#dwh2

I started a new hash-tag on Instagram last Wednesday. #dwh2 - That stands for Dow Ward House 2. I started to type it all out, but then I realized that isn't something that I want to type on a regular basis.
What this means is that as of next week, we will no longer live in #dwh1. (That hash-tag doesn't exist yet.)

As I shared in one of my most previous posts, we had some news to share (again, NO BABY).
This is item number one. I am not going to overload posts, so this will do for now.

When we moved into our current house, every single element of the house was in pristine shape, finished/updated/complete. We didn't have to do a single thing.  In searching for the new house, we selected one that needed some updating, but could stand to sit for a while as is. We have been looking for approximately 2 years and had mostly looked in Midtown Memphis, where we currently live. About 3-4 weeks ago, we found a house that is not in that neighborhood, but that we both went "Ga-Ga" over. Alas, we're moving to East Memphis just blocks away from my beloved St. Mary's Episcopal School. (I think Geoffrey thinks I'm going to walk to school next year...I'll consider it.)

While I'm naturally not going to reveal the exact address, I will share with you some photos.

laundry room

 Butler's pantry

 Master bedroom

 Entry

 Living room

 Living room (another view)

 Dining room (glass wall out to the indoor pool)

 Kitchen (looks much better in person)

 More hip...Less scary

 Breakfast room 

My pink bathroom (master bath #1)

This past weekend, we spent practically every waking minute running car loads of the random things over to the house. We took all of our clothes, and bedding, most of the kitchen, all the stem wear, etc. Things that are breakable and have many pieces, etc. The piano movers come tomorrow, and the furniture movers are coming on Thursday.  

I'm so excited to get all of the pieces put together in the house. Right now, there are lamps in one room, artwork in another, kitchen unpacked and in it's place, clothes where they go in their proper closets, etc. More fun to come!

Union Univeristy Graduation - May 18, 2013

Saturday was a very exciting day. 

I graduated with my second masters degree from Union University.

The hubs and I after graduation. 

Unfortunately, my family was not able to be here on Saturday. 

Mom was taking part in her own graduation events in Kansas. 

She had students graduating. 

I thought it fun that at nearly the same time, while she was declaring degrees 

in Kansas I was getting one in Tennessee.

Alas, you never go through graduation alone. 

In this picture, a family friend from our church and also 

the mother of two of my school students.

Here we are after the graduation ceremony in Jackson. 

You may have noticed from some of these photos that my hair is different. 

I caved. 

I have ombre hair no more. 

I'm all brown, once again. 

How'd I do? 

...back to graduation...

 walking in was a ton of fun...

There were a ton of graduates, and guess what they called ALL the names. 

Which, you're always glad for...but it takes a while.

 Good thing our division was close to the front.

One thing I find interesting about living in "The South" is the age of things.

For example, the school I teach at is in it's 166th academic year. 

Union University just had it's 188th annual graduation. 

Coming from Kansas...things aren't quite as old.

 there I am in the program

The campus looked really pretty as we lined up to walk in. 

 I was so excited to get this little puppy in my paws. 

Once we sat down our whole row was quick to open the leather bound diploma.

Ahhhh....Done.

This just in : Blue Dot Strut Tables : WishList

Do you see that pink table she's sitting on?

Well...actually it's not "pink" it's "watermelon".

As described by Blue Dot.

And guess what...I want one.

That's all. 

Happenings in May

I can't believe that May has nearly come and gone and ALSO that another school year has nearly come and gone.

Many great things happening for the Dow Ward household in May 2013. Some to share in about a week, some news that has already been celebrated, some that will be celebrated in the first of June and more.

To share as of now...
My Mother's book is being published this summer. That is exciting news at our house. You can see her book HERE.  We look forward to celebrating with her when they come for a Memphis visit in early June.

I graduated from Union University on Saturday, May18th. It was a lovely service and was outdoors. I was afraid the whole time it was going to start pouring down...alas it didn't. The breeze was lovely, it was, as my father in law says, "rather civilized".

We are 99.9% sure we will have an international student living with us next year. She will be a junior at St. Mary's Episcopal School where I've been teaching for the past 3 years. She is from Thailand and we are so excited to have her. Her name is Tongta and as it turns out Tongta roughly translates to "pretty" in Thai. And that she is.

As per the other 2 items of news...I'll give you a shout out in about a week..or so!
(NO BABY...in case you were wondering.)

Wondering what graduation looked like? Click on my Instagram feed on the top right of my blog!