phew!

this month has just flown by!! I feel like we were just home for thanksgiving yesterday! we had a great thanksgiving in the mtns of highlands, nc with my dad's family. it was awesome! we went to the carolina clemson game and that was fun!! then we came back. since we've been home....

1. we decided not to get a tree. it is SO sad to me!!!! HOWEVER. it was my decision. we're leaving the 18th to go back to greenville... and wont be home til the 2n of january. So i feel like going to get a tree ($$) then getting things to decorate it with ($$) then cleaning up after all the pine needles and sap shed ($$) and the potential that the puppy will chew off bark and get sick ($$) ANNND the fact we won't even be here to enjoy it really ... just feels like would be a lot of money spent (that we dont necessarily have). so our "first christmas tree" looks like it will come next year. which is ok really, bc next year (hopefully) we will be in a house that is OURS and only OURS (we're renting now) and I think we'll be a lot more settled. however we've decorated our front patio with icicle lights and cute little merry christmas wreath. I will post a picture soon.

2. i got a job! starting next monday, im going to be working at david's bridal :) obviously, this is not a "career" or a "forever job." but we could use the extra money, and i couldnt get my student load (FAFSA) in time to start school in the spring (so im starting summer or fall) therefore I wanted to do something that I actually really enjoyed. I love weddings and gowns, and all that jazz, so I think I will really have fun at my job :) i'll let you know! :)

3. my amazing husband works ALL THE TIME...I am so proud of him though. He's doing a good job at handling the stress. We are taking a "night" for ourselves tomorrow night and going to a friend of a friend of a friend's Tacky Christmas Sweater Party. It's being thrown by a married couple so I think it will be a great way to meet some people up here in Raleigh.. My brother and his friend Ryan will be here in about an hour, and I'm excited for that as well!! I love for people to visit, since I spend most of my days alone. (david's bridal is gonna be good for me to get out of the house as well :P)

As I mentioned, we're going home the 18th. I'm hosting a Christmas Shower for Cathleen and Christopher with Ashley Ross on the 19th and I am super excited about that!! I'm making fried ravioli, swedish meatballs, christmas cookies, and chocolate peanut butter balls! AShley's bringing chex mix and sausage balls and a few other people are gonna contribute as well. I can't wait to get together and share some Christmas Cheer, followed by, what i'm sure will be an interesting night at The Corner Pocket. :) Will upload some pictures soon!

-B

Training the Dog....

Ahhh!

I had forgotten how impossible and frustrating it is to train a puppy - Especially to go to the bathroom outside! Not to mention, getting her on a schedule where she will sleep through the night, not annoy Cooper, and allow Brittney and I to sleep!

The first week, she had an upset stomach and was "leaking" from her back side - Considering all the new furniture in the house, it was not a pretty sight. I believe the final tally was 10 rolls of paper towels, at least 5 bottles/cans of carpet cleaner, and every bit of my sweet Brittney's patience.

Brittney and I both use some interesting dog training methods as we don't like the idea of "crate" training. If I hear "crate train her" from another non-dog expert, I'm going to crate train them (the person making the suggestion)! With Cooper, we put him in a crate for the first night and he didn't make a sound - The next night, we couldn't stand having him locked up and let him sleep on the bed. Cooper has turned out amazing - Just a tad bit spoiled though ;)

On the other hand, we made an attempt to put Annie in the crate. We were warned about Beagle's "strong vocals," but oh my gosh - The LOUDEST thing I have ever heard. It's like one of the old digital alarm clocks going off [ Here ] times 100. After maybe 5 minutes, we both reached our breaking points and let her out and on the bed.

She's a bit different than Cooper... She's very cold natured and will snuggle up very close to you to stay warm. Cooper, apparently, has some husky in him and is, therefore, warm natured - He'll lay on the bed for 10 minutes max - Then he gets hot - Then irritated - Then he's on the ground sleeping :)

My wonderful, sweet, amazing wife stayed up with both the dogs (sometimes until 7am) the first week while Annie had her little "leak." This was so I could get my 3-4 hours beauty sleep before getting up for work. Speaking of work, I clocked 112 hours!... One hundred and twelve hours!... 4.7 days!... two weeks ago, so things were a little crazy around the house.

After my 4 day vacation (Thanksgiving), I feel renewed and freshly motivated. Additionally, the dogs have been on their best behavior. Annie is starting to understand the concept of "holding it" as well as learn a few tricks (only sit for now). Brittney has been so great through everything... the dogs, my work, my lack of patience.

