay at home with him, but there are definitely disadvantages to being the only child all the time. I really felt like he needed 2 years of preschool before he (gasp) starts kindergarten. I really don't even want to think about that, but being that I can't keep him under a rock for the rest of his life I do realize that it will happen soon enough. So far, he has cried every morning when I drop him off (which is only Tues & Thurs). However, Ms. Holly assures me he is fine after a few minutes. I know that he will adjust, but it sure makes it hard for a mama to leave her little one like that. The first morning was definitely the hardest and I broke down myself when I got back to the car. I just felt so lost without him with me. Sure, he's stayed with grandparents plenty of times, but it is totally different when I don't have anything to do except wait until 1 when it's time to go pick him up. I know I'll get better and eventually enjoy my time to myself, but I'm just not there yet! I just have to keep telling myself it's what's best for him. I'm so thankful for his sweet teacher. I feel like she's watching out for my baby when I can't.

The first day of school I was a picture taking fool! haha. It was a big deal for both of us and I know I'll love having these pictures to look back on forever.

He started the day off with a big plate of watermelon for breakfast! Not the most filling thing ever, but he asked for it and I was catering to his every want that morning :) hehe.

For lunch, he wanted a turkey sandwich, chips and Nilla wafers. Being the regimented child that he is, this is what he thinks he should have every day now! I made the mistake of packing him a luncheable the second day and he let me know real quick that he wasn't supposed to take that to school! Not that he can't have it there, but whatever you pack the first day I guess you have to take from here on out. He's so funny! Looks like he's going to be eating a lot of turkey from now until May. I did add in a fruit cup this week and he hasn't seemed to mind that. Baby steps....

His sweet little book bag from Pottery Barn. I just love all their stuff. He was so funny, he told my mom that the mailman gave him a new book bag! I wish it were that easy. Unfortunately, mama still has to foot the bill on that :) I ironed and laid out his cute little outfit the night before. Once again, I made the mistake of telling him that these were his "school shoes", so now he thinks he can't wear any other shoes to school! We are definitely going to have to get over that considering I've bought him about 3 new pairs of shoes lately. haha! I'm sure when it gets cooler and it's boot time, he won't have a problem switching to those.

My sweet little preschooler!! He wanted to get his picture taken in front of the bean crop. He's such a little farmer.

Squatting down to get on my level :)

Morgan took this picture of the two of us. I wish I could've gotten a picture of all three of us, but I thought it might be a little crazy to set up a tripod for that! I am glad we got a few of just us two. I feel like I don't have any pictures of myself with Wyatt. I guess that's the disadvantage of being a photographer, I'm always on the other side of the camera!

Possibly my favorite picture ever of the two of them! I love them so much it hurts. They are definitely two peas in a pod. They are what I treasure most in this world.

Walking into school!! I should've taken pictures of the walls. I LOVE his preschool and all the neat murals painted on the walls. Such a welcoming environment for a child. It sure makes this mama feel good.

My little shy boy trying to take it all in. Poor thing, he's so timid around new people. I'm praying this helps him conquer that fear.

Making his way to the mat to play with a tractor! He didn't interact with the other kids much the first day, but his teacher tells me he's doing better and better each day. That sure makes me feel good. I know all he has to do his be his sweet little self and everyone will love him!!! How could you not?!?!?

All things Bling

I'm so excited about my newest obsession/business opportunity! Tomorrow I will officially become a Silpada Rep. I know, as if I don't have enough on my plate! To be honest, I am absolutely in love with their jewelry. I'm not doing it to make money, but because I love their product and to be honest, I'm sick of being invited to "cheap" jewelry parties. Don't get me wrong, I love jewelry just as much as the rest of the ladies in the world, but I want something that will last. That is Silpada. It is sterling silver and comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. You can't find that anywhere else. That being said, it's pretty pricey, but jewelry is one of those things that will last forever if you invest in good pieces. I also love that when friends host a party, they can also earn free jewelry!! There is no pressure and no sales pitches, so I just get to go have "Girl's Night Out" and play in jewelry for a couple of hours. I'm so excited! I have been weighing this idea for weeks now and I just don't see how I can't get involved with this awesome company. Here are are few of the pieces I'm loving right now.

Fun Find

Saturday morning, my Mama and I loaded up in the "Nonni Mobile" (what Wyatt calls her car) and headed to the Nashville Flea Market. I've been wanting to go for a long time and we finally made plans to go. They have it the 3rd weekend of every month. It was so worth it! I'm telling you, if I had of taken a truck, I would've brought back SOOO much stuff. I guess it's a good thing I didn't :) I can't wait to go back soon though and see what else I can find.

We came upon this little cabinet for Wyatt's room in a little booth there. The lady was asking $70 for it, but I asked her if she would take $60 and she said yes! I'm getting pretty good at this bargaining thing :) It is perfect and I love it more than I thought I would.

It has 2 shelves inside and it works GREAT for holding his shorts and pants, which have been on a shelf in his closet. Morgan was thrilled I found somewhere else to put him, he says it was a hassle to get him dressed when they were in the closet.

I had to do a little rearranging to get everything to look right in his room. I moved his bed and hung this little wooden rack. It's perfect for his book bag and cowboy hat! I also hung a distressed wooden chalkboard over his bed, but I had already taken this picture when I did that! The chalkboard was another find at the flea market for $25!!

