Something's Afoot.

A lot of things are, actually. I love being crazy busy. I don't love being crazy, though. Just busy. My new M.O. is Too Many Projects.

Project 1: Finish a basement bedroom for Preslie

Framing. The whole basement was already framed. Then I had a brilliant idea to put in another closet in the bedroom (2 closets?! great on so many levels) Then I had another brilliant idea to rip out the 1st closet and move it opposite the 2nd closet on the other side of the window. Then when my patient, loving, wonderful Father-in-law and wonderful, loving and patient husband were loading up their tools, I told them to frame in a window seat between the two closets. They didn't think it was so brilliant at the time, but I just knew it was the right thing to do. And I'm SO glad I asked them to do it! They did a great job with no complaining and only called me crazy ONE time. I deserved way more.


double closets with window seat in the middle!

This is after drywall. Same closets/window. My anxiety and guilt about asking the guys to do extra work is paying off! 

Same bedroom, different window-


Same window, now with drywall, trim, and primer-

This shot shows trim, baseboards, lighting, shelves in closets, paint, and floor.

 Doors added!

 The floor deserves its own chapter. I STRUGGLED with what flooring to do. I really wanted wood or pergo. Then I changed my mind and decided to do a stained concrete floor (awesome btw- google it). To stain the concrete, I had to strip all the paint overspray off. I scrubbed and scraped for days. I was exhausted and my husband was tired of my "brilliant" ideas. THEN I stumbled across a decorating blog and the gal had painted the concrete floor in her daughter's bedroom. I knew that was the answer to my unspoken prayers. I patched the couple of holes that were in the concrete from when I had the boys rip out the first closet. Then I cleaned the floor really well and then painted it with special floor paint. I then painted a seal overtop that gave it a shine and durability. That was the most painless and easy part about it-actually DOing it. The thought process and decision making and the SCRAPING were torture!

 Here is a before/after looking from the family room into the hallway to Preslie's room. You can see through the doorways the window seat in the distance!

before drywall

after drywall

My genius husband did all the finish plumbing for the shower and all the finish electric work (wired all the plugs and switches). He also installed more lighting in Preslie's bedroom. It was a lot work; he has no training in this field but he did it and saved us a TON of money. While this was all going on, we began finishing our backyard and had the sprinkling system put in. Then I decided mid-projects to go to Hawaii! I totally AM crazy. I admit and embrace that fact.

Another project to add to the pile: refinish Preslie's furniture. Here it is in all it's gaggy glory. Cream and gold! We decided to paint them bright white. We changed the handles also. SO much better.

Here's a tiny peak of Preslie's room that has been in the works and still not done! But at least she got to move in; and oh was she excited! She's not had a real bedroom since November 2012. Her stuff has been strewn all over the basement (see above pic) since we drywalled in February. She's been sleeping in the office or on the basement floor or in an unfinished bedroom with no door for 7 months. I sneaked in while she was sleeping tonight to get this pic so it's not great but it gives an idea of the vibe.

 It is coming along and looking so fun. I still have some way cool stuff I'm going to do. Finish the window seat is on the list!

mayday! mayday!

If I could sum up May in 2 words, they would be WHOA, NELLY. Being a woman that is normally on the edge, this month about pushed me over. May is as crazy as December minus the Christmas spirit. All of the field trips, reports, school projects, performances, and graduations are crammed into the same month. Add in a very near head-on with a semi, my dog getting in trouble with the law, cub scouts, landscaping my backyard, and finishing the basement and I'm ready to move on to June! Yay!

Here are some things that made me happy this month!

jumping in the rain

"I have a tail!"

good hikers

Preslie and I made these shorts today. Totally her idea. Yard sale season is in full swing here and I got the shorts and a white lace shirt at a yard sale this month. The sleeves on the shirt were so skinny, it didn't fit either of us. I was about to donate it when Preslie said, "lets cut it up and add lace to a pair of shorts." That's my girl. They turned out way cute!