Life's crazy and moving fast, which, hopefully will slow down just a tad bit soon. I gotta get to working - See you all soon!

Much Love,

Matt


PS: If you want to check out one of the games I worked a good bit on, goto http://www.sifakaworld.com. It's a virtual world for kids - Very cool. :)

Our Wedding Video Trailer!

Hey,

This is Matt. Since Brittney is giving everyone the link to the wedding video, I figure it would be better to just put it on our blog for everyone to enjoy! I'm also just a big nerd and wanted to see if I could do it!



See you soon!

Matt & Brittney

Meet Annie!!

We named her Annie :)

We're picking her up tomorrow!!!

We haven't named her yet. We're picking her up today (Sunday)!! We have a few names in mind. I'll post pictures of us with her asap!! Isn't she adorable?!?! She is a Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle

A Preview...

Here's a little preview of the things Mom and I have been working on since Monday! Here is our mantle. I know it's "early" (by SOME peoples standards) to be decorating for Christmas, but I got our stockings and I had to hang them up!! Cooper's, and his possible sister's will be up later. Also a lot more Christmas decorations, like garland, holly, etc. will be up as soon as I have money to buy them :) You like??

Christmas Music

Something is wrong with me... or either Jesus is just making so very grateful and joyous that Christmas is coming. I've been downloading Christmas music today and listening and having a grand ol' time. Then I downloaded the Mariah Carey version of "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing," and started crying in the middle of the song!! I just love it so much!! I can't listen to it without getting tears in my eyes. And its the kind of crying like at a wedding. You are just so happy and so thankful for Jesus, and for Christmas, and just everything that has been happening in my life lately that are all blessings!! So download it and have a "moment" during the song to just be joyful, we all need that sometimes!! 

Cooper's Sister Update!!

ok, we're in talks with a breeder from Kershaw, SC who specialiazes in Mini Australian Shepherds. We actually it narrowed down to two different little girls. one has blue eyes and one has amber. they are both a lot alike color wise, but the blue eyed girl has a little more gray on her. (i like her best) i cant get the pictures of them to upload but ill try again once i post this. next tell us with "Australian" name you like!! We wont tell you our favorites yet....

Bindi
Tegan
Jolie
Romey
Camille
Ripley
Lark
Luxe/Luxey

Organization. Furniture. Supper. Puppies.

So many of my friends are organized people. I, on the other hand, have never been so fortunate. I am such a type B personality. Laid back, go with the flow, etc. It's not that I don't have the motivation to be organized, I just can't get there!! 

Right now there are still about 15 boxes (gifts) in both of our cars and our entire garage is FULL of boxes. Since most of our kitchen cabinets are already full,  I am trying to PATIENTLY wait for Mom to get here on Monday. (She, along with Beth Neely) is the queen of organization... to the point where it gets tedious.  It is driving me CRAZY to walk around a recliner that doesn't really belong between the living room and breakfast room, have (literally) a BORDER of suitcases and laundry hampers lining the edge of our room, use random old beach towels that ours moms sent with us when we first moved in, and have NOTHING on any walls!!!! AHHHH! I really have been praying for God to give me patience, and have been graciously reminded everyday that I am in no hurry. It's not like we have to have Thanksgiving Dinner at our house or something. Cathleen and Chris are visiting next Friday ( a week from today) but they are sweethearts and I know they won't judge what we have or haven't gotten accomplished. It's just getting to the point where I want it to be done, and feel like home ! :) 

On a happier note, we got our bedding!! UPS brought it today. It's from Anthropologie. I love it! I will post pictures of it soon, but not until we get our bedroom furniture. Which should happen around the week before thanksgiving (Depending on when Cindy .. my mother in law.. can get up here for a few days).  We also got our sofa!! It is AMAZING! However... it kinda, sorta, maybe, a little bit, makes for a tight entryway when you come in our front door. BUT once you're inside the house, you won't even remember that tight squeeze you had to make to come inside. If we owned this house, we would definitely be sending it back and trading it for the smaller piece. However, we're renting and hopefully, most likely moving in August and that house will (hopefully, most likely) have a bigger spot for it! :)  

I have been crock potting every day this week, except one. Today I'm making Cheesy Chicken. It's the easiest thing EVER! Rinse the chicken. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add to crockpot. Then cover with 2 cans cream of chicken soup and 1 can cheddar cheese soup. Cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Serve over rice or noodles. Hooray! Done! I am serving it over Rice-a-Roni Broccoli AuGratin. It's my favorite. 

