Wyatt Harrison Godfrey

My nephew is here!!  Wyatt Harrison Godfrey was born on November 15, 2011 at 11:28am.  He was 20" long and weighed 7lbs 7oz.  He is perfect!!

I am beyond excited for my sister, Brad, and both of our families!  Praise the Lord for this tiny miracle!!

Happy Anniversary :)

How do we celebrate 2 years of marriage?!  Prosecco, cupcakes, and a Harry Potter movie marathon beside the fire!  Cheers to me and Joey!

The Hubby's 29th Birthday

Happy Birthday to the best husband in the universe!  Two years ago, tomorrow, I was blessed when I married this man.  I am so thankful he was born 29 years ago.  I love you Joey Snowden!

A to Z

So I am back after a super long hiatus.  I honestly just did not feel like writing very much, yet so much has been going on in my life.  I thought I would start back with a post called "A to Z" I saw on my sister's blog, Growing Up Godfrey! Here goes nothing...

A. Age – 27

B. Bed size – European-weird-sized-bed.  It is between a queen and king.

C. Chore that you hate – washing the dishes by hand in the sink...gross. 

D. Dogs – Hemingway "Hemi" our 6.5 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback and Ruby our 8.5 month old pit bull terrier/border collie mix.

E. Essential start to your day – COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE.

F. Favorite color – Red and deep deep deep purple.

G. Gold or silver –silver...well white gold or platinum

H. Height – 5’9"

I. Instruments you play – I have grown up singing my whole life but had a school year flirting with the trumpet  (6th grade).

J. Job title – wife & cat/dog mother right now.  (applying for teaching jobs as we speak)

K. Kids – Just our 2 cats (Sully & Boo) and 2 dogs.

L. Live – Dahlonega, Ga…but from Hoover, AL

M. Mother’s name – Bethany

N. Nicknames – Kris, Ferg, KFerg, KFergSnow, Kristin Louise

O. Overnight hospital stays – i have had 2

P. Pet peeves – wet towels on the bed or carpet, when I ask for dirty laundry because I am doing it and "someone" says they don't have any and I find a pile 3 days later.
Q. Quote from a movie – “what is this?  a center for ants!? how are we suppose to teach the children to read good if they can’t even fit inside of the building?” “Orange Mocha Frappuccino!!” – all movie quotes that come out of my mouth are from Zoolander.  (this answer was my sister's but also mine)

R. Right or left handed – Right.

S. Siblings – two.  Sister, Kaitlin-24, brother, Jared- 15…I can't believe it.

T. Time it takes you to get ready – an hour or hour and half because I get distracted or drink coffee and read the news. 

U. Underwear – boyshorts

V. Vegetable you hate – turnips (not greens just the actual turnip thing)

W. What makes you run late –changing clothes a million times because I do not feel like I look "okay" in anything and/or my dogs go crazy.

X. X-rays you’ve had – one million. i am whatever word means "way more than clumsy"

Y. Yummy food you make – I have been told I am a pretty good cook (and that I love to cook), but if I had to pick something I would say pumpkin bisque, taco soup, anything baked.

Z. Zoo Animal – I am not a big fan of the zoo since it smells and every time I have been it is hot and in the summer, but I guess all the cats.

Book of the Moment

I am headed to Michigan for a few days and will be reading the newest novel by Steve Martin. I absolutely love all of his non-fiction, novels, and screen plays. He is an incredible writer as well as being a legendary comedian, actor, and Grammy-winning musician. I highly recommend his written work!



- Kristin-

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Projects

I am super excited to have a few new projects for the house. I am refinishing my parents' old bedroom furniture and an extremely nice gold/brass mirror given to me by my grandmother. The bedroom suit includes three, large, solid cherry pieces in great condition. The wood and the hardware are just not my style, so I am going to update (or change) everything. It will probably end up being a several week project since I have to strip, sand, paint, sand, glaze, etc... each piece as well as pick out new hardware and install; but I am so very excited! The mirror will not take very long once I decide the color of antiquing liquid or glaze I am going to use. The mirror is a very large, sturdy piece that hung above my grandmother's dining room buffet. I love the size and design but have nothing to match the bright yellow gold color. I am just going to tone it down with a more vintage-aged look.

