I Love You

June 30, 2013.

One year ago today, was a Sunday.  We had a church picnic and later in the afternoon a friend got baptized at Coney Island. I even remember what I was wearing.  It had been an exhausting week with a mission group from Kansas in town and kids soccer clinic.

Even though it was a busy week, Dan and I spent a lot of time together and had deep discussions.  That Sunday night Dan told me, again, how much he "liked me."  My mom can attest,  I was getting tired of the "like" word.  I knew my feelings for Dan were deeper than "like" but I didn't want to scare him.  

But that night my heart took a risk and I asked him what he meant by "like." He explained how much he cared about me and how he couldn't imagine life without me.  I said "that sounds like more than just 'like'."  He said, "maybe it is I don't know."  So I shared my heart and told him how much he meant to me and I knew that in my heart it was different than like, it was love.  He agreed.  

From that moment our relationship changed. What was timid and hesitant before was now free and we moved to a deeper level of comfort with one another growing deeper ever since.  

June 30 will always be a special date to me.  One filled with memories of restless excitement and hope.  

Weekending it

It was a very busy and productive weekend.

On Friday we made a beeline for the Home Goods (out in far away Brooklyn) after work because Dan was able to borrow his boss's car.   Of course I dream about Home Goods and then when I actually get to go there I can't make any decisions.  We finally ended up with a large hassock that has storage.  Funny thing, my twin has the exact same one and I had no idea!  We will be using it as a coffee table of sorts in our new living room!  Right now it's chilln' in the entryway

Then we  headed to Lowes and stocked up on painting and cleaning supplies.

We were up bright and early on Saturday ready to go to Home Depot and get blinds, paint, and lots and lots of other odds and ends.

I'm super grateful we had a car to borrow for the weekend because there was a lot of hauling.  We moved all of the collected new apartment and wedding gifts we've gotten so far to the new place so  we both have fewer boxes in our current apartments. 

After Home Depot we got started on putting things together.  Dan worked super hard on hanging up all of the window shades.  It was a tough job but he put his new drill to good use and he persevered through the frustration and got them all up by the end of the weekend.  They look great.  Thanks Buddy!

Meanwhile, I worked on the kitchen!  I scrubbed all the shelves (more on that later), cut and applied liners for the shelves, ran the dishwasher, and washed all of our new plates and cooking stuff!

I dreamed about what else we needed in there to make it perfect and hung up the flower twinkly lights for homey-ness.  I found a cute clock at Century 21 and there was already a hook in the wall so it was a meant-to-be place for it.  

In between all of that we also had the youth group Out-of-School Party in the park complete with a watermelon eating contest and fun games like capture the flag.  We had a good time although I got skinned-up pretty bad sliding down a hill and we found the corpse of a squirrel.  

Dan and I tried the wheelbarrow race which was a hilarious fail.  One of the teens caught a good progression of the attempt.

And that's not all!  Happy weekend.

Apartment tour!

So we got the apartment!!  It was an all-morning affair and took entire hour for the landlord to "explain" the lease.  We'll spare you the annoying details and just get right to the tour. I apologize for the poor video skills, hopefully you don't get dizzy.

Decorations to come!  Squeeeee

We might steal an apartment!

Well, not really yet but that title got you intrigued right?

So after we ended up not getting the apartment with my dream apartment kitchen, we swallowed our tears and kept looking.  Well, I should say, Dan kept looking.  He did a really great job contacting posts on Craigslist and following-up with people.  Last Thursday we went to look at a 2-bedroom near where Dan lives now in our part of Bay Ridge.  I wasn't very excited about this place because it is close to my least favorite street in Bay Ridge.  But, we stopped at Carvel beforehand and the ice cream sweetened my disposition.

The post Dan was responding to was for a no-broker fee jr. 2 bedroom at $1,650.  When we got to the building a man met us in the lobby.  He ended up being a broker (grrr) and showed us an apartment that was $2,000 since the $1,650 "already rented" (grrr).  Craigslist is full of lies which is mainly why Dan was doing the looking because girl has no patience for that kind of nonsense. 

