Realtor By Day, Mommy by Night (and day and all the time!)

This was a big week both at home and at work

I had my first two closings and got my name on a yard sign!

I was supposed to close on a condo as my very first closing, but due to some holdups (which I'm learning is par for the course), this closing came a day after Daniel closed on our THIRD investment property!

Though I was kind of excited about my first closing being outside of the family, there is truly no one I would rather share life's special moments with than my wonderful husband.

This was a different type of investment for us, as our first was a huge project.  We stripped the Brooks house and redid it completely over a year's time, turning it into a home we would be happy to live in, should we ever need to downsize.

Our second investment property was buying the house Daniel lived in during high school.

This was the first time we purchased a home based strictly on investment potential with no emotional ties.  It is an awesome four bedroom in our favorite Fort Walton Beach neighborhood- 

Elliot Point, of course!

Though there were many ups and downs in the process, everything worked out in the end and we are excited to begin another landlord adventure!

The very next day after closing with Daniel, everything came together for Joel's closing.

 

As an active duty service member, Joel was able to take part in the Paula Sherman Team's partnership with Heroes Home Advantage.  This meant our team wrote Joel a check at closing to thank him for his service!

We are still helping Joel through some last minute hiccups in his beautiful waterfront condo, as our relationship as Realtor does not always end at the closing table!

Also this week, my sign riders came in!  This means I got to put my name out in front of my first listing!  Now we just need to get an offer!

Though I will be very sad to see my dear friends move away, I feel blessed that they have given me the opportunity to list their home.

I am loving the fast paced whirlwind life of a realtor by day!

However, my favorite moments are by far those with my Martin crew!

Family Photo Drop

My mom gave Potatoes spray chalk...he could only spray it if he used both thumbs...

At hibachi to celebrate our closing

An appropriate fortune for Daniel

The cuteness

Thought I broke something in my foot, but it was just a pulled muscle.  Still hurts a week later, but I am fully mobile so that's a blessing!

Also this same week, all three of us drove out to Pensacola to confirm 

that Potatoes needs tubes in his ears

Afterwards, we enjoyed Cinnabon and Skyzone trampoline park

                                       

I got to spend some time with my ECAC fam this week, too!

We were saying goodbye to Lydia, who is moving to Austin  

She is going to kill it as a BCBA in such an awesome city!

Finally this week, we got to celebrate Brynlee turning 2 at an amazing

ice cream themed pool party

Inner tube races

I think the dads had more fun than the kids!

We love our Hunter family so much

This was a very, very busy week filled with excitement and adventure!

This cutie rages until he passes out.  Every day.

Glad he fits so well into our Martin family!

Showering Baby Ward

Last weekend, I made a quick trip home to Atlanta.

One of my very best friends, Rachel, is getting close to having a baby boy with her husband, Tyler.

I didn't think I was going to be able to make the trip, so I called Rachel to tell her that I hated to miss the shower.  With both of us having crazy schedules, we never actually connected on the phone.

With a last minute change, I was able to head to Atlanta while Daniel stayed home with Alexander.

I ended up surprising Rachel by being there!!

I love this pretty lady so much!

It was so great to see my beautiful friend.  She was the first of our group to have a baby, EIGHT years ago!  Now, she is ready to welcome another little boy.

Of our college friends, we now have 12 babies (I think I'm counting right) and there are only two girls.  It wasn't a surprise when we found out both Rachel and Shelly were having another boy to add to our pack!

Funny story- apparently, there was another Rachel and Tyler Ward baby registry in Georgia!  Rachel opened this pillow and asked, "Did I register for this?"

Possibly just as strange I didn't see that registry, but bought her this pajama set that matched the pillow in question perfectly!  Maybe you should think about changing your nursery decor???

Baby argyle socks-cuteness!

Rachel's longest friend, Annick, is about to go into Real Estate, also!

These beautiful ladies through a fantastic shower that was perfectly Rachel!

I drove to Atlanta late Saturday and left after the shower Sunday.  Despite the trip being incredibly short, I missed my little man so much.  This was only the second night I had ever spent away from him, and last time I was out for the Night to Shine Special Needs Prom, so I was very busy dancing the night away.  This time, my mom and I watched a movie and then I had breakfast with my dad and Jay.  Though it was a great, slow paced trip, it was strange not having to run after my crazy toddler.  

I love you already, Baby Ward!

  

Happy Independence Day!

Our family, including Uncle Bryan, had a great time participating in a new family tradition this year!

Every year, ERA American Real Estate helps spread national pride by putting out flags in honor of Independence Day.

Paula, my awesome team leader, ordered over 500 flags for our team!

The Martin clan excitedly agreed to put flags up in our immediate neighborhood, and enlisted Bryan to help.

The neighbors were excited to see us out and about!

It took only a little while to teach the littlest Martin that the flag needed to stay off the ground.

The weather was hot, hot, hot, and soon, Alexander was very grateful for the wagon.

We had an awesome little summer break celebrating our nation's history!

On Monday, we headed to Pensacola to the trampoline park.

Daniel and Bryan had a blast dunking, playing dodge ball, turning flips, and all other possible shenanigans while Xander and I had a blast in the toddler zone

We arrived right at his usual nap time, but in true Potatoes style, he raged full force!  In the last 10 minutes of our allotted hour, he definitely slowed down, though.  He would smile and laugh as I threw him into the foam pit, but as soon as he landed, he would whimper, "daddy."  Once Daniel came to the toddler area, though, Alexander rose up and got all his energy back!

Needless to say he slept the whole way home

The next day, we celebrated the fourth with a relaxing morning, then headed to Paula's house for a bit before going back home for pool time and grilling out with Bryan, Adam, and the Ramirez crew.

Once it got dark, we headed back to Paula's for the best firework display I have ever experienced.

They had 109 boxes and 400 roman candles.  The show lasted a full 30 minutes- longer than the Destin show, which we could see in the distance!

The fireworks were lined up along the dock, which Daniel loved being involved in setting up.  During the show, we saw three fires ignite, and Paula's husband, Bill (the grand maestro of the show), jumped in the water and swam out to extinguish.  It turns out it was just the cardboard from the boxes that caught fire so no damage done.  Bill ended up staying on the dock and laying down on it, watching the show from directly beneath.

It was truly spectacular!

Alexander was precious.  He said, "Wow!  Wow!" after every single explosion.  All of a sudden, he was fast asleep...through the final ten minutes of the booming show.  When we got home and got him ready for bed, he woke up just enough to say, "Wow!" one more time, then he started clapping, and fell right back to sleep.  I guess he thought he had woken up for the finale!

I am excited to be a part of a company and a team that is so strong and also knows how to throw a great party for this wonderful country!

Happy Independence!