Making progress!

Well we are finally settling in! Feels like a long time coming...oh who am I kidding? It has been! I feel like I don't think about or shut up about anything else! But I shouldn't complain. Everything is coming together nicely!

Look at how much unpacking we did on the first day!


I was lucky to have my neighbor Julie come and help! She's so sweet! Her husband Dan works with Ronnie and we've known eachother since our time in NC. She and her husband moved to GA just like us. And they bought the house just 2 doors down! And it's great because she is Puerto Rican, so we have a lot in common. Anyways, we are so happy to be neighbors with them!

After a long first day of unpacking, we celebrated by going to an authentic German restaurant by the house. It was so good, and I think Ronnie and I didn't realize how tired we were and the beer really got to us! Ha!



We are really happy!!! Ha!


On the second day of unpacking, we put in shelves in the laundry/pantry area.



What do you think about this organization? So far so good right? I love this stuff!

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All packed up...moving on up!

Well, the time we've been anxiously waiting for finally arrived. The movers took 1 day to pack us up and another day to load everything. They worked really fast and carefully. Only had a small ding made to our master bedroom furniture, but I think we claimed it and they are getting it fixed. They are arriving to Georgia with our things on Monday, hopefully on Sunday.

It was very overwhelming watching them pack all of our things. I mean, don't get me wrong, we didn't have to do a thing! Something about it was just emotionally overwhelming. I am leaving behind so much I grew to love. It's still very hard to think about. I guess it will heal once we are settled in to our new home and new state. We left and I couldn't even bare taking one last picture together in front of the house. I have plenty of happy memories documented in enough pictures....so I didn't need a need to. We drove to Georgia as soon as the movers left. I must admit, I shed some tears on the way down. Then I think God was giving me signs that everything will be OK. First, I saw this truck on the road to Georgia...


Then, while reading the latest Martha Stewart Living, I came across a "peach" spread, filled with info on peaches and recipes! Ha!


So, on our first day here I took a drive to the new house and it was nice to see the grass green! (it was still brown from winter the last time I was there.) the trees behind the house are really pretty. It sure needs some pretty flowers though...have to get on that. But first we must unpack and clean it first....a lot of work still ahead! But we're ready!


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dear first nest . . .

dear first nest,

We were so lucky to find you, but didn't realize it until the previous owners accepted our offer. It happened quite fast actually. It almost was too good to be true. We were just starting out and we weren't even planning on becoming home owners so soon. But God wanted it that way and we made sure to take good care of you. We knew it wouldn't be easy, though, because you were miles away from what we always knew... but soon realized you were something truly special.

The first night we were with you it seemed like Christmas eve! I was filled with butterflies anxious to unwrap you and make you mine. We hit it off right away, although you were scary for a few nights after we moved in. What can I say? I'm a city girl and it was hard to deal with so many trees that surrounded you and foreign animals to me. (deers, bats, owls etc.) But pretty soon, I realized you were a good place to be and knew you would protect me from the really loud noises that grasshoppers were making at night (I was not used to such a symphony by nature.) Soon, I became a Carolina girl (or Carolina Cubanita like my dad likes to call me) ... and I loved it!

Ronnie was excited to mow your lawn at first. But soon realized that spending 3 hours every Saturday to maintain you was REALLY hard work. (We didn't realize how much work 1 acre of land you really were!) And get this? I even got into the action...soon I planted my first flowers, but quickly just decided I was better at telling Ronnie where to plant pretty new flowers and other plants! (I enjoyed decorating you inside more.)

Because of you, we were able have our first christmas and we decorated you inside and out so well. It deserved a "Southern Living" treatment, always. We worked hard to make you "sparkle" every Christmas.

We were able to experience all the beautiful seasons NC has to offer. My favorite was the Fall. I waited patiently for your trees to decorate you, so you could radiate in orange, yellows and reds.

