Blinded by the light

The weather here has been incredible. We also finally decided to order blinds (2" wood blinds in a beautiful barley color - we had such a hard time deciding between an actual wood or a painted wood in an off-white, but we finally decided wood since our trim is not painted). These statements are not a coincidence.


Here is the Barley color. (photo credit: baliblinds.com)

Our house faces the West. Our bedroom is on the East side, and on the weekends, I can not sleep past 7:30 because our bedroom gets flooded with light. During the week days, we get up around 5:30, so it isn't as big of a deal. However, in the afternoons, if I am applying for jobs in the office or cleaning in the kitchen, it is so bright I am tempted to wear sunglasses.

Why did we wait this long? Well, our closest neighbors are about two blocks away. At night, from their streets you can see light (I've looked when walking Benton), but it is too far away to see anything else. It just didn't seem like an emergency with all the other things we've been working on (staining the deck, planting grass seed, unpacking, garage door opener, etc.). This past week, JC Penney's finally had the blinds we liked on a BIG sale, so we took measurements and ordered them. I've had Kevin start stretching his drill fingers in preparation of their arrival. :)

This is the picture of the style we ordered. (photo credit: baliblinds.com)

Digging Up Trouble

We received a lot of rain on Friday, and all the ground near us is quite muddy. On Benton's and my morning walk, he decided to test out just exactly how muddy it was.
Benton decided to stick his nose in the ground! He looked at me right after like he thought, "OOPS!"

Brand New Baby

Kevin's cousin Katie had a baby boy yesterday named Elijah! While Kevin is at work today, I'm going to go by the hospital to see the little guy in person. I love holding teeny tiny babies! We bought Elijah a cute fleece puppy sleeper for the colder months ahead (it's for three months).

Isn't he just precious? Katie sent me these pictures, and I can't wait to see him!

His and Hers

A quick quiz: Kevin and I both agreed to disagree on fans for our house. We decided that we could both pick one out (one for the living room and one for the bedroom). Which person picked which fan? Here are the photos.

Bedroom fan
Living room fan (just installed on Friday!)
So...











Bedroom fan: Deb's pick
Living room fan: Kevin's pick

We both ended up really liking the other's pick. I like that Kevin's fan is oil rubbed bronze because it goes really well with all of the fireplace hardware. Kevin really likes the lights on the fan I picked for our bedroom. It was a successful compromise!

The great (or not so great) escape

Benton loves his new home. He loves that we have lots of space for him to run. He loves that the cul-de-sac is the perfect place for us to throw his golf ball and let him fetch. He loves all the birds and natural wildlife we didn't have in the apartment. Maybe he loves it all a bit TOO much...

Yesterday, he was doing his potty dance (he circles the front door), so I decided to let him out. I didn't see anyone outside (he is very social and loves to run and greet people), so I thought it would be okay if I walked with him to take him potty without his leash...bad idea. Apparently, I missed the jogger a BLOCK away, and our little kind baby dog was SPRINTING ahead to meet the jogger. Did I mention that yesterday I had the flu and did not change from my pajamas, comb my hair, or put any makeup on?

Benton decided to be the neighborhood meet-and-greet, and that is exactly how I met one of our neighbors from another block. I called for Benton, but he was too busy sniffing and running with the jogger. The nice guy saw that my dog was not behaving, so he cut across the field between the blocks. He stayed until Benton was sure we had been properly introduced and Benton followed me back in the house.

As we were going back inside, the guy asked if Benton or I ever needed a jogging buddy, he would be happy to help. After declining politely, I scolded Benton inside the house and told him he was about three years too late to try to set me up with guys. Oh, Benton!

Snippets of our new home

Here are a couple of pictures showing some of the progress of our weekend. My parents were here until dinner last night, and they helped us SO much!

The bedroom fan my Dad and Kevin installed themselves. I love it!

Our pot rack in the kitchen. I am totally obsessed with it!

Lost and FOUND!

Today Benton has already given me a run for my money, and it is only 8am! I was talking on the phone with my Mom this morning and eating breakfast outside on our covered deck, and I had Benton outside with me. I've done this a few times already, and he usually stays on the deck or barely goes down the steps to lay in the yard. Today, that was not the case. When I hung up the phone, I noticed there was no Benton. He was NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!

I whistled and yelled, whistled and yelled, and whistled and yelled, but he did not show up. I became completely hoarse and called Kevin at work. Being the rational one in high-stress situations, he said that I should grab his bone toy that squeaks and go around the neighborhood. I did, and the new neighbors moving in across the street from us (that I have yet to meet because I want to make cookies to take over first) must have thought I LOST IT!

THANKFULLY, he heard his toy from wherever he was (at least two blocks away) and CAME HOME! His face is still wet from my tears.

Oh Benton, we love you so, but you gave your Mommy and Daddy such a scare! We have him micro-chipped, so we had that option, but I'm glad it never got that far.

Make-shift bed

The movers came on Wednesday and moved most of our furniture. Even Benton was impacted by this. This is his bed until we move over to the new house tonight or tomorrow.
My parents are coming today and staying for sure until Saturday but maybe until Sunday. We are getting a lot done!

Moving along

We closed on our house on Tuesday! We went immediately by the house and took some pictures (although our camera died early on, so only three rooms were photographed!). Yesterday, the movers and my parents came by our apartment, although the movers were several hours late. :( My parents are coming back on Friday and spending the night in Wichita to help us get more settled. We are still staying at the apartment until Friday night. Enjoy the few pictures that are here!

Kitchen


Dining Room out to covered deckEntryway (I couldn't figure out how to flip it)Living Room

Huggins Wedding

Kevin and I ventured to Kansas City, KS for Tina and Ryan's wedding this weekend. While we were in town, we were able to see Kevin's family and their new house. They moved to Overland Park, and the selfish part of me is quite happy about that. The time to my favorite shops has now been reduced by a good ten minutes! :) All kidding aside, Kevin and I both really liked their new digs. Kevin admitted it felt weird not having ever lived where his parents now live, but he is very happy for them. They certainly have more space now.

Back to the wedding: Tina was a beautiful bride! The weather turned out great, and I enjoyed catching up with old friends. Enjoy the pictures!

Kevin and I at the reception.



Andrea (back from two years in Morocco), April, and Kat!The head table

Entering the reception

Parker LOVED the bubbles!

John and Kat