Searching for our first home

Maybe it's just us. But, buying a house isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'm really just referring to the process of finding "the one."

When we decided we were moving back to Florida it was pretty much known we were going to buy our first house. We were excited. I mean, I watch even House Hunters and Property Virgins that I thought this would be a piece of cake. 

Must haves:
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- Pool with lanai
- Big Kitchen (preferably upgraded)
- Open Floor Plan
- Entertainment space outside
- 2 car garage
- Indoor laundry room

Seems simple enough, right? 

Wrong. 

A couple of weeks into house hunting we realized this process wasn't going to be fun. It's a seller's market and the options in our budget are slim, which means homes go fast. 

We put an offer on a house and then a bidding war happened. We lost the house. In the end, it really wasn't the location we wanted so it was a blessing in disguise. 

Hundreds more pages on Zillow (and Realtor and Trulia), dozens of Open Houses, dozens more showings with our Realtor.. (and on, and on, and on) we found a house we LOVED. Prime location, great outdoor space, no rear neighbors.. There wasn't much to complain about. We were confident we were going to get this house and bid aggressively. A few hours later.. another buyer went over list price and got the house. I could've cried. I always told myself I wasn't going to get attached to a house but I did. It was a let down. I couldn't look at another house the same. 

There's so many things I wish people would've told us about buying a house. What to look for, what you can easily change, yada, yada, yada. 

So, I decided to blog a little about our journey. It hasn't been easy. We've argued, we've been frustrated, depressed, happy, excited. But, in the end, I hope our advice can help someone else!

Stay tuned!

A year of changes.. A year full of things to be thankful for

Wow.. How things have changed. 

Thinking back to Thanksgiving 2014: We were newlyweds, celebrating another holiday without our families, perfecting that turkey on my own, enjoying our jobs.. the list goes on. 

Fast forward to this year. We've been married a year, we're attending 3 separate Thanksgiving dinners, buying a house, job hunting.. this list, too, goes on. 

It may not sound like much of a difference to some, but it is to us. 

I'm usually one to embrace change and welcome new adventures. The past year has been full of adventures. I've been excited, challenged, nervous. I quit my job for many wonderful reasons. But, as Thanksgiving approaches, I find it so odd that I'm actually going to be able to enjoy these holiday dinners. (YUMM) 

I'm a workaholic and I love news. I'm supposed to work on holidays, right?? (Still, the weirdest feeling to have a holiday off). However, I'm learning to embrace these new changes, challenges. 

Last year's list of things I'm thankful for would've been much different. Not a bad different though. Just a different life. 

This year, I'm thankful for so many wonderful things. A loving husband and a supportive family should probably top the list. We've welcomed 2 new babies into our family this year. (Who doesn't love babies?) I'm thankful for nieces and nephews to spoil and love. A year ago, I was just the aunt who got to Skype with them whenever I could. This year, I'm the aunt who comes over just because I want to play dress up. (Princess for a day? Sign me up!) I get to watch hockey with my dad pretty much whenever I want. I get to shop and get mani pedis with my mom. (Who picks out the best clothes ever. ) I get to attend weddings!! I get to do so many things with my family that I've waited 5 years to do. 

I'm thankful for all of our past adventures that got us here today. I often wonder if we would be together if we never would've left. Who would we be? Where would we be? Traveling taught us how to love, care for, and live on our own. It was a struggle. It was scary. But, it made us better people. It was also more fun then I think we realize. Thanks Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama for all you did for us. We can't wait to take our future kids to all the places we've lived.

I'm thankful for my dog, Basil. Every year I count my blessings she's alive. She always listens when I need someone to vent to, she cuddles when I'm feeling down, and she never talks back. Best. Kid. Ever. 

I'm thankful for some pretty great friends. People I can tell anything to and not be judged. Each one of them has taught me something new about myself. 

