our new, NEW home...

This summer, Rob and I will be married for THREE years, and we are making the move to our THIRD 'together' home. It seems slightly crazy, and maybe it is, but this is our life. Wouldn't have it any other way. I knew when I married a coach that nothing would be permanent, and we are about to embark on our first move for the love of the game. There's something very exciting about a new adventure, in a new town, with new people. We'll really be clinging to each other as we won't have our families right there with us. They will be there in spirit and probably will be visiting often, but I won't be able to just go to my parents' house when Rob's working late into the night. We'll find our "new normal," and I know my friends will carry me through football season! They always do.

So our first house: "The Jackson House" is how we refer to it now. I bought this sweet little house at the age of 19 and lived in it alone for over a year until Rob and I married. I LOVED that house. Just an adorable 2 bed, 1 bath, tiny home. But I was so PROUD of it. We have a lot of great memories in this home. It was the first home I lived in away from my parents, Rob proposed to me in the kitchen of this house, and we lived there for the first 2 & a half years of our married lives. I'll always think of it fondly, and I just know we'll drive our kids by this house in the future and say, "this was your parents' first home!" And they'll probably act like they don't care, while my eyes will be filling up with tears as I think of all the happy times and love held inside those walls.

Last fall, we decided we needed a little more space, so we started house hunting. Nothing serious, as we didn't NEED to move...we just WANTED to. We figured we'd be starting a family any day (still praying without ceasing for that) and we wanted to be able to have friends and family over comfortably. One evening, I was searching through realtor.com like I did most nights, and I stumbled across this beauty. I knew from the minute I saw the pictures online that it was THE ONE. Big kitchen, check. No carpet in living areas: check. Garage: check. It had everything we wanted. My mom and I went and saw it the next day, and I was sold. It was during football season when I found this home, so Rob didn't even see it before we put our offer in. He knew that if I loved it, he would to. And he did. It was officially ours in December of 2010.

And that about brings us up to the present day. I can't even remember when it was now, but Rob came home one day and said we needed to talk about moving to Temple. I, of course, said, "WHAT???!!! WE CAN'T MOVE, WE JUST BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!" Little did we know, that's what pretty much every. single. person would say when we told them. Except for our coaching family because, after all, we seem to thrive on the crazy! Anyway, after much discussion, we decided that we thought it would be a great opportunity for BOTH of us. Rob put the call in to Coach Spradlin, we took a day-trip to Temple, and it was pretty much official after that!

Moving, we were.

We REALLY lucked out with the sale of our new/current home. Some good friends of ours decided that this home was also perfect for them, and it will be their's soon. I can't even tell you what a blessing that is to me. I love knowing that it's going to a great family that will be able to give it the love that we haven't really had the chance to give it. It also provided me with the reassurance I needed to let me KNOW we were making the right decision.

So, we decided to take a leap of faith and buy again in Temple. Our first round of house hunting was downright depressing. We looked at about 20 homes, and I didn't even LIKE a single one of them, much less love. I began questioning everything...because I'm dramatic like that. We went back for round two, and it was MUCH happier. We just weren't looking at the right homes the first time!

So, without further adieu - here is our new, NEW home...

These pictures are either off realtor.com or the iPhone, so sorry they're not great, but it gives you an idea of the inside of our home :)

The entry way...

My favorite part...the OPEN kitchen and living. The living room carpet it coming up and being replaced with the same tile that's in the kitchen/dining.

I love the kitchen, and if you know me at all, you know that I NEED a good kitchen ;)

The master bath. Double vanities, his and hers closets? Heaven.

Jacuzzi tub? Double heaven.

That's all the pictures I've got for now, but I promise you more when we move!

If you've stuck with me for this entire post, I commend you. Really. I didn't mean for this to get so long, but a home is a pretty special thing, and I just couldn't shorten my feelings. This is a scrapbook of our lives, and I don' want to forget a thing about this season of our lives!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday y'all! I missed last week, so I've got some extra loves this week!

Head over to "This Kind of Love" to see what everyone else is loving today :)

I'm LOVING that Rob & I bought a new home in Temple!! We absolutely LOVE it, and I'm so excited to move in! I'll miss Abilene and everyone here SO much, but I know having a home that I adore will make it a little easier.

