(We missed you last week. Not sorry. We were doing life).


Adam J. Reeker got a Snapchat. I can't believe it.
He used to sit, staring over my shoulder with the most puzzled look on his face in awe at how I could spend up to 20 minutes perfecting my filters and then replaying my snaps to just laugh at myself over and over again....

(He's joined the club).


Can you seriously believe it's almost Fall? We have had such an awesome start to September with so many wonderful things to share!

#Gratefulfor: 

• Josh and Janet Brammier's new baby boy: Astyn Robert (we paid them a visit in the vlog)
• Random date nights out and weekends we are able to reconnect (Thank you sweet little baby Jesus)
• Our family (we have a ton of birthday's coming up and just can't wait to celebrate)
• The Future Wolverton's (Our friends Jeff and Sarah are getting married this coming weekend! Adam attended Jeff's bach. party this past week and made him a special gift- also in the vlog). 
• Great relationships and new friends 

We finally picked out and installed our kitchen backsplash... and by we I mean Adam because let's face it, I am not to be trusted with a hammer or any kind of power tool.


(Video at the Bottom) 
The ideas swirled in our heads since we moved into our home.  Typically, you'd pick something from the builder and just have them install, but as we looked at the showroom, we didn't find much we were super impressed with.  At that time, we made the decision to just get a credit (you'd be surprised how small that credit actually is) and would pick out and install our own shortly thereafter.

I'll admit, I am impressed with the fact it only took us about 6-8 weeks to get it in, given all we've had going on. Adam's parents took a last minute trip to the coast so he had some time this week to complete the project at home.  (Poor guy, it seriously took quite a bit of effort).  However, it turned out amazingly and we are both so happy with the end result.

Our original intent was to stick with something very simple.  Grey or white subway tile with contrasting grout.

Option 1: Grey Subway Tile with white grout which would contrast with the countertops and pair nicely with the dark espresso stained cabinets.

Found at Home Depot

Inspiration - Idea Board

Option 2: White Subway Tile with grey grout.  Adam also did this in a home; however, they had white cabinets and it turned out beautifully! We did find though, that upon putting the white up against our quartz white and gray countertops, the white looked too stark and did not pair well with the countertops.

Idea Board

Also found at Home Depot

Option 3: Was what we ended up choosing and became the perfect combination for our kitchen.  It was more detailed than I originally anticipated what we'd go with, but it turned out beautifully!
If you're interested the brand is Framework - and it's the Polished Marble Mesh-Mounted Mosaic found at Home Depot.
You'll have to check out our vlog, as the photo below doesn't give it the dimension (or the justice) it deserves.

Another home project successfully completed by the handsome and oh-so-talented hubby!
This week's vlog includes our process in picking out the backsplash, as well as me playing one of the best rounds of golf of my life. (That's not saying much). :)

Hope you're having a solid Labor Day weekend!

Cheers to all you laborers.
- Us for Real

Football season is taken very seriously at the Reeker household.  From Big Red Overreaction, watching old highlight videos to epic game day, we bleed Scarlet and Cream here my friends.

As we welcome the first game this Saturday, I am mentally preparing for the beating my brain (and my ears) are going to take for the next 3-4 months (pending bowl game eligibility). While I am super jazzed to cozy up, grab some new gear and root on the Sker's with my closest family and friends.... (or by myself), I am here to support you football fans who may (or may not) wholly enjoy the touchdowns, analysis and your Uncle Bob screaming at the top of his lungs in hopes the coaches can hear him through the TV and run the right gosh darn play.... (will they ever learn?).

Nonetheless, I bring you my tips for Surviving Husker Football Season. (Links to a few food recipes and notable items from the video below!)


Check out my Pinterest Board with Game Day Approved Recipes 

• Jalapeno Chicken Soup *
• Chicken Tortilla *
• Cabbage and Blue Cheese Soup - (you'll have to pry this from his cold dead hands). 

*Similar to what Adam makes (he promises we will do a video on how to make this). 

Husker Tee Shop - Talk Herbie to Me: The Daily Tay on Etsy 


See you Sunday and GBR!
Us (for Real)

Last weekend marked the debut of our awesome bridesmaid speech at the wedding of Megan and Jason Dixon.  While I have put my speech and show choir days behind me, from time-to-time, I will bust out my inner stage-gal to showcase some love for a good cause.  This wedding was that cause.

