Tomorrow...Ugh, Here We Go

Tomorrow Henry starts daycare and I would be lying if I told you I was completely okay with that. I have been dreading this day for a while now. It is not that I don't want to go back to work; if you work for yourself you know "maternity leave" is a fictional event. Henry and I have been working basically since he was born. This juggling act- having a newborn and working- has worked basically by taking him everywhere with me when our parents weren't in town to watch over him. We have amazing parents but when they are not here he has been content to nap at client's homes, showrooms, etc. Well except for the fit he pitched last week at a house (talk about feeling unprofessional, thank goodness for amazing clients as well).

Above pulling fabric with his Mom, below waiting patiently at the receiving warehouse for furniture to be loaded. (the guys at the warehouse are great with him, a plus in my book)
In some ways I am looking forward to having a routine and this not being a sight seen one too many times in my car...

Also, I am sure Henry gets tired of running errands all the time (note the expression)....

And while I may not be winning any mother-of-the-year awards anytime soon I have loved all this time spent together. We have a schedule that works for us and it is nice to be working along and catch a glimpse of that face.

Tomorrow though change is coming. I know it will be fine if I can just get past the first few days. I LOVE my job and that makes it so much easier. The place he is going came highly recommended by several friends and that is comforting. It is just the thought of someone else feeding him and holding him and playing with him all day gives me a lump in my throat the size of Texas. So for those of you who have been through this and have any advice I would love to hear it. Talking to other mothers has been wonderful so far and made me feel so much better. I have a feeling I am going to need some help tomorrow....

Hello Headboard

Via Dwell Studio

A Book Giveaway...

In honor of Cyber Monday I thought it would be fun to do a little giveaway and I knew just the book! Recently I was informed that Haven & Home was included in a book, The Meghan Method by Meghan Carter. When I received the book I was thrilled to be included in such a well thought out book about decorating.While other design book offer hints or advice here and there, this book is a comprehensive guide to decorating in your own style, something I believe a lot of blog readers would be interested in.

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below. The winner will be picked Thursday morning. If you don't win you can still benefit from Meghan's advice with her comprehensive gift guide out now available here.
Leave a comment below and good luck! Thank you Meghan for including Haven & Home in your wonderful book!

Quiet Time

This verse has been on here before but I love this idea for a daily reminder. Faith does not need to be so serious and proper.

Thankful

This is going to be a wordy post with only one picture which in the blog world = a bad post, so please forgive me. It is the week of Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for it is hard to know where to begin. There have been so many changes this year, for the better. So, I will begin with why I chose this picture, taken move in day to the office, which should cover almost everything.

1. I took this picture when I was 6 or 7 months pregnant. Now Henry has been here 12 weeks and I can't imagine life without him. (okay two pictures)

2. Family. While this picture only shows Patrick and my Dad, my Mom was standing right beside me. Oh November has been C-C-C-razy, working before getting into daycare has been hard, even with the most understanding clients anyone could ask for. Every single one of our parents has come to the 'Ham to help and thank you doesn't even begin to feel adequate. Our lives would be so much less without an amazing support system and the love of our family. A special thank you to my Mom who not only has blazed down I-65 from Nashville several times in a matter of weeks, but also has helped us stay on top of the seemingly unending paperwork.

3. As previously stated the first picture was taken while moving into my new office, it still feels great. From moving into an office, to hiring a new employee this year the business has continued to be blessed. Some days I want to have a large pity party for myself because I work really hard. I hope that does not sound horrible, but it is true. Every time I feel a pity party coming on, I am quickly reminded how thankful I am to do what I love and work for myself. Over the last few months two of my very first clients are back with new homes and reflecting on our first meetings years ago versus now is special. Have I mentioned before how much I love my clients? Love. In December I will have more help and I hope to be able to really start sharing more with you. Professional pictures are really coming this time.....at least that is on the agenda.

4. Not shown but high on my thankful list are our friends. They have always been wonderful but the help we have had since having Henry is humbling. From the meals to the phone calls checking in on me multiple times (even knowing I probably would not be able to answer) we are surrounded by the most wonderful people. So many of my best friends live far away but they have never felt so close.

Finally, I would like to thank you dear blog reader. I feel like I have been a horrible blogger for a few months now and I am not sure when I will really be able to devote more time to H&H as well as reading other blogs. I do plan on continuing blogging though and hopefully balance will resume soon. I want you to know that I read every single comment/e-mail and I appreciate every person who clicks here, you would not believe how often you make my day.

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for. I will be signing off for the week because frankly I am t-i-r-e-d and there is a lot to be done before taking some time off. I will be back next week though, hopefully refreshed and ready to go. Be safe and have a wonderful week.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Quiet Time

Happy Friday

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!And just think, right after the weekend is one of the best holidays of the year....

Image Martha Stewart

Emily Joy Designs and Henry

When Henry was born I knew I wanted professional newborn pictures taken but I was intimidated and overwhelmed and I was not sure which direction to go. At six weeks I decided it was time; no longer a "new" newborn the clock was ticking. He had already changed so much from birth (and so much since these were taken)! So I called Emily Joy with Emily Joy Designs and I am so glad I did. Here is a small sampling of Henry's pictures and I could not be more pleased (especially since he was not cooperating that day).

