Home Tour Part 2

Yesterday I did the first part of our home tour and showed you what it would look like as you walk into our house. Today I'm excited to welcome you back into the main living area – really the heart of our home!

As you'd walk through the foyer, you'd come into the great room! I would tell you how much we love having all this open space and suggest that you sit on one of our kitchen stools while I pour you a beverage and finish up our meal. I absolutely love having friends sit and chat while I buzz around the kitchen. It's one of my favorite feelings! 

As we catch up I might point out that pretty blue stand mixer. The one I got for my birthday from my sweet sister-in-law and father-in-law. Aren't they generous? I've been using it all the time. In fact, I would probably be pulling a loaf of my favorite rosemary bread out of the oven as our conversation flows. It smells awesome. We might start moving past our surface conversation and getting into some real heart chats right about now. I find that friends like to get real around the kitchen island. There's just something safe about gathering here. After a while, I might set the table and suggest that we sit down to eat.

Just off the kitchen we'd settle at our little table. Paul will say a pray and thank God for our meal and for you, our guest. We'd pass the plates and laugh and tell stories. It's not a big table, but it's round, and it cultivates good conversations. Round tables have a way of doing that. After dinner I might glance around the room and ask you what you think I should do about all the blank walls. I'll explain that the wall on the right is actually painted gray, and Paul will tease me because he says he can't even tell the difference between that wall and the white walls. I'll sigh and genuinely ask you what you would suggest? Shelves? A mirror? A gallery wall? A chalkboard?

As I clear the table I'll urge you to please make yourself comfortable in the family room! I'll turn on the coffee (if that's your drink of choice) and make sure we have something sweet to serve soon. We might chat about plans for this room. We're still in the brainstorming stage, but for now I like how it feels collected and cozy. I'll tell you that my mom has generously offered to have slipcovers made for our wingback chairs, and how I used to snuggle up in those same chairs with a good book as a little girl. What fabric do you think I should choose? Would you paint the TV cabinet? What would you put on the walls? These are the questions I'd ask you. Because you just have the best taste!

I hope we'd settle in here the rest of the evening, and that you'd stay as long as you like. Maybe we'd play a game, or talk about the issues that interest us. As our time comes to a close I'll feel so full in my heart. I just loved having you over and it was so good to connect. Before you leave I'll already be asking when you can come again, or making plans to meet for coffee this weekend. Paul and I would walk you to the door and give you another big hug. We'd probably linger out to the car and wave from the driveway. Because we love our friends, so that's just how we do things around here.

Thanks for viewing my home tour! Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)

Our Hearts Are Here: Home Tour Part 1

Happy Thursday! Today is my "Friday" and it's always sweet :) Hope yours is too!

Because so many of my dear friends and family are far away, and since dear Kate requested it, today I'm going to take you on a little tour of my house! We moved in almost 3 months ago and we love it. On Sunday night when we returned from my parent's house after being gone the whole day, I walked in and had this overwhelming sense of peace and thankfulness to be home. Paul and me. This is our little home and we feel so blessed.

One of our favorite things about our house is having people over! Seriously, we've absolutely loved filling our home with voices and laughter and stories and games and food and people. And if you lived nearby, we'd probably invite you over tonight. Not kidding, I'd text you our address and insist you come on over for dinner this very evening.

You'd probably have to look up our address the first time you came, and you might even give me a call to make sure you're heading the right direction. Because our house is a little bit country, and it can take a few extra minutes to get here than you might think. But we'll make it worth it once you get here! And I just know you're gonna love the awesome mountain views as you drive into our neighborhood. Feel free to knock on our door or maybe ring the bell (either is okay, because we'll be anticipating your arrival!). And Paul might answer the door since I'm probably putting the finishing touches on our meal. But I'll run to the door as quick as I can rinse off my hands and give you a big hug! It's so good to see you, I'll say.



You're welcome to sit down and take off your shoes if you'd like. Need some slippers? I have some
extras! Or maybe you want to leave your shoes on since they look so cute with your outfit. You do look so nice today. You know, we don't have much art on the walls yet, but I've hung these special pieces here in the entryway to welcome everyone right away. The middle says Home Sweet Home and the cross-stitch on the right is a favorite saying of mine. Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. Perhaps you are our new friend or maybe even a friend who goes way back? Both kinds are precious to us.

To the right here you can see my little light-filled office space. I feel rich in blessing when I think about how I get to have this special place to work and create. I'll probably tell you about my days spent here and what project I'm up to these days. Paul will point out the bookshelves and explain how we found those at the secondhand store and painted them that color ourselves. And I will show you the pink quilt I found at the antique market for a steal. I might go on a little too long because these things get me excited. But you're so kind I bet you just let me chatter a little. That makes me feel loved :)

I bet we'd stand here in the entryway for a little while because we're just so glad to see you. We'll ask about your day and how you're doing. And after a short time we'll remember our manners and usher you in so we can offer you a drink.

Come back tomorrow for the second part of my home tour!

Run, Reunite & Relax

I've been a bad blogger recently, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been lots going on! Here's a little recap of some of our favorite events in the past two months.

In January, Paul ran his very first marathon! He somehow convinced our friend Brent to run as well, although neither of them had trained very much. But they did awesome and we had a really fun weekend with our family and friends!