Even though it was a fake post and had a broker we were totally captivated by the apartment.  It is MASSIVE!!  The first place we looked at had basically no living room.  When we walked into this apartment the front entry alone could be a living room, but isn't, it's just the entry!  There is a separate eat-in kitchen with full-sized appliances AND a huge living room that could double as a dining room.  The master bedroom has two closets and the smaller room is still decently sized.  We were in love, like major stars in our eyes.  But there was the price.

We had already decided that $1,800 was our cap for rent.  We told the Broker that we would take the place for $1,800 and he said he would talk to the Landlord.  We filled out all the paperwork handed over every piece of personal and financial information possible and walked away giddy and worried.

The next day I waited anxiously while Dan waited to hear back from the Broker about our offer.  Here is the text:

Can you tell I was happy?  A massive 2 bedroom apartment for $200 less than posted?  STEAL!

Then we waited ALL weekend to hear about when we could sign the lease.  Torture people, especially because we felt it could get pulled out right underneath us.  On Monday the Broker told Dan we had to pay in cash.  This is super shady and got us really worried.  Then we started freaking out (ok maybe just me) because we didn't actually have the Broker's name (since he scribbled it) and he refused to tell us the Landlords name so Dan could do some background research.  I was getting annoyed because the Broker never actually called back when he was supposed to, Dan had to call every time.  On Tuesday my blood boiled thinking we were getting scammed and then finally we got confirmation that we could come and sign the lease on Thursday and pay with a bankers check.  Phew.  Cross your fingers though, we still haven't signed.  We'll let you know tomorrow :o)

Decorating Details

The finishing touches are coming together and with only 67 days left until the wedding it's a great feeling to have some important things all done.

Thanks to Mandy and her super crafty skills, dedicated sister devotion, maid-of-honor power house-ness, resident of the wedding location, and all other things Mandy...behold:

The Decorations!

The poms were handmade by Mandy using felt, hot glue, and a styrofoam ball.  It took two hours to make one from start to finish and she made a total of 16.  These will hang from black ribbon by the sides of the church pews lining the aisle.  We will then use them at the reception as added decorations on the buffet, entry, and head tables.  We can also use them at the Kansas reception if necessary.  Multipurpose!

I gave a sneak peak of the table candle holders back here, but now the final touches have been added and they are ready to light up the tables at the reception. 

These signs will be used at the reception to let guest know where to go and where to sit.  Doesn't Mandy have such cute handwriting?  She tells me all the time how ugly my handwriting is, and it's true, compared to hers.  

Each table at the reception will have a cake stand centerpiece.  Initially, Mandy was going to make a small cake for each table but my friend Amber suggested we do cupcakes.  Why didn't we think of that?!? So much easier.  Anyways,  we got these adorable white cake stands with scalloped edges at H&M and Mandy took thin satin ribbon and wove it around the edges.  Then she found small chalkboard picks to use like cake toppers and added our initials. 

I am so grateful for all of Mandy's help and her ability to pull ideas into doable options.  It's also great that all of these things we get to keep!  Everything is unique to our wedding and super special because they were made by Mandy.  Thanks Bunny!

If you like her crafty ideas and are interested in more of her specialties check out her very own Etsy shop.  Hopscotch & Honey: Felt Creations for Every Occasion.  She only has a few items in her shop because she just opened it and is waiting for a sale before she builds up inventory.  Be her first customer!!

Recipe: Fruit Dip

When my sisters and I were young we would come home from school and immediately have a snack.  I recall many a day when Mandy and I would consume a full bag of Doritos or eat like 3 bowls of cereal.  Ahh, to be in middle school again... Some days our mom would make a creamy dip that tasted like caramel and was great to eat with sliced apples.  I asked her for this recipe before I moved to Brooklyn.  Who knew it was so easy!  It is a stand-by for when I have people over or when I need something to bring to a party or group gathering.

The stuff
- 8 oz package of cream cheese (works best in the block form)
- 3/4 cup of white sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla

Get mixin'
- Let the cream cheese soften to room temperature (you can make it straight from the fridge but it takes a lot more arm strength)
- Mix together all ingredients until smooth
- Enjoy with sliced apples, grapes, pretzels, strawberries, anything!

Brooklyn is good at surprises

On Saturday I had to go into work which was a bummer but had plans to go to an afternoon brunch directly after.  It was a brunch for the Small Group that Dan and I are a part of, and the time was pushed specifically so I could attend.  In my mind it was supposed to start at 1:30 so when I showed up at 1:27 I didn't think I was too early.  Woops, apparently I was supposed to arrive at 2:00 because it was actually a surprise bridal shower and I was the first to arrive.  SURPRISE!

