These Boots Were Made for Walking...

Sunday, we learned that there would be a snow storm coming, so on Monday, Charlotte and I went to an indoor waterpark in Uptown.  On our way back (around noon), we stopped by Target to get groceries, and ever since then, we have been cooped up in the house (with an exception of cooking club last night).  It's Wednesday, and those of you who know me, know I don't do well not out and about.  It's a little difficult for me to entertain Charlotte ALL DAY without going to do something for a little bit.  Since we have moved, we have things we do during the week: Tuesdays-IKEA, Wednesdays-library.  This week hasn't been a whole lot going on.  Today I started feeling a little guilty that I haven't taken Charlotte out in the snow.  I know she does not enjoy the cold weather, the main reason I kept putting it off, but I thought, why not at least try!  My mom got her the cutest gold boots for Christmas; we ripped off the tags and got her all bundled up.  Soon as we opened the door, she gasped (like normal) at the cool air in her face.  We didn't get passed the front porch.  She was not amused at all.  And I've got the pictures to prove it...  

I convinced her to touch the snow...

...and it's time to go back in!

She ran around just looking at her boots the whole time.

Since Josh is working from home today (due to the weather), we had to go back upstairs where we aren't a distraction.  I kept asking her if I could take her shoes off, and she would say "no" and run off.

(Lighting: I was playing with my flash. Still trying to get the hang of it.)  Charlotte's room is a mess, you say?  Yeah, she is ONE!  No Pinterest pictures here!

Love this face!

Can you tell she's been inside for so long? haha

She finally let me take them off for a nap...phew! 

California to North Carolina

Yesterday marks the three week mark of our time in North Carolina (no, I will not be counting every week) and I figure it was time to jot some thoughts down for myself and those of you who are wondering how we are doing.  

• Everyone is really nice.  It's true what they say.  Southern hospitality.  I almost get confused when people are nice and go out of their way to help me.  For example, my first week here I was buying french bread at the grocery store for dinner that night and the lady working there asked if she could slice my bread.  I asked if there was a charge and she looked at me strangely and said, "no."  Another example, the first time we went to the PB outlet, this couple just came up to me and started telling me they're expecting their first grandchild and so on.  They talked to me like we were BFF's for at least 15 minutes.  This kind of thing happens often...people love to talk to each other here.  Perfect!!  I love to talk too!!
• I am loving our house.  Like, LOVE IT!  I am so glad we didn't go any bigger.  It is exactly what we need for our family and would even be great for an addition (not an announcement).  No, it's not our dream home, but that would totally overwhelm me at this point.  The space is used very efficiently (what Josh likes), there is plenty of space for Charlotte to play (her room and the loft), I have a TON of wall space to decorate (woohoo!) and we have plenty of space to entertain (when we get friends).  
• Everyone is VERY put together.  I go to the mall...everyone looks great.  Even when I go to TARGET I feel like I can't even run in with sweats on.  In California people dress more carefree and even in workout attire most the time (and they look great), but here everyone is in an outfit...from the matching coat, to the jewelry, down to the shoes.  All the women's hair and makeup-PERFECT!  I have a lot to learn and really need to step it up.  Do I hear a shopping spree in the future? ;)
• Jay Walking--never seen it so much in my life.  People are either too impatient to go up to the crosswalk or, well, yeah that must be it!  I have come close to hitting someone; luckily I didn't.  But seriously, we live in a very organized city, there are lines on the street for a reason.  This is no NYC!
• When people find out we are from Orange County, they always ask, "why did you move here?"  Well, please don't ask me that right now (while the weather is freezing).   And, since everyone, especially at church, has a connection to southern California and always plays the "Do you know...?"   
• We have had to find new things to do to take the place of Disneyland.  Our new favorites...library story time, IKEA on Tuesdays (Kids eat free), and exploring all the malls in the area (we still have one more to check out).  Once the weather gets warmer, we will be going to parks and doing lots of walking OUTSIDE!  Can't wait.  
• Oh yeah, my favorite thing about Charlotte, in the first week I lived here, a guy asked me if I was a movie star.  As I stuffed my face with an Auntie Anne cinnamon pretzel bite, I responded NO.  HAHAHA.  Oh Charlotte, you know the perfect thing to say to me when welcoming me to your city :)   

We are enjoying our time here.  So far, so good.  No complaints (except my kitchen sink hasn't worked all day)!!
   

