Preview of Things to Come

It seems like a slow process – or does everyone just move in slow motion in the building world?   Daily drives have seen very little progress over the past week.  Supervisor told us they would be pouring foundation on Wednesday, and they would be ready for underground plumbing on Friday or Saturday.   Well here it is Saturday and what are they doing – just barely putting forms in place.  I talked to the crew asking, “Will the foundation be poured today?”  No No Maybe Monday – was their response.  I inform them the plumber will be there on Tuesday – their response – SORRY!   I said, “Not, Sorry!” with a forced bit of laughter!     

Choices this week included adding a few updates to the cabinets.   I want the upper cupboards to have clear glass with lighting.  I will need a step ladder to get to them so I figure they might as well be nice display cases.  The picture is just what I gave to the cabinet guy to match as close as possible to what I am looking for. 

We also got an idea of what our appliances will be…I’m excited about having a Fridge and Freezer that match and are next to each other.  No more running downstairs for freezer items.  

The gas range – is not the pro model that J & J now have – but I don’t cook nearly as much as they do!   So this will be my work stations for cooking

I’ll be back on site – Monday.   Hope the cement crew will be pouring and vibrating it in place.  

Footings Going in Place

Today the footings are going in place.  I have no idea what size they are, but the crew promised me they will hold up the concrete foundation walls and the wood frame. 
The crew of 3 promised me they are good at their job and told me the footings serve two main purposes. First they help “spread” out the load from the structure above. Secondly they create a level stable surface to begin building the foundation above on.

The pour truck will be on lot at 1:30 this afternoon and I will be back!
The Pumping Rig arrived….work will be complete late this afternoon.   Now we wait 3 days before it is ready for foundation walls.

Why Beneath the Why

Today we are practicing gratitude along with patience,  because we are FINALLY ready to move forward…no more waiting.   Thinking about why are we taking on this project, we are well into the golden years of our lives, shouldn’t we be finding something extremely simple to take care of… No  - and here is the why beneath the why!   We have taken on the role of helping raise two very young beautiful children.  Their mom is diabetic and that doesn’t mean much to a lot of people – those who have no idea what the hardships are of living with this incrediblly horrible disease.   She needs us – her children need her, so there is the why beneath the why.   If it offends some we are sorry you have taken offense, but we are not sorry for what our decision has to be for us.  
Last night was a huge eye opener to Al as well as myself.   Our dear friend who is diabetic was suppose to join us for dinner and watch the Mustangs game.   We received a phone call at 5:15 that he was on his way. The game played we enjoyed dinner and still he hadn’t shown up.   Al asked me if he should be worried and I said I would think so.   We called several times, left messages, with no response.   Finally Al called his wife and said we hadn’t seen him and we’re a bit worried.   She immediately made a phone call to the neighbors and sure enough there he was laying on the bathroom floor in insulin shock .   Luckily paramedics reached him in time and he is doing well today – back on his feet with a smile.  

Rumi says, “Don’t be an impatient bystander in this life, be present for it.”          So our focus is to be present for the now.   These children need room to grow.

Peace Needed

 My heart was breaking last night as my daughter sent me a text saying ....Mom are we going to war? 

The United States, along with Britain and France, just bombed Syria. It’s the second time the US has waded into the country’s seven-year conflict in response to a chemical weapons attack.

While the world figures this all out, I’m going to continue holding doors for strangers, letting people cut in front of me in traffic, saying please and thank you, saying good morning, being patient with a waiter, being kind to others, helping those in need, and smiling at strangers as often as I am provided the opportunity.  Because I will not stand idly by and let children live in a world where unconditional love is invisible. I want to be an example of love…showing respect to someone who may not necessarily deserve it, so my grandchildren will understand what love really is.    If we could all find our own way to swing the pendulum in the direction of love, the world would truly be a better place for you and me!  

Today, sadly, hate is winning.  Positivity has to start somewhere, and love overpowers hate.  Love prevails. 

Logan Ice Sheet

Grandpa is such a good chaperone and a great chauffeur.   The boys had a great time in Logan again.  They get the win this weekend 3 - 2     Zane scored 2 Kendry scored 1  - And the Mustangs - well they are in the finals tomorrow in El Paso!

Make Way For Ducks

Looks like a couple of Mallards have taken up residency on our dirt pile.   Not sure that is the best place to start a nest – maybe just looking for food – again not that much to be found.  

Little K was so excited to see them she started yelling “DUCKS DUCKS DUCKS” as soon as we pulled up.  

UPDATE – Al says they are waiting for that hole to be filled.

Jerseys For Humboldt

As a mother of a hockey player my heart goes out to every single family members of 16 who lost their lives in this tragic accident prayers to all of them and also to the semi truck driver who was involved in the accident. Only god knows why. Today all hockey players from around the world are wearing their hockey jersey to school, work or wherever they may be to honor the Broncos. My Junior Mustang and I are wearing his jersey to school and work today.
#JerseysForHumboldt We see you. We hear you. We love you. We are all #HumboldtStrong.

