Home is anywhere with you

Not only is tomorrow Halloween, it’s also the day we move into our new home. Since this chick has never lived in a neighborhood we stockpiled on candy for all the rugrats to come through… unpacking or not – I will be enjoying my first experience handing out candy. Plus, we can’t start off the first night in the neighborhood being the candy-less people… we just can’t have that, now can we?!

Two years ago Brian and I decided we were ready to start looking at homes in the Southern Maryland area. We were open-minded to pre-owned or newly built and made a list of our must haves (I’ll let you guess whose must haves were who’s here):
   
   1.)    A finished basement, fit for a man cave
   2.)    A kitchen with white cabinets
   3.)    Walk in closets
   4.)    A bathroom on the main level
   5.)    Laundry on the Bedroom level
   6.)    2 car garage
   7.)    Less than 10 years old, if pre-owned
   8.)    At least 3 bedrooms
   9.)    2 ½ baths
   10.)    A backyard that Toby, our cockapoo, could play in

We set out into this journey with excitement and hope that we would find the perfect home for us. Originally Brian and I were not on the same page with the location. We both wanted to locate back to where we grew up - I wanted to be in the Park Hall/Ridge area, with quieter streets, and farm land galore. Brian wanted to be in Leonardtown or Hollywood, because the school district there is considered ideal in our area. (I don’t see anything wrong with a high school nicknamed Ghetto Mills, I turned out just fine, yo!)

Our real estate agent went above and beyond and could not find anything pre-owned that met our expectations… she asked us to budge, we just could not. We knew what we wanted and we wouldn’t be closing without it - Onto new builds.

We looked at multiple builders and quickly narrowed it down to THE one. Quality Built Home, Ltd. They were modern while still being classic… and more importantly, they offered houses that were symmetrical. (Insert OCD here)

Our builder, Quality Built, has multiple neighborhoods in our area – conveniently enough there is one in Park Hall and one in Hollywood that met our needs and were in our price range. With a little debating, discussing, and comprising, my wonderful husband agreed to come down to my neck of the woods. 3 benefits to our neighborhood vs. Hollywood:
   1.)    Shorter commutes to our jobs by over 30 minutes each way
   2.)    Price of land is cheaper making the same house in Hollywood 30K more than ours on slightly less land
   3.)    Closer to our siblings, nieces and nephews, and my parents

The downfall:
   1.)    Further from Brian’s parents 

I think we made the right decision and I am certain we will make plenty of time to visit the Beavans and do our best to maintain our Sunday dinner tradition.

Now to chose from the 21, count em’, 21 home styles we had to choose from. We narrowed it down to 3 and after asking our real estate agent to walk us through these same styles at least 3 times a piece we narrowed it down to this beauty:http://qbhi.com/home-styles/floorplan-viewer/the-compton

After 3 trips to the design center to select flooring, appliances, fixtures, and colors we were ready to break ground. 

Brian and I made multiple trips a week to our home throughout building and would always be giddy at any new changes… “LOOK, babe… piping!” - Oh, the thrills of adulthood. 

100 days later, and we are 24 hours from our final walkthrough and closing. Can you believe it? We’re all grown up.

Pictures of the new digs will follow this weekend. 

On a more "mushy-gushy-lovey-dovey" note, I want to say thank you to my husband, who has handled the paperwork, phone calls, and e-mails from mortgage lenders, the builder, our agent…. Day in and day out, related to our home while I was elbow deep in wedding planning. I know it wasn’t always easy making decisions and spending hours researching and ensuring we were getting the best bang for our buck, but I want you to know – it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for taking on so much weight for me. Thank you for always doing everything you can to make my life easier, you really are a saving grace and I am not sure how I got so very lucky. I love you. Home is anywhere with you. 

Hallowe-love-pizza-en (too much?!)

This weekend was packed with packing (no pun intended) and Halloween fun!

 

Friday Brian and I spent the evening cleaning furniture and packing to get all squared away for our big move coming up. 3 days, in case you've lost count! We are so blessed to have so much to put into our new home. My sister scored an awesome set of end tables and a coffee table for us from a friend Brian's known since childhood. It was a steal - $100 dollars for these beauties!