Here is the before pictures of the furniture with after pictures to follow soon I hope!!
















- Kristin-

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The U.S. Government...Blah.

To say I am disgusted with our government is the kindest statement I can think to write.  As everyone (who is not living under a rock) knows we passed an initiative this week to raise the debt ceiling for our country. While I am happy something was decided so the military (my family included) could receive our paychecks this month, I am angered at the decision made.  How did our government become so irresponsible??!?  

If someone told me all private citizens could ask and receive extensions on their credit line (create new debt to pay down payments on their existing debts) because they were in jeopardy of defaulting, I (along with the rest of the real world) would laugh in their face.  "Realistic" people or "professionals" would tell you it is not possible, it is incredibly irresponsible, it starts a cycle never to be broken, you lose credibility, it teaches people there are no consequences for poor decisions, and the list goes on and on!!  

We are supposedly the standard of living the common man dreams of when coming to America or living here their entire lives working for success, and yet we are not a "free" nation at all.   We are literally owned by other nations because we can not pay back the money we owe.  Our government is taking away the value of hard work by punishing those who work hard and giving hand outs (which we do not have the means to give) to those who do not.  They are blaming every other person, administration, event, etc they can to justify our economic crisis. And best of all they want to suspend military pay because of the debt crisis, but require those men and women to be defending our country, other countries, our cause, or someone else's.

Bottom line:   I am ready for someone to run for office and not concerned with the thought of being re-elected.  I am ready for someone who is more concerned with getting it right than looking the right way in the eyes of unions, lobbying groups, those who fund campaigns, and political parties.  I want someone who pays attention to the people of this country not the crooked politicians "representing" them who actually vote according to what they receive under the table.  And I am ready for someone who stops blaming every other person in the world for a situation we face and takes action.

I do not care if you are white, black, yellow, purple, man, or woman.  I just want someone who can say what they mean and mean what they say.

Can we just wipe out the US government and start again? please.

ETSY has become more than an 'itsy bitsy' problem....

  I don't know if everyone in the world knows about the best website ever to have been developed, but I have to spread the gospel if you have not.  This site is INCREDIBLE, and it is called Etsy (www.etsy.com).  I have known about for a couple years now but became more intrigued as my friends started to launch their businesses on it and we bought a house.  For those of you who are unsure of what the website is let me explain.  It is a site where ANYONE can buy and sell their handmade products or vintage finds.  And when I say products and finds I mean everything from clothing, baby bedding to baby accessories, to home decor, to iron workings, to ornate or modern or unfinished or refinished furniture, antiques, art work, and the list goes on and on.  

So basically I am telling you this website is a MUST for anyone who is sick of mass produced finds from companies that over charge for products with sub-par merchandise.  Check it out because among the  thousands of vendors and hundreds of thousands of products there is something for everyone!!  Just ask my sweet Joey... I have a wish list of furniture and home decor a mile long :)

Here are a few pics of things I bought yesterday....

The above chocolate brown & cream distressed frame and the hand carved and painted sign are from Memphis, Tn by a shop on Etsy called 'roundthebendshop'.

The hanging art piece made from an antique window and the window panel with bamboo inserts are made by Suzanne Penland who is found on Etsy under the shop name 'sspenland'.

 This set of painted and distressed frames is from Decatur, AL on Etsy under the shop name of 'dewdropdaisies'.

AND MY FAVORITE FIND...

 This handmade, distressed trunk (which will be used at the end of our bed) was made by Zach DuBois of Elkhart, In,  His shop can be found on Etsy under the name 'thebarnwoodshop'.  He makes some amazing things and this is not his full time job.  I love reading about the people who use this website as a business medium because you find out that a majority of these people make their products because they genuinely love the craft.  How much better can it be than to do what you love, provide a product made of your hard work and sweat, and make a little money because of your talent?!  I think it is awesome!!