At the beginning of February, my lifelong friend Annie and her husband came for a "babymoon" to Arizona! It was such a fun evening with them and their sister & brother-in-law and am so thankful that I got to see my dear Annie pregnant! She was just gorgeous like always. And when I learned they would be in town, I quick got my act together and completed my first ever baby quilt for them. I'm so excited for their little girl to arrive this spring :)

And just after Valentines Day, Paul and I got to use some hotel points that were about to expire for a little staycation. We read by the pool, walked around town, went out to dinner, slept in late, went out to breakfast, did a little shopping and enjoyed our 24 hours of luxurious city living!

Today's the Day!

Today is the day Paul and I have been dreaming about for over 7 months now! In a few minutes we will be heading over to our new house to pick up our keys and start moving in!!! We can hardly believe the day has come!!!

Last weekend, we packed up our apartment and moved out of our first Arizona home. We needed to be out by the end of December which left us with a tricky 5 day gap with no place to live. Thankfully, our dear friends here offered their home to us since they would be out of town this week anyways. We are so thankful for all the little ways the Lord has provided for us during this transition time. Speaking of which, we were so blessed to have this crew come help us pack our truck on Sunday.

What a difference it was to a year ago when we moved in. At that time our only moving help was my parents. It was a big job last January for 4 people. But now we have the most precious community at our church, Valley Life, and we are so humbled that we were completely moved out in just 2 hours!

On Monday morning we had our final walk through with our project manager. Then on Wednesday morning, we signed our closing documents and forked over the big bucks!

This process has gone so fast and so slow all at the same time :) And there were definitely many moments when I was unsure if I even wanted to stay in Arizona, let alone purchase a house here. But as the story unfolded, I'm so thankful that I can see how God has guided our steps all along the way through my husband's leadership and through the revealing of His plans for our family. And I know there is so much more I don't even know or understand. So for this gift, we give Jesus the glory, honor and praise!

I promise I'll be back soon with a little tour of our new pad ;)

The Best Kind of Surprise

On Thursday, I got the best kind of surprise. It started with a text message at 10:14 am from one Miss Kirstie Beth: "What's Courtney's Instagram all about?" I grabbed my iPod Touch and opened my app and stared, with much confusion, at a photo Courtney had posted of an apartment door. "What is that?" I thought. I looked a moment longer. "That's our apartment number." A light bulb went on. No. It couldn't be. I scurried to our front door, and found the sweetest girls standing right there. At my front door! Thousands of miles from their own cozy homes. Here was my response: (No, I don't usually talk like a mouse. At least I don't think so? I was just super surprised and excited)

Isn't that the best?  I have the very best friends! They pulled off this surprise visit beautifully. I had no clue! We then proceeded to have a wonderful weekend of

catching up (because it's so much more fun in person than over the phone!)
surfing on the Anderson's iPad
snacking on delicious TJ finds
shopping at the outlets - a stones throw from our new house
exploring our future stomping grounds
visiting my parents in their cute mountain town
Starbucks (some of our faves include: Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Macchiato)
talking about babies and houses and husbands
movies (Argo in the theater and Emma at home)
and all the charms and treats a girls weekend brings.

They both made big sacrifices to leave their precious babies at home for a weekend away and it was pure fun, encouragement and joy! I feel so refreshed and so thankful for such dear friends.

When The Austrians Were Here

Last week I had the sweet blessing of reuniting with my dear friend, Pia. She and I met almost 5 years ago when we were both in China, and I hadn't seen her since we left 4 years ago. Since then, she has completed 4 years of medical school, I've changed career paths a few times, and we've both gotten married. Despite all these changes and the thousands of miles and oceans and continents that separate Phoenix (or Palatine, or Wheaton...) and Vienna, the moment she and Johannes hopped in our car at the airport, it felt like no time had passed at all. How precious to have a friend like this! And an added bonus that our sweet husbands liked each other as well. It was a refreshing week of laughs, adventures, conversations, lessons and fun. So much joy! So thankful.

My Visit to Illinois

I had such a great trip to Illinois this month! It was a big bummer to be away from Paul for two weeks, but other than that it was such a wonderful time of refreshment. I was able to attend two dear friends' weddings, go into work during the weekdays, connect with so many friends, meet lots of new babies and make a visit to MN to see family. Here are some snapshots from my trip!

Lindsay Came To Town

Last week we got to see Molliann and this weekend my dear friend Lindsay was in Phoenix as well! We sure are getting spoiled. Lindsay's a really talented musician and she was here for a few concerts throughout the area (if you've never heard her sing, go here now! Seriously. You'll be blessed). Paul and I went and saw her perform on Sunday night, and then we got to hang out and catch up with her afterwards. It was such a sweet and encouraging evening. I sure do miss my friends!

Don't I look classy with a 7up in hand? Nice. It was so good to see an old friend though :)

A couple of years ago, we were in a really precious bible study together, and being with her made me miss all the NBA girls. (Yes we named our Bible Study "NBA" and I'm not even going to tell you what it stands for because it's embarrassing. Ok fine, it stands for no boys allowed. Not even kidding.)

Here we are! Being totally cool and pretending we're reindeer. You know you have true friends when you can take a picture like this together. My favorite part might be Merry Chrstmas. But I think it's our only picture all together so it will just have to do! We're all scattered all over the country (and soon the world, Mandy!) now, but oh how I cherished those sweet times in the Word with them at the Fernandez house. Miss you sweet friends!!

Merry Christmas: from our home to yours :)

Here are some Christmas scenes from our house this morning!

Britt and I had such a sweet morning with pancakes and prayers and coffee and laughter and music and heart to hearts. I am so thankful for some downtime in the midst of this bustling season. Now it's time to bundle up and get to work finishing up my Christmas shopping with my favorite PDS. I just really like that guy ;)