Day Nine Hundred and Thirty

The Sixth Move

Yesterday was awfully busy. And by awfully, I mean...awful. 

So much to do.

(And no clean piece of paper to write it all on, clearly)

But at least we had the help and smiles of some of our best friends! Thank you to all who pitched in and helped us with our packing shenanigans! You're a bunch of life-savers. And by life-savers, I really mean marriage-savers.

Adam and I will be the first to tell you that we absolutely despise moving. Like, borderline hate it. It's an issue in our marriage and one that we'll continue working on for probably the rest of our lives. Unless, that is, we have some sort of permanent place to call home somewhere…the sound of that gets more and more appealing by the day. In any case, we're all finished packing up apartment #5, and that's deserving of a smile and a hug. A really stinky and angry hug, but a hug nonetheless. Sigh. Here we come, #6!

Day Nine Hundred and Twenty-Eight

The Bin Trail

The bins start here.

Then they travel through the hall.

To the elevators. 

Down three floors.

Out the doors.

In the truck.

To the storage unit.

4 miles away.

Whew!

The past three months of sled pulls really helped this wife out!

We're headed to NEW ORLEANS, LA on Sunday for some AAA baseball!

Adam's first start is scheduled for Saturday, April 5th.

Yahoo!! 

Day Eight Hundred and Ninety-Seven

The Multi-purposed Sink

-A sneak peak into my everyday-

So I don't know about the rest of America, but this is my reality. And my husband likes to poke fun at me for it. Yes, I know I'm a nut. When Adam first witnessed my makeup routine, his eyebrows curved together in peeked curiosity - like everyone else's do when they see me like this. Why in the world are you sitting in the sink, he laughed. I explained that while most normal multi-tasked women can stand and apply makeup at the same time, I simply cannot. And I won't. Never have. My mom taught me how to do my makeup a long time ago, and when she did, I was sitting on the edge of the sink with my feet on the toilet looking up at her. They say some things never change. Well, this is one of those things. Unless of course, one day, I have a vanity that I can sit at instead…Adam…*cough*…

And why is there a dining room chair in the bathroom, you ask…I sit on that to do my hair :)

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Also, Adam throws one inning in his first game of Spring Training tomorrow at 1:05 PM. Here we go!! 

Day Eight Hundred and Ninety-One

*The Bean Bag Compromise 

After a long Spring Training day at the field, this is all Adam wants to do for the next few hours. And I can't blame him. The first week is always the hardest. New schedule. New routine. New sunburns. So I let him rest…

…but only if that resting happens next to me :)

Day Eight Hundred and Seventy-Eight

The 80 Degree Difference

Good morning Spokane!

Goodbye Spokane!

Good afternoon Salt Lake!

Goodbye Salt Lake!

Good evening cozy bed!

- You look like a man tried to make you -

Goodnight cozy bed!

I traveled from Washington to Florida for fifteen hours yesterday (18 if you include the time change), but am happy to say that though I'm exhausted, I'm home safe and treasuring this 75 degree weather more than ever.

Day Eight Hundred and Sixty

The(re's) Deer in our Bellies

Behold: the aftermath of my first venison dinner ever. 

Thank you Tyler and Kelsey for providing the deer! Mmmmm mmmm!

(And yes, it's still Christmas time in the Conley Casa)

Day Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine

The Time it Takes to Replace a Toilet Paper Roll: Five (5) Seconds

If this is the biggest complaint I have in one whole month, I'll call it a marital victory.

Adam is a really good helper and I'm thankful for all he does around the house. Like, super thankful. He sees a need and meets it - which is almost an oxymoron when it comes to men ;) Without asking, he takes out the trash, puts the toilet seat down, does the dishes (next to me), kills the bugs, helps me vacuum, and folds the laundry (well, the boxers and towels at least). He's a walking miracle and no ladies, he's not for sale.

I'd call him the perfect man, but well, that Title is already taken (His name is Jesus). Praise God. But if Adam did manage to figure out how to replace the empty toilet roll, well, he'd at least be a step closer. Until then, I'll just continue reminding him that it takes five seconds to replace a roll with passive-agressive sticky notes taped to the toilet.

(When he saw the note, he looked at me and said, "Did I just get shamed?" I grinned and shook my head yes. Then, we laughed. And then, he changed the roll.)

Day Eight Hundred and Fifty-Three

The World's Tiniest Stackables

I don't need fancy jewelry.

I don't want a fancy car.

I don't wear fancy clothes

And our Walmart house furniture is the furthest from fancy there is.

But if there's one thing I want that is any sort of fancy…

I could certainly go for a big fat super duper ultra large washer and dryer.

Maybe even two.

Currently, I can fit maybe THREE towels in my washer at a time. It, therefore, takes an entire day to wash just a few days worth of clothes. We indeed, have the world's tiniest washer and dryer. But hey, at least I don't have to wash Adam's sweaty clothes manually. Perspective, Kendall.

The natural follow up would be…what does Adam want?

Well, he's got the remote, an entire couch, and a wife doing his laundry. 