Life According to my iPhone

House Tour Sneak Peak

I have had many requests for pictures of our new home and I am now just getting to it.  Let me preface, that nothing is painted or decorated yet.  I don't want to put anything on the walls until we have painted, but I don't want to rush looking for a paint color.  If you recall my last paint choice was very bold and bright...we are thinking about being a little more subtle in this house.     I have pictures of what it looks like now, but things will be changing as we get more furniture (beds), paint, pictures and decorations up.  So don't expect too much right now ;)     Charlotte's Room:

Laundry Room (upstairs):

Charlotte's/Second Bathroom (upstairs-biggest bathroom):

Kitchen (minus the sink full of dishes):

Guest/Downstairs bathroom:

Craft/Downstairs bedroom closet:

Family 

The Master Bed (still need more pillows and the actual bed will be here in March):

The Loft:

 The dining area:

That is a little peek into what is going on in our home right now.  I'm crossing my fingers this week we pin some paint colors down and get busy!  
 

...And We Are HOMEOWNERS!!!

One little detail I left out on my post of our trip to Charlotte, was that by the time we left, we had put an offer on a brand new townhouse!!!  We were not planning on buying anything, especially that one little weekend we spent out there, but it really just fell into our lap.  We wanted to drive around and look at as many neighborhoods as possible.  I had several homes I wanted to look at; mostly brand new model homes.  What we can afford there is incredible.  Josh had thrown around the idea of getting something smaller but I never even entertained the thought. While we were looking at these GORGEOUS, brand new 5/6-bedroom homes, I kept thinking of all the cleaning and yard maintenance that I just am not ready for.  I get overwhelmed thinking about it.  Most of you know cleaning isn't my most favorite thing to do, so going from a two-bedroom apartment to a full fledged house just kind of blew my mind!  Of course, Josh was right, and knew that I would do much better in a smaller place.  While we driving around southwest Charlotte, we found a neighborhood with flags blowing advertising brand new townhouses.  We had some time to spare and went through the models.  The models were so outdated!  The neighborhood has been there for SEVEN years.  The original builder went belly-up a little bit ago, so a new company came into finish the community.  They had TWO townhouses left, both the largest model.  One just finished and we were able to walk through that.  It was a bit updated with granite in the kitchen and other updates such as no more TV nook, and no fireplace in the Master (really, who uses that?), and a couple other things.  It got us even more excited.  We thought that we could live in the townhouse for the next year or however long, and then turn around and rent it out while we upgrade once more.     The next day we went back.  We felt so good about this place.  When we arrived, Michael, the salesman we were working with, was in his office with someone else.  Well that person purchased the finished townhouse we had just walked through!  I was getting really nervous.  We then talked to Michael about colors and upgrades to get the numbers.  We left and did a lot of homework that night...since this was not on our agenda.  It was like cramming for a test!  We just knew it was the perfect place for us.     Sunday we went back after church and before leaving for the airport.  We left an offer had to wait a few days before it would get approved.  After countering (and all that fun stuff), there was a price that was agreed on!  We had the contract mailed overnight to us, we signed it and overnighted it back.  The whole process has been so calm and non-stressful.  I always thought when this day came, it would be crazy, hard, and STRESSFUL!  But Josh has made this so fun.  It's so nice that we are on the same page with similar taste and have the same long term goals.  It will be a gradual move into a three bedroom/three FULL bathroom.  Here are some pictures of when we were there.   FLOORPLAN:

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

FRONT

BACKYARD WILL BE THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE HOUSE AND BACK TO MICHAEL

BACK OF THE HOUSE

FAMILY ROOM AND KITCHEN (LOOKING FROM THE BACK)

THE END UNIT IS WHAT OURS WILL LOOK LIKE! (THIS IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET)

Today we arrived in Charlotte, did our walk through, and got our keys!!!!  We even had the movers come today instead of tomorrow. We are all moved in!  It has been a long day but it all worked out flawlessly. We are really excited about our new little life here in North Carolina. Of course we are nervous...new location, new job, meeting new people, new ward...but it will be a huge growing experience for us!

Now to get my decorating on!!!