Winter was my least favorite. But you knew how to keep me warm inside with your fireplace and cozy family room. And when the snow fell, we enjoyed just looking outside as it fell and your lawn became a HUGE white blanket. Each time it snowed we'd hurry outside in the morning and held a photo shoot in your honor. You looked the best during those mornings because you became even more still and there's something so peaceful after a good snow fall.

When Spring came, the azaleas outside would bloom in white and we knew Winter was soon the past. We would plan how to make you alive again with pretty new colors. During the summer, we'd love to drink wine on your front porch in our rocking chairs after a long hot day. Summer evenings in NC are magical.... there's something about the smell of boxwood and the sight of lightning bugs that would make us take walks and enjoy it!

I enjoyed making my first meals in your kitchen and when I got homesick I would try out those cuban recipes my grandmother gave me.

When family and friends would come you were most happy. You were a great place to throw bar-b-q's with your great back deck and hosting was a breeze with your quaintness of space.

I know our new home will bring many more firsts, but nothing can take away our memories with you. Our new home is a lot bigger, yes, but I will never forget the warmth of your spaces. You helped me become a good wife and have taught me a lot. I never knew how much NC would become a "home" and I owe it all to you. You always made us so happy and we are sad we couldn't spend more time with you. You'll always be #1 to us forever and always in our hearts.

updates

Hello friends! I always feel so bad when I neglect our blog. I am so sorry! But you can imagine the craziness my life has been lately. However, all great things! A lot of things are working in our favor. So we are very happy about that. Here are some updates!

1. Ronnie was in CHINA (yes, on a totally different continent!) for 2 weeks on business! I was freaked out most of the time. I was so nervous about him flying for so many hours, what he was eating, how he was feeling, hoping and praying we packed enough for him to wear, etc. What can I say? I love him so much and I'm always making sure I am the best wife possible. But he's back (in atlanta, though) and is safe back home! Good news is that he's coming to NC TODAY! That's a whole day earlier and will work and be here through the weekend. This is the most we've been apart since we've been married. I dreaded it. But he will be back home soon!

2. Our paint job in our new home is DONE! Just minor things need to be retouched. But the house got a total paint job. The amount of the cost KILLED me, but it will be worth it. I love how it looks. Pics soon, I promise!

3. My brother Mike has been visiting me and keeping me company while Ronnie is away. It's been great. Some moments I want to kill him, some moments I am so thankful for his help....but overall I am relieved I haven't been alone. It's been a lot of work keeping the house "show ready" as prospective buyers are lurking in almost daily. Lots of laundry, organizing, cleaning has to be done daily! Mike has been a lot of help.

4. I told my principal about us relocating. She was not happy about the news. But she's very supportive. She had such nice things to say about my work. I do love my job! I sure hope I can find another permament position quickly in GA! Please pray!

5. I don't know when I will be back in GA again. But I am tired of living out of a suitcase. It seems like I have for months! I've been working really hard, as well. We have testing in about 3 weeks! But the good news is...SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE! So, things will eventually settle down before I know it.

6. We haven't sold our home on our own. But we are planning on selling it to Ronnie's company who will then in turn sell it on their own. This is great news! They are giving us what we paid for it, so we are not losing anything.

So, yes, we are busy. But everything is falling into place. I hear American Airlines is offering a fantastic deal to travel to Atlanta from Miami until November. The rate is $78 each way. So, we are looking forward to having friends and family visit us in our new home! *hint, hint*

Sneak Peek: Our Master Bedroom

One of the things I got most excited about our new home is choosing to paint our master bedroom in a color of "my" choice. In our first home, the room was painted in green and since it is my hubby's favorite color, it was VERY HARD to convince him to change it. So, I had to settle. (OK! more like compromise. ha!)

Our friends Jose and Maritza in Miami recently remodeled their entire home. When I visited them and saw the color of their new master bedroom, I totally fell in love with it. It was the perfect baby blue, but not juvenile. Very soothing, relaxing, which is the feel I've always dreamed in a master bedroom. So, the color stuck and that is the color I decided to go with. The paint is from Sherwin-Williams and the color is "Iceberg". I can't wait to see the room furnished! Thanks Maritza!