****Don't mind the dirty floor, I hadn't ran the vacuum cleaner yet either :)

Another view in his room from the door. You can't see the left side since I was using my point and shoot, but I just love the way the little cabinet looks! His room is definitely all boy and so him.

Wyatt's First Horse Show

A few weekends ago, we went to New Hope for Wyatt's first horse show. We had a ton of fun, but it was soooooo HOT that day! I don't think I've ever been so miserable and excited at the same time. My daddy has been showing horses forever, so it was only fitting that he would want to get Wyatt on a horse ASAP! He's ridden a little before this show, but this was his first time to actually ride in the show. He talked about it for weeks before the show and he's talked about it every day since the show!!

My Granny, Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Mike all came out to watch! Of course, they left right after his class because it was just too hot. I didn't blame them a bit!

Wyatt showed Costume Leadline with Boo (Harriet). I thought he looked so cute in his little Wranglers, buckle and cowboy hat! I took a million pictures!!

He thought he looked pretty good too!

Boo helping him make sure his bandana was straight.

High in the saddle and ready to ride! The pony he rode was Diamond. She is so sweet and gentle. If we could find one just like her, I'm afraid she would have to come home with us! Unfortunately, she isn't for sale, but Wyatt can ride her anytime he wants.

Entering the arena. There were 2 ladies judging the show and he wouldn't talk to either of them! haha. He's so shy around people he doesn't know. Thank goodness he's so stinkin' cute, I think they both took a liking to him!

Out of 4 ponies and kids, Wyatt got a 1st and 2nd place! We were so excited. He did so good. He didn't understand what happened until PawPaw brought him his ribbons!

Mama and Daddy with our little cowboy :)

Loving on Diamond after her good show!

Top priority after the show, getting out of those hot clothes! He wouldn't take off the jeans, buckle and hat though :)

Wyatt's ribbons! He was so excited about them. We brought them home and hung them in his room. He makes sure to show everyone who comes over his prizes!

I don't think that showing horses will be something we do every weekend, but he sure had fun and we are planning on looking for a pony and some horses when we move. I want to make sure that he is comfortable around horses and I'm sure he will grow up to love them as much as I do!

Weekly Randoms

This week has been super crazy to say the least. I've had sessions the past 2 days with one more tomorrow. I'm really thankful to be so busy, but it makes it hard to do the "mom" things I need to be putting first. My house is a disaster and it's been pretty hectic to get Wyatt taken care of during my sessions. Morgan has been really busy with taking care of chickens and getting our farm ready to close. On top of that, we have a bean crop at 3 different farms that needed to be sprayed this week! Fortunately, my mother-in-law was able to take care of Wyatt today and my sweet Granny is going to keep him tomorrow while I finish up my last session of the week. I'm definitely looking forward to a fun-filled and relaxing holiday weekend!

Wyatt has been really enjoying swimming lessons! I was able to take a few pictures (on my phone of course) Monday. He did really well, but he's so shy I don't think he said 2 words to Mrs. Donna Jo, his swimming instructor! Hopefully he will break out of his shell before the week is over. She is so sweet and does a great job teaching the kids in a way that they will feel comfortable and understand.

At the end of the lesson, she lets each of the kids take 2 turns jumping off of the diving board. Wyatt really likes this part! I think he feels like one of the big kids :)

On another note, today after my session in Huntsville, I ran a few errands to get some things that I was out of. I've been using Morgan's cheap shampoo for the past week because I was out of my Redken. Now, I'm usually not a product snob, but when it comes to my hair, I can't just use anything. I have super wavy, frizzy hair if I don't use the right product and I've looked like a hot mess for as long as I could stand it! haha. I was thrilled to find that the beauty supply store I use was having a HUGE sale today! I love nice surprises like that. Since I'm a licensed cosmetologist, I'm able to shop wholesale, so it is pretty reasonable to buy good products, but today was even half of what I'm used to paying!!

While I was there, I came across these 2 little cuties that were just calling my name!! I've been wanting a grey polish for a while and this was exactly what I was looking for. I'm a huge fan of OPI polish and I'm such a sucker for their awesome names! These two are 'It's Totally Fort Worth It' and 'Houston We Have a Purple'. Shout out to Texas, y'all! haha.

These liters were only $7 with another $1 off at the register! Liters for $6......SCORE!! I bought the last shampoo they had and 2 conditioners. The combo packs of Smooth Down shampoo and conditioner were $8 with $1, so I got 2 for $7! I'm never one to seem to find good deals, but I was pretty happy with my finds today.

I've been wanting to try a new hairspray because I wasn't too happy with the one I was using before. I thought I would try this Catwalk Straight hairspray. I tried it out tonight and I LOVE it! Not only does it smell awesome, but it isn't too sticky and very flexible. It wasn't on sale, but hey, if it works I'll take it!

Tonight, we went to a local pizza restaurant here on the square downtown with our friends, the Kennedys. Morgan and I went last week and it was so nice! They have a couple of guys who play live music and it is just a great kid-friendly environment. The food is awesome and it is really nice to get out of the house in the middle of the week. I think we will make this a weekly outing!

Totally random post, I know! Sometimes it just works out that way :) Looking forward to the holiday weekend and all the fun things we have planned!