I got a new church job: Relief Society instructor for 4th Sunday. Yay! I like a change even though I love cub scouts. I will be at Day Camp all day tomorrow and then do one more den meeting before kissing them goodbye.

Paradise Found

Last summer, my niece Aubrae got engaged to a kid she met at BYU-Hawaii. The wedding was scheduled for spring 2013 in the Laie, Hawaii temple. Of course I wanted to go to it with Dax (neither of us have been to Hawaii) but the plane tickets alone were going to be over a thousand bucks. I forgot about going and, long story short, about a week before the wedding, I booked a plane ticket and everything fell into place for my trip to Hawaii. Dax stayed to care for the kids, I arranged a few babysitters so he could keep his job, cancelled or delegated the rest of my committments, filled all the soap dispensers in the house, and I was off!

I hitched a ride to the airport with my childhood BFF, Katie. Love her. She totally brings out the kid in me. We drove for hours until we arrived at the airport in Boise, Idaho. Turns out it is way cheaper to fly to Honolulu from there. Like half the price. And it added a fun road trip onto the front and back of the trip.

I was met in Honolulu with a lei and a kiss from my sister, Trina and her family. So fun to see them again. They live in Florida and I hadn't seen them in almost a year. Her baby, 5 year old Zya, helped me not miss my kids with all her busy cuteness and good hugs. I met my new nephew-to-be, and Jason's parents were also there.

 We stopped at this Buddhist temple. I rang the gong for blessings and happiness. Check.

 Here is the view from the balcony of the 7th floor condo where we stayed. I could throw a stick to the beach. Those palm trees were like 200 feet tall! I just breathed in that misty, warm air. A great first day in Hawaii.

 The next day (Monday) was busy because we had to get all the last minute stuff for the reception. We went into Honolulu to shop. We stopped by Savers to find platters. I found some treasures..careful not to go overboard because I only brought one suitcase! We hit Sam's Club and Wal-Mart and then grabbed my parents from the airport! Yay!

 They were so excited. I loved being with them. I squeezed in the condo with everyone. 8 people in a 1 bedroom condo. They were so cool to let me crash their party!

 Here are Jason's parents sleeping on the air mattress. Their shoulders were on the ground about every 2-3 hours so Kent would fire up the insanely loud air pump periodically throughout the night so they could get some cushion! I woke up at 3:30-4am every morning (ready to party) for the first 3 days I was there because of the time change! If I'd been at home, that would have been sleeping in until 7:30 or 8!

 Tuesday was reception day. We all went to the stake center and decorated. I took a before picture because I was thinking how ugly this room was but look how cute it transformed!

Super fun. I took a break from decorating to go iron Aubrae's wedding dress and veil in her dorm room. It was small and her suitcases were everywhere because she was moving out. Oh, and it was 90 degrees in there. With 80% humidity. And the nightstand I ironed the gown on was about 18 inches square. Totally ideal, I'd say! A friend was doing her make-up and hair in there so I got to girl chat with them. So fun.

The bride with her Mama.

 Awesome. Me telling my Mom how to run my camera. These are the uncles and aunties who came.

The next day Aubrae and Kendrick both received their endowment. Then they were married! The sealing was awesome. I am so happy I was there to share the experience. Cool.

The Laie Temple is gorgeous. The grounds are amazing.

After that, everything else we did was just bonus. My Mom and I played at the beach by the condo.

This girl loves the ocean! Really fun to be here with my Mom. I will always cherish this.

Zya towing Mom on the boogie board. Such water dogs!

The next day we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Fantastic! Got a great flavor for all the different islands. Informative and entertaining!

This Samoan guy climbed a 50 foot coconut tree-shimmied right up. The guy was like, "this is the way we work out. Our program is called Tree 90 X". They were so fun.

Me and Dad at the PCC. I got him the hat at a blowhole by the ocean. I climbed down the rocks to get it. My Mom hates it! It is kinda ugly... but you can't pass up a free hat.

I snorkeled at Hanauma Bay. My first real snorkel experience. Super fun. I saw a sea turtle at arm's length! Plus tons of beautiful fish.