Plus, I'm hoping our family and friends will be visiting us often, so it'll be FUN!

I'm LOVING that some of my best girlfriends and I are having a girl's night out tomorrow night to see Miranda Lambert!! Woohoo!! We've been looking forward to this for awhile! Should be a night full of FUN, laughter and maybe even a few tears.

I'm LOVING that I get to see my Gramma and the rest of my Idaho family next week!!

I'm LOVING that I'm going to get 'shellacked' for the first time this weekend! I don't plan on making it a regular thing mostly due to the UV exposure, but I think it's great for vacations and special occasions. Have you had it? Did you love it?

I'm LOVING that Something Borrowed is coming out soon! I think I'll re-read the book in preparation for the movie :) Kate Hudson will be the perfect Darcy, I just know it!

I'm LOVING that the Royal Wedding is this week. Partially because I want to see pictures of it, but MOSTLY because the press will ease up. Every morning show is ALL about it, and it's getting a little old. Please don't hate me for saying that.

I'm LOVING that sno-cone season is here! Now that lent is over, I plan to devour one of these bad boys pretty soon. Syrupy goodness.

I'm LOVING my sweet hubby! We've made some pretty 'grown up' decisions lately (on our own, even!), and I love the confidence he carries through each stage of our lives. I can't even tell you how many times I asked him, "we're making the right decision, right??" on Saturday as we were signing contract papers on our new house. Of course, he'd simply say "yes." He rarely second-guesses himself (without arrogance), and I love that about him.

So, what are YOU loving on this Wednesday?? Hope it's great!

He lives!

He Lives

I serve a risen Savior,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.

*****

Yesterday was such a beautiful day - celebrating our resurrected Lord! We've been given the ultimate gift of love and an everlasting life! What a blessing.

Along with celebrating our mighty God, my mom still loves to play the Easter bunny! And obviously we love to receive our baskets! :)

Such a kid...

I still have the same basket from when I was a kid...isn't it cute!

Easter Sunday even brought something that most Texans have been praying for for weeks...RAIN! We had some scary storms (tornados) with lots of hail to go with the rain, but we are grateful for the moisture! Hopefully it will ease all the crazy wildfires that have been burning around the state.

The rest of our weekend was pretty low-key. With the exception of BUYING A HOUSE, not much else happened! ;)

the skinny

I've been trying to post this all week, but we've just had a lot going on. I even missed WILW! Oh my. I'll do better next week...hopefully!

Moving on...Friday Rob & I took our favorite little munch to the park! She had a blast going down the scummy slides, swinging & climbing!

Rob didn't slide with the ease that Natalie did, but he still had fun ;)

After our park date, we went to grab dinner and to visit Lisa & Harold, per Nat's request. She loves being with her favorite peeps! And she adores their bathtub...of course, it doesn't hurt that Lisa always has new jammies for her either!

I think it's safe to say we all had a fun night!

Saturday night was a night of celebration for Jerrod & Julie! They had a ranch themed shower given by family friends. There was even an authentic chuck-wagon meal!

I can tell you the buttermilk potatoes and beans were YUMMY.

Rob can tell you that it was ALL yummy!

Me with the bride-to-be! We are ready for June 11th!

As soon as I find some shoes, that is.

We went out after the party and got a serious kick out of people watching. It was a little ridiculous but provided us with a lot of laughs!

Sunday was the big house-hunting day. Oy. Stress.

Unfortunately, we didn't find the one...we are going back for round two this weekend, so hopefully we will have better luck and fall in love!

I think the problem is that I find our current home so perfect for us right now. Not to mention, we JUST bought it in December, so I'm not really "ready" to part with it. But I have to. We're moving, and that's not changing.

The reason we're moving is for Rob's job. The HC he was working for at Cooper is now the HC at Temple High School, and he asked Rob to join them in rebuilding the Wildcats! Rob is honored and READY to take on the challenge.

To be honest, I wasn't thrilled about the idea of moving at first. I've lived in Abilene forever...it's comfortable, our families are here, we know this place. I've since gotten excited about the move, though. I know it will be good for us. We'll experience new things, further our goals in life and have the chance to be "us". PLUS we're going to be there with some amazing friends! I know that any time I'm missing my family, they will fill my little heart with love and comfort me! What a blessing that will be.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's time for another edition of WILW!