 

Refurbished, all Crate and Barrel like
 

 Saturday we spent the day prepping for the Facini's 90's Nickeloden Halloween party. My contribution, aside from champagne, was Bubble Pizza (don't worry, recipe will follow). I found these beauties on Pinterest and couldn't have been more satisfied with the results. Not only were they easy, they were delicious.

 

Yum

 

 Brian and I were Arnold and Lila from Hey Arnold! Can you guess who the others dressed up as?

 

 

 

We ate, drank, played games and simply caught up with the best group of friends any couple could ask for.

 

Sunday was my sister's pumpkin carving party. And to top it off, I got to spend time with this cutie. Can we say "lucky"?

 



Husband's pumpkin request



My Nugget

 All in all I would say we had a pretty awesome weekend, ending with an awful Redskins loss... but hey, you can't win em' all! (Insert intended pun here)

 

Now, for the bubble pizza recipe as promised:

 

3 cans Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, divided by biscuit and chopped into 4 pie pieces each

1 16oz jar Preggo three cheese pizza sauce

2  1/2, 8 oz, Mozzarella shredded cheese (I used Sargento)

Toppings of your choice (we did 1 pan of cheese, 1 pan with cheese and bacon)

 

Simply oil two glass baking dishes (11x9), split biscuits into half and spread along bottom of dishes

Pour half of the sauce on each dish, spread on top of biscuits.

Add toppings

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes

Add cheese

Bake for an additional 5

 

Waa-la.

 

Pizza complete.

Kong-Poo

Our family lost one grumpy, furry, all around loved piece yesterday. My sister's Pomeranian, Kong, was hit by a car yesterday evening and did not make it. He will certainly be missed.

I remember the day my parents brought him home and had me carry him out in my jacket to surprise my sister, and the tears rolled. love at first sight. From that point on those two were inseparable. Justina's obsession with her furbaby went as far as declaring she would be getting him cremated to use his ashes for a tattoo should he ever pass. Yes, slight obsession. Justina never was the kind to do things half-hearted. Go big or go home! 

Memories of dressing him up in Halloween costumes and pajamas ran through my head last night. He really loved it. example A:

If I had one too many to drink, and crashed on my sister and her husband's couch, I could count on him to cuddle up with me after digging until the spot was just right.

Kong was nothing short of spoiled rotten. It is true that your pets become a part of your family; I will always refer to kong as "kongpoo, my neph-dog".

He always greeted me at the door and attacked my ankles on the way out. ahhhhh, love in the purest form.

Kong will always be remembered as our grumpy old man, it takes a special little pup to bring 6 adults to tears. So grateful to have known you.

I now pronounce you: "Mr. & Mrs. Brian Beavan"

The best day of our lives has come and went. Despite 5 days of rain
leading up to the big day, it went off without a hitch. We moved our
ceremony inside to keep our guests dry. Thanks to only having 65
guests we were able to move everyone inside without overwhelming the
space.

Brian and I stayed separate the night before the wedding. I stayed at
my sisters with my Matron of Honor, 2 bridesmaids, 1 close friend, a
ring bearer and my niece Meredith. We danced and laughed. Perfect way
to calm my nerves. Brian stayed at a groomsmen’s house and I believe
it was just what the doctor ordered for him as well. I received a
message early Saturday morning from my to-be-groom: “See you in 14
hours”. I could hardly wait.

My bridesmaid, Amber and I

The morning of the wedding had arrived, as soon as I arrived at
Avenmar my bridesmaid Jess handed me a letter from Brian. It began:
“hi my beautiful bride”… I lost it. From that moment on every
sentimental moment, every joke and every song caused tears to roll.
Tears of pure joy. I was ready to see Brian and I made that apparent.

 

It was finally 4 p.m. and I was given the que, any minute now I would
be walking down the aisle to the rest of my life. I stood next to my
dad, who was in tears, and knew it was now or never. When we finally
reached the end of the aisle I noticed Brian had tears in his eyes…
SCORE!!! A crying groom. Certainly beats the alternative of a fainting
groom any day. My dad choked up as he gave me away. Our ceremony was
full of tears and laughter. Brian executed his vows flawlessly. What
says “meant to be” like both the bride and groom referencing football
in their personally written vows? Nothing. That’s what. Brian finished
his vows by welcoming me as “Co-Captain of Team Beavan”.

