An Update

Hello Friends!  How are you all doing?  Well, I hope :)

I know this update is a long time coming. I don't have any really good excuses but I hope "buying a new home" is one that will suffice :D  And it's true too! My husband and I are currently in the process of closing on our first house! We're both super excited to experience and enjoy home-ownership, along with being very relieved that the house-hunt it over. 

It's been over 2 years since we started looking, but all the labor was fruitful and well worth the effort. We cannot take all or any credit as God's hand was clearly visible through everything from start to finish. We are extremely grateful! 

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Here's a recap of my summer! 

Row 1:  For our anniversary in May we stayed in the local area on a short "stay-cation" in order to save up for our down payment! We planned a couple trips to local tourist-y spots like: a fancy dinner out, a day along Lake Michigan, and another day at the local zoo. Our zoo is a bit small but had many types of animals!

Row 2: Square 1- You really can't see him well, but that's a Red Panda in the tree! He was so cute and a lot smaller than I imagined them to be! Square 2 - Our day along the lake was wonderful! We went through a few shops, ate dinner at an open-top restaurant/grill (the food was amazing!), bought ice cream and chocolate candies at the South Bend Chocolate Company Cafe', and soaked in the sun! Also, it was Memorial Day and there were people everywhere! Street performers, musicians, food vendors, families, dogs on leashes (I seriously NEED a pet!! The cravings are so strong! Soon, sooon...), loud music, and an endless stream of teenagers!  Square 3 - Me and my handsome hubs :)

Row 3: Once we got our accepted offer and the closing date was set, we got packing! Cue unpreventable mess and chaos...  Goodbye apartment, hello new home! Well, we haven't closed yet, but we are trusting it will be soon!

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Amid the fervent house hunting, then waiting, then packing; I did make a few new ami's, mostly gifts. 

1 & 2: A custom order for a friend who gifted it to her friend :D She's a happy bear with a vest and hat, who loves to take her bunny friend on walks in her basket! 

3: A bear doll I've talked about before; I finally finished her! I loved how she turned out, so cute! She was a gift for my baby niece. 

4: Tuxedo Cat, a birthday gift for a sweet friend. 

5: Strawberry Bunny, a birthday gift for my little sister. 

6 & 7: I've been eyeing Blythe dolls for a long time and really wanted to customize one and sew sweet little dresses for her! So, after much research, I bought an Icy Doll and a very cheap Blythe fake. So far, I've carved the fake doll, and made a few outfits for the Icy. The fake Blythe's body is horrible and I plan to replace it with a Pure Neemo small body, if the carving turns out well. I really like the quality of the Icy. Her hair is soft and silky, her body is sturdy and an even color, and her eye chips are in great shape! I don't like her mouth so I plan to carve it into something more appealing :) Here's hoping I'm good at it! So far, so good with carving the fake...

With all my crafty stuff boxed away, I'm spending most of my free time picking out paint colors, decorating styles, making plans for diy's and renovations, gardens, dreams... So excited! 

How has your summer been? Any new and excited events, plans, or surprises?