A longtime friend of mine (Ash) got married to an amazing man and I was honored to be standing by her side.  What a blast. From the initial engagement (he surprised her with a trip to the Dominican and got down on one knee) to planning the bridal shower, late nights drinking wine and enjoying our friend Makayla's homemade flatbreads, to the wedding day, this was one for the books.

Typically (and I'm being totally transparent), I don't usually like weddings. But Megan and Jason's was one I truly enjoyed. What a solid couple. You could feel the love in the room.  Their band (yes, they had a live band) was epic and believe it or not, Mr. Reeker got out on the dance floor and taught this ol' broad how to pretzel.  (I have already told him we will be practicing some more...so much fun!)



Makayla, the Maid of Honor and I decided to commemorate these two with a song as our wedding toast/speech.  Jack and Diane by the John Cougar Mellencamp was the tune and we had such a blast creating this and putting on a show for the two love birds .... and their 200 friends and family.
Megan and Jason are avid hikers, love the outdoors, antiquing (they're both super creative), live music, GOOD music and craft beers.  Jason grew up a gymnast and went to the University of Iowa.  The song came together so easily and we could barely contain ourselves we were laughing so hard when practicing. A huge thanks to Adam for grabbing his iphone to film; later on, the videographer told us he'd be sending us a copy of the professionally cut version. He said he now had his background music for the entire video montage. hahah.


All-in-all a great weekend. I was definitely a pile come Sunday and needed some serious R&R. Nonetheless, it was an epic weekend I hope Megan and Jason never forget.

See you soon!
-Us for Real

I found creating my Top 5 Tips for Staying Organized has helped me keep a clear head (and home) and has been awfully beneficial as we moved into our first house.

The world is a crazy place.  I still don't know how parents manage to keep it all together.  I find myself in awe at my sister-in-law who has 5, yes FIVE, children and always manages to show up to family functions looking put together, happy and always as beautiful as can be (cheers to you, Tachelle).  I honestly feel like I can barely hold myself together some days and I only have to take care of myself... and Adam, though, let's face it, he takes plenty good care of me most days.

As we've transitioned into our new home, our lives are seemingly the same, just at a different address.  I found my head and my stuff strewn throughout the house and quickly realized I would need to setup some systems of organization or drive myself nuts for the remainder of the year if I failed to do so. Hence, I bring to you, My Top 5 Tips for Staying Organized.

Tip #1: Keep a planner- paper or electronic is awesome.

I recommend getting something that allows for you to see a snapshot of both your month and your week. Utilizing a planner for both work, business and personal keeps all of my scheduling and to-do's in front of me.
Google Keep is also a super easy to-do and task-master that has both a mobile and desktop site. Sticky notes no more!  Google Keep was a lifesaver as we were getting our home setup. Check out this super awesome video on how to utilize Google Keep.

Tip #2: Get your Day Ready the Night Before

Ever wake up late? End up having to rush out the door and feel like a hotmess the rest of the day because you forgot half of your stuff at home, didn't get in 10 minutes to read or journal your thoughts in the AM and are craving the protein bar you left on the counter? I have been there.

Tip #3: Setup Certain Areas in your Home for Key Items 

This includes your keys, bags, purses to your mail (incoming and outgoing).  Instead of just throwing things on the counter or in the junk drawer and then asking yourself, "Where in the heck did I put the..." you'll know exactly where you put them!

Tip #4: Take 5-10 Minutes to Tidy Up 

This is my secret to a happy home.  Take 5-10 minutes a night or in the AM to just tidy up.  You don't need to deep clean your toilets (save that for a rainy Saturday afternoon), but you can just pick up the little items you may have left out from the day.  I love taking a little bit of time before we head to bed to tidy up (even if it's just one or two rooms) and then calling it quits for the day.
Check out this awesome snapshot from Pinterest with a Schedule for Keeping your Home Tidy Year Round! 

Tip #5:  Get Some YOU Time

You may not think this helps you stay organized, but a clear mind equals a clear home, car, work, inbox... etc, etc. It can be something as indulgent as an hour massage a month to something as simple as 10-15 minutes a day to read or take a walk.  You have to take care of yourself.

I hope you enjoy! And if you don't, please let us know in the comments section below. We'd love to get your thoughts as we build this bad-boy out.

See you Sunday!
-Us (for Real)

Okay seriously August, go home, you're drunk.

