Arkansas | Sarah Fortune

Halloween 2013

Sarah Fortune
November 3, 2013
1 Comment

This was Iris’ third Halloween, but the first time I think she actually “got it.” It was also the first time in our new neighborhood and the first time she went trick-or-treating door-to-door. We actually started our Halloween a couple weeks back at her school’s Fall Carnival. Each classroom was decorated in a different theme with games and prizes. There was a cake walk, petting zoo, snacks, friends… It was the sweetest thing ever.

Fayetteville Montessori Fall Carnival

On the actual day of Halloween we started on the town square. Downtown is one of my favorite parts about any holiday here in Fayetteville. It always makes me feel like we live in a movie. This year Iris’ grandparents joined us, so it was pretty special all the way around.

After the square, we came home to trick-or-treat around our new neighborhood. We teamed up with our neighbors and took it to the streets! Iris got pretty good about yelling “TRICK OR TREAT!” and about half the time would say “thank you” afterwards.

The night before we explained the process and let her practice at our own front door. Todd told her first to knock and then when I opened the door to give her candy, he asked Iris “what do you say?” Iris replied, “Hello.” It was pretty cute.

So long, Halloween 2013. You were swell!

Life, Photos

New House!

Sarah Fortune
October 19, 2013
2 Comments

We lived in our old house longer than I’ve lived in any other house in my life. But after nearly 8 amazing years, we sold our house on N. Maxwell Drive and bought a home with a little more room for our family. It’s so strange how your priorities in a house change once you have a child. Growing up in Memphis, I lived mostly in historic bungalows and to this day those are still my favorite kind of homes. Sadly, they are much harder to come by here in the Ozarks (unless you want to pay around the $500,000 mark). Plus, once we had Iris I realized that we needed more practical things checked off our list instead of historic charm. That said, we ended up buying a 1969 ranch style home that has been updated, but still holds a little of the older character. I can’t tell you how excited I was for a double car garage, two living spaces, a bathroom off the master bedroom, fireplace, tons of storage, neighborhood friends for Iris, etc. There are still some things we want to do to truly make it our own, but thanks to Todd we’ve already started doing little projects to make it just right.

Since it’s been a while since I’ve blogged (like, months and months.. sheesh), here are some photos of our life as we transitioned into our new home.

Photos, Pregnancy Blog, Words

Pregnancy Blog: 28 weeks

Sarah Fortune
July 25, 2011
5 Comments

Week 28 has been a great one! Even though I’m starting to find it difficult to catch my breath at times and rolling out of bed is starting to look like a circus act, I’ve managed to have a pretty darn good time. This past weekend my dad came to visit, which meant a lot since he lives about 5 hours away. He brought up lots of prizes, which were specially picked out by Cathy, Selah, and Lilah (my step-mom & little sisters). Let me just say that Iris’ wardrobe got even more adorable over the weekend.

My dad and I spent the weekend talking, eating, eating some more, roaming around town, and exploring my old campus. Lucky for Todd, he even finished up the last of the mudding on our kitchen drywall while he was here. As for Iris herself, baby girl is getting strong. This week I can feel either a hand or foot (I have no idea what is what in there), pushing with all its might like she’s trying to escape. I still can’t get over how surreal (and weird) it feels. It’s certainly a wonderful reminder that a real person is in there.

There was also good news from the doctor’s office this week. I passed my glucose test! I also got confirmation that my negative blood type is still not an issue. However, they did tell me that my iron was a little low, but just to eat more red meat and green leafy veggies. So yes, Todd and I have had steak and salad two nights since then. I can deal with that.

A few photos from the week…

Our stroll on the University of Arkansas campus

Snow cones!

Estate sale find (my daddy bought it for me)

Visiting Todd’s office

Sparking water from Mexico

My dad & the Grillenium Falcon grilled cheese truck

It was a lovely weekend indeed.
I just wish we all lived closer together.
xoxo

Photos, Pregnancy Blog

Home & Hearts

Sarah Fortune
May 26, 2011
9 Comments

Last week something quite amazing happened.

I’ve always known what great friends Todd and I have, but this time we were left in awe over how incredible they truly are.

The back story: Exactly one year ago we began experiencing problems with the roof on our house. Apparently the people that installed it before we bought our home did a faulty job and, over time, leaks have popped up in several rooms. Unfortunately, home owners insurance doesn’t cover this because the work was done prior to our purchase. We’ve tried to stretch out little fixes here and there while we attempt to save for a new roof, but of course with a baby along the way we have additional expenses to save for too. It does get tricky though, because in order to start working on the nursery we need a new roof, so that we can put up new sheetrock from the water damage, so that we can paint, so that we can move in furniture, etc.

Out of the blue on Friday, a couple of dear friends came over to drop off an early baby gift from a small group of our friends. They told us that they were recently discussing what to get us for the baby and decided they wanted to give us something we really needed. We weren’t expecting a thing when they presented us with a card and enough money for a…

brand. new. ROOF.

Without our knowledge, they gathered estimates and all pitched in so that we can move forward immediately with getting our house in tip-top shape for the baby. I cried (heavy tears, ya’ll) and mumbled something to the likes of, “I feel like I’m on Oprah.” It was the most generous, thoughtful gift ever.

I cried because it was a huge relief, but also because our friends did not have to do this. They didn’t have to think twice about our roofing-woes and they most certainly didn’t have to do anything about it.

But they did.

And out of love they came together to help. It was the sweetest, most incredible thing. Saying that we will be grateful for a very, very long time is an understatement. Thank you, friends. This means more than you know.

Here’s the card we received, handmade by Tim out of roofing shingles,
which will be framed and hung in the nursery.