Customer Service for the win!

I just have the greatest news!  You know me and my thing with emailing companies.  I couldn't help myself and emailed the Fitbit people a few days ago about my misfortune and they are sending me a new one!  I'm so excited.  I have been so sad about losing my first one and this has made my day!  Anyway, I can't stress enough how much it pays off to email companies!  Every time I have, I've been impressed with the level of customer service I receive!  Remember when I got three new can openers?!  I'm telling you, it's the way to go!

I'm also excited about my new iphone.  My old phone had gotten a large crack in it and I was overdue for a new one.  I also love that it's gold.  I've had a few problems the last week getting everything switched over.  My texting went out for a few days and I wasn't getting calls at all for awhile, but I think it's all okay now.  I apologize if you've texted/called and I never answered!

I finished the little cabinet last week.  I ended up painting the shelves.  I feel like that's what made the difference for me.  I really love it!  It's been fun to have around, although I don't think it's found it's forever home yet.  Still figuring out where to put it.

We had a fun weekend!  Mark had a work retreat thing at a resort in Blowing Rock, NC.  It was really a beautiful area and the girls had a blast.  It was just kind of nice to get away!  I brought my camera, fully intending on taking lots of pictures, but I didn't take a one.  I got three on my phone.  We did a lot of swimming and hiking and just being together.  I also love eating food that I don't have to cook.  That's my favorite:) 

We spent a lot of time at the pool

There was some dancing 

Bear watching:)

Tomorrow, Mom Murrill is coming for a visit and to watch the girls for us.  Mark and I are headed to Atlanta for Catalyst Conference.  Mark's been before, but this is my first time, so I'm super excited.  I've heard it's so great.  I love Matt Redman and Ann Voskamp and they both are going to be there.   

Circus, Circus

I'm kind of bummed.  Well, actually...really bummed.  A few months ago, Mark surprised me with a fitbit.  As soon as I started using it, I fell in love.  It tracks my number of steps, the calories I burn, my active minutes and my sleep patterns.  It also is my alarm.  It's worn like a bracelet and I just never take it off.  Well, today, when I got back from running to Target and Lowe's, I realized it was no longer on my arm.  I've looked everywhere.  I called both places, and even went back to retrace my steps, but to no avail.  I've lost it.  I'm so sad!  I'm still praying it will turn up.

In other news, Mark left this morning on a trip for work.  It's just a short one, so it's not too bad.  We've kept busy today.  The girls helped me work on the project I wrote about yesterday.  A few months ago, my friend gave me this wall hanging curio cabinet that had been sitting in her storage for over ten years.  There was something about it that I loved and something about it that I for sure didn't love, but I knew I couldn't turn it down.  It had some major potential.  It's been sitting in my basement until Sunday, when we brought it upstairs and got to work.  Mark went handyman on me, and totally worked some magic on it.
 

This is how it came to me.  It had a very circus vibe going on. 

Yes, those are metal feathers...

And yes, metal tassels.  But, I just loved that chicken wire! 

The first step was removing the metal pennants along the bottom and top and of course, the metal feathers.  That really helped, but then it had an Asiany look, which I didn't love.  I knew at that point, that the whole top needed to come off. 

Mr. Handy worked and worked and this was what I was left with. 

I took it out and painted it and found some wood for the top.  

Today, I got the wood cut, and then stained it.  

This is where it's at right now.  I'm still figuring out what I want to do with it.  It has glass shelves, but I'm thinking wood shelves might be nice.  I don't know.  Any suggestions?  I think it will look better when I get something in it and on it.  I'll let you know how it ends up!

Tea Parties & Lake Trips

It's been a busy last few days!  Last Thursday, I flew to Tulsa (JUST ME!!!) to see my family for the weekend.  My mom was needing help with an event she was doing and asked if I would be willing to pitch in and also to sing for it.  I was happy to help.  It was so wonderful seeing family and friends, even if it was short. Andrea, even made the trip up with Avie for the day!  What a treat to see them.  I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few...

Tea Party with my Mama! 

I love this girl!  So glad they made the trip! 

My sweet niece, Vivian, is all grown up!  What a sweetheart! 

While I was home, mom and I went through some old photos of our family.  They were such precious pictures!  I brought quite a few home with me and I can't wait to get them into frames.  I love these two of my sweet Mumsie...

How cute was she!!!

This is her as a young woman.  When I went to visit her when I was home, I have to admit, it was heartbreaking.  This was the first time she didn't recognize me and she just seemed completely out of it. It's so hard to see people I love, aging! 

I had such a nice trip away, but it was oh-so-good to get home to my sweet family!  I brought back a cold with me, that left me feeling yucky all week, but I still had fun being back! 