This month has been a ham-sammich of greatness. I'm sitting in our office with nasal-drip, a nasty chest cold and enjoying the soothing smell of peppermint and lavender oils as they fill the air and (hopefully) clear my nasal passages.

My sincerest apologies for missing the vlog last week.  Typically, that's not my MO; however, that's the way the cookie crumbled. Good news is, we are trying something new on Us For Real and will have a blog up for you on Wednesday, yes, Wednesday. (be on the lookout) as well as some epic wedding footage next week from my bff Megan and Jason's wedding this past weekend.

What a blast.

All-in-all, it has been a solid month.  I think we both need a couple of serious days to recoop and chill (hello Labor Day weekend), but it's been worth it.  Jut know, there are good things in store for this little vlog... hang with us. If you stick around long enough this week and listen REALLY closely, you'll hear our infamous Uncle Tank tell one of his many tales... seriously, probably one of my top 5 favorite people in the entire world. :) We had a blast with he and his wife, "Teenie" a few weeks ago as we went out to dinner at one of our favorite and (now) local joints, Farmer Brown's Steakhouse.

And now, the most random vlog of your life. Get ready to smile. or judge us. or both. :)

Love you long time!
-us for real

Our first home has been a learning experience for both Adam and I.  We were blessed to have purchased a 'spec' home, which had the foundation poured and was framed when we signed the paperwork.  Given the land evaluations during this time in our area, this ended up being a major  blessing (walking in favor).

In early March, we had just toured a home that had the potential to be our first home.  It was a sure-fire fixer upper and would require a lot of Adam's time and attention, outside of his normal project-load for Renovations & Restorations. We had always said we wanted a certain layout, in a certain area for a certain price... if you're familiar with the market in the Omaha, NE area, you know this is a tall order, given the current state of things.  Homes go for over market-eval, with little upgrades and it is certainly a sellers market.  The inventory cannot keep up with the demand in the Heartland.

As we walked through this home for a second time, my hopes and dreams of a home in 2017 began to slowly die and I, began to grow hopeless.  I remember going to my car, as the sinking feeling of being in our tiny apartment for another 12 months began to set in.  Let's just say, I had a good, white-girl-ugly-cry that day.  God bless my husband for his never-ending faith and ability to always cheer me up, he hugged me and told me it was going to be okay.

.... oh child of little faith... it was going to be.  God had other plans in store for The Reeker's.

Later that evening (and without my knowledge) Adam was surfing the local MLS, as he typically did for flip homes and ran across a little listing northwest, in an area we always said we would love to be in. He sent it over to his mom and said, "This is our home."  That next morning, he asked me to drive by the area because he wanted to know what I thought of it.  I immediately thought Adam was sending me to scope out a new home for a Renovations & Restorations project and did my due diligence.  I marked the area, commented on the cute neighborhood, new construction and the benefits of being close to a school.  Later that evening, we spoke and Adam said, "I am glad you liked it.  We're going to look at the model tomorrow." .....

Wait. What?
Yep. The Lord cleared a path and we found a home in the area we wanted, with the layout we desired and for the price we spoke.

I say again, "oh me of little faith..." haha. I seriously did not believe our Lord could be so good. But, the man came through.

The next few weeks were a blur, we toured the model, signed the paperwork and had exactly 7 business days to pick out our finishes and submit to the builder.  For those that are interested, our builder was Regency Homes  we can give a further review of our experience with them in a later blog.  :) The neighborhood we would be calling home was not "builder exclusive"; however, Charleston Homes has the majority of the lots in "the hood".

We had a blast picking our items and often laughed after picking items out, hoping we would remember what we picked and that it would all come together okay in the end. (Needless to say, it did).

From there, we put our heads down and worked. Throughout the home building process, Adam and I took on new projects at worked, transitioned 3LE Team to a completely new partnership (so excite), took a vacation and celebrated 10 years together. HOLY LIFE LIVED BATMAN.

We were so blessed to be able to document the last 5 months of our lives; as quickly as they went by. Was it all sunshine and rainbows? Hell no. We had many real moments, moments of me losing control of my emotions and being a total girl, heated conversations and lots of late night conversations... but we made it through.

We're on week 4 in our home and it feels like home.  We both love being able to come home after long days and build our lives here.  We've already created so many memories in this home and cannot wait to create many, many more.

This vlog is a snapshot of the home building process from sticks, to walls, to home. We love you all and hope you enjoy!


See you,
Us (for Real)