Phone Photo Friday

11/04/2011

If you pray really hard, maybe I can actually show you this sweet face soon. Let me tell you, she was not happy about this snowsuit. I think she looks like a starfish! I kept thinking “I can’t put my arms down!” from A Christmas Story.

On a serious note, the decision making meeting is today where a team will decide whether Precious can stay with us or if she should move with another woman for her adoptive placement. It sounds like it could go either way at this point. Please pray! We’re really, really hoping she can stay with us.

2 Comments | Art, Art: Phone Photo Friday, Family, Family: Foster Parenting, Family: Precious/Ali | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

A Perfect Saturday

11/03/2011

I had plans for a perfect Saturday: sleep in, big home cooked breakfast, clean the house, then rake up the blanket of pine needles covering our front yard and driveway, and then the night off with a date. I woke up naturally (!!) at 9:30 to discover that Jason was still sleeping, Lucy the cocker spaniel was still sleeping, and not a peep was coming from Precious’ room. How about that! I tweeted about it and indulged in some twitter/facebook until baby girl started stirring around 10.

Once I got her up, changed and fed, everyone else was up too. I shared my plans for the day with Jason and he suggested we go to the coffee shop and then thrift stores instead. Feeling stressed by the sink full of dirty dishes and the dog hair dust bunnies floating around the house, I was a little less than agreeable. We compromised and cleaned the house and did dishes before heading out to the coffee shop. My husband is so patient with me…and he’s super helpful with house cleaning. He dusted and vacuumed in the time I did the dishes and straightened up the kitchen.

Anyhow, we DID have a lovely breakfast at the coffee shop. At NOON! (I’m excited about this because we have a 3 month old.) Then, we headed out to our favorite thrift stores. Jason entertained Precious while I found her 2 pairs of socks, 1 headband, 1 hat, 1 pair of pants and 4 shirts (none of which was pink!) for about $12. Most of her clothes up to this point were pink and I was really growing sick of pink. At the next thrift store, we found two new mid-century chairs we couldn’t leave without. They deserve their own blog post.

After a quick nap for the little one and a walk around the block with the ole’ pup, it was time for DATE NIGHT! Woo hoo! I love my Jason.

So really, it was an amazingly perfect Saturday. We all slept in. The house got clean. Daddy got his coffee. We went thrift store hunting as a family of 3! We enjoyed the nice weather. Jason and I had a nice date night.

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Posted by mahlbrandt

The Importance of Date Nights

11/02/2011

About a week after Jason and I became parents to Ladybug, my mom offered to babysit so we could go out. It seemed too soon to me, unnecessary even. After all, we had over 8 years of date nights as a childless couple. Jason and I discussed it and decided we would accept the offer. It turned out to be a really rich time for us to catch up and give each other focused attention over dinner without concerning ourselves with a food-flinging toddler.

My mama told me, “The most important thing you can do for your children is to love your spouse.” Date nights are really important.

Saturday night Jason and I got to go on our first date night since the arrival of Precious, 6 weeks ago now. We even planned ahead! We had a Living Social coupon for our favorite sushi place, RuSan’s—paid $15 for a $30 gift certificate. We both got salads with orange ginger, miso soup and fire cracker maki rolls (they’re too good to share) and another forgettable roll (unagi and avocado, I think.) Service was quick, thankfully, because we were rushing to get to a movie. We saw The Help. Excellent movie. We only go to the movie theater a few times a year and this one felt worth the $13.00. Yeah, that’s right we got discounted movie tickets through  my work. I should also mention that we’re sly about finding free street parking in the city. I remembered to wear boots instead of heels so I don’t mind walking a couple blocks. Our entire date night: dinner at a favorite restaurant and a movie, cost just $37. Not bad at all for an indulgent night out. Babysitting was free. Thanks mom and dad!

Do you go on date nights? Even before becoming parents Jason and I made a point of going on a date night at least once a month. We’re not extravagant but the time set apart together is really good for our marriage.

10 Comments | Family, Family: Jason | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Hundley Adoption Update

11/01/2011

It’s time for an update on our friends Jeremy and Leila’s adoption story. Straight from Jeremy’s facebook wall on Wednesday:

“Hundley Adoption Update: Leila attended the doctor visit with the birthmother on Monday. They did an ultrasound and we got to see his face! He’s nearly 8 lbs and though a bit crowded in there, looks good. This time next week we’ll be at the hospital. WOW. On the funding side, we are at 83% of our goal! If you want to help with our final “push,” please post, tweet, or email the link to our blog: www.HundleyComingHome.blogspot.com. A massive THANK YOU to everyone involved. Just amazing.”

Baby boy, whom they’re planning to name Jaron Isaac, is due today! I can’t wait to meet him and see this sweet couple become parents. They’re going to make a wonderful family. Two Saturdays ago we threw a big baby shower for them at their new home. Apparently I wasn’t very strategic about my photos. I don’t have one of Leila and I have to skip all the ones that have Precious in them. Here are a few pictures from before the party started:

The party theme was “Rock Your Diaper Off!” since we were urging people to bring diapers along with or instead of a traditional gift. There was all kind of yummy food including an ice cream sundae bar, guitar cake, drum cupcakes, punch, cheese, dips, quiches, etc.

