Life in Brier Creek thus far...

John and I LOVE living in Brier Creek. It's such an up and coming area and there is so much around us. So much shopping, restaurants, and pretty much anything you can think of. I do wish it was closer to everything else- but we make do. After being 850 miles away from friends- I think we can spare 30 minutes to drive to see people. haha. It is a pain for other people to drive out here though :(. 

Our apartment is slowly but surely coming together. Our kitchen is tiny, but I think we finally found a system in there. We still have lots of organizing to do, but we have tried to control the mess to the guest room. haha. It's a quaint little apartment and is really perfect for me, John, and Carter. I think Carter loves living here. I think he misses his dog door, but we try to take him out a lot. We've already noticed that since it's SO much more quiet here- Carter gets very excited about little noises and animals outside that he didnt usually care about. haha.

 

I'm sure I'm sure I mentioned the space behind our apartment before- we call it Carter's yard. Its nice to have the big open space back there. We play lots of frisbee back there. It gets muddy back there easy- which has been disappointing. I'm hoping when it warms up, the area will dry out so we dont have to wipe carter down so much in the future. It takes forever right now! Carter has become obsessed with frisbee too, so there really is no avoiding the area right now. He is too cute:D There are also a lot of dogs in the complex, but unfortunately he hasnt gotten to meet many of them :(. Maybe he'll make some good buddies soon? We did find a doggie day care that we need to try out and take him to. It will be good for him. 

Our apartment does tend to also get a lot of spiders. I guess it's because we back up to the woods. I'm surprisingly not really scared of them anymore. haha. I just kill them and move on with it. However, one day I was getting ready for work and I saw this guy waiting for me in the kitchen

He was HUGE. HUGE! it was terrifying. I started shaking and even after I killed it, I shook for a good hour afterwards. That darn spider ruined my day too. It was like a bad omen or something. haha. Luckily he hasnt had any friends come looking for him. Just small spiders for the most part. 

It has been a huge adjustment not having all the perks of dorm living. Lots and lots of cleaning- haha. Which luckily, I dont mind at all. I do however, hate cleaning the shower. The tile grooves are killer to get in! ugh. I miss the cleaning lady back in Miami. I knew I would and I miss her more than I actually thought. haha. It's also been an adjustment not having the dininghall too. I LOVE to cook! So it's been fun planning meals and cooking. However, it gets tricky having different schedules. When I cook, I usually eat it that night then and then John has it the next night for dinner. It can be challenging sometimes. Especially, when he is off one night and I cook a meal for us then and then I forget he needs food to take with him the next night too. I'm still working on finding a routine. Hopefully though John finds a different job soon and we can go to having normal dinners together.

The area around the complex has also been nice to go running around. There isnt really anywhere IN the complex to run- but I run down to the country club and run through that neighborhood. It's beautiful and it's fun to look at all the big houses. I think Carter likes it too- lots to smell!

Anyway, Brier Creek has been treating us well. It's nice being close to family and somewhat close to friends again. I feel very blessed to be here and I'll miss this area when we do finally buy a house!

My life this past December...

Goodness! I know it’s been a very long while since I have blogged. We’ve had just a few life changes and events that have prevented me from writing ;D. I am going to do my best to update you the best I can. I think the most fun way to do this will be through pictures! Let me start off by saying it has been a real whirlwind but I wouldnt change a thing!

First, John and I ended our journey in Miami with a bunch of fun outings:

Duffy's-one of our favorite sports bars- we watched the State game and then went out afterwards:D

Check out that view:D

THE HEAT! :D We decked ourselves out so we could show our support here too!

After the game we walked over to Bayside and got some drinks, 

listened to music, and people watched.

Of course we went to the beach. *sigh* one of the things I miss the most- especially in this cold weather.

I got to go out with my staff- not as their boss! haha. They are the best. They also made me a box full of cards and pictures. It was beyond sweet and made me cry (duh). At dinner, they told the waiter it was my birthday. haha. they are one of the things I miss the most.

All the staff members that came to wish me goodbye- amazing group of people.

After a bunch of fun lasts, including a lot of cuban food (duh), we loaded up another trailer and headed back to Raleigh. Our last 13 hour drive. I cried as we pulled out and I can still envision Miami on that day. Right before we left, some of my staff- Josh, Danny, and Tyler, came and said their final goodbyes. I love those three guys and miss them like crazy.

Of course we did that trip in one shot. haha. We had to get back to Carter! He was so happy to see us and of course spoiled rotten when we got him back. haha. We crashed that night at the Martins house and then got up and headed to our new home. 

 Carter was not amused as we unloaded the trailer. haha

 LOVE HIM! words cannot describe how much I missed him!

We spent the next few days unpacking. Then Monday I started my new job! It just so happened to be resident appreciation week, so I got to meet a lot of the residents throughout the week. It was nice. It was incredibly busy and I was very overwhelmed with the new job. I love it! but it's a lot more different than I anticipated. haha

The next weekend my mom moved. So we went to her house that weekend and helped her pack up her house. A very exciting time and incredibly exhausting also. Sunday was split between helping mom pack and John's grandmas 80th birthday!! We celebrated by taking her out to lunch as a big family and then did cake at her house :D

Mr. Martin and Grandma!

I love these two!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The next week John started his job at WRAL. Our schedules were and are complete opposites :( which has made it incredibly hard to make the transition to NC easy or find furniture! Let alone get to spend some time together. We are very thankful, of course, and have had to get creative when it comes to settling in our new home. haha. 