Head on over to "This Kind of Love" to link up and share what you're loving on this beautiful Spring day!

I'm loving that Easter is right around the corner! I love the hope that this season provides. The Lord's glory and graciousness is just so evident...His beauty abounds!

Plus I'm not hating the fact that I can finally allow desserts and candy back in my life...

40 days is a long time ;)

I'm loving that I can finally (okay-it's only been a week...whatev) wear mascara again!

Current favorite: CG Lash Blast

I'm loving that I got to spend last weekend with some of my favorite people!

Friday night was girls' night with Anna & Leslie...always a good time. I seriously laugh non-stop when I'm with these girls...love that, love them!

Saturday night was spent cooking out at the Dunnam's...so that meant girl talk for Cass and me! Can't beat that.

Rob spent a little time with some of his faves too...

his twinkie and their long-time friend, Zach.

I'm loving that I will be spending the next 2 days with Julie! The plan: shopping, wedding dress fitting (for her, obviously), eating, laughing, hanging out and snuggling her precious newborn twin nephews! Now tell me THAT doesn't sound like the makings of a fun little getaway.

I'm loving that I get to hang out with my sweetest girl, Natalie, on Friday!

I'm always loving my precious parents! And I'm loving that my momma is coming house hunting with us on Sunday!

Yes...house hunting. Shocked? So was I ;) More on that soon!

And last, but never least...I'm loving my precious husband.

He's my greatest treasure.

Always and forever.

Clearly I'm really loving all the people in my life right now. I feel abundantly blessed every day to have such wonderful people to spend my days with.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I can't believe it, but it's already Wednesday again! Which means it's time to link up with Jamie to share what I'm loving his week!

I'm loving that I can SEE when I wake up in the morning!!

I'm loving the easy and healthy meals Rob and I are enjoying this week! Last night we had these little tostada cups, and they were delish! The best part? It took less than 15 minutes to pull together. I'll be sure to post this recipe soon!

I'm loving that I finally found white jeans that I adore! I'm sure y'all are tired of hearing about this on-going saga ;) This will be the last time. Cross my heart.

I'm loving my new Passport Tom's! A local boutique gave $10 off a pair of Tom's to everyone that came in the store barefoot yesterday...I just couldn't pass that up!

I'm loving all the CUTE dresses Anthropologie has right now. A girl can dream.

Multifarious Mini-Dress

A Different Stripe Maxi-Dress

Sunny Soiree Dress

Cockatoo Feather Dress

I'm also loving all of Anthro's adorable one-pieces. Thinking I may go the one-piece route this summer if I can find something long enough!

As always, I'm loving my honey! He took good care of me on Monday after my "surgery"!

I didn't originally intend for this to become the wardrobe edition of WILW! Apparently I am pretty ready for summer :)

What are you loving on this Wednesday?

I can see clearly now...

...with contacts GONE!

I had Lasik surgery yesterday afternoon, and I am already SO glad I did it! The actual surgery wasn't painful at all...it was just uncomfortable really. The procedure took about 20 minutes, and I was on my way! My mom chauffeured and took care of me during the day, then Rob was on duty for the night. They were both wonderful nurses!

When I got home I was instructed to sleep for several hours (best Dr.'s orders ever!). My eyes hurt initially, but once I finally fell asleep, I was perfectly fine. I woke up that evening, and I COULD SEE! I was amazed that I was already able to see so well...through the awesome shields, of course. I really can't believe I'm posting this no make-up, sleepy picture of myself, but here goes nothin...

That's the position I assumed for the rest of the night while my WONDERFUL hubby took care of me! Drops every 2 hours and a Sonic vanilla coke...the man took great care of me.

He made me a yummy, healthy dinner...

And he even took a picture because he wanted me to post his meal on the blog...

Isn't he adorable?

I think so too.

Have you had Lasik or are you thinking about it?

I would HIGHLY recommend it! I know I'm only one day into it, but I was already 20/20 in both eyes at my check-up this morning, so I'm a believer! If you have any questions about it, feel free to email me :)