I’m hoping Leila’s sister-in-law Mikala got better pictures than me.

That’s my niece Eliza, Leila’s brother Nate and my sister-in-law Ginger.

We had a station set up where kids could decorate bibs and burp cloths with fabric markers. Max did a great job and got some help from his dad Grant.

Jeremy getting lots of practice with Eliza. Baby E loves that plastic chicken. It’s so cute.

We also had a picture matte for people to sign as a guest book and a box of thank you card for guests to write their addresses on the envelopes. After the gifts were opened we had a relay race outside that included setting up an unfamiliar stroller, strapping in a pumpkin, racing around cones, strapping the pumpkin into a car seat, running with it while picking up toys, etc. It was a hoot. I don’t have any pictures because I was in it. Jason and I competed against Leila and Jeremy and friends Grant and Brooke. Leila and Jeremy won. It was a very fun afternoon and this couple is now LOADED with baby stuff. I’m pretty sure they have about 4x as much baby gear as we do and we have enough.

I can’t wait to meet baby Jaron later this week. Yay!

Update: whoops! It’s 5:30 pm and I just realized I never hit Publish on this post! Sorry it’s late. 

Leave a Comment » | Art, Art: CBB 3.0, Family, Family: Extended Family and Friends | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Banking Better

10/31/2011

We switched banks. That seems like a blog-worthy topic, right? Have you been or will you be affect by the recent increase in checking account fees among the major US banks? Jason and I had three checking accounts at one of the big corporate banks (I don’t want to slam them as it’s been industry-wide policy) and with the increased fees that are starting next month we were going to be paying around $45 a month just to have three checking accounts with debit cards. Whoa! So not worth it. I suggested we start carrying cash only and get pistols but Jason found a better solution. We have a small local bank chain called Avenue. We have been so pleased with their great customer service and of course, the lack of fees! They have a really cool vibe since they started out as a musicians’ bank. Beyond the pretty hummingbird logo, they have a city loft style lobby with free snacks and drinks and a guitar set up, ready to be played while we wait. But we never have to wait because their customer service is that good.

A great company is worthy of a blog post, I say. If you’re in Nashville, we highly recommend Avenue Bank. Switching banks is a big ole’ pain in the butt—it took us 6 weeks to get everything migrated to the next account—but worth it.

4 Comments | Art, Art: graphic design, Art: music, Other | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Phone Photo Friday

10/28/2011

Leave a Comment » | Art, Art: gardening, Art: God's creation, Art: Phone Photo Friday | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Thank you, Design Mom!

10/27/2011

I was beyond humbled when Gabrielle asked if she could interview me and feature our kids room in her Living With Kids series on Design Mom. I’ve been a daily reader of her blog for years and have gleaned a ton of inspiration from her and her beautiful family. I even won a giveaway for goodies from Petit Collage through her blog and got the alphabet poster that hangs in our nursery. So click on over there and check it out!

3 Comments | Art, Art: interior design, Art: kids room, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Eames Inspired Modern Rocker

10/26/2011

Recently, I told you about our new rocking chair. Since a few people asked about it, I wanted to share that it’s now on sale for just $107 with free shipping. The price seems to change frequently on this for some reason but I’m not sure I’ve seen it this low.

Baxton Studio Letterio White Cradle Chair

Also, I just signed up to be an Amazon.com Affiliate since I shop on Amazon all.the.time. If you’ve been thinking about buying this Baxton Studio rocker, I hope you’ll consider doing so through the link above. (I get a small kick back from Amazon.)

3 Comments | Art, Art: kids room, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Dream Home Inspiration: Exterior

10/25/2011

Jason and I have been dreaming big lately… dreaming about houses. I’m not ready to tell you why yet.

Here are some inspiring images I’ve found.

Check my Pinterest page for sources.

8 Comments | Art, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Beautiful Fall

10/24/2011

I love this time of year in Nashville. Summer is hands-down my favorite but the start of fall with lower humidity and cooler nights is usually a welcome change. Most days it’s sunny with highs in the 70s and temps dipping down into the 40s overnight. I decided to snap a few pictures of some beauty in our garden before the overnight frosts start. Check out how tall our banana tree got this year! The leaves don’t survive the winter so it starts out as a stump each spring.

It’s been warm enough that some plants are flowering a second time this year, including our pink roses, orange zinnias and yellow canna lilies.

I love the furry fronds on the end of our pampas grass.

Our black bamboo has really filled in this year. If you’re not familiar with growing bamboo, the saying is “first year sleep, second year creep, third year leap.” This has definitely been a leap year for it.

Jason is considering moving this agave to a pot through the winter. Juuuust to be sure it doesn’t die if we have several cold days in a row.

What is your favorite season?

1 Comment | Art, Art: gardening, Art: God's creation | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

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