I really was surprised.  I had NO clue and evidently Dan was involved and he kept it a secret for a long time and I seriously had no hints that anything was happening.  I'm very impressed, I don't think I could have kept it tight that long. 

Anyways, it was a truly lovely afternoon with fun and games and details that were specifically planned around my interests and it was very special.  It was a custom-made party for sure and the hosts, Janet and Julia, did a wonderful and memorable job.  Even though I had mentioned I didn't plan on having a shower, I was deeply touched by their thoughtfulness and care.  Thanks friends, a truly heartfelt thanks.

Now for the party details! 

The menu included decorating your own cupcake, adorable tea sandwiches, and delicious peach iced tea, and scones!  Mandy's blueberry recipe and a new lavender scone I had never tried before.  Yummy. 

The games were so creative and unique.  The first game was for each guest to write their own blog post sharing a memory they have of Dan and me or just me.  They were all so thoughtful and I will be using them to create a mash-up post to share here!  Stay tuned.

Another game was smelling several types of tea leaves and guessing the flavors.  There was a trivia game where you had to say if it happened in Denver, Kansas City, Brooklyn, or Chicago.  I did terribly at that game, apparently I know very little about the places I'm connected to.

The next game was so neat, I never would have thought to come up with it.  Each person got a "card" with a cut-out of a magazine photo on it.  Then everyone pulled an "occasion" from a cup.  They then had to caption the card as if writing a greeting card for that occasion.  Some of them were so clever and I had a really hard time picking a winner for that game.

The last game was making your own headband.  Each person got a plastic headband and there were trays of various trinkets and ribbons and pipe cleaners to add to make a fabulous hair accessory.  Way fun!

I am super touched by how all the games were related to things I enjoy like...writing cards, tea, and especially flower hair accessories.  Even the prizes matched my interests like laundry detergent (my second back-up career is folding laundry), ice cream toppings (my first back-up career is scooping ice cream) dish soap (I love to wash me some dishes), manicure gift card (who doesn't love getting their nails done?), and to-do lists and post-it notes (hello! love).  They thought of everything.

And of course there were presents!  We got the tea pot, the pie plate, the casserole dishes, some lovely lady lingerie,  a swing CD to practice dancing, the measuring cup and spoons, gift cards and more.  So excited!

Dan came at the end and helped me carry everything back to my apartment.  What a guy!

It was a day filled with lots of love, and I am grateful.  

Thanks to Janet for taking the photos you see posted here today.  I was way too caught up in the moment I didn't even think to take pictures.

Surprise

This past Friday, Dan and I had plans to have dinner at the home of a family that has two teenagers in the youth group.  They are a great family and have invited us over other times to join them for a meal.  We had no clue but when we walked into their apartment on Friday night it was a surprise wedding shower for us with nearly the entire youth group there.  We were both shocked and officially surprised.

There was delicious food and desserts and just a nice time to all gather together for an event that neither Dan nor I had to help plan.  The teenagers each wrote down on note cards things about us that they liked or appreciated.  It was so touching because I know how hard it is to get those teens to do anything sentimental.  They actually wrote heartfelt things instead of "you're nice."  Dan got a really sweet note from one of the teenage guys who has struggled a lot but has really made a deep connection with Dan.  I know how much those words mean to Dan and how powerful they are to hear and know.  To me, those notes made the night perfect.  I would have left pleased with just that but no...there were presents!!

We got several items on our registry from the parents of the youth group including the tea kettle, picnic basket, both set of dinnerware, tiny orange juice glasses, and lots more.  It was wonderful.

They had us play the Newlyweds game which we did terribly at but all in good fun.  

We enjoyed the night but it was difficult to be the center of attention.  I'm used to planning and hosting and keeping myself busy with organizing and so it was hard to be the reason for the party and to navigate how to be a guest and be okay with everyone talking to you and watching you.  Makes me nervous for the wedding but I will say both Dan and I were touched by the thoughtfulness of the event.

These are the only pictures one of the parents got of the night.  We look pretty happy, I think.  

