Officially in St. Louis

Life has been weird lately. Over the past 2 months since arriving in America, we have traveled back and forth between Nashville, Seattle and St. Louis. It has been fun but very tiring. We took one last road trip down to my parents house outside of Nashville. It was a busy weekend as we shopped for furniture and then painted it all. It was a lot of work, but we are SO happy with the outcome. Plus, you couldn't have beat the prices!


We did most of our work while Eli was napping. He also had his meals outside so we could get more work done. He loved being in the middle of things.

Mom and I just getting started. This picture makes me laugh so hard, because I am my mother. Of course, wearing her painting clothes helps me to look MUCH more like her. Oh, and I also love how my little sister is trying to get in the picture, too. (look behind my mom)

So what did we get and how did it turn out? With lots of gray paint, red and black spray paint, I think we did pretty well.

Before: This was a $10 vanity/desk. It had water damage on the top, loose joints and woodwork coming off. My dad did the gluing and tightening. Dan peeled the top layer off and mom and I painted the desk and the handles.

After: My new craft/sewing table! Sadly a little bit of the paint scratched off during the move, but it gives it a distressed look that I kind of like.

Before: White night stand, water damage on top, paint peeling, fake metal brackets on corners, rusty old drawer pull.

This one was our cheapest find: FREE! It has a drawer, too.

Before: This is a good solid dresser for $40. It had been painted a strange pink color and then painted again in a brownish green.

After: A sturdy gray night stand and dresser with matching chunky drawer pulls. I LOVE these.

Before: A rusty green kitchen cart on wheels.

After: A bright red retro kitchen cart. So useful and cute!

I do not have a before picture of the dining chairs. We got a set of 6 from the thrift store. They are strong and in good condition but were very ugly. Just imagine old gross black and red flowered embroidered upholstery on the seats. They were gross. A staple gun, cheap Ikea fabric and a few hours later, they look like this!

This little metal stool was $14 and very rusty. It cleaned up nicely.

We did work hard, but made sure we got to play, too. Eli cuddled up with Grandmarmie and Grand diddy after a hard days work.

Eli testing out his new stick horse toy that Grandmarmie got him from the dollar store.

After a fun weekend with the fam, Dan and I packed up the U haul trailer and then drove back to St. Louis with my sister and my dad. Eli played with the dogs while we packed up.

It was fun hosting our first guests in our apartment. My dad and sister were so helpful while they were here. Dad spent time sanding down doors that wouldn't close, hanging up curtains and helping Dan pick up our craigslist washer and dryer. Abby was the official diaper changer/baby bather/babysitter.

Since being back in St. Louis, we have had more time to get to know our new city. Eli loves the zoo. Actually, we all do. It's the coolest zoo I've ever seen and it's free!



The penguins were my favorite. There is an inside exhibit that is REALLY cold! Sorry Seattle Zoo, but these penguins are so much cooler than yours!

The butterfly exhibit was my second favorite. We watched one come out of a cocoon. Sadly, there are no pictures.

Eli tried to catch a butterfly that landed on our stroller.

Eli and I explored the park across the street in our radio flyer wagon. It's similar to Green Lake in size but it's not a lake, it's a park. There is a great toddler playground and wadding pool inside this park. Very fun.

Besides getting to know the city, we have enjoyed unpacking and reconnecting with all of our belongings. It feels like Christmas opening boxes that we packed over 2 years ago.

Decdorating our apartment has been so fun for me. After this experience, I would love to write a book on how to decorate/furnish a home on a thrift store budget. I love the challenge of having limited cash but real needs to meet while not skimping on style. For those of you who have been asking me for pictures, here you go. For those of you who don't care about interior decorating, just skip this next part.
Living room:

Thrift store chairs. The storage ottoman and rug were both on major sale at Urban Outfitters.

Yes, we have two couches. We bought the cream one on craigslist for $40. The next day, we came across one of the gray couches that I had dreamed of owning. That dream ended when Dan's bike was stollen in Malawi and we no longer would have the money for a couch. Anyways, the gray couch was there and it was on sale and then half off of the sale price. We couldn't beleive it. By the end of the night, we were the proud owners of two great couches for under $200.
Coffee table was $10 at Salvation Army. Side table was $15 at an antique store and the lamp was a craigslist find.

Eli's room. The rug is Urban Outfitters, shelves are still on sale at Target and the orange storage baskets are $9 for two at Wal-Mart.

My first baby quilt. It still isn't finished, but you get the idea. I loved the idea of having bright orange and teal together, just in case we have a girl next.

The bathroom.

Hanging out on the front porch.

Eli's favorite part of the apartment is the mail slot. He sticks all sorts of stuff in there.


Eli and papa on the couch.
Update on Eli:
Eli is almost 15 months old. He is constantly walking. He loves to walk so much that he sometimes will walk in circles for a long time. He is almost weened which is sad for me, but I think it's time. He sleeps so much better now and I am thankful for that. No more night time feedings! Oh and he talks too. Besides all of his animal noises he makes, he also says "all done" pretty clearly.
Eli's new favorite thing to do is parade around the apartment in his towel after bath time.

We are definitely more settled now. St. Louis isn't home yet, but it's not nearly as strange as it was. Dan begins school next Thursday and he couldn't be more excited. Please continue to pray for us as look for jobs and set up.