I met back up with Katie at the end of the week and we flew home together. A wonderful trip! So grateful for all who made it possible.
I was welcomed home with such enthusiasm! I forgot how cute my kids were and how handsome Dax was! They were so sweet. Funny how sometimes you have to travel 3,000 miles to realize that paradise is in your very own home.

too school for cool

 Preslie participated in "Nerd Day" at school as a part of Dr. Seuss week.  A fun couple in our community put on a whole zany week of craziness every year at the elementary and the kids look so forward to it. I love Preslie's individuality! She is so fun.

Hunter won the 3rd grade "Poetry Out-Loud" competition and went on to compete at the district level. He did not place and was devastated. It is hard to see your kid so down on himself. He felt like a loser, but I am so thrilled that he put forth the effort to TRY something. Doing nothing is the only way to lose. I treated him to lunch at McD's which is RARE. I don't like fast food and I am too cheap/practical to spend money on food I think is horrible for you. The kids loved it and Hunter felt a lot better with double cheeseburger under his belt!

I forgot to mention in my last update post that I had such a fun Valentine's day! Our church (ward) put on a super nice Valentine's dinner (sushi & prime rib) and hired a DJ for dancing afterward. SO fun. I knew people would be timid when it came to the fast dancing since we are all supposed to be proper "grown-ups" and all, so I went with full intentions of having fun and not worrying about what people thought of me. I danced every song and had the most fun. I enjoyed slow dancing with my sweetheart and feel so grateful to have scored such a great man!

 I celebrated 32 years on this beautiful planet and my friends and family were so good to me, as usual! I don't know why ANYONE would not like their birthday! Dax totally surprised me with a way nice wheat grinder, which I've been wanting for months. I was going to save my piano money and buy one. He gave me a super nice one after I woke up (he was so excited to give it to me). I found out later that he researched, talked to a neighbor about hers and had one shipped to one of my friends then picked it up from her without me knowing. I was surprised and so excited!
My dear friend threw a b-day lunch for me and eight of my girlfriends were there. She also watched my kids so Dax and I could eat dinner alone at our house. I went visiting teaching (last day of the month...I should plan ahead next Febrary!). It warmed my heart when my piano student came over with a cake he made for me! What 10-year-old boy does that?! It was so sweet. His little sister (also my student) played me a song on the piano entitled "Birthday Fun" out of one of her lesson books. I feel SO blessed to have good people in my life. My family is so dear to me. My friends are like family. I feel so healthy and happy.

The very next day, we celebrated Justin Bieber's birthday. Preslie organized this party by herself (with permission), printed invites, planned the activities, and made the JB dummy with her friend for the occasion. She has good friends and I hope she can use her creativity, spunk, and determination to make her life positive always!

 

 

Life is good. There is so much to be thankful for and so many people that we can learn from, especially those in our own home! My husband and kids are such a source of joy for me. My goal is to love and enjoy each day I have with them.

Hello March.

How did it go from Christmas to March? I still have Christmas cards taped to my railing. Here is a super fast awesome update.

Quinn- cute and sweet as ever. Loves her stuffed Yo Gabba Gabba toys. Plays and sings to herself. Attended a Fancy Nancy party at our library. Got asked to be a flower girl at my little brother's wedding this summer. Goes to sleep in her rocking chair instead of her crib.



Cutest girl at the superbowl party.

 Preslie- Does all homework without being asked. Sets her own alarm and wakes up for school and gets ready on her own before anyone else in our house is coherant. Sold 180 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies last month. Is getting tired of babysitting for me. Scared of our dog. Attended Young Womens New Beginnings since she will be 12 the end of the year. Budding pianist. Beautiful, fun, creative, responsible, determined. Excited to get her unfinished room in the basement finished! Planning a Justin Bieber party for her friends on his 19th b-day.

Tristie- celebrated the one year anniversary of the day I started running. Welcomed my new nephew into the family! Den leader to 8 rowdy cub scouts. Piano Teacher to 7 students. Finance manager of our family. Sewed a cute dress for my friend's new baby. Cooked kale for the first time- Yum. Currently trying to de-junk our basement. (How does our stuff keep multiplying?) loved the special time Mack spent away with his grandma and grandpa and realized how much that kid adds to our family! I will turn 32 on Thursday!