The holidays were also thrown right in! Which was very exciting and again very exhausting. Too much going on at once can make for one very tired Anna! haha. Our second weekend home in Raleigh, Krystal and Josh came to visit for the holidays and brought Bailey!

  

Carter loves his girlfriend! Even when she takes his toys...dont worry- he stole them back. They took turns looking at each other pathetically. It was adorable.

 We opened presents before we went out to the State game one night. Carter and Bailey got to open theirs too! (Dont you love all our furniture? Or rather lack there of? Haha. We only had our Christmas tree up and beach chairs for a long time.)

 And we celebrated Carter's birthday! I cant believe my boy is 2!!!

 Aunt Krystal made him and Bailey Red Velvet Cupcakes for dogs!

 

Present time!!

  

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARTER!

 

  

Then we crated them together and left for the game. They were surprisingly very good!!

 

GO PACK!

 

 At some point we all went to Big Boss and hung out. It was another great night :D

 

Next came Christmas! Of course we found time to spend with both families. Unfortunately, we both had to work some, so we got creative again :D We celebrated early with Johns family and then spent Christmas with mine on Christmas day. Which included both sets of my grandparents for me! John only got to see part of them because he had to work :(. 

Of course Carter got some presents!

 and Grandma cuddled with Carter

 John got a sweet flying helicopter that Carter really wanted to play with!

 and of course they all took turns cuddling some more. haha

Of course John and I were beyond blessed with gifts this year again. 

But were really happy to just be home with family :D

  Carter wished everyone a very Merry Christmas too!

 Christmas at my Mom's- Mawmaw and Pawpaw!

We enjoyed each others company

 Just hangin out...;D

Soon after Christmas, AMERICAN AQUARIUM HAD A SHOW IN RALEIGH!!! :D So we got the gang together and went out for sushi and then to the show. ALWAYS a good time.

 I adore these two!

 My sister and her boyfriend came too!

 LOVE this band!

 

John and I spent every free minute we had looking for furniture. We went a good month without couches and a table and chairs. Furniture shopping was extremely fun, but again, overwhelming!! We found an amazing dinging room set off craigslist that we got an amazing deal on! The couches were also a good deal, but are place holders until we buy a house.

I cant even tell you how many tables we looked at. This had everything we wanted though! Cherry wood, pub height, and 8 chairs! All for an amazing price and it's in GREAT condition.

 Here is Carter checking out the couches the day they came home. He's decided he doesnt like the pleather though and stays on the floor. haha. We ended up with some black "leather" couches. A couch, love seat, and recliner. All for $300! It'll do for now! :D SO glad to have something to sit on other than beach chairs. haha.

 

And that brings us to New Years! John had to work :( but we had our usual get together at Hutch's so he could come after he got off work. One of my RAs, Josh, was actually able to come to the party! His mom lives in Cary, so he was in town for the holidays. Small world for sure, but it was nice spend some time with him. It was incredibly weird mixing my two lives though! We had a wonderful time!

Me and Josh! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

  

Again, love these two! :D 

That pretty much rounds out the end of my 2012. SO much happened and I am so very, very blessed for all that the Lord has provided to us. December was a VERY eventful month, to say the least!

An End To An Era...

Well my beautiful family and friends, I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed I have felt in the past few weeks. 

As you know, John and I have been praying for direction for some time now. And well, the time has come for me to share that we will be moving back home! We cannot even begin to share how excited we are!!

Our lives have changed 180 degrees in the past two weeks! The Friday that Kristen and AJ were here, I received a job offer to a company in Raleigh and after discussing it with John and praying about it, I accepted! Remember, I mentioned that on the Monday they were here John and I had to run some errands? Well we went and gave our 2 weeks notice to both of our jobs. Then we went to celebrate and then loaded up as much as we could that night and headed to Raleigh to share the good news. It was wonderful that we had decided to take some stuff back already!! So it only took a few more hours to pack than we were planning. ;) Words cannot describe how thankful I am that Kristen and AJ were here to help! They literally saw our lives change VERY quickly and were here to celebrate with us and then help pack. I will love y'all forever for that!!!

With that said, things have been moving VERY quickly! My last day working for the U is Dec 3. and we head out of here probably the 7th. Then I start my new job on the 10th! I will be a Leasing Consultant for Bexley at Briar Creek Apartments. AHH! SO EXCITED! While we were home for Thanksgiving we had a lot to do. So, we found a place to live AND got me a new number and phone. We were very productive. :D We will be living where I work- the deal was just too good to pass up :D and the area is BEAUTIFUL! I am beyond excited to not have to live with students ever again. Our new place is very peaceful! AND we have a nice little area to take Carter out! 

The stairs to our apartment- it's Terrace level and this is our own little entrance!

Turn around and that's where we park :D

Our new home :D 

 And a "backyard" for Carter! 

John and I seriously feel so blessed to have the Lord move us home. We cannot wait to be with family and friends and in a place where we feel like we belong :D 

I do wanna say that I have very much enjoyed my time here in Miami. I do feel like it was one of the best decisions that John and I ever made. We have grown so much. We have learned so much. And we really are just different people now- for the better of course. We are very much more independent and spontaneous than we used to be. And we have been blessed to live in a beautiful city for 2 1/2 years! There are many things I will miss, but overall Miami is just not home. 

So- We are saying hello to a new chapter in our lives and goodbye to an old one. And just in time for the holidays!