Waffles for Breakfast

The new favorite menu for breakfast is our homemade waffles.  They are light and fluffy – better than any mix we have ever used.  I’m talking hot & fresh, and straight from the iron: These special homemade waffles are my current obsession. The warm, rich aroma of the waffle coming from the waffle iron as they bake is complete and utter heaven. This morning they were extra special because Big K was the rad-waffle cook.   He measured, poured, and mixed it all together.  I think he actually had a good time doing it.  Little did he know it was math skills we were working on this morning

Although our breakfast was not the Lola Dutch Bon Appetit – with grits and gravy for gator, pastries with hot cocoa and marshmallows for pig, crepes(Lola might be English…where are you Brad!) with whipped cream for crane – we can never have too much whipped cream – we came close!  Topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream I think Lola Dutch would have been impressed.

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon white sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Preheat waffle iron, beat eggs in large bowl with hand beater until fluffy.  Beat in flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla just until smooth.

2. Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray.  Pour mix ont hot waffle iron.  Cook until golden brown.  Serve hot!

Window Frames–Window Wells

Let me go to the window,
Watch there the day-shapes of dusk
And wait and know the coming
Of a little love...
        Carl Sandburg

A little more love dropped off at the lot today. Basement windows, window wells, and re bar....
There will be many days of sitting by the windows watching the sunrise and sunset. Sitting by the window… my peaceful, calm, relaxing place.  

Just Be Yourself

National Sibling Day…and I see so many of my friends posting pictures of their sisters and brothers on social media… and I’m thinking hmm..I can’t do that because:

Yes -  I AM AN ONLY CHILD

Many think that being an only child is a lonely way to grow up.  And there are so many sterotypical ideas about who we are as only children.

…..So with that being said let me tell you what I have learned as an only child:    I CAN

1. Amuse myself and not get bored
2. Spend hours alone and not get lonesome
3. Believe people want to listen to me
4. Be creative and see the big picture
5. Be independent
6. Think quickly on my feet
7. Lead myself first
8. Value self-education
9. Take action and make things happen
10. Step out of my comfort zone and go it alone

We only have so many years on this beautiful planet, and I want to spend them being me (and not the version of me that I think everyone else wants).

And here are a few of my fellow only children…just sayin’

FDR, Frank Sinatra, Betty White, Alicia Keys, LeAnn Rimes and Elvis.

Oh yeah, and the most important one of all… you may have heard of him…. he goes by the name Jesus. You might remember him as the guy who performed miracles, was charitable, forgiving, loving, and taught that being nice to other people was admirable. 

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8)

So yeah, there have been some pretty rad only children.

Happy Sibling Day to all of you who love and adore your brothers and sisters.  I love you too!

Lola Dutch–we think you are so much fun!

Our copy of LOLA DUTCH by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright (a Utah couple…that makes it even better)arrived today and it is super cute and fun. Anyone who loves Fancy Nancy, Eloise, or Olivia is going to embrace Lola Dutch with open arms.

Lola Dutch has a crazy active imagination and she is ALWAYS doing something.  Full of energy, always ready to try something new, forever inventing new things, and never wanting to go to bed at night because there's just so much more to do--even when she's exhausted! I think we have a Lola in the making at our house…Little K!

Oh how we loved Lola Dutch…a little more than the average Bear!!!   In fact, we read it 3 times today and Little K was mesmerized.   The lesson learned was that each and every day can be filled with amazing adventures while spreading love and kindness.   So move over Alexander, and the Terrible, Horible, No Good, Very Bad Day we are going to enjoy making our favorite breakfast with Lola Dutch…OH Lola Dutch you are just too much!!!

Back at the Pasture

Kendry wanted to show Lily where the new house was going to be.   Here are the pictures from the dirt fields today.   Just waiting on loan documents to be signed so we can proceed.   I am not patient!!!

The extra garage…far south side of lot.

It was a long way down, but down they did go.  

There is Beauty All Around

When I think of my childhood,  there are a few memories that remain so vivid in my mind. Most of those memories involve my parent’s backyard, with the gorgeous flowers and trees and the biggest yard in the neighborhood. Today I am so grateful for the beautiful sunshine and blue sky that I brought a little inside to brighten my day.  Remembering how many days my dad would bring in those beautiful bouquets to brighten our kitchen table.

Many times in life, in the past, I’ve often thought of gratitude in terms of the big stuff and then often overlooked the small things, forgetting about joy altogether. 

Seriously, the big things, the life changing and momentous things, are usually few and far between, but the little things are all around us, everywhere and everyday.  The trick is to stop and take notice of them as well as taking the time to attend to them if need be.