Lastly, (I could go on but I won't) I'm thankful to have accomplished my dream before turning 30. It was a tough one. To be a full time news anchor. Wow. I really didn't think it would ever happen. But, I have so many people to thank for making that come true. It was one hell of a rollercoaster ride but I did it. I wanted to give up, I wanted to scream, cry, you name it. Most of all,  I wanted to succeed. Now that I know I can do that, I know I can do anything. 

I'm ready for a new adventure and a new year of things to be thankful for. I'm ready for that new door to open with a brand new challenge.. Here's to another year of thanks! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Standing by Roanoke

Trying to find the words to talk about the shooting in Roanoke is proving to be incredibly hard.

I didn't know Alison Parker or Adam Ward. But, I do know that they set out that morning to do things that every reporter or photographer has ever done. It was routine. For once, it was a happy story. A story that you got to smile about and have fun with. It was a rarity.

Journalists everywhere are talking about Roanoke. People everywhere are talking. How could this happen? I'd be lying if I said I was never scared in my job. I've been terrified. Showing up to crime scenes, knocking on doors, standing in the middle of storms. But, I've never thought I would be murdered while on a story. 

That's what happened to Alison and Adam. They went to work to tell the news. That's a right we earned. They thought nothing of it. They died do what they loved. 

Newsrooms across the Country were stunned. Journalists were heartbroken. We lost 2 members of our family this week. It's a highly competitive business but this is a time we need to come together. We need to look out for each other. I know we're all trying to get the story and get the story first, but we have to keep an eye on one another. 

I spent hours crying Wednesday. Crying for my friends, the coworkers of Alison and Adam, their friends and family members. I can't imagine the pain that so many of them are feeling. I'm feeling the pain and I didn't even know them. 

There's a blog written by a journalist that says it better than I ever could. I highly recommend you read it. http://jayewatsononline.com/roanoke/

Because frankly, I couldn't say it any better. I've been searching for the right words and I just can't find them.

To new adventures

After 3 years in Huntsville, it's time for me to say goodbye! This is such a bittersweet moment. 

My time at WAAY has been an adventure, full of surprises and challenges. I've met some amazing people who helped steer my career in the right direction and lifelong friends. 

I just want to say thank you to all of you for supporting and encouraging me. Many of you I've gotten to know on a personal level and it's nice to call you a friend! 

But, alas, I must say goodbye. My last day on air will be this Friday, July 31st. 3 months ago my husband was transferred and it's time for me to join him. It's an exciting time as we're moving back "home." We've been gone for 5 years and we are incredibly excited to be closer to our families. We'll be living in Clearwater, Florida. 

Thank you for all your support and love, again. It makes my day reading all of your messages and emails. Thanks for making the Tennessee Valley feel like home!! 

Monday Morning Breakfast

I've been trying really hard to eat healthy. Back in college I loved to workout but I never ate healthy. Now, I'm trying to find the motivation to workout and eat healthy. 

Working the morning shift it's been a challenge. I'm always tired and I'd rather sleep than do anything else. The weeks leading up to the wedding, it was easy to motivate myself. I had this gorgeous dress to fit in to. 

So, I'm changing my eating habits and making a workout schedule that I can live with, yes, even if that means sacrificing my precious sleep. 

Here's my favorite breakfast recipe:

Overnight Oats with fruit and yogurt:
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix together and let sit overnight in the fridge
In the morning add:
1/2 cup of strawberries
1/2 cup of raspberries (or blueberries; whatever fruit you like really) 
1 tbsp. peanut butter

I love breakfast. I love fried eggs and hashbrowns and home fries. But lets face it, it's not good for you!

I found this recipe on Pinterest and make it almost every day. It's delicious and definitely fills you up! 

Here's some health tips and such from the blog I originally found it from: http://www.peanutbutterandpeppers.com/2012/04/23/a-healthy-breakfast-on-the-go/
 

10 things no one tells you about planning your own wedding

So, we've been married about 2 months and I still can't believe it. Time goes by so fast when you're having fun. 

