2014 Round-Up

Surprise! I have blogged a total of TWO times this year. OOPS! I smell a resolution for 2015... But, ending the year didn't feel right without taking a moment to reflect on all that 2014 gave us with our annual Round-Up post! This one will have lots of pictures and might be pretty long - I have a lot of catching up to do!

2014 HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR!

(So great, in fact, that many of these categories have runners-up!)

Our Biggest Accomplishment: House Renovations!

So far, we've redone the kitchen cabinets and countertops, bought new appliances, removed carpet from almost the whole house, put hardwood in most of the house, stained and refinished the concrete floor in one room, and painted the main parts of the house (including trim and doors - which is very time consuming!) We still have miles to go, but we've loved making our house a home.

 

Not the greatest pictures, but you get the idea - they were dark
brown with beige countertops and brass fixtures before!

 

Also, our appliances were mix-matched - so
we finally got all matching stainless!

David hard at work on the floors. Carpet glue is no fun!

Before we put the wood down, we wrote scripture
blessings all throughout on the foundation! 

Preview of the gorgeous dark wood flooring!

New floors! And new blinds courtesy of my parents!

We think Moses likes it in here :)

Runner Up for biggest accomplishment was David starting his own company! He worked so so hard this year (outside of his full time job) - so that we were able to do these renovations... and even upgrade my ride ;)

Our Biggest Frustration: The Blue Jeep 

(She's healed and moved on now though, lol!)

It seems like so long ago now, but in the beginning of the year, we were STILL battling Holt Transmission to get my jeep running right! Finally after countless trips back and forth - and countless days driving David's truck to work - We decided it was time to bid her adieu, and upgrade! So in May, we welcomed this beauty to the family!

We did finally get the Blue Jeep up and running smoothly again - and were able to sell it to David's sister Rebecca. This way, if it has any future problems (which it shouldn't...) at least David can still help her out - it is under warranty for another 2 years!

Our Biggest Adventure: Guatemala 

In July - thanks to God many of our friends and family - we were able to go on a mission trip to Guatemala! This really deserves it's own post...but I'll sum it up in pictures below. We made friendships despite language barriers, spread the Gospel, and even had time for sightseeing in Antigua! It was a trip we'll both remember for a lifetime. (Hoping to post more about this in the future... though I'm already 6 months late!)

SO thankful to experience this together!

Afternoon siesta time :)

Precious Village boys. The one on the left drew David a
picture and gave it to him on the last day.

Always the goofball. 

The Whole Gang

Anderson was our adopted sibling for the week!

David and Tony our driver - these two formed such a great
friendship during the week. Two peas in a pod!

Runner Up for greatest adventure: Courtney's trip to NYC with Kristen! It was certainly an adventure - two southern sisters tackling the Big Apple in 2 1/2 days! But boy, did we do it all! Our favorite show, FRIENDS, set up a temporary Central Perk for it's 20th anniversary - so of course, on a total whim, (and thanks to two wonderful husbands for letting us go!) we packed up and flew out! We saw Central Perk, Central Park, Times Square, Bloomingdales, Rockefeller Center, Little Italy (with Cannoli's!), 9/11 Memorial and Museum (GO see that!), NY Public Library, Tiffany's, FAO Schwarz, The Met, Cinderella on Broadway, got a Cosmopolitan, and even tackled the subways and a tiny hotel in Queens! We totally earned our street cred - no chaperones! :) 

Caroline couldn't come - so we brought her a little blue box!

THE Orange Couch - Just call us Rachel and Monica :)

A little rain couldn't stop us!

These are just a few pics from the trip - for a whole bunch more, click here!

Other great adventures included: Hilton Head for Valentine's Day, Columbia to see Kari Jobe and Rend Collective in concert; Cape Coral, Florida for Thanksgiving; Clemson for a football game; and Spartanburg for Kerri & Aaron's Wedding!

Now, onto the 2014 lists...no real pictures go with these :)

Our Favorite Restaurants: 

They're all tied for first!

Sesame for Burgers, Miyabi Sushi Bar, Moe's, and The Shelter for Sunday Brunch

Our Favorite Music: 

We both love Elevation Worship!

David: Mumford and Sons, Lumineers, Rend Collective, Citizens

Courtney: Kari Jobe, All Sons and Daughters, Frozen Soundtrack

Our Favorite Books Read: 

David: The Tombs, Clive Cussler

Courtney: Return to Tradd Street, Karen White (Runner Up: Beautiful Ruins, Jess Walter)

Our Favorite TV Shows: 

We both LOVE Family Feud!! And Grey's Anatomy on Netflix!

David: The Walking Dead (Runners Up: Impractical Jokers and Prospectors)

Courtney: Tie between Friends and Revenge (Runners Up: Nashville, Hart of Dixie, Gossip Girl on Netflix)

Our Favorite Hobbies: 

David: Learning more on Electric Guitar, Blacksmithing, and still camping, even though we didn't go once this year!