The picture qualities aren't great. But I wanted to give you an idea. :)

Our Georgia Peach

Hey everyone!

I hope to merge my blog into this new domain name. I just haven't figured it out yet, and I hope I can do it. Moving takes so much work! I won't be using this new blog spot until I am officially moved into our new home in Georgia. Either way, please save it into your bookmarks.

New roots in Georgia. Still can't believe it!

-E

dining room

Work begins next week painting our grand dining room. It is currently painted with the color of the rest of the house ("Relaxed Khaki" by Sherwin Williams), but we picked out "Coffee" by Lowes. The color will be on the walls and the center of the tray ceiling. Sad thing though... we don't have furniture to put in there, yet! But I am not complaining. One day....

The dining room appears as soon as you walk into the home past the main entrance hallway. Take a sneak peek. I can't wait to fill this room with family and friends, laughing, smiling, eating, talking and lots of LOVING! (oh and furniture, of course! ha!)

iPhone pic below:

Clearer pics below:

new home: new blog

But not just yet! Believe me when I say that when we learned about relocating my heart sank when I thought about our blog! (I know..of all things to worry about!) I love the name "Nesting in NC". So, I go to thinking on how to top it. So, since Ronnie and I began our "fairy tale" at the Magic Kingdom in Cinderella Castle, I decided our blog should symbolize that. So, introducing our new blog home.....

LIVING OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTERS @ http://livingourhappilyeverafters.blogspot.com/ and eventually I want it to be a ".com".

Obviously it is empty, but as soon as we are settled in our GA Peach, I will decorate and make our new blog a "home",too. Stay tuned!

Peek into our new kitchen

Take a peek into our new kitchen!

Pinch me! I can't believe we own such a kitchen! This is my favorite part of the whole house. What I love the most is that I have a great open area to entertain. I love to host! Now I can cook, chat, drink my wine, and watch TV in one major area. (I will show you the rest of the living space soon.) The builder really paid attention to detail with this kitchen. I love my stainless steel appliances. We still need to purchase a fridge, however. That is the only appliance in the kitchen that is missing. Keep in mind this was a former model home, so it has several upgraded details you wouldn't otherwise get unless you pay for it. I love the cabinets and granite. I can't believe I have GRANITE COUNTER TOPS! The faucet is even an upgrade. I love the vintage farm house type sink. Do you love it? I am still dreaming. This can't be mine. No way! I can't wait to cook my first Cuban meal here! :)

Our New Home

It took a lot of consideration where we wanted to move to in Atlanta. We definitely couldn't consider anywhere in Atlanta directly because of the prices (too high) and the madness of traffic (we left Miami for a reason). We have really enjoyed living outside of Greensboro in the more of a rural setting (less traffic, fresh air, open spaces, less hectic). We were between Alpharetta or Cumming, GA. Both are close to where Ronnie's office is and in the outskirts of Atlanta.

We went the first weekend in January to house hunt just to get a head start and did not expect to find 2 houses we loved and were at a great price! We were lucky that both were in either Alpharetta and Cumming. We made an offer on the Alpharetta house, but it got turned down. So, we went for the house in Cumming (which happened to be cheaper, too!) and they took our offer! Living in Cumming might mean some traffic, but we love the house so much that we will just have to make some sacrifices, but nothing we can't handle. Here is a preview of the house. We are in love! We've gone back since then for the inspections and are going this weekend to meet with the painters. I will follow up with how that goes next week! We are super happy and feel extremely blessed! We have tried to let everything just fall into place...and it has. God is awesome!

I will miss my first home a lot. It's already up for sale and we've had interested buyers almost 3 times a week. Wish us luck with that. We don't want to get stuck with 2 payments at any point in time...not fun!