We made some treats this week.  These girls love to cook! 

Our Apple Cinnamon Muffins! 

The girls before school on Tuesday

They wanted me to take pictures of them to show Nana that they love their new shirts! 

One day this week, Emma came over to play.  Her mom and dad have been out of town, and her grandma needed to do a few things.  We were happy to have her!  The girls loved doing a leaf project.

I feel like these pictures show exactly the differences between my two girls.  

I have wanted to do something with these stools for months! 

I finally pulled the trigger this week. 

I also decorated the house for fall this week.  This is definitely my favorite time of year.  Oh, so cozy!

More Fall

One day this week, I came home to find these guys running around the neighborhood.  It was so cool to see them all!  

Twelve horses wondering into everyone's yard.  

They had gotten out of a neighboring farm and wondered into our neighborhood.  It was all very exciting:) 

On Sabbath, I had to teach Sabbath School for the first time.  For some reason, I was super nervous, but it was a small group which made it much easier.  After that, we came home, changed and packed.  Then headed to Knoxville to see Mark's friend, Mark and his wife Linsday at the lake house their family owns.  We had such a great time! 

So good to see this guy! 

Not the best pictures!  I took them in a rush on our way out the door.  Next time, I'll try to do better. 

Our day today has involved doing projects around the house, watching football, and even a round of naps for everyone.   We worked on something today that I hope to finish up this week.  I'm excited to show you the results and hope it turns out like I'm envisioning.   Stay tuned!   

Yay for Fall!

Saturday ended up being perfectly fall--crisp and cool.  After we got home from church, I thought I'd try out my new lens since we were all dolled up.  

Weekend Wrap-Up

One of my favorite parts of living in North Carolina is the steady stream of visitors.  I just love living in a place where people want to come visit.  This weekend Mark's Aunt and Uncle popped in for the night.  They brought their dog, Cookie, and it's safe to say that the girls fell IN LOVE.  Rosie kept walking by Aunt Kandyce and would whisper under her breath, "I don't want you to leave", or "Please don't go."  If Kandyce heard it,  she didn't acknowledge it, but I'm sure if she had, she would have worried for Rosie's safety!  It definitely sounded like something someone being held hostage would say to a bystander so their captives wouldn't hear!   Rosie just didn't want that dog to go!  And actually, I didn't want Kandyce to go because she's definitely the plant whisperer.  She was giving me all kinds of ideas for my landscaping.  I wish she lived closer so she could help me!  I'm just not blessed with that kind of vision.  I forgot to get any pictures of the visit, but it was so nice to have family in town.  It also has proven to me, once again, that we need a pet.  Their pet ants, Sophia and Leo just aren't cutting it anymore. 

The weekend was a bit busy because the group I sing with had two different engagements, one on Friday night and one on Saturday night.  They were both fun, but I was relieved when they were over!  It was extra special, though, having family there to support!  

On Sunday, after Keith and Kandyce left, we went to our friend, Aeva's, birthday party.  It was such a cute party, but the "piece de resistance" was definitely the face painter.  Rosie was absolutely the proudest I'd ever seen her when she got done.   You couldn't wipe that silly grin off of her face if you tried.  She definitely crossed one off the bucket list!  

Kiki was also quite pleased with herself, as you can see from the picture.  All would have been great, if that was all of the Murrill family to partake in the painting of faces.  Things got a little more awkward, when Mark joined the ranks of the under six-year-olds and got his face painted right up--as a butterfly, no less!  He actually lost a bet and that was his punishment, but if I'm honest with you, I think he loved every minute of it.  

This doesn't look like a guy being forced into anything.

Adorable?

While face painting was Rosie's favorite part of the party, the sweets were Kiki's.  A girl after my own heart.  

Fun Backyard Games with the daddies   

How cute are they?! 

And him?! 

Pin the wing on the butterfly!  How clever:) 

Yesterday, I got an exciting package in the mail!  Mark surprised me with a new lens.  A few months ago, Kiki dropped my 50mm lens and it broke into pieces.  I was so bummed because I just love shooting with a 50mm.  Well, Mark, with the help of Jason, picked me out a new and even better one.  I can't wait to practice!  Anyone need their family portraits done by someone who knows next to nothing about photography? :)   

My new lens!!!

Kiki wanted me to tell you all about her new Little House dress.  I was able to find her one, and she, like her sister, will not take it off.  I have to admit that I find it all pretty precious.  

While I'm posting pictures, here are two more pics of Keeks.  She's been a lot less camera shy lately!  

Not only does she have a southern accent, she's adopting the attire, as well! 

Taking her baby for a hike!