I think he's good ;)

(Ok ok, to be fair, Adam's laundry privileges are limited anyways. After two years, he still can't fold the shirts right. I'd rather him watch the Seahawks.)

Day Eight Hundred and Thirty-Six

"The Weary World Rejoices!"

Jesus: Bringer of:

Salvation through Grace

Fellowship with the Father

Love that matters

Joy that abounds

And forever, my Greatest Gift.

It was a very Merry Christmas 2013.

And yesterday, we started it off in Conley tradition: reading the story of our Savior's birth in Luke 2 over coffee and cuddles.

And then, it was Christmas time (Skype-style) with our family in Washington! A whole 3-hours worth of excitement, giggles, thank yous, and oh my goshs. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. Well, except maybe actually there with them. But let's not make me cry again. Safe to say that yesterday, I was especially thankful for the Internet's greatest invention ever: Skype. 

Finally around 2:30, Adam and I got out of our jammies and into our Christmas clothes. Armed with the baddest (which in this case actually means best) candy in all the world (made by yours truly), we headed out. And yes, I snuck about 12 pieces of my most delicious Almond Roca - in case you were wondering - on our way there...

There being here.

Seriously, guys?! Oh my BEAUTIFUL!

Not wanting us to be alone on Christmas, we were invited over to yet another friends' home for dinner. Our "blessed" meter (if there were such thing) has been officially maxed out this week. Wow. Really, wow. I can't begin to explain how grateful we are for the incredible people who've poured into our lives since moving here two years ago.  

God is just so good.

And so was the food ;)

And the White Elephant game was good too.

But being together - with family - just hanging out, laughing, playing games, and talking Jesus…that was the best part of our night. 

We enjoyed such a beautiful day yesterday. And our hope is that your Christmas was just as lovely as ours. Love you, friends! Merry Christmas!

Day Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three

The Two Projects

Adam worked on this project yesterday.

While I...

I worked on this project.

It was a successful day. For both of us. Frank learned from Adam how to eat a treat from his nose. And I learned how to best display one of my very favorite Christmas decorations. Yay us!

Day Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five

The 2013 Christmas Card Elf

Our "office" is really cute, I know. And so is my outfit. I know. But Adam freezes me out in this apartment so now his big brown robe has become my closest friend. It's been a long 3 days. Mostly filled with headaches, burning eyes, stiff knees, cold bones, and ink. Lots of ink. It was a process, but finally, our Christmas cards are done! And every bit of frustration and complaint was worth it! We love what we've created and are excited for them to cozy up against special hands this next week! Merry Christmas friends!!

Day Eight Hundred and Thirteen

The Spare Bedroom Has Finally Been Used!

A few things to note:

1) Our tree is up!

2) Apartment #5 hosted its first guests.

3) (Always save the best for last) The Johnsons are here!!!

The four of us are attending a Christian baseball conference in Miami this week and could not be more excited. And, lucky for us, Kyle and Sue came a day early to hang out with Adam and I! Feeling crazy blessed right about now!

Day Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two

The Helicopter Target Practice

Call me crazy, but even without any children of my own, I know the sound of silence when I hear it. And it can only mean one thing: trouble.

Yesterday, while I was busy doing whatever it was I was doing, I noticed something odd. Adam was nowhere to be seen. Even more bizarre, I could hear every little nothing. The AC. The drip of the faucet. The hum of the distant lawn mower. The little cockroach feet on our linoleum. The hair on my arms prick up. Hey, soomeone has to kill that thing! Hey! Where's my husband? Adam? Adaaaaaaam? 

Twelve steps later, I discovered the origin of my uncomfortable silence. Adam, locked away in his man room, obviously practicing helicopter take-downs. Duh. Trouble, I tell ya! 

Day Seven Hundred and Eighty-Four

"The Trouble with Eating Italian Food is that Five or Six Days Later, You're Hungry Again"

-George Miller

Our Abacoa Town Center during The Feast of Little Italy yesterday afternoon.

Authentic Italian food. Check.

Authentic Italian music. Check.

Authentic Italian art. Check.

Authentic Italian Tradition. Check. 

All outside our front door? Check!

We love our home!

Adam riding my road bike like a fixed gear...in the house? Check!

(PS: if anyone picked up on the four pillows behind Adam in that bin...just sitting there without a bed...all lonely and needing a home...we'd love some suggestions on what exactly to do with them. They were purchased with our bed, bundled into the deal, but they're just not our "type." They're extremely nice, $125 tempurpedic pillows (each) that are just too stiff for either Adam or I. We like super fluffy pillows. Feathery, gushy ones that your head sinks into. These are much more firm. No gushiness. I'm thinking of listing them on Craigslist, but wondering if that's weird or taboo? They have been used...but only for like a week, total. Hmmmm...anybody? $100 for all four? Uh. I hate this stuff.)

Day Seven Hundred and Sixty

The Deception of a Dirty, Sneaky Husband

After too many days away, we're 100% officially home now.

Ahhhhh. The sun. The heat. The smell. The water. The sweat. Home, we are!

