Life Behind the Blogger

Back in April I was asked by Kris from Junk Chic Cottage and Susan from Must Love Junk to be apart of their Saturday Spotlight Series. I thought I would share the post again here in case you may have missed it because I took advantage of my long four day weekend by doing absolutely nothing...except catch up on the last few seasons of Bones that I have missed. (Hallelujah that Booth and Brennan FINALLY get together!!! Took long enough! Geez!!!) Therefore, I have nothing exciting to share this week. I figured you all might enjoy this post anyway. I'm getting a bit more personal than I normally do, so I hope you enjoy!

I have to admit, I was a little nervous putting this post together. I have blogged for over three years now and have shared very little about myself and my day to day life. I generally share projects I'm working on, furniture and room redos, thrifty finds, and updates of my booth. It's not that I'm particularly private, I just feel my personal life is a little boring. :) I mean that in the best, most blessed and content way possible!! 

I was born in Grand Blanc, Michigan where I lived until I was nine years old. My two younger sisters and I moved with our dad to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where I lived until I graduated high school in 2001.

When I was a senior I met my husband, Nate. We lost contact for awhile but reconnected when I moved back to Michigan after graduation to be near my mom. We got married in 2007 and welcomed our son, Anderson, in 2009!  

Nate and I have worked together for the last nine years at Court Street United Methodist Church. It's the oldest church in downtown Flint, Michigan. I work in the office as the Administrative Assistant and he is the head of maintenance. You would think we would be sick of each other after literally being together 24/7, but we genuinely enjoy each other's company and we have a lot of fun together!

And Anderson....where do I even start with this amazing kid? He's handsome, strong-willed, smart and hilarious. He's kind, curious, a ball of energy, and calls me his beautiful princess. We love him beyond words!

I enjoy reading, cooking, thrift and antique shopping, working on projects with my boys, and I love, love, LOVE movies!!!

Now that Anderson is older and can participate in and appreciate things a little better, we've been introducing him to new things like: roller skating, sledding, and going to the movie theater for the first time. This age is so fun! I feel like a big kid again doing all these things I haven't done in years!

I grew up in a family of collectors and decorators. I have watched my mom over the years decorate and paint furniture and my dad is a very talented artist. Unfortunately, I did not inherit his ability to draw, but my own creativity has come out in other ways - decorating my home, doing projects for my booth, painting furniture, etc.

My mom was the one who introduced me to antique stores and estate sales. We often shop together, bounce ideas off each other, and work on things together. I consider her one of my best friends!

Over the last three years of blogging I have enjoyed the friendships I have formed, the discovery and evolution of my style, and the joy of watching our house transform as Nate and I have worked hard together and learned DIY things along the way. He's a pretty great carpenter and it's been fun watching him explore that talent. 

I always love the posts I see other bloggers put together where they share random things about themselves. I thought I would end this post on a fun note with as many random things I can think of about myself. 

1. I am left handed (and so is Anderson). 

2. Nate and I dislike each other's taste in music so we take turns driving - he drives in the morning, I drive on the way home from work, so we each have a chance to listen to what we like. 

3. I listened to nothing but Mumford & Sons in the car for a full year before I finally switched it up to other things (much to Nate's relief). I can't help it. I love them! 

4. My other favorite bands/musicians are The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, Of Monsters and Men, The Lone Bellow, Ray LaMontagne, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson to name a few.  

5. I am a homebody. I just love being home with my boys. 

6. I love nature and I love decorating with natural elements, but I am not an outdoorsy girl at all.......outside is where all the bugs are......

7. I hate bugs. 

8. I prefer rainy days over sunny days...maybe it's because it gives me a valid excuse to stay inside. Kidding. I love the sound it makes when it hits the leaves on a tree. So relaxing. 

9. My dream is to one day live in a farmhouse in the woods with a long tree lined driveway. 

10. Most people who don't know me well would call me reserved and quiet, but when I open up to people I'm really a huge goofball. I love to laugh, have fun and be silly. 

11. I'm very sarcastic.

12. I get told a lot that I am an old soul that was born in the wrong era. 

13. Most of my friends are older than me. I don't often have much in common with people my age. Maybe it's that old soul thing. 

14. When Anderson was born, I got to bring him to work with me everyday until he was a year old. It was hard trying to balance work and being a new mom, but I am so grateful for that time with him before we had to send him to daycare. 

15. I don't bake much, but I really enjoy cooking and trying new things and new recipes. 

16. I put Tabasco sauce on pretty much everything. 

17. When we go out to eat somewhere, I almost always order breakfast food if it's on the menu. 

18. Reading is was one of my most favorite hobbies. 

19. Jane Austen is my favorite author. 

20. Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, The Great Gatsby, The Giver, Bridge to Terabithia, and The Secret Garden are some of my favorite books. 

21. My favorite kind of movies are the ones based on books. 

22. Coffee, Sweet Red Wine and Dark Chocolate are staples in our home....and Tabasco sauce, of course!  

23. My first job, right after high school, was a shirt presser at a dry cleaner. 

24. I was a swimmer all four years of high school. I really miss it! I love the water. 

25. I hope to one day be able to do my blogging/booth/home decor stuff full-time. A girl can dream. :)

Thank you so much for reading and allowing me to share a little more about myself! If there is anything else you are dying to know about me please ask away. I can put together another fun little post with the answers! :)