But, there are so many things I wish someone would've told me about planning the wedding myself. I always wondered why people don't tell you these things but I guess some things you just have to learn on your own. 

10. Some ideas are better left on Pinterest. OK, Let's face it. Planning a wedding seems nearly impossible without Pinterest these days. There are SO many good ideas. So many, that you're going to want to do them all. If you do that and they're all DIY, you're not going to accomplish it all unless you have tons of help. Pick and choose what you like best.   

9. There's way more details than you can imagine. I remember thinking "I have all my vendors booked, I'm done." Ha, yeah right! Timing, stamps, wording for your ceremony and invitations, even when you think you're done, you're not. 

8. You're going to get overwhelmed. At some point, you're going to look at your to-do list and want to cry. I think I was 2 weeks out before I made a full list of all the things I had to do. Ummmm, why didn't anyone tell me to do this sooner? I had this wedding planning book with a whole list of things to do. It should come with a second list titled "All the things we forgot to tell you in list one."

7. Hire a wedding planner/coordinator. Here's the thing. I was 100% against this and just wanted to appease my mom. I figured it was a waste of money and I could do everything myself. Ok mom, yes you were right again. Of all the things we spent money on, this was the purchase that was worth every single penny and then some. I hired a day of coordinator, just to make sure everything went smooth. I really have no idea how the day would've happened without her and frankly, I don't want to think about that disaster. My mom and I were so relaxed because she took care of everything. This will be your best purchase, I promise. Thanks Emily!!

6. Delegate. From day 1 to the wedding day, don't hesitate to delegate. I was really bad at this. Thank goodness for my mom. But, she's not good at delegating either. Your friends and family are there for you, utilize them. Oh, and make sure you ask someone to keep your drink full :) Thanks brother!

5. Your wedding dress appointment(s) isn't going to be like 'Say Yes to the Dress' (most likely). I had this all in my head like it was going to be just like this tv show. I had so many emotions that I wish I could go back and do it over. Finding a wedding dress was really the first thing I did besides choosing a venue. So many thoughts are racing through your head, is this it? Why am I not crying? Does that mean it isn't it? So many brides feel this way but no one tells them it's ok to feel this way! WHY??? 

4. You have no idea what order to do things and what's more important. You find all these "checklists" online and you think it'll be so easy just to follow one. Sure, it's easy but it's not perfect. Every bride is different and every wedding is different. Make sure you add/subtract from those typical checklists. 

3. Your vendors will ask you questions you don't know how to answer. From times to small details, you're going to read these emails and be so confused. I remember going to a florist and they started asking all of these questions that I had no answers to. All I knew was I had 3 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen and I wanted pretty centerpieces. Isn't that specific enough? Be honest with your vendors, if you don't know, tell me. Ask for their advice. Send them pictures of what you like and your budget. They'll be helpful!

2. The day will feel like the quickest dream you've ever had. EVERYONE will tell you, it will go by so fast. EVERYONE. But, you won't listen. Embrace every moment. Look at all the details. You worked too hard for this day! 

1. Don't sweat the small stuff. Your flowers aren't the exact shade of purple you wanted, the cake is hideous, you're running 30 minutes behind. Guess what?? No one will notice and you're the only person who cares. Shrug it off and have the time of your life!! You're going to run into roadblocks while planning, too. Move on. You won't even remember what your original idea was come the day of. We had our dream wedding venue back down and had to settle for something else. Guess what? It was the best thing that could've happened. Our wedding was beautiful, if not better at the new venue!  

 

The day we finally said "I do"

I said I wouldn't cry. I said it would be easy. I said it would hurricane.

Yes, I, in fact, said all of these things about my wedding day. Not one of them came true.

Dress from Bella's Bridal in Birmingham

Vincent proposed on March 16, 2013. We spent the next 17 months planning our wedding. At the time of our October 04, 2014 wedding, we had been together 7 1/2 years. To me, there was nothing left to be said.. or so I thought. 

