We are slowly settling into our new home, and I must admit that unpacking with a 6 month old is much harder than packing with a 4 month old. It's fun having a fresh start when you move into a new house, but it can definitely be overwhelming!

Things are still in transition over here, so I thought I'd start by sharing before pictures of the space. We started out with a dark and dated feeling living room, so I was excited to freshen it up with a fresh coat of paint! If you look closely you can see that they carried this awful yellow/ mustard colour all the way up to the ceiling. Despite how much I raved about this colour in my previous post, it's not a colour I wish to have on my walls.

Yellow can be intimidating, but there are so many beautiful shades to choose from and it's so versatile. It's a beautiful colour for fall, but can be worn any time of year! It's playful and fun, and is the perfect way to make a statement.

Here's a modern way to wear golden yellow, mustard, sunflower, marigold, mustard, saffron - whatever shade you fancy.

Being a mother is the most exhausting, exciting, and as cliche as it sounds - rewarding experience. My husband and I are constantly amazed at how much this little human has changed our lives and our hearts. I have written about my journey to motherhood, so I wanted to share some thoughts 6 months into this new gig.

The Dirty Truth
When it comes to housework, my house is definitely not as clean as it used to be and my clean laundry usually sits in the basket for a few days before I finally fold and put it away. Personal hygiene is a whole other story! I'd consider it a productive day if I actually brush my hair and put on mascara, and I currently only have one shaved leg because my daughter woke up from her nap in the middle of my shower yesterday.
It's funny how my standards have been lowered now that I am a mother, not because I don't care, but because my daughter is far more important than housework and shaved legs.


Motherhood has changed me in ways that I didn't expect it would. It has changed the way I see myself, the way I relate to others, and how I react to situations around me.
My husband says that I am a "no bullsh*t" kind of girl, which I am okay with. There is nothing more important to me than the well being of my family, and if anyone tries to mess with that, I am not afraid to say something. There is this innate instinct to protect those that I love, and it has become even more apparent now that I am a mother.

We are excited to be homeowners!

My husband and I had been looking to purchase our first home for over a year, after looking in various cities and putting our search on hold last summer after we found out we were going to have a baby. We are so happy to now be homeowners and start settling into our new home.
The market was crazy this spring and we had some disappointments, but we are so happy with the house that we now can call our own.

Being the type-A personality that I am, I love making lists and planning things out. As I look back on my previous Bucket List's (2012, 2013, 2014) it's fun to see a recap of the exciting events from the year.  

Even though we are already half way through the year, I wanted to share my list with you. There's something about sharing it that makes me more motivated to get things checked off. Some are bucket list items and others are goals that I have to start a healthier, more well-rounded lifestyle.

 

2017 "To Do" List

1. I was finally be able to check off "Have a Baby"!
2. Go on a family vacation: We are hoping to be able to go to Calgary, Alberta in the Fall.

3. Buy our first house: We are in the process of moving into our new home! More on that coming soon.
4. Read more: I have an ever growing list of books that I have wanted to dive into, and I think I will finally get a library card and start checking off some books this year.

5. Develop and maintain an exercise routine with my husband
6. Join a mom's group

7. Find a home church

8. Learn to cook at least 5 new meals
9. Find a creative outlet

10. Live simply: I have been reflecting on this a lot lately as we pack up our house. I am looking forward to a fresh start with less "stuff" and more focus on things that really matter. I have also been thinking about how we want to raise our family and what kind of environment we can create so that our daughter has a peaceful and nurturing environment.


What are some things you have on your To Do list for this year? What have you accomplished so far?