Weekending it

Well, for all of you who prayed and were giddy with excitement about that epic kitchen and potential apartment...sorry to disappoint you.  We didn't get it.  Sad face.

Dan and I dressed nicely, had all our paperwork organized in a folder, and arrived early to see that place.  It was smaller than it looked in the pictures but the kitchen was every bit as wonderful.  We were prepared to write a check right there and then but she said she had other people to show it to and would let us know.  Later that afternoon, Dan got a text that she had rented the place to someone else.  This was annoying because we were first to see it and first to be ready to close.  Generally it's first come first served in apartment dealings.  So, I guess it wasn't meant to be and we are bummed about that but have faith that there is something else out there that is even more perfect for us.  I just need the patience to get through the search and stop changing our registry based on every apartment I think we'll get. 

Otherwise, the weekend overall was wonderful.  We dropped the invitations in the mail!  We lucked out with the postage weighing in at exactly 1 oz so no need for an extra stamp!

The summer weather is finally sticking around (minus several days of monsoon rain)!  Saturday, Dan and I went to a wedding in Queens with a lot of other friends from church.  The ceremony was at the Queen Botanical Garden and the reception was a traditional 10-course Chinese banquet.  The food was definitely not my favorite (think shark fin soup, jelly fish, and whole squid) but the dancing was fun and getting to hang out with friends outside of a church function was nice.

Sunday was church and then I saw Aladdin on Broadway with a friend.  It was a great show with amazing costumes and set design.  Dan, unfortunately, had to work at the law office in the afternoon.  Definitely one of the busiest weekends and not very relaxing but we're inching closer to the our date and when we can get our lives kick started together so that's exciting. 

Stars in my eyes

So Dan and I have started hunting for a new apartment.  Dan's lease is up at the end of July and I plan on breaking my lease and moving directly after the wedding.

Looking for an apartment in NYC is very different from hunting in other places.  First off, you can't start searching too early because most places are posted only one month or a few weeks before move-in date and they are gone within days (sometimes hours) of being posted.  If you find something you like you have to jump immediately.  It's a stressful process since you also have to watch out for phoney posts and scams (that's a whole other story).

So Dan is in charge of looking mainly because he has to move first and mostly because I have a problem with getting stars in my eyes.  If I see an apartment I like with a kitchen that fills my heart with dreams of cooking for my family and rooms to decorate I get all crazy-town obsessed and the dreamy stars in my eyes get so big that I literally cannot see anything else.  Then of course if it doesn't work out I crash and burn in a heap of disappointment.

Last week Dan found a place that was a little out of our Bay Ridge area but we were okay with that simply because every other aspect of the place was perfect.  It had a kitchen with a full fridge and full stove with hood vent (my two must requirements).  It had central air, a dishwasher (unheard of in NYC apartments), and laundry in the unit (impossible!).  Dan sent an email but we never heard back and then the post was removed from Craigslist.  However, within minutes of seeing the posting I had already moved into the place in my mind, decorated, and literally changed items on our wedding registry to fit my vision.  People, the disappointment was real.  It took a good two days to recover from the stars in my eyes because every other posting Dan showed me I refused to accept the state of the kitchens because I had seen what was possible.

Two days ago Dan found another posting that he thought I would like and, with caution, showed me.  The kitchen was EVEN BETTER because it had an island which I really want.  It didn't have a dishwasher or central air but that is a-ok since the kitchen is beautiful in every other sense.  Dan called the person who posted and we have an appointment to see the place this Saturday!!!

Praying people PRAY.  It would be so wonderful if this place worked out for us and we could end our search early and have ample time to move Dan into the place and slowly move my stuff before we have to leave for the wedding.  I need my stuff out of my current place before we leave for Chicago because I told my landlord I would break my lease the end of August.  We get back from Chicago August 31.  It's tight.  Also, we don't want to spend our whole homey-moon moving in.

I know God has a place for us already picked out...I just hope it happens to be this one.   

Recipe: Banana Bread

Whenever I buy a bunch of bananas they last approximately 2 days before they start turning brown. And since I dislike eating a bruised banana I usually stick them in the fridge and let them turn for a few days until I can make banana bread.  Dan is a fan of the banana bread so it is a real treat around these parts, and pretty easy to make.