I was nervous to have someone come take pictures since Henry and I were still figuring things out but she made me feel so comfortable, even when he was pitching a fit. As a mom (soon to be of three) Emily understands how to work with babies and children which was comforting to me. I could not recommend her services more! For more information you can visit her website or blog or e-mail her @ emilyjoygresham@gmail.com. I can't wait for our next session!

Honey From The Bee

It's a rainy day here in the 'Ham, the perfect day to stay inside under the covers. Unfortunately, Henry and I have to go to work but we did get to spend some time this morning doing one of our favorite rainy day activities, dancing around to Van Morrison. His favorite? Tupelo Honey...what can I say, I am starting to think he is an old soul.

Monday Inspiration

Via Pinterest

Quiet Time

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

I Got A Feeling

11/11/11. I like that, feels like it is going to be a great day leading into a great weekend. Sorry for the lack of posts, this week has been busy. Henry goes to daycare in December (that is a different post coming soon) and in the mean time our parents have stepped in to help while I work. Grateful is an understatement. This week my Mom has been here so by day I have been working like a mad women and by night I have been enjoying my right hand woman. Anyhoo, just thought this picture felt like a Friday....

And this one has been on my screen for weeks now, I am so drawn to it for whatever reason. LOVE the side table...and the bed.

Via Pinterest, thanks Jenny for the first one!

Dear Magazines...

Dear Magazines,

I miss you. Maybe one day we will be reunited. Maybe.....one day.....

Also, just realized the pacifier in the picture. Not intentional but very appropriate.

Sleeping Beauty

I love a good upholstered headboard. Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Quiet Time- In Every Moment

Via, Thanks Jenn

Apartment Beauty

So much to look at in this apartment- a beautiful sitting area next to a sharp desk/work space.

Is that a navy table? Love the unique art...

Bright and white at the same time. Clean without feeling sterile, fun without feeling cutesy.

Pretty entry. Also a great example of how styling can make a picture.

Images Claiborne Swanson Frank Apartment in Elle Decor

Love The One You're With- Inside Out Design

Today I have the most wonderful Sherri guest blogging for me. I know I have said

this before, but Sherri is one of those people who you

really feel like you know after reading her blog Inside Out Design.

The other day I read this recent post and was brought to tears. Maybe it is still the hormones, or maybe it is having a baby in our "very tiny but special to us first home" but it really spoke to me. Anyhoo, I am honored to have Sherri here today so without further adieu...

When Marianne asked me to contribute to her 'Love The One You're With' series, I had a hard time deciding which room to choose. Do I choose the one I enjoy looking at the most or the one that holds the most memories? I decided to show you the one I love looking at the most. It is the one room in my house that is always peaceful, has no television, is used mostly for family gatherings and always looks clean (even if it isn't).

I love to sit in here and read a book, visit with friends and open gifts on Christmas morning. This room is also the first thing you see when you walk through our front door and it feels the most like 'me'. When we first bought our house 24 years ago, the "living room" was a narrow space that was basically a pass-through from the bedroom wing hallway to the kitchen. Because of that, it was a hard room to space plan.

Over the years we made some changes. We relocated the front entrance, moved the hallway opening so it was not in the middle of the room and created an 'entrance' by adding a courtyard in the front. It is not a big house by today's standards and I never thought it would be our stay-in-forever-house. There are many things I would love to change (a larger dining room for one!) but it is our home and it holds so many memories I do not know if I could ever give it up. We have watched our two beautiful daughters grow up in this house and are blessed to be enjoying our new granddaughter here as well.

I have always liked white and except for a short phase where I tried to 'conform' I have had a white sofa. I found that it was the easiest to care for with small children (and even more so when they became teenagers) because I could clean it and it would never fade. I have had my current sofa for 12 years now. It has had red wine spilled on it, chocolate and who knows what else but all I have to do is throw the slipcover in the wash or spot clean it and it is as good as new.

For me, white just feels fresh and gives me a feeling of calm. It is also easy to throw in pops of color when I am in the mood and gives me the ability to change things around; which I do a lot.

I originally bought the corner armoire to place a TV in but changed my mind. It holds my revolving accessories and overflow of platters and serving pieces and balances out the fireplace in in the opposite corner.

The decor has evolved over the years. It was never decorated like I would do for a client - all at once and put together; instead pieces were added here and there, little by little - mostly discounted furniture I found while shopping for clients or perusing through HomeGoods. I tend to buy pieces that I love and don't put too much thought into where it will end up. It all gets moved around anyway!

Last summer I brought in the white cabinet that used to be in my daughter's room to give the room and lighter look. It was an inexpensive Ikea piece that was intended to hold my daughter's school books but I have to say, I am really enjoying it in the living room.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the room I love ... in the house that I love. Thanks Marianne for including me in your series!

Thank you again Sherri, what a wonderful post about a wonderful room. I can definitely see chatting with friends in there and I loved hearing your take on the white sofa! Everything looks perfect but comfortable and inviting.