Mack- spent 8 days with his paternal grandparents and had a blast. getting sick of winter. still pats his little sister's head. doesn't like to go too many places- not preschool or church, usually wants his friends to come to his house instead of go there. Awesome Uno player. Cut his own hair. again. sweet, sassy, funny, brilliant boy.

Writing "No Severed Arms" on a sign that we hung in our house.

Hunter- brains and good looks coming out his ears. had fun helping his Dad build his first Pinewood Derby car. WON the Pinewood Derby. Loves crazy facts about nature, science, math, etc. Does not really like piano but does it to please his Mom. And to play video games. Super sweet brother to Quinn.

Dax- kicking butt in his new job. kicking his own butt with the Power 90 (P90X) workout- he is almost to 60 days! Builds a mean Pinewood car. dedicated teachers quorum advisor. Has way too many knives, guns, and other boxes of stuff in our basement. Went to the State Capitol for work this week.  Makes his own yogurt and chocolate eclairs. Took us to St. George to celebrate his Dad's 60th birthday with the whole fam. Helped his awesome Dad finish framing Preslie's room to get it ready for drywall. Best husband ever.

 That pretty much sums it up!

RING in the New Year

We travelled to Bountiful to see Dax's brother and his family after Christmas! They took us to their fun rec center to swim. We had just arrived, changed into swimsuits and walked out of the dressing rooms and toward the fun kid pools/waterslide and everyone was evacuating that pool area. The pump had stopped working and the water level was dropping in the pool. The lifeguards said we could swim in the lap pool. Upon opening the doors to enter the lap pool area, a shreiking, high-pitched alarm bell was ringing so loudly. The alarm was so uncomforable to listen to. I snapped this pic of my husband and it makes me laugh because he looks like he wants to kill something.  All the guests at the rec center were just trying to carry on and swim but everyone had such a disturbed look on their face. And no one I asked knew how to turn it off or when it would get turned off or when the fun pool would be opened back up.

Dax is having a relaxing swim!

 

Here is a much happier picture of the crowd! 

Fifteen minutes later, the "maintenance guy" showed up and deactivated the alarm and it was the best kind of relief. Apparanly he fixed the pump in the other pool; it then opened back up and we had a great time!

Fun to be with family! Adorable kiddos!

Sunday we drove over to my parents' house and Dax cooked dinner for my parents, 3 brothers, 1 Sis-in-law, a girlfriend and my aunt plus our 6 people. It was to celebrate my Mom's birthday coming up. I love volunteering my husband to cook for people. It makes them way happy. And I don't have to do much.

 

It was great to be with my family. My Mom is a wonderful lady and everyone loves her dearly. My Dad gave my Mom a nice DeWalt drill, which she loved. I myself have inherited a love for power tools from my Mom, I believe.

 

The next day was New Year's Eve. Mid-morning, my youngest brother Trent came walking in the house and handed me a box. a RING box. I opened it to behold a beautiful, one-of-a-kind ring and knew he and Kenzie would take ringing in the new year to a whole new level! YAY! He spent the afternoon in the garage building a sign out of lumber that spelled out, "MARRY ME".  He took his girl shooting at dark (below zero temps BTW) and my brother Tyrel and his wife set up the sign for him on a hill near where they were shooting. After assembling the sign with minor mishaps, Tyrel doused the sign in gasoline and lit it on fire. And the rest will be history. Yay, Trent and Kenzie!

My New Year's Eve date was much more relaxing and low-key. I went to dinner with my man and it was a perfect way to spend the last evening of the year. I am deeply grateful for all I've been blessed with in 2012. I feel like my cup is constantly overflowing.

 

New Years day, my Dad took me and my kids over to my Uncle's house. He has trained his dog to pull kids on a sled!

 

So fun to see so many family members this trip! A happy way to start a new year.