Life Choices

From my last post in December, I talked briefly about school. I was attending school for Nursing to become an R.N. but it was during this Spring semester 2014 that I was unsure if it was really what I wanted to pursue. The drive was no longer there for me as I saw in my fellow classmates. While they would find what we were reading about interesting, I found it tedious and a hassle to sit down and read or study. After discussing this with Matt, he was on board with my dropping out from this semester and to change my field of study back to what I should've done; Journalism and broadcasting. Once I withdrew from my nursing classes, I felt such a weight lifted off my shoulders. I have more time to do craft projects, cook dinners, spend time with family, relaxing after work. It's great! Another decision that I do not regret.

Also since December,

 Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. I cannot believe we've been married for 5 years already.  We feel and know this will be one of the most significant and happiest years.

 Traditional anniversary shot

The 2nd weekend in February, I ran a 10k and ended up getting overall 3rd place for women's with my best time of 57:15 ! I was so surprised- I received a trophy, medal, and a t-shirt. Made up for the cold rainy weather I had to deal with while running, as well as having no iPod or watch since the batteries both died within 1 mile in.

I was batman (superhero run)

The Past Six Months

Well, a lot has happened in the past six months, so much that I feel it's easier to sum up with pictures instead of words.

My job is going great! I enjoy being an activity assistant CNA and interacting with the residents. I plan on staying here until graduating with my RN degree years from now.

We adopted a dog - his name is Rusty. He was 9 months when we got him. He now is 1 year and 3 months. He is supposedly an australian shepherd mix. We think he is a lab mixed with something but don't know quite yet. He is a handful at times… we're trying to train him. He is able to do tricks such as roll over, lay down, speak, praise, sit, stay, give the paw, high five, and be quiet. Although, the quiet one is rare.  We are training him how to play dead next. He enjoys playing with the neighborhood dogs by running around and chasing each other. He is friendly with all dogs and loves the dog park.

Visited my grandfather for the first time since he passed. His stone was not there yet.

We did a lot of updating of our home inside and out.  On the outside, in the front,  we removed the front landscaping and adding in our design with new plants and flowers. In the back, we planted flowers on one side of the fence and in the back wall we added a row of bushes that will grow tall to allow privacy and reduce sound from the road beside us. Our next step is to add flowers on the other side of the fence. On one side of our house, we removed the grass and added in some flowers with mulch. We plan on removing the other side and lay down rocks. Also, along the back porch, we added a rock border.
A major change to the yard, is grass! When we moved in, there was no grass. That was the first thing we put in after the landscaping.

Front of the house before and after. The front porch is now all painted white. 

The back is hard to see where we planted the flowers along the side of the fence from the angle I took. 

The inside we hung up pictures, changed a few minor details. Nothing too major. Once all that was completed, we had our house warming party and it was a hit!

Matt went to school full time and I started school as well to finish up my RN degree. We both finished this semester with A's! Next semester is soon to start in about 1.5 weeks

Signed up for Origami Owl - find me at bridgetlacey.origamiowl.com

My brother in law got engaged and they had finally had their bridal shower. 

Spent time with family out of state and family that lives close by.

Celebrated Brittany's Bachlorette Party

Ran the Neon Run - it was horrible.

Hubby had to have surgery to get his appendix removed

Celebrated my brother-in-law and Brittany's Wedding! They became the NEWEST Mr. & Mrs. Lacey

This picture is taken with my youngest brother-in-law, James

Us four girls can be trouble

The cousins

Hubby and I

my newest sister in law

The cousins again

Sisters with the mother

They became husband and wife!

Matt and I at the reception

Family picture

Celebrated my best friend, Trisha's bridal shower and bachelorette party

My best friend, Trisha got married

Their reception was just too cute

Run Nona 5k - awesome!

Thanksgiving with family

We grew pepper plants in the backyard. This is our first picked green pepper

Ran our first race together at the Reindeer Run Seaworld as a couple; also made my best time of 25:40 5k

For Christmas we both received a marathon and half-marathon ticket to the Space Coast Marathon from my parents

Our house lit up for Christmas

Since moving home, we have not regretted any decision making. We enjoy being close to family! We look forward to what the next year will bring us! Farewell 2013; 2014, We greet you.

DIY Spray Painted Monogrammed Doormat & Wicker Balls

Yesterday I spruced up some home decor that I purchased so it could go better with our home.

I bought these balls and bowl set together for $4 at a thrift store. Normally the wicker balls (6 in a set) range from $7 - $13 and the bowl could cost anywhere from $8- $10.   I already had the spray paint on hand from a previous project.

I don't have a before picture (I forgot) but the wicker balls were 2 different shades of green.

The other project I did was spray paint a doormat I purchased for $4.99 to add more of a "home" touch rather than a plain doormat outside. It was really simple to do so I didn't take pictures step by step.

Decide what you would like on your doormat. Cut out stencils either by hand or if you have a cricut machine; which, is what I have and used, pick the image and size. I laid the stencil on the doormat and taped it down. I made sure to cover what was not being sprayed because I didn't want to overspray areas. Then let it dry!

I already had the spray paint at home so this project was $4.99

Check out the step by step for my DIY Fourth of July wreath

Thrift Store Find

When Matt was deployed last year on a MEU, he went to many countries. While he was in port at Singapore, he bought this gorgeous china set for me. It's been sitting in a box in the closet ever since. We had no place to display it, so it just sat. Until a couple weeks ago when I managed to come across this beautiful heavy china cabinet at a thrift store. I text a picture to Matt since he's in California right now to share my excitement, and he was all aboard about it too. So, I bought it for only $140! That's what I call a steal!!

Now, the china cabinet sits in our formal dining room with the china he purchased for me, woo hoo!!  (no table yet, but it may come in the future) 

We don't plan on changing anything about it, except maybe the handles. This china cabinet is in really good condition.

Ignore my half body reflection. There is another row of china above but it had too much of my own reflection again, but you get the idea of it.




Pictures were taken on my cell phone.