Good luck on your journey to discover truly gifted people on this wonderful website!!!

Additions to our Family :)

Ruby & Hemingway aka Hemi

Before moving back home to the states you might know we adopted to kitties, Boo & Sully.  We absolutely love them and couldn't ask for better pet companions, but we always knew we wanted to dogs as well.  Joey has been talking about and begging for a Rhodesian Ridgeback since as long as I can remember and I wanted a Wheaton Terrier, Golden Retriever, or something along those lines.  Well who am I kidding?  If you take me to a shelter, the pound, a pet store I will want to bring all the animals home with me no matter the breed.  Sure enough on May 14th Joey said "why don't we go look at the puppies at the humane society since it is right up the street." Haha the joke was on him!!  That was the day we adopted Ruby our border collie/pit bull terrier mix.  She is precious, energetic, smart, and loves to get into T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!  She was nine weeks when we adopted her and is now going on 20 weeks...obedience school starts SOON!

I did not think we would be getting our second dog until the late fall because Joey had been in contact with breeders from Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.  However, he was so persistent in his search for a Rhodesian that we found a breeder in Rome, Ga (less than 2 hours away) that would be ready to sell the litter of 11 (WOW!) on June 11th.  So we got on the list, packed up our car, and headed to Rome to pick up sweet Hemingway aka Hemi.  He was so young and teeny but perfect for us.  Ruby and Hemi are the best of friends, while the cats are still pretty ticked at us for moving, de-clawing them, and bringing 2 puppies home (we can't please everyone!).  

It has been quite a ride being in a new place, new house, and with 4 animals (2 of which are babies); but so fun.  And yes I am well aware my dogs are going to be huge and my house is a petting zoo!  Oh well!!

The day we brought Ruby home from the Lumpkin County Humane Society (5/14/2011).
She was 9 lbs and now she is 29 lbs just two months later.

Playing dress up on the couch at 11 weeks old.

This picture is of Hemi at 5.5 weeks old taken buy the breeder family!

Introducing Hemi to Ruby the moment we brought him home from Rome, Ga.

Already loving each other the very first day the met!

For a few weeks Hemi did nothing but eat and sleep...soooo tired!

Brought Hemi home from Rome, Ga on 06/11/2011 at 7 weeks old.
He was 14 lbs that day and as of Friday, 7/15/2011, he was already 30lbs.

We love our puppies!!        

Back to the States & HOMEOWNERS!!

The first time we saw our house in person! :)

 I had posted a while back that we were in the process of buying a new home and were hoping and praying everything would go through without a hitch.  Well good news...it did!  We are now homeowners in the state of Georgia! (The Snowden Family 1st House established March 31, 2011)  However, I will say that buying and closing on a house from another continent is quite the ordeal.  If you do not have a family who is completely married to details and perfection: DO NOT DO IT!  I have a mom & dad who were willing to drive to Dahlonega to look at listing after listing, making endless notes, take pictures, and work with builders & realtors asking the questions we would have no idea to ask to make this dream a reality.  They are pretty amazing! 

Let's just say that signing on a house, packing up a life in Italy, Joey switching jobs, moving internationally, buying a new car, waiting for Joey's truck to arrive in the states along with all of our possessions (5 weeks after moving), and moving into a new home is a lot to do in one month.  From mid-April to the end of May was a wee bit busy to say the least. haha!  Here are a few pics of our new house that we call home!  We have a million projects to finish (decorating the 2nd floor and our bedroom, landscaping a yard, etc... but we have time and it is exciting!!) Enjoy!

The day we moved all of our wedding gifts and our things stored at our parents' houses  in Birmingham to Dahlonega!

Planting confederate jasmine and honeysuckle on our trellises. 

I had to put a slipcover on our new couch due to having 4 animals :(
(The above picture is a view into the dining area pre-slipcover)

Downstairs half/guest bathroom.

Master bathroom

Welcome to my kitchen where for the first time since we got married (1yr & 1/2) I have my everyday dishes and fine china!