Humble Beginnings & Happy Anniversary!

It was 8 years ago today that Joey and I got married and began our lives together under one roof.

I had just turned 23, and he had just turned 24. 

We didn't own anything but his old, beat up Dodge. 

And for $600 rent each month, we started out here. (Holy hedges! I sure did cut those and plant flowers.)

The night we got the keys to the rent house, we celebrated accordingly. 

We lit candles and ate a pizza.

The house was tiny, extremely outdated and a bit unsightly.  

There was no fancy dining room to speak of, unless you call a heinous wall heating and air unit "fancy".  ;)

We had no furniture to sit on, and my gracious parents would buy us our first couch. 

Yet, despite all the "lack" in the natural, our cups were overflowing.

And knowing that this season in our lives wouldn't last forever...

that one day 

we'd have more than enough...

and that we'd want to look back at how far we've come...

I made sure to take all these "insignificant" pictures. 

Now, I can't help but smile when I see them.  

A lot has changed in 8 years. Including our love. 

You see, it's grown deeper. More enduring. 

We eventually bought our first home shortly after our first anniversary. We've been here ever since, and I've developed ODD - Obsessive Decorating Disorder. Fortunately, I tend to do it on a dime. :)

{Our kitchen island - free. Tour the kitchen HERE.}

{Vintage flatware - .49 cents to $1.}

{Liberace's candelabra ;) - $2.50 at a G sale.}

{Ornate entryway mirror - free curbside find.}

{Ornate golden mirror #2 - $9 at Family Dollar!}

{We like to leave the "drawings" on the walls.}

This is the house where we brought home Grayson and Sutton. 

And this is the house where we've fattened up our two 130+ pound sister labs, Penny Lane and Lucy. 

{That was then, this is now.}

One thing hasn't changed over the course of time, though. 

We still LOVE to hang out in sweatshirts and pajama pants!

 To Joey: 

Thank you for working tireless hours to provide for our family. Thank you for never being too tired to play with the kids. Thank you for loving me even when my hair looks like a hawk's nest and I'm wearing a Chuck Norris t-shirt. Here's to growing old together.

Thanks for reading, friends. 

This week I'm linking up with these lovely blogs:

A Bouquet of Talent at Life On Lakeshore Drive

Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours

 Be Inspired at Common Ground

Linky Parties at Redoux Interiors

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

 Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

 Blissful and Domestic

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

 Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

  Delightful Order

Embracing Change

Doing You Well Wednesday at Prowess and Pearls