Home Sweet Home

So I'm sitting here in my new living room, drinking a glass of sangria, and catching up on Real Housewives of NYC drama, and boy am I happy. Its been the most amazing feeling to wake up in my new beautiful bedroom, make my bed, waltz downstairs and put my coffee on, and sit and enjoy the fruits of our labor: a HOME.

We found a gorgeous, newly renovated town-home within walking distance to the Vienna metro. The walls are painted the perfect colors, and the hardwood floors are crisp and beautiful. They feel so good on my feet in the morning.

I'll post some pictures once its completely finished. The only room we have left is the dining room. We just need a table and nice carpet in there. The living room and kitchen are done, minus a few pictures of course. My room is finished, and Evie's is almost complete. Shan is swamped, so she's balancing work, her show, and unpacking her room all at once. Laura is going to finish her room when she gets back from the beach.

I'm so happy! I can't wait for school to start in the Fall.

Oh yeah, I'm over waitressing. Pretty sure this will be the last summer of waitressing ever. But, I need the money to replenish everything I've spent on this house! Ha! And boooy, is the money good. Woof...

Happy rest of the summer, all!

Domestic Goddess?

I went in to Home Depot to get a fancy pretty flashlight for work today. I parked my car, opened the door, and was overwhelmed with the Home Depot smell. That out-doorsy, wooden smell. I loved it. I walked up and was immediately drawn to the gorgeous flowers on display. This was new. I never gave a flying fig about plants.

Then I go inside. The smell of new home appliances and beautiful fake kitchens welcomed me to my new apparent haven. I was overcome by the desire to create projects, to create a home, make something beautiful to own and be proud of.

Now, I've always loved home design. I've always considered some sort of interior design classes to take on the side in the future. But repairs, shrubbery, and all that...never really interested me. I'm content to work with what I've got. Today, it was just so different. I was carried away to this place, imagining having a home of my own, making the front yard look perdy, re-doing a bathroom, painting the living room, all these different scenarios. It was so grown-up. It was SO WEIRD. Why? Because I don't think I'm there yet! But maybe I'm getting close to being there? I have no idea, but it was strange.

I have determined I better have at least a small front yard to play with next year.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Ok. Let me preface this with a paragraph praising the amazingness of my family, because really, I am so lucky to have such a fun, close family. I have two parents that love each other very much. Seriously...I can't count how many times my dad will pull us aside and ask, "Isn't your Mama beautiful?". And they are both dedicated to service. My dad is soon to be a General in the Army, and my mom has worked for non-profits my entire life. We were raised to live a life of service. I cannot imagine a profession where I wouldn't be serving. Chris is in non-profit as well, I'm a teacher, Colleen wants to go help orphans in any country she an, and Kelly is going to study to be a teacher as well. Its contagious. We're all do-gooders. When my entire family is together, it tends to be outrageous and hilarious. There's usually some form of alcohol flowing, and the laughter is OUT of control. This includes extended family as well (also relentless do-gooders). There's so much love in my family. And now that Kaitlyn is here...oh my gosh...you couldn't smack the smiles off of our faces.

Basically what I'm getting at, is that I look forward to my entire family being together. When I was in college, I loved coming home to visit everyone. I didn't come home unless there were breaks, and usually stayed in Harrisonburg for most or all of the summers, because I loved missing them, and then visiting them.

So, now that I have expressed my undying love for my family...

They are driving. Me. Crazy.

I have been at home this year. For one thing, Student Teaching doesn't pay, and I knew if I wanted to work in Fairfax County, I needed to be here as soon as possible. And I was right. Got the Long-Term job, and now, a solid job at a beautiful school for next year. And Long-Terms pay well, but not "live off this forever" well. So saving has been the big thing for the year.

Its been nice...but its time to go. I'll be 24 in January. At this age, you're not supposed to be home. You're supposed to be MISSING your family. Holidays should be exciting because you're going to be surrounded by the people you've missed so much. I remember feeling less Holiday-ish this year, because I was home already. I missed the "going home for the Holidays" feeling.