The stuff
- 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smash them up real good in a bowl
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (the orange box - I just like to clarify the color of the box because I'm one of those people that has to constantly check to make sure I'm using the right leavening agent) 
- pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- Chopped walnuts (optional)

Get Bakin'
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Mixed the smashed bananas and the melted butter in a bowl
- Add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla
- Sprinkle in the salt and baking soda and mix everything until combined
- Add the flour and stir until incorporated
- Mix-in the walnuts, if desired 
- Pour the batter into a buttered loaf pan
- Bake in the oven for 1 hour
- Cool and serve with cold butter

The original source for this recipe is my Momma or maybe google, I can't remember

Weekending it

So it's the second week of June and it's exhausting.  How come summer is more busy than the rest of the year? 

This Saturday we had our second annual Rummage/Bake Sale for church.  It was great weather and we had a huge amount of donated items and help from lots of people in the church.  The youth and kids were "hosting" and they did a good job.  We raised about $500 for the Compassion Child the kids support and some money for the Mexico mission trip.  I picked up a book, DVD and some iPod cases.  Both Dan and I got rid of a lot of our stuff in preparation for moving!  My trusty IKEA chair sold for a whopping $1.

Directly after the Rummage/Sale I had to go to my dress rehearsal for my dance recital at the end of the month.  Last year was my first year performing and let's just say I lacked confidence in the dance and I felt like I did in 5th grade when I had to do a number at the church Christmas pageant and I clearly did not memorize the moves.  Anyhow, this year I am more comfortable and feel better about the dance.  It's a duet so I really can't try to hide my mistakes.  The costume is better this year too...it at least covers my bum.  It's a tap dance with a bit of Latin flare...think maracas!  The actual recital is June 29th.  

I look like a giant in this picture :o|

Directly after my rehearsal Dan and I jetted into the city to go to Chipotle and to see A Midsummer Night's dream at the New York City Ballet.  For the past two years I've purchased a subscription to the NYCB but I cannot afford that anymore so this was my last time.  We only stayed for the first half because let's face it...it can be boring and after a loooong day we were both super tired.  We grabbed some ice cream after and ate it in Central Park before heading back to Brooklyn.

Sunday was a more mellow day.  We did our church gig and then binge watched Prison Break on Netflix.  Highly recommend!  Caught some sunnies in the park and put together our summer bucket list! 

Happy June!

This blog

In case any of you are wondering...a few points about this blog

1) Of course you can comment!  We love and welcome comments (but we don't have very many comments so please go for it if you feel inclined)

2) We do plan to continue with the blog after the wedding.  We want it to be something that documents our life together like a virtual scrapbook minus the glue and craft supplies.  So stayed tuned!!

3) It is not a private blog so please share it with anyone you think would care to follow

Thanks for following along with our story!

In other news, it's Puddle's birthday (sort of, I can't quite recall the date) so we'll celebrate for the whole month!!  I bought Puddle's last June while Dan was back home visiting people in Kansas.  I tried to trick him into thinking that I got him a real dog.  I don't think he was fooled.  Anyways, Puddles Love is a little rascal and has a habit of getting lost under beds.  His favorite food is puffy cheetoes and his best friend is, of course, Philbin.  Hippo Birdie little snuggle buddy!

Preacher Man Dan

So since my mom requested that I pass along the link...I'll help the rest of you out too.

Dan preached on Sunday and he did a fantastic jobby and he looked real handsome too :o)

Listen here: http://www.2crossroads.com/messages.html

And here are some photos of the beginning activity. 

Recipe: Quiche

I enjoy cooking.  My Momma taught me the basics and I picked up some things from watching my Dad.  Although I like to cook,  I don't enjoy small counter space and mini stoves.  But, I've learned to manage and I look forward to the time...hopefully soon...when those inconveniences will be remedied!

I wanted to share some of the recipes I use on this blog and maybe encourage others to try them out.  I'll start with my classic quiche...or "egg in a pie shell thing" as it is sometimes called.

This recipe makes one quiche but usually when I buy the ingredients I have enough to make two, so keep that in mind.