After our introduction to “I’ll be there for you” by the Rembrandts
(Yes, I am a Friends junky) and lighting of the memorial candles
signifying those who should have been with us on this day, we had our
first dance.

My husband surprised me with our first day song, choosing “Everything”
by Brad Paisley. Be still my beating heart. I asked why and he said it
just reminded him of me. I don’t know if it’s the reference to a
“curse word cause it’s Monday” or “stealer of the covers”… but I just
don’t believe it. ;)

I danced with my dad to “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlise and Brian
with his mom to “Perfect Fan” by the Backstreet Boys.

My sisters Matron of Honor speech was perfectly written and didn't leave a dry eye in the room, the best mans was sweet and subtle. They complemented eachother well.

The food was remarkable. Our favorites. We picked chicken with a
mushroom marsala sauce and crab stuffed ravioli with a mashed potato
bar and various other salads and sides. I was warned by other brides
that I would never taste the food and “will hardly have time to eat”…
I cleared my plate. We enjoyed every last bite and took the time to
talk to each other. We made it a point to do this often and I can
honestly say I enjoyed my wedding night with my husband, it was our
day and I wanted to spend it with him, and I did. We talked, we
laughed and we cried. Brian said all of the right things, at just the
right times.

We kept it friendly for our cake tasting, and tasteful for the garter
removal. I surprised Brian with playing “Hail to the Redskins” during
the removal. Brian put the garter around a football that said “You’re
Next” and deliberately tossed to it Tony, his cousin’s long-time
boyfriend - after I purposefully ran the bouquet to her as she hid
behind the other ladies. They were good sports and laughed it off.

Brian and I were asked to dedicate songs to each other throughout the
reception and I chose Pitbull’s “Everything Tonight”. We have spent
many, many nights, dancing away to this song and it just seemed
fitting. Brian picked Brad Paisley’s “Then”.

After dinner the caterers set up our handmade popcorn bar which seemed
to be a hit!

Dinner and snacking complete, we ended the night to “Closing Time” by
Semisonic and headed off to Olde Town Pub in Leonardtown, the place of
our first date.

We sent guests off with CDs of wedding day music and songs that are
special to us.

 

 

 

See our photographers sneak peaks here: www.luluedward.com

One beer later and we were Soloman’s bound to spend our first night as
husband and wife.

Brian’s parents threw us a brunch that Sunday, we opened gifts and
relaxed before heading to Baltimore for the evening for our Monday
morning flight. Our first date that Sunday night was to a rotating
sushi bar (heaven, I tell you!) and to Bateman’s, Brian’s old college
hangout, to watch the Redskin’s sadly lose to the Cowboys. Shockingly,
still a perfect night, he must have meant it in his vows when he said
“come Redskins win, or Redskins loss”. We walked through his college
campus and shared laughs and more tears.

Mexico. Mexico is amazing. Perfect weather, sushi, Miami Vices’, mango
daiquiris, kayaking, massages, dinner on the beach. I could go on and
on. If you have not gone, you must. I could not have asked for a
better first week of marriage.

 

Now, onto our house countdown: 9 days!

1 day

Tomorrow is the day we have all been waiting for… and by “we all”, I
mean Brian and I. 14 months of planning have come down to this one
day. I spent the last 3 months making sure every last detail was
PERFECT. Not a ribbon out of line. Then, yesterday, as I was setting
up centerpieces and noticing every flaw… something strange happened. I
just didn’t care. If all the decorations were gone. If everything went
wrong. If no one else showed, just Brian and I (and our officiant…
since legally he HAS to be there)… it will be perfect. I am marrying
the man of my dreams tomorrow and isn’t that all that really matters?!

No stress, no nerves. This is going to be the best day ever.

I love you, Boom.

First trip together, OC 2011

July 4th 2011 in DC

Brian holding and admiring his niece Meredith

Halloween 2011, M&M's

July 4th 2013, Patuxent River Beach

Never forget...

Today is important for two reasons.

One I mourn and one I celebrate. 