But it is getting to me. And I am taking it out on my family. I'm so aware of this too. My mom was sitting next to me, and had her arm on me. It was annoying me so much. All I could feel was her arm. On me. And I wanted. It. Off.

I love my family, but I need to miss them again. As we are drawing closer, and closer to the time to move, I am getting SO excited. Yes, a house will be great, I'll be with friends, I'll be social, yes, yes, yes...but more importantly. I'm going to MISS MY FAMILY! I'll be nicer again. I cannot wait. I cannot wait....

I love my family.

Life Changed Completely in 1 Week...

So I wrote on here...not too long ago. Less than a week probably. And since then, my life has completely changed.

The biggest and most rewarding change: I am an Aunt, to the most precious baby girl I could have ever imagined. My sister gave birth to Kaitlyn Marie Coffey on Wednesday at 9:17 AM, and we were there for every second. Except not during the actual C-section. She is perfect. Perfect round head, so curious. She looks around at everything. She's the most alert newborn I've ever seen, and I cannot wait to see who she becomes in the coming years.

It was amazing how much I loved her, and how we all immediately felt connected to her. It was something I don't think I could understand or appreciate when my sisters were born. It is also a different love. I can't describe it. Knowing that she came from my sister, who I grew up with, who is only 20 months older than me (freaky). But the love I've been feeling has made me so curious about the love I will feel for my own kids. And how Chrissy and Andrew must be feeling. Its all so much!

Ok, moving on...locked in a summer job at a fancy new place in Tysons. Hello, training. The arduous process I cannot wait to be done with so I can start making some real money. This place is fancy y'all. And all about wine. Alcohol=higher bills=better tips. Holla.

And last but not least, I was hired at a school for next year this morning! I interviewed yesterday and felt great about it, thinking it could be a great fit, and got the call from the principal this morning. It all happened so fast, and I am nothing short of relieved! Of course, it has to go through HR before I can be officially hired, but she assured me that should all go smoothly. Fingers crossed there are no hiccups there! I'm really excited about this school. Great community, great parents, great staff, new, FULL-TIME, and all around the ideal place to begin my career.

Life is falling into place, people. Now onto a house....

Dropped the Ball on This One, Folks....

I don't even know who reads this, but I like writing in it anyway. And I forgot I had it for about the last year or so, and OH my goodness, is life different.

I just went through and read my last 20-some-odd posts, and can't believe what a different place I am in. And how my mindset has changed. I was just starting student teaching when I wrote my last post. Since then, I've finished student teaching, graduated, and began teaching at an elementary school. I'm doing it. For real now. Insane! Now, I'm looking for a new school to teach at in the fall. I had an AMAZING experience at my current school, and my principal is working to get me somewhere for next year as soon as possible. How lucky am I? I finished on Thursday, and had an email from another principal asking me to send my resume on FRIDAY. I can't wait to see where I end up next year.

We're also on the house hunt. We put blood, sweat, and tears into this one townhouse for months, and they went with someone else. Not so happy about that one, but we'll make something happen. Can't wait to decorate with Evie! We are clearly the appointed decorators of the four of us.

And the biggest news of all, MY SISTER IS HAVING HER FIRST BABY/my parents' first grandbaby/my first niece! In 4 days! Baby girl is breech, so its a c-section for Chrissy. So unless she comes early, she'll be here around 3:30 PM on Thursday! Can't wait for this new chapter for my family. The entire dynamic is about to shift. This begins a whole new way of living for my family. Its crazy to think, Chrissy and I are only 20 months apart. By my age, she had been married for 6 months already. She was 11 months older than I am now when she got pregnant....Oh. My. Lord....I cannot even imagine that.

This year has been great, but I'm over it. Its been "limbo year". Like Britney once said, "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman". I've been at home, working at a temporary job, unsure of where I'll be (and need to be) in just a few short months. We're working hard to get these questions answered as soon as possible because we are READY! Ready to be on our own again, making thousands of dollars (woo!), paying bills, cleaning our own house, having benefits, and meeting new people! Its going to be amazing...and this year will pay off, I know it.

Next posts will be updates to the aforementioned milestones.