For Halloween tonight. Matt is being Dracula and I am being a cat. Not full costumes, just little accessories for while we pass out candy to adorable little trick or treaters. I hope we get a lot! Ok. My left pinky finger is tired of typing now. So I am going to go back to my search for Cooper's sister. We are thinking either a border collie or a mini australian shepherd. Cooper is mixed with both breeds (and beagle) so we think they will be around the same size and get a long. Matt is obsessed with the idea of getting a puppy that looks a lot like Cooper so people will think they are REAL brother and sister. Haha. He's cute. Oh well. I will keep you posted!! 

here is a picture of an australian shepherd who is up for debate... any name ideas?? 

things im obsessing over right now. (a stolen blog idea from miss jamie ball)

- my new mac

- christmas everything (esp. music)

- my crockpot

- candles

- sweater dresses with leggings (maybe it SO last year, but i still love it)

- the holiday collection at Bath & Body Works... "Winter" candle and "Winter Candy Apple" soap

- my new j. crew dress

- college football (even though clemson is  terrible. im following Bama. roll tide!)

- getting my house set up for holiday visitors

- the smell of "fire" when i walk outside 

- my new Philosophy "Inner Grace" perfume, and "Amazing Grace" conditioner

- urban decay eyeshadow

- real simple magazine

- one tree hill and antm

- baby names. (don't get ahead of yourselves!!! at least 3 more years til i pop one out... but i love thinking of names, and you know you do it, too!)

- Stress Relief linen spray from bath & body works

- the Rotadent toothbrushes my cousin gave us a wedding gifts (she sells them and they are AMAZING!)

- Dove "calming night" body wash

- betty crocker warm delight bowls... esp peanut butter fudge brownie! HEAVEN in 45 seconds!

- calling matt "my husband" 

- my name officially being "Brittney Kingsmore Bolt"

- Cooper (our dog)

- finding a sister for Cooper for christmas (any breed suggestions are welcomed!)

- Sleet, Snow, and cold temperatures. KEEP 'EM COMIN'!

i could go on and on but i think im going to actually try and get some sleep now. matt woke up at 1:45 this morning really sick. he finally fell back asleep around 3:30 but I am still up. so i blogged. and now im going back to sleep and ill tell you more about it later! :) 

We're here!!

We're officially in Raleigh! I have two weeks to get the house somewhat organized and set up. Two weeks because Cathleen and Chris are coming to visit and we're going to go to the GA Tech vs. UNC game. (Which I am oh so excited about).

Today I spent a whopping $278 at Target. I left feeling pretty uneasy but was reassured because we had to get a list of "essentials" you need in a new house. (trash cans for bathrooms, hangers, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, etc.) I also bought a pumpkin, that matt and i are going to carve tomorrow or wednesday and I'll post pictures. 

Tomorrow I'm going to rooms to go to compare the greenville price of the sofa we want, to the price here. then im going to buy the cheaper one (if there's even a difference) they have same week delivery and i cannot wait to get our living room set up!!! im more excited about that then the master bedroom. 

Anyway. I'll be back posting those pics later this week :) 

Moving

I hate it. 

However I am so excited about getting our house set up! We found our bedroom furniture and an AWESOME sectional sofa, (I will definitely be posting a pic of it asap). I can't wait for people to come visit and cook dinners all the time and set up for the holidays!!! That is what I'm most excited about people. Christmas is only 2 MONTHS AWAY!!! Gloria! I'm so excited. So please, please come visit us, I promise you will get a couple of great homemade meals and our guest room is the bomb.com. 

Here's a picture of us in front of our house when we found it!!  We're only renting it until August but it's a start. By then we're hoping to know the "ropes" in Raleigh a little better so we can make a final decision on where we want to move. (Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill, Garner, Fuquay Varina, Wake Forest, Knightdale, etc) Lots of communities in and around Raleigh.

Newlyweds

We're finally married ... and we can't believe how incredibly perfect the wedding was! thank you all for being a part of it, we really couldn't have asked for a better day! we loved everything about it, except how quickly it went by!!! our pictures from the WONDERFUL denny shortt photography should be up, possibly tonight, so i will let you know the link.  also if i can totally figure this thing out, i will post some honeymoon pictures. 

we're in greenville for only 3 more days. we stayed here so we could go to the always, ever so lovely, Allison Wise's wedding on Saturday in Asheville. i am so excited about it!! then on Sunday we're leaving for Raleigh. we hope each of you will come visit at some point. we have great concerts there and anytime you want to go to a UNC, Duke, or NC State basketball game, our house is the place to stay~!!