First, today marks a tragic and heartbreaking event in the United States as we remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Can you remember where you were on that September day? I can. I was in Social Studies class at Spring Ridge Middle School, sitting next to my best friend Elizabeth and her (though we did not know it then) future fiancé and father of her children. 

When the halls went dark and doors began to shut the room instantly fell silent. TVs began to blast with news that no 6th grader would be able to comprehend. Whispers of Patuxent River (our local naval base) and concerns of workers there began instantly, sending over 50% of our school into hysterics. My dad worked for DynCorp on the base at that time, all I knew is he was locked in and no one could leave. Lunches were delivered to our class rooms where we ate in silence, slowly digesting what we had just witnessed – bodies falling from 20 and 30 stories high, smoke and fire caused by planes piercing a part of our country we all thought was safe and under high security. 

Twin Towers

Those images will live on forever in our minds, history books and the hearts of those who have lost heroes, husbands, and wives. I certainly will never forget. 

What today also marks is my wonderful fiancés 26th birthday. While prepping his, previously blogged about, birthday dinner I realized I had just enough buttermilk remaining to whip up buttermilk pancakes in bed. 

The easiest, most fulfilling, and enjoyable breakfast yet - Simply combine until smooth: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 egg, 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 cup vegetable oil. 

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Pour batter onto the griddle, to form 5 pancakes. Flip pancakes when edges appear to harden. Cook pancakes on other side for same amount of time until golden brown. 

Now I typically wake up around 610, to leave at 630 and be to work at 700. So you would think waking up at 500 am would be difficult… on the contrary, I woke up bright and early and excited to make Brian breakfast – why, you ask? It’s simple, allow me to explain… 

Brian is the most kind hearted, loveable man you’ve ever met. He is that instant connection you feel when you meet someone who is about to change your entire life for the better. He is a safe place when the rest of the world seems too hard to handle. He is my partner in crime and inside-joke sharer. There is not one thing I wouldn’t do, or one place I wouldn’t travel, to make that man happy. He has my whole entire heart and in 32 days I get to become his wife and spend every birthday from here on out making fried chicken and buttermilk pancakes. That my friends, is why. 

Every day of forever. 

Happy birthday, handsome.

The Lewis' wedding

THE Month

Today is the start of what will undoubtedly be the best month of my
life. October 2013. 

Today I begin a new position that I have been vigorously working towards since December 2012, the 12th is the
wedding day, Mexico on the 14th and then to end the month with a bang
we close on our house on Halloween.

To say I have been waiting this month is an understatement… it took
everything in me to not track down Chris Angel and have his magically
poof us here.

Today the CRA budget was not passed causing the Government to
shutdown, and while the whole world is in turmoil – I am still on
cloud nine.

In eleven days I marry the man of my dreams, not a soul could burst
this bubble.

We have more progress on the house - grass, countertops... Everyday there is something new and amazing happening here. 

Under Cabinet Lights... oh lala

We have grass! Brian is thrilled

Saturday evening we went to the Ole Town Pub in Leonardtown to
celebrate Brian’s cousin, Randy’s, birthday and caught up with tons of
old friends and had a blast. That only means one thing for Sunday
morning… Breakfast bowls.

Cheese and potato... what could go wrong?

Brian invented this one morning after a long night and now they’ve
become quite the stable in our kitchen.

What do you need?

•    Two large russet potatoes diced
•    ¼ of a small white onion diced
•    ¼ of a small red pepper diced
•    3 baby bellla mushrooms diced
•    4 pieces of bacon (I used Turkey bacon) – cooked and chopped
•    ¼ cup of shredded 4 cheese blend cheese
•    1 tsp oregano
•    A pinch of salt and pepper
•    4 Large white eggs

Season potatoes with salt, pepper and oregano
Add ¼ cup of water to a large skillet and heat to Medium
Add potatoes to skillet and cover. Cook for 10 minutes, turning occasionally
Add peppers, mushrooms and onion
Continue to cook until potatoes are done about 5 more minutes, remove
lid to brown
Scramble 4 large eggs
In the bowl layer potatoes, eggs, bacon and cheese
Top with salsa, hot sauce or sour cream

Enjoy!!