There's a lot that happened in those 17 months but I'm going to fast forward to our wedding day. I'm sure I'll get back to those other details at some point.

I woke up around 7a.m. that Saturday. My beautiful hotel room and a smile plastered on my face. And... I horrendous cough. (Lovely, right?) Then, I heard the rain hit the glass. Ugh, it was going to hurricane on my wedding day. The meteorologists kept saying it was going to end by noon. At this point, I was convinced it was all a lie and it was going to pour all day. 

Then, around 10a.m. the sunshine came out and the rain stopped. The sparkle of the ocean was back and our day was back to being perfect.

Hair and Makeup by Basic Image

All the girls were packed into my tiny suite. My best friend was there and life was perfect. (Her baby was born very early and was in NICU. I owe her so much for coming.) My bridesmaids didn't know each other prior to the wedding but this group got along so well. They're truly an amazing group of women. 

Claudia Duque from Basic Image

There's just something about getting your hair and makeup done that just makes you feel like a Princess. I remember looking in the mirror after it was done and just feeling so pretty. It was all so perfect. 

Hair and Makeup by Basic Image

Pictures were next. How was it already 3p.m.?? Time was flying by. I wanted to savor every moment but there was so much going on. 

I remember thinking, is the venue set up? Is everything going as planned? Is the cake there, is the food there? I spent 17 months planning this day and it was all out of my hands. Thankfully, it was in the hands of the world's most amazing wedding planner. Emily of Emily's Events had everything under control. 

From there, the girls and I headed out for pictures. Maybe it's just me but feeling like you're surrounded by the paparazzi is well.. different. The one thing I didn't want was to be moved around and told where to pose. Thank goodness for Robert McClory Photography and 1007 films for their expertise with that. I never once felt like I was doing something unnatural. 

I remember sitting in the room waiting for the ceremony to begin. It turned out to be the most beautiful day. The weather was AMAZING. Then, I found out the guys weren't at the venue yet. OMG I could've had a cow. But, they showed up minutes later. It's just like guys to be late, right? ;)

South Florida Museum

Next thing I know, we're lining up and I have my dad's arm and we're ready to go. WHEW... what a whirlwind of emotions. You're so overwhelmed but all that's going on that you almost forget what you're feeling. But, you pinch yourself just so you remember what it all feels like. 

Before this, I had probably cried a million times. From this point forward, you could probably double it. 

I remember reading the quotes we had for each other and just fighting to hold back tears. It was so emotional. It meant so much in that moment. I didn't want it to end. This was the day that meant forever. This was the moment that meant the world. Ladies, don't ever forget about planning your ceremony. It will be the most important part to you and your new husband. 

And just like that.. the ceremony was over. We said the "I dos," we kissed and we were officially husband and wife. 17 months of planning and it's over just like that?? Yep, that's the way it goes. 

The reception started and it was time to relax. Lets have a good time!! I remember during our first dance.. just looking out into the crowd and the beauty that was before me.

 Our friends and family just watching us dance. But, it was them and my new husband that made me the happiest girl in the world. 

My mom was the woman responsible for the gorgeous wedding. 

Truly, I planned the vendors and such and she did the details. There were so many details that if I tried to name them all I would fail. But, I made it a point to look at all of them. I took time to look at all the work she put into this day. I can't thank her enough. The pictures don't do it justice but it was perfect.

After the AMAZING reception, we walked down to the Riverwalk to release some Chinese lanterns. They didn't go as planned due to the windy conditions but it was so fun to try.

My parents also surprised us with an ice cream truck! This was the coolest thing. Everyone received a ticket at the end of the wedding and it was good for an ice cream there. It was so sweet. Perfect way to end the perfect night. 

I'm still in shock at how fast the day went. I tried my best to take it all in and embrace it but I would still go back and do it again. I wouldn't change a thing.

 Thank you to all the wonderful vendors who made our wedding fabulous.

Here's a look at our wedding video by 1007 Films

Jillian and Vince Wedding Film from 1007 Films on Vimeo.