The stuff
- 1 pre-made deep dish pie shell (these are sold in the freezer section in a pack of 2) If you are super ambitious and you have counter space you could make your own pie crust 
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup fat free half and half
- 2 cups grated swiss cheese
- Several slices of bacon (chopped) or diced ham
- 1/3 cup chopped onion (we only like the mild yellow onions)
- salt and pepper

Get cookin'
- Preheat oven to 425 F
- In a frying pan cook the bacon until crisp or if using ham brown it up a bit in a small amount of oil
- Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease or what's left in the pan from the ham, saute until the onions are carmelized
- Put the bacon/ham and onions in the bottom of the pie shell (straight from the freezer)
- Top with the grated cheese
- In a separate bowl mix the beaten eggs and half and half until combined, add salt and pepper to season
- Pour the egg mixture over the cheese in the pie shell (make sure the eggs are fully beaten otherwise the yolk will cook like a hard boiled egg)
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes
- Turn the oven down to 325 F and continue to bake for 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean
- Let set for 5-10 minutes before serving

Tastes great with a fruit salad and the special ingredient is to drizzle with maple syrup before eating.  Perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

This recipe is so easy even Dan can do it.  You can also add veggies like chopped broccoli or whatever you think will taste good.

The original source for this recipe is my Momma

There will be shoes

Remember that stress dream I had about walking down the aisle in flip flops?  See here.  Well, that is a nightmare not to be re-lived because we have shoes!!!

Payless came through again this season with adorable wedge peep-toe shoes just as I had imaged Jessy wearing in the dream.  Mandy and Jessy will wear the black and I will wear the white.

Nailed it!

In other news.  The invites are almost ready to be sent.  We just have to seal them all...and there is the matter of the postage.

Since I have no experience planning a wedding, when I ordered the stamps in bulk way back in February I calculated how many we would need based on the number of invites plus the envelopes for the RSVP return cards.  I thought I was pretty smart. 

Well, I didn't think about the added weight of the invitation with the number of extra inserts required to communicate all there is to know about this darn day.  So Dan, smartly, thought we should weigh the envelope to see if we needed extra postage.  The lady at the mail center said to put another stamp on it!  A whole other stamp?! Seriously?

As it would happen, I ran into Don/Ron on Saturday and asked him about this issue.  He said "you should have bought the Love stamp that is meant for the extra size/weight of most wedding invitations."  Yeah, not what I wanted to hear.  How the heck should I know about the Love stamp, I've never been married before?

I replied, "well I didn't so now what I don't want to put another entire stamp on the card if it is just a little over weight."  He said to take it to the Post Office and have them tell me exactly how much extra postage it needs.  He said they used to sell a 10 cent stamp or I could put several penny stamps on the invitation.  I said, but then the stamps won't match...and he rolled his eyes.

This is excitement

Saturday was a rough day for reasons only the girl world would understand.  Which is why the day was made immeasurably better by the arrival of boxes at the mail center.  Our first registry gifts arrived and boy is it awesome sauce!

I am not having a bridal shower for several reasons which I feel I must explain so that people don't wonder or feel like they were not invited.  Mainly, I didn't want one.  This is because we are having two reception-like gatherings after the wedding and I felt those two events would make a shower redundant.  Also, logistics and timing are not friends.  I live in NYC, Mandy and my grandma live in Chicago, my mom lives in Denver, and Jessy lives in California.  However you slice it, multiple people would be paying for airfare and having to take time off of work for a party I don't want anyways. 

However, gifts will arrive which is super exciting since we are getting closer and closer to being able to find a new apartment and start a home together. Squeeeeeeee!!!!! (that's excitement). In order to know who sent what and because neither of us (mostly me) would be able to stare at boxes for three more months we decided to have an ultra mini shower in my apartment. Invited guests: Dan, me, Philbin, and Puddles.  We had hot dogs and bbq chips, there was laundry on the floor, and no decorations. 

We got a drill and drill bits from good family friends and old neighbors Alison and Mark. Yay boy toys.   A Fiesta sauce boat, Fiesta serving utensils, and a Rachel Ray vegetable peeler from Dan's mom.  She sent a super sweet card and the gifts were even wrapped for a shower!  Thanks a bunch Terri mom! Annnnd, the adorable and surprisingly big tea cups from Anthropolgie from my good friend Amanda D.   I am so in love with everything and even more anxious to get into some place bigger and try all this amazing stuff out.  Thanks everyone!!! Enjoy the progression shots below.