And yes, in case you were wondering, Adam's feet can be multi-purposed as paddles or even emergency flotation devices! (Holy gigantic)

In other news. I caught Adam in - dare I say - a lie last night. And right before bed!! Ok, maybe it wasn't necessarily a lie per say, but he was trying to hide something naughty from me...and that's just as bad! You see, I was cozied up in his sweats all evening. Why? Because they're cozy, duh! When it was time to go to bed, I did what any responsible and clean household member would do...I PUT HIS SWEATS BACK INTO THEIR DRAWER. But when I opened the drawer, what did I find...?

...his dirty clothes - which he had just taken off - wadded into a ball and thrown into the drawer!!! WHAT?! You've got to be kidding me, right?! So when I started opening the drawer, he tried scrambling as fast as he could across the bed (pictured above) to distract me. It didn't work. I saw those nasty clothes in a heartbeat and then looked at him in horror. He cracked up, and barely got out the words, "I thought there was NO CHANCE you were gonna look in there!" Nu uh, honey. No no no no no! Not in this house! Unbelievable. I married a rascal and I am so in for it when we have kids. Uhhhhhh! Hahahaha!

Day Seven Hundred and Fifty-Seven

The Fifth Condo at It's Finest

Welcome to our humble abode!!

It's our fifth home in two years, and this one, gosh, we already love it so much.

We're finally moved in, comfortable, and feeling like we belong right here.

Thank you Jesus, for Your provision!

Ok, so a little online tour, yeah?!

You walk in and immediately have three choices. Go straight (pictured above), go right (pictured below), or go left and start eating! We're enjoying our glorious counter and cabinet space (not something we've yet experienced)...and the opened wall that allows me to cook and entertain my hubby all at the same time! 

This is the immediate right I was talking about. The only thing that could make this bathroom better: well, two things actually...more counter space and more storage space. They spent so much lovin on the kitchen that they forgot about the bathroom?! Rats. Not to worry, the shower curtain and rug - both Adam's selections - make me smile every time I walk into this room! 

Past our dining room and then past our sweet little living room (pictured in the first photo), this view winks back at us from our balcony. Hellllllloooooo Jupiter!

Our cozy "new" bedroom.

So good to see you again!

...Our guest room (storage) closet...

Complete with TEN gloves, lined in a perfect row.

Yes, ten.

What can I say? The man loves baseball. And the man loves his gloves.

(And off to the far left, you can see partially, his growing camo collection...pray for me. Hahaha)

And finally, our guest bathroom.

Completely unfurnished.

Well, that is, until our first guest(s) come...then we might consider purchasing another shower curtain ;)

Question is...who's coming?! 

Day Seven Hundred and Fifty-Four

The Fifth Home is Almost One

It's called progress.

And we're making it.

Our online house warming party reveal (haha...totally made that up!) should be up by tomorrow or the next day! Yay! So close to being finally finally settled in.

Day Seven Hundred and Fifty-Two

The Smelly, Sweaty Mess

Well, we're all moved in!

Officially.

What was once a packed-full truck and two storage units, is now this...in every single room of our new home. The two bathrooms, two bedrooms, multiple closets, and kitchen all look basically the same: jumbled messes of furniture, bins, clothes, and utensils. Next up: making this place actually look like a home...and making it smell like one too. Peeee-ewww!

After two full days of sweating and lifting, we needed a break.

And our Wednesday night small group was the perfect distraction. We were reunited with all our friends - like the 6 month distance never happened - and welcomed with this little surprise. Sondra and Dennis gave each of us five "young" couples - all having celebrated our two year anniversaries within the year - a Happy Belated Second Anniversary card AND a Sea Island Cotton soap dispenser!! It put an instant smile on all our faces. We've got the best example of what Godly marriage looks like - 50 YEARS WORTH - in Dennis and Sondra, and you can bet that each one of us cherishes the unique time we get to spend with them every second we get the chance.

Day Seven Hundred and Fifty-One

The Fifth Move in Two Years

Good thing Adam and I have big muscles.

Because yesterday, we moved an entire storage unit worth of stuff up three floors and down two halls before arriving home.

And we did it all by ourselves!!

See that Cal King?! The one I've been missing for 6 ENTIRE months?!

Well yesterday, I worked hard for my bed. I've been missing it so much that I was willing to sweat the sweat and endure the pain in moving that huge thing from the ratty storage unit to the cozy oasis of our Jupiter bedroom! Ahhhhh!! So happy to see you, fluffy white friend!

Our home for the next six whole months!

Yeeeee! We're so happy! Instead of a 1-bedroom, we (for the first time) have a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom and all the space in the world to entertain! So, if anyone needs a place to visit in the next six months...you know who to call!

And for your viewing pleasure:

Our makeshift shower "curtain" for the night.

It was once the protective wrapping our bed was covered in...

Fact: when your real shower curtain is nowhere to be found, you gotta do what you gotta do. I wasn't about to hop into my nice, clean bed with all that dirt, sweat, and grease all over me! 

We're home, we're home!!