rain on my.. pergola.

It started at Easter when my Momma convinced Marshall to build a pergola.. pronounced per-goal-a.

The pergola bug stuck and Marshall quickly went to work.. pergolating. And I started imagining the potential our patio could be.

I visioned a teak dining set fit for seating six with a dramatic chandelier hanging above.

And that's just what I got!

I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect patio set. And then I found it at World Market online. I didn't want to pay EIGHTY DOLLARS! for shipping, so Hartley and I secretly headed to Savannah this morning and picked it up.

And surprised Marshall with it assembled this evening. We also surprised him by inviting his parents for dinner so we could break it in.

And then we were surprised by a rain shower and didn't get to use it. :(

We would like to thank Momma Lib for the inviting space she urged and helped us to create.

tho thimble

About 2 weeks ago, we received some exciting news! An upcoming visit from sweet friends of ours.

Of course, that means I find my to-do list and get to work on the projects we've had listed for the past 3 months.

Isn't that what everybody else does??

First up. Curtains.

Ignore the curtain hardware already in place. But geez. That room is so boring. It needs some instant pizazz.

Alla Kazam! 

Niiice.

Hartley thinks they make great hiding places. I'm sure we'll have a monkey hanging from them soon.

H also upgraded to big girl pj's. Her first 2 piece pair without feet. :( It was fitting for Father's Day weekend. She also kept calling the hearts "arr" which actually means star.

She's been practicing her jumping.

She still needs practice..

30 before 30 (the most exciting check off!)

12. Buy a Car. Whenever I think about getting a new car, I imagine myself with a gameshow announcer's voice saying, "A BRAND NEW CAAAARRR!!" Applause, Applause! Marshall and I have never had to buy our own vehicles, thanks to hand-me-downs and a certain individual being ridiculously smart and driven (that would not be me..). I would like an SUV, gently used (1 or 2 years old), non-leather seats, CD player, and everything must work in it!

Introducing- Mr. Trail "Blaze" Blazer. 

You are so pretty and roomy. And you drive nicely, too!

 Yippee!

We love you! Welcome to the family.

Hartley thinks he's pretty cool, too.

past 2 weeks, in pictures

Marshall grew a goatee. Then had fun shaving it. 

Left shade before ruffle. Right shade after ruffle.

Made a ruffle lampshade.

Hartley started running??

We entertained each other.

She showed me her Lady Gaga skillz

She helped Daddy around the yard.. Naked..

We discovered we have a water-lovin' baby.

Hartley pottied multiple times. Peepee and poopoo! 

We started looking for a newer vehicle... :)

busy bees

We've been super busy around here! Yesterday Marshall and I "celebrated" 4 years of marriage with a fussy toddler, Choices of the Heart (pregnancy center) fundraiser, and church league softball. Happy Anniversary?

I've been limiting my sewing as promised, but definitely needed to attempt a tiered ruffle skirt. And I thought it turned out great!

And I then I bought a similar skirt for next summer at Wal-mart.

For only $1! Our local Wal-mart is really good about discounting clothes. And for some reason my eyes are drawn to red-ticketed items.

Hartley could care less about her new skirt.

It's all about goldfish these days. And telling me "no." At least she has seriously started calling my name!

We had to run some errands today and went by the bank. An older gentleman was in front of us and started chatting. He asked Hartley, "is that your mama?" She was standing by my side, grabbed my leg and said "mama!" She's also been calling me around the house. My favorite was the other night when we went out with the in-laws. Her Mema took her outside and when I walked out, she said "mama!" :)

She's also working on those 2 bottom molars. And apparently teething turns naptime into playtime. The past few days she's been sleeping 1.5 hours for her nap and playing the rest of the time in her crib. She's quiet and hopefully resting.

We think she's super smart! Above, she's doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. She has recently learned to roar (and paw) like a lion as well as "sound like an elephant." And of course, make truck noises all.day.long.

Our weekend will continue to be busy as Marshall is on-call and we celebrate his parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Part-ay!