Motley's Move 2015

Hello third trimester!! 

So we have had a crazy few weeks! We have been living in Kim and Dan's basement for a little over a year now. It allowed us to save up some money for a down payment and pay off some debt. It was the biggest blessing! However, it was time to move on to our own space since little Graham will make his debut soon. We made an offer on a house back in October, and we finally closed on Decemeber 4! I've been busy making it feel like a home for us. We are loving it so far! 

We got the keys on Friday, but I had to work at school at Cougar Christmas until 9 that night. So we went over to show Kim and Dan that night. This is our first picture in our new house! 

The next day was just as busy! One of my best friends had her gender reveal, and I had the envelope! Graham will have a girlfriend coming in April! I'm so excited for Meg and her family!! While we were partying, my precious mom and sister were at the new house cleaning and painting. If they wouldn't have been here, there's no way I could've gotten everything done!! I was still packing and cleaning the basement. It was crazy... And being 26 weeks pregnant didn't help me move any faster. That night after mom and Kayla left, Kim and Dan shampooed the carpets and kept Griffin while Brandon and I went to Little Rock to eat with his high school buddies. I felt awful for leaving, but we had this weekend planned months in advanced and hated to cancel. 

The next day, we moved! Brandon and Dan actually started the day before with the boxes I already had packed. Jonathon came over, and the three of them moved all of our stuff in about three trips with two trailers. Bless them!!! While they hauled, I stayed at the house and put up the kitchen stuff and worked in Griffin's room. I wanted it to be ready for him. Kim kept G entertained the whole day. I don't know what we would've done without them!! 

So after the first night, this is what the living room looked like. The vaulted ceilings made it feel especially empty. The first night here was weird. 

But we got the Christmas tree up and enjoyed our first home cooked meal of pot roast the next night! I took Monday off so I could rest and get some things in order. I've never been more ready for Chritsmas break!! I was sore and tired and could barely move after that weekend. Then it was back to work and all the holiday events. The house is slowly coming together... 

Celebrating a week in our new space! Griffin also started sleeping all night in his bed again, and we were eating all of our home cooked meals around the table. It was nice getting back to our normal routine! 

Last Day of Christmas Break

Last year at this time, I was drowning in National Board work. 

Tonight, I'm sitting here in a clean house with a warm fire in the fireplace, a new book to read, and my precious guys watching a hunting show. 

Sometimes I'm just simply overwhelmed with how good life is. 

Would I change somethings if I could? Absolutely. But my heart is happy, and I am so content. God is faithful! 

December 2014

We rang in the New Year last night with the the Baileys and the Moores. We didn't get home until 2am. I'm way toooo old for that these days! We had so much fun with them though, and G was out by 11. 

Here's our December recap:

Griffin was totally enthralled by the magic of Christmas. From the trees to the lights to the decor, he loved it all. He stayed excited pretty much all month. He didn't really understand any of it, but he was in the Christmas spirit for sure. 

Seeing the Christmas lights on the tree for the first time. 

Decorating the tree

The Gathering went to a Paint with Lane class. 

Watching the Polar Express in anticipation for our trip!

We had tickets to ride the Polar Express with my parent and my sister's family, but Griffin got sick just minutes before boarding. He had a terrible cough with made him gag and throw up. We were so sad, but we transferred our tickets to the next night, and we still had a blast! In fact, we were in a small section on a car all to ourselves. It was glorious! 

The day after the Polar Express, Nanny kept Griffin all night so Brandon and I could go to the Garth Brooks concert. It was the best concert!! 

The day after the concert, Griffin had his Sunday School Christmas performance. He looked so handsome!

  

The theme was Old McNoah had an Ark, and G was a lion. He had the crowd in stitches by trying to take over the microphone. 

The following day, Griffin had his daycare program. So cute, but so wild!!

So many kids!

The last week of school is always crazy! My sweet intern graduated, and I will certainly miss her next semester. 

We had Brandon's family Christmas that Saturday. G loved opening all his presents. 

He fell asleep sitting up that afternoon! 

I made grinch kabobs and snowmen nutter butters to take that evening for his extended family Christmas. 

I was SO ready for Christmas break. The first day, I took G for a donut run. 

I also had some friends from church over that night for a little cookie exchange, but I forgot to take any pictures. 

I also made my banner to display all my Christmas cards. It was fun and easy to make!

Speaking if Christmas cards, we made ours using Shutterfly again. 

He was so excited to open presents!

We had our family Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. It was just magical. We built a fire, turned on Christmas music, and just enjoyed one another. G opened his stocking first. 

Once he found the M&Ms, he didn't care for much else. He just wanted to eat candy. After he was done, Brandon opened his and then I got to open mine. Brandon did an awesome job in my stocking. I got some kitchen tools, a new razorback shirt, and some other goodies. 

Then Griffin opened his gifts. He got some play doh sets, Thomas the Train tracks and trains, and two Mr. Potato Head kits. I got Brandon a new toolbox, some cologne, and a new wallet. He got me a new watch and beanie that I love!

After our Christmas that morning, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was just a perfect Christmas! Then we packed and loaded up to go to Nana's. Christmas Eve evening was spent at my Grandma Ginnie's house. 

Every year when I was little, my great grandma Opal would read the Christnas story to her great grand kids. This year, she read it to five of her nine great great grands. What a special memory! 

Five generations!

My family opened presents at my mom's house Christmas morning. Griffin got some more Thonas the Train tracks and trains. Brandon got some Bogg boots and a new Garmin. I got some new perfume and a fitness watch. We were so blessed!

Christmas was so fun this year. The day after the festivities, Brandon and I took our annual trip to Silver Dollar City! It was SO crowded, and rained. However, we were watching a Christmas carol through the rain, so it worked out just perfect. 

 We got to ride our favorite ride and enjoy some deep fried Oreos, so it was worth the trip!

Griffin's new toys all put together! He was in heaven. 

So for my last week of Christmas break, we've played a late night game of dominoes with the Basses, had a birthday dinner at Sumo with my team from school, had dinner with the Davises and Flecks, and rang in the New Year with the Baileys and Moores. I'm looking forward to 2015! 

I love these wild kiddos!

Can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us!!