Atwell Adventures

saying goodbye to our first home

As I’m surrounded by organized chaos in our apartment and waiting for the movers to arrive, it’s hard to believe that our time here is done.

Moving here in July was unlike any move I’d ever done before {and I’m not just talking about the husband part}.

I moved here knowing that more than likely at the beginning of the new year, we would be looking for a new place to live. Little did we know, it would actually happen in December!

Shortly after I got settled, I asked G to pray that I would open my heart to the people God was surrounding us with. Sometimes I can keep to myself – especially if I know that my time with someone will be short term.

Thankfully God allowed me to be open and in that process He allowed me to meet some wonderful people here.

From our friends through church to other officers and their wives, it’s interesting all the different people we’ve met in such a short time {I guess the fact it’s a military community helps that too}.

Telling all of them goodbye was sad, but it’s exciting to see all the people we added to our “family” these last few months.

Thanks to all of you for making our time here wonderful! We love you!

Atwell Adventures

our first thanksgiving

(I’m in the middle of organizing things we’re taking in our car and taking pictures off the wall… I can’t believe we’re moving tomorrow! ahh!)

At first I was a little intimidated by the idea of a Thanksgiving meal on our own here in Hampstead. But after a little bit of planning and pinning, it really wasn’t that bad and actually kind of fun.  With the exception of the 20 minutes we skyped with my family, it was by far the most quiet holiday I’ve ever experienced.  But there was something special about cooking, reading, and listening to music with G.  It was the kind of quality time we don’t very often find ourselves with.

Our menu consisted of turkey tenderloin {a little less intimidating than a whole turkey} and lots of carbs.  I don’t think I’ve ever cooked this much for two people – and are whole table was covered.  I also used our blue and white china for the first time!

First Thanksgiving | Atwell Adventures 2

Oh and I made my first pie!  {with store bought pie crust…shhh…}

first thanksgiving | Atwell Adventures

We also decided to start a new tradition that night. I asked Gary to pick out a movie for us to watch, one that we could watch every year on Thanksgiving {or at least the Thanksgivings we spend on our own}.  The only rules were it had to be a holiday movie and it had to be kid friendly.  He chose The Polar Express which somehow neither of us had seen all the way through.  A movie and hot chocolate on the stove with homemade whip cream – perfect end to a good day.

Thanksgiving 2013 – you were sweet and memorable.

First Thanksgiving | Atwell Adventures 3

How was your Thanksgiving?

31 days

31 days – fall 2013 – exploring our new city

When we  got married and I moved in with my new roommate husband in July, we decided that we would try to explore and experience our new city with the few months we had here.  Gary has lived in the area since 2011, but never this close to Wilmington, so it was semi-new for him too!

Wilmington love | Atwell Adventures

We live in Hampstead, North Carolina which is about 15 minutes outside of Wilmington.  In the three and a half months we’ve been here we’ve been able to experience local restaurants, different beaches, new coffee and dessert places, a gun range, community produce stands, thrift and antique shops, and the river walk.

wilmington | Atwell Adventures 3

wilmington | Atwell Adventures 2

wilmington | Atwell Adventures 1

I’m sad that our time here in our first home is getting shorter and shorter but I’m glad we’ve taken the time to experience the things around us in this beautiful city!

And I look forward to the same tradition when we move to Augusta at the end of the year!

31 days - newlyweds | Atwell Adventures