Courtney: Hand Lettering, Painting, and crafting of any kind!

On the Calendar for 2015? 

Cruisin' the Pacific Coast Highway in June! 

More details to come as we begin to plan - suggestions welcome!

That about sums up our year!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and will have a very Happy New Year!!!

With Love & Blessings, 

C+D

Master Gardener

This past weekend David transformed our front flower bed! I'm so excited. My only regret is that we didn't get a "before" picture! It needed some TLC badly!

He bought mulch and landscaping paper and put all that down, then we went flower shopping! $100 later, we had mums, tulip bulbs (plant now, bloom this spring), some pretty little blue and yellow flowers, some pretty little pink and white flowers, and some green leafy things. Oh, and my favorite, a tall purple thing where all the flowers form a sort of ball. Forgot what it's called. (Can you tell I'm not a gardener?!) And he transplanted one of our palms from the wedding into the front bed as well. 

Our friends Adam and Jenn came over to help too! While Adam and David were outside planting and getting dirty, Jenn and I scrapbooked and drank wine inside. Sounds fair, right? :)

All in all, a great day, and our front yard looks Beautiful! I can't wait to see it all bloom!

The Times, They are a Changin'

As I sit down to write this blog, I don't know where to begin. But I think my mom put it best last night. It's a good time for change - for all of the "Fraylicks". (I totally still count myself as a Fraylick girl...although I love being Mrs. Irvin!) 

We've all found ourselves at brand new beginnings. I just got married (woo-hoo), Kristen got a new job (Children's Minister at FBC), Caroline's going off to college, and the big finale....my parents sold their beautiful house, and have moved. Though some changes have been tough, some have been so good (ahem...getting married!). Thus, I  am clinging to Romans 12:12 – "Let your HOPE make you GLAD; Be PATIENT in times of trouble; and NEVER stop PRAYING." I've claimed it as my verse through this season of life. 

Let's face it, as humans, we crave comfort. Contentment, being comfortable, and having somewhat of a routine, normal life. Throughout the wedding planning, I found myself saying "I'm just ready for a normal, daily life again. Ready for the constant busy-ness to be over." We like things the way they are, and big change often throws us for a loop. 2012 has been a year of constant change, so I'm trying to be patient until life settles down. 

Be patient in times of trouble. 

Last night was a tearful goodbye (for me, at least) to 344 Bermuda Towne Row. Our dream home. What my parents worked so hard for. But, it was time to let it go. I must confess, I was heartbroken. Angry, sad, and all around upset. It's our home. It doesn't seem right for someone else to be living there. I am trying my hardest to repeat to myself "It's just a house. Just four walls and a roof." But change is tough. I loved that house. The past four weeks (yes, pretty much since we returned from the honeymoon) have been non-stop packing, moving, and cleaning. But last night was the end of that road. 

Let your hope make you glad.

But, we have hope. It is absolutely evident that the Lord has provided, in what may seem to us, just in the knick of time. To Him, it was his perfectly timed plan. My parents were needing to sell the house, after being on the market in this toilet-bowl of an economy for 3 years. That's a long time - it had to go. God's timing was all over it. They got a contract the week I was on my honeymoon. I remember during wedding planning, my dad told me his prayer was for time. They needed to get through the wedding, then sell the house. And that's what God did. Precisely when He knew was best. And, they found a fantastic new town home to move to. 

Our hope is in all these new beginnings. Hope that comes with a new home to create memories in. Hope that comes with Kristen's new job - and molding all those little minds to know the love Jesus has for them. Hope that comes with a new beginning for Caroline, in starting a new life in college (FYI: I'm still trying to accept the fact that she's going to be a chicken, lol!) And hope for David and I, in finally being able to settle in as newlyweds and start our life together. We can move on from cleaning out my parents' house, to finishing our house, and making it our home. 

And never stop praying.

On Monday, I saw a verse on pinterest..."When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2 ASV My heart is most definitely overwhelmed. So I haven't stopped praying all week. Another confession, I have been slacking in this area for a while now. But, yesterday (coincidentally, the national day of prayer) I was in constant prayer. Every time I had a thought in my mind, I was praying. And God reminded me, in His ever sweet voice, that He's there. Just that simple message...He's there. He has been all along, just waiting for me to talk to Him again. He loves to listen. He loves when I come to Him. Which makes me want to come to Him even more. Such a sweet, comforting, restful, peaceful feeling. 

In short (after this  l o n g  vent of a blog), the times, they are a changin'. And we're hanging on. And knowing, that God's not done with us yet. If anything, this is all a reminder that we're not home. A house is not a home...our home is yet to come.