Miami was calling

A fresh start back in my hometown.

As I start 2020 with so much to look forward to, I remember how far we've come to get to this point in our lives. Last year specifically was an entire year of MAJOR changes, adaptations, and reshuffling of our lives. It encompassed most of life's STRESSFUL events bundled together but with a huge silver lining. I am excited to turn over a new leaf in 2020. Everything from motherhood, to a new wardrobe, to new friends and experiences. I am so ready to start FRESH this year in so many areas and I'll be sharing glimpses of my life with you. But first, let me take you on a quick tour of how intense 2019 went for us.

“I. was. flabbergasted. I knew I wanted to cleverly surprise him. How was I suppose to contain this excitement and finish working for the next two hours, all while sitting right next to him?”

DECISION TO MOVE ​We had been living in Raleigh, NC for almost two years of which 90% of that time was spent #renovating our "forever home"ourselves. Sweat equity with a side of blood and tears would describe our time in NC. We worked so hard to bring life back to this historical, 150 year old, southern colonial brick home. We were careful to preserve it's charm while making modern updates throughout.

When the 2018 holidays rolled around, we decided to spend it back home in Miami. Our family had just traveled up to spend Thanksgiving with us in our home and when they left, we felt such a void that we instantly knew we could not spend Christmas apart from them, so the decision came easy. While in Miami, we made the most of our time there. We visited all the friends and family we could jam pack into our schedule and had a blast. Although, in the midst of all the festivities lingered a stressful situation. I had been trying to conceive for the past 5 years and had been unsuccessful. I miscarried the summer of 2018. That was a tribulation and a type of grief that only those who have experienced it can understand. I was now on my 6th and last round possible for a medication to aid in becoming pregnant and when I tested negative on yet another pregnancy strip just days prior to Christmas, I was so beyond frustrated and felt completely defeated. It was at THIS time that I finally gave up. I decided I was going to take a break and truly disconnect. I resolved to enjoy my time in Miami and our lives together as it were.  ​ On the way back home we started having conversations about the real possibility of moving back home to Miami (which was a big deal considering we had only been in NC for 2 years and had JUST FINISHED renovating our dream home.) We had so much to think about, but overall, being homesick, missing family and warm weather prevailed. After about a week of going over pros and cons, then mulling over every single detail of a relocation, there was an overwhelming sense that this was the direction that we needed to take for our future. Decision was made!

WORK TRANSFER While I wasn’t sure if I would have a job come the new year, due to restructuring at work, I had setup a meeting with my supervisor to discuss my options. I had been working part time but here was talk of that option no longer being available. I went in to the meeting not knowing what to expect and came out having every option available to me in regards to hours and location. I was able to keep my part time job AND work remotely which meant, MIAMI, here I come!!! This was a huge blessing and relief.

THE PREGNANCY

The very next week, after I had the meeting with my supervisor, I had begun working from home in Raleigh as we started preparations for moving. That same week, I felt something different, even though there was no way I could be pregnant. It was too soon. I decided to try a pregnancy test just to put my mind at ease so I wouldn't be wondering about it for days. I remember working on my laptop on my bed with Matt sitting next to me.  I, of course, had to do this in secret so I stepped away to do the test strip at around 4 PM. I don’t think it even took a second for that strip to give me a BIG FAT BLUE POSITIVE that made me so confident I was pregnant, I didn't even bother to try a second strip. ​ I. was. flabbergasted. I knew I wanted to cleverly surprise him. How was I suppose to contain this excitement and finish working for the next two hours, all while sitting right next to him? I don't think I was able to process a single word he told me for the next two hours. I’m not sure how I held it all in and kept my cool but I finished work and then immediately set up to surprise him with the great news. I told him there was one more Christmas gift that I had saved for him in his Christmas stocking that I had forgotten about and remembered as I started putting Christmas decorations away. He reached inside and opened the tiny box with the little strip lying inside. Complete silence. He was beside himself and it took him a minute to sink in because he was cautiously excited. It was one good news after the other and it was only the second week of January.

THE MOVE After having a bad experience with one of the "top" real estate companies in Raleigh, we decided to sell our home ourselves! This was a bold move but we knew every nook and cranny of this home, the history, all the renovations we made, and were confident we could sell it for top dollar. With the help of our dear friend and attorney, we reviewed all legalities to cover our base. After almost 1 month on the market as FSBO (for sale by owner), we were under contract with the right couple. We knew they were the right buyers because they absolutely loved and appreciated everything we had done to the home and gushed over it. It didn't hurt that the offer more attractive than the previous one with the real estate company and all. Everything fell into place after that. 

Now we had to do the tedious part. Pack! Although, Matt took most if not all of the brunt of this part. He sent me on my way to Miami to start house hunting while he stayed behind to pack and move our stuff down. By the way, I don't recommend moving or relocating when pregnant. The stress levels rise to a whole new level. No bueno! Matt really deserves a medal but I am now realizing why he sent me away. ha! ​ SETTLING IN After two months of house-hunting in Miami and a few contracts later, we found the one. Matt had not even seen it in person but trusted me enough to put an offer on it. The timing worked out great because we were able to close and move in the same week Matt arrived. During our final walk through, which was the first time Matt saw the home, I was nervous the he would find something that he would not like about it but he loved it! Huge relief on my part! Luckily for us the home was turn-key and had been renovated over the last two years, ironically at the same time we had been renovating our home in Raleigh. God's perfect timing. Since then, we've had our beautiful baby boy who is now 5 months and hosted Christmas Eve dinner with our friends and family in our new home.

2019 was a whirlwind of changes, stress, and excitement. I am relieved it's over and I have so much to look forward to in 2020 as I start this blog. In a sense, I feel like I am starting over. We are starting over in my hometown. New home, new baby, new life changes! And with that I will be sharing #DIY #projects, #home #design, #gardening, and #landscaping designs, and glimpses of our family life and lifestyle in #Miami. I hope you enjoy the journey along with me.

xo,  Becca