Making an Apartment a Home

We have officially been here in Omaha Nebraska (well just outside Omaha) for about 12 days. Probably not enough time to make concrete opinions on how things are so far BUT I will admit, so far so good! We have probably been too busy with settling in to really realize how big of a move and adjustment this is and to be honest, I am thankful for that. Of course I already miss my family and if I think about it for too long, I'll definitely become sad but no matter where I go in this entire world, so long as I am with Kyle, that will be home.

We have a lot of crap. EVEN after moving into Kyle's parents basement and "downsizing" as much as possible, there were STILL so many bins of books, art supplies, novelties, whatever. I power housed the unpacking process like A CHAMPION OF LIFE because I just wanted the apartment to feel like home already! Within two days there were only three bins left to unpack but really they are things Kyle and I need to go through and ask if it's something we really want to keep, sell, or toss. We have a majority of the bins that we were able to unpack just sitting out on the deck cause I don't know what to do with them. The good thing is that the apartment is unpacked and livable!

My favorite job in being a wife is making wherever we live a home. I enjoy making our apartment feel as much like ours as possible such as hanging up pictures, organizing clothes, making dinners, doing whatever it takes to make coming home from work as relaxing as possible. Some may think that I am being too "1950's beaver cleaver" wife but that's like a compliment to me. I remember Kayley Cuoco getting flack for this comment about serving her husband and feeling like a housewife but I have to say YOU GO GIRL! I enjoy serving my husband. I enjoy being the housewife. Doesn't mean I am any less of a woman for doing it IN FACT it makes me exactly what God has asked us to be as wives! Kyle is very grateful and loving to me for providing the warm home feeling. I feel that some may fear their husband becoming demanding or harsh because they are looked at as being weak or lesser but that is so not true. If I didn't make dinner I think Kyle would eat PB&J everyday. I am keeping him alive (hahaha just kidding). I enjoy being the 1950's housewife, she looks good vacuuming in pearls.

Here's a few tips for making anywhere you live a HOME: 

1). Make Yummy Dinners

 I made this yummy lemon chicken piccata for dinner one of our first nights here. So simple, so easy, one skillet (thank you Pinterest). I work full time so anything that is easy to make after work or before work is always good for me. The best way to feel at home is cooking like mom! My mom is always an inspiration for food I even called her yesterday to get her recipe for balsamic roasted brussel sprouts. If you don't like this delightful vegetable I suggest trying it again! Just roast in the oven at 405 for about 20 minutes (I tossed them in a bowl of olive oil salt and pepper before placing them in the oven) and in the last five minutes I drenched them in some balsamic vinegar. MMM yummy for my tummy. That's the one real comfort for a new place in my mind is having some good home cooked meals! Associating anything with food is always great!

2.) Decorate, Hang pictures, Be Proud

I love that my new apartment has a fireplace and a mantle to decorate. I went to Homegoods and target to make this beauty. It's nice to have things to look at that make if cozy. I found on pinterest the best way to decorate a mantle: candles for movement, pictures for sentimental reasoning, mirror or large accent piece, and I needed a clock in the room to tell time since we don't have cable so when I saw that teal awesome colored retro clock I pretty much revolved the color pallet around that! I framed one Kyle's Honorable Discharge paper and hung that in his "man cave". He should be so proud of his accomplishments and look at it everyday. I am so proud of doing these things myself. Hanging up all those pictures behind the couch, making the place feel warm and inviting, it's something to pat yourself on the back for! 

3.) Get Involved 

One of the best things about this move was that we both have jobs right when we got here (obviously Kyle since that was the reason we moved) but I was able to transfer which was such a blessing to have two incomes! We already have met some wonderful people at our jobs. Kyle got some good suggestions for places to eat/ visit. I was already invited out by a really wonderful couple that I work with so it makes it feel more homey when you begin to make friends and make connections. Biggest challenge is just figuring out the area although everything is pretty much one major route with side roads connecting them all. We are also in the process of finding a new Church which is very intimidating here since there is a bible believing church on pretty much every street corner. I did attend one this past Sunday that felt just like home and that's always a good thing. A few couples that were our age which is again a wonderful way to get involved with the community!

Kyle and I are doing very well though. Really loving our new apartment, getting to know the area, getting in tune with our "new" jobs, and all around just spending time with one another. Nothing is better than starting a new adventure with your best friend. Happy to be in Nebraska.