Over the last few months, I have found so many bits and pieces of joy scattered everywhere.   Little things like bubblemaking in the backyard, flower stems peaking out of the ground, the shining bright-eyes smiles of the grandkids those near and those far – and one with a brand new car!

But this …speaking of good things, this photo of our Magnolia tree brings me tremendous joy and I am so grateful to look out at it each day in our back yard.  Mother Nature is the maker of this beauty, and I know it is going to be one of those things I miss about this home.  So many years ago I had a vision for a tree like this because there was one on the corner from my childhood home…and here I am today photographing its beautiful baby blooms.  Today  my wish for any of you who might be reading this is that you find yourself living a life of joy and gratitude, and if you’re not quite there yet, may you set yourself directly on the path toward it.   xoxo

Excavators Are Finished–On to the next phase??

I am completely thrilled that the excavators have completed their job.  When I first spoke with them they told me they would probably have it completely done within 2 days.   I actually took them a full week to get it finished.  

This picture is not much different from the others I have taken.  It is the Southwest corner of the front of the lot.   I really wanted to get a picture of the bottom of the footprint, but the rain was not cooperating and I didn’t have on the right shoes to thrudge through the mud!  Maybe tomorrow morning. 

Just wanted a picture of all those piles of dirt.   The view is amazing.  The storm clouds were threatening.  This is the front northwest corner.   Hopefully the foundation footings we be in place this week. 

OH NO–It’s Almost MONDAY

Vacation is Over…and

Monday!  It is upon us.  Really it is so close that it is hitting us smack dab in the face.  We had a wonderful week off.  For Spring Break we decided to take a mostly “Staycation”  and enjoy some down time…are you kidding!!!  It was so nice and I am very sad that it is ending.

Since we will all be up bright and early tomorrow morning-  I’m off to find backpacks, shoes, socks, etc   and get everything ready so that we have a smooth morning.  But first I will leave you with some pictures from early Sunday Morning …

{A typical scene from the breakfast table}

Here’s Little K – happily munching away at her scrammbled eggs

and here’s Big K

Take a guess which child of mine is NOT a morning person?

Getting back in the daily routine will be a challenge.  It has been an amazing week with these beautiful children.  I love being home with them..once again the house will be quiet for Grandma.   Well…Kaliyah and Buffy will be with her, but with no one else around the sound of silence is overwhelming for her.  This morning the Mountain Bluebird came to see us.  The magnolia tree burst into bloom and my morning cup of Jo came with a heart.   Praying that tomorrow morning finds everyone happy and ready to get back to the grind.

Sending Our Prayers to Humboldt

When we talked with Big K about the tragic events that took place yesterday you could see the sadness in his eyes immediately.   He told me his heart was hurting and he just wanted to cry. 

Soaking Up Precious Time

I do my best to soak up as much precious time with my family as possible.  I remember all that I have and thank God for all He has given me.  I thank Him for the gift of being here to hold my handsome son and my sweet little girl.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter for me today.  :)

We are praying for our Hockey Family

When Someone Cares

Another Day in the Dirt!

We left town for a day to visit the cousins.  The kids had a blast with each other. 
As soon as we returned home, of course, I had to drive to the lot to see what progress had been made today.  Zack was busy at work digging and digging. 


I facetimed with Lynette..her first words, “Looks like Kennecott Cooper to me!”  We both laughed and I said looks like the Wasatch Mountains are forming on our lot!

These guys have made lots of progress in 3 days.   I drove back down 2 hours later and Zack was still busy digging.  Tonight he was working on the detached garage area.  

Spring Break

Making memories. We took a trip to see Halie, Brevin, and WIlliam ---here’s hoping Kendry, Kaliyah, and Zane remember the fun times they had going to their cousins and hanging out around the fire pit at night making s’mores and watching the clouds drift across the night sky.

Ahh, the joys of being a kid! Smores – marshmallows, chocolate, and gramcrackers piled high! 

Ground Breaking

There hasn’t been a whole lot of physical progress on the house.  Until now!  That’s right!  We just broke ground today!  Can I get a WOO HOO! I so wish I would have know this was happening I would have had the kids down their watching the work in progress. 

This is  a view of our lot actually standing in the front yard.  Our garages will stick out on the right side.  This will all be much easier to visualize when I can share a photo that actually has something in it other than weeds.  :)

The beautiful blue house…easy to find in the neighborhood…is our neighbor to the south.  We are excited to get to know them.  What we know so far is she is a teacher and he is a work from home dad, two lovely children age 5 and 3 so kinda close to K & K. 

I have been driving by this lot since December…almost every day!  Nothing but flat ground but today…my heart jumped it was 37 degrees and windy but I jumped out of the car and took these pictures!

….Deep breath I take a look out at the lot and think to myself – “looks like holes in the dirt!  Fabulous!”

Who knew dirt, heavy duty machinery and a porta potty *yes there is one on site…could be so exciting!?  :) 

Progress…picture overload will be coming soon.