Sunday, February 19, 2012

We Bought A House!

 

Here's a good exterior shot. From this angle it looks like the garage is detached, but it isn't.


Some vital statistics: Four bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2350 sq. ft., 1/4 acre plot, built in 1999. It doesn't have a basement, but it does have a four-foot high crawl space as big as the house above it.


We don't have many good shots of the yard, but here's a shot of the side yard. We love gardening, and this home features four raised, irrigated garden beds. The yard also features a wooden playset, a trampoline pit, and an adjustable basketball standard in the driveway--complete with breakaway rim and glass backboard.


The entrance and staircase are definitely two of our favorite features. To the right is a small living room and to the left is a den.


The living room.


The kitchen. It's kind of small but there's lots of cabinet space, and please note the COMPLETE lack of fluorescent lighting. Also, the owner is leaving their fridge for us. Woot!


The dining area. It's kinda small, but we like the bay window.


The family room, right next to the kitchen and dining area. The picture doesn't show it too well, but it's pretty big. Our favorite feature in this room, however, is the surround sound setup. Aw yeyah.


The master bedroom. Gotta love the lofted ceilings.


The master bathroom. We dig the two sinks, but we prefer for the loo to be in a water closet. Oh well. There's a huge walk-in closet adjoining the bathroom.


This would obviously be Olivia's room, and we're obviously going to repaint :).


Another bedroom.


We absolutely love this upstairs loft/bedroom above the garage. We're especially fond of the wooden shelving. The whole house features custom shelving in each closet.


Another shot of the loft. We dig the little closets. The drum set, unfortunately, is not included :).


I can't believe this is actually happening, but after looking for a new home since December, we found one that we absolutely adore! We signed our lives away on Friday, are pending approval on our loan (which was guaranteed to be approved) and move in at the end of March. Surprisingly, our new house is in Provo. We had been looking in Lehi more than anywhere else, but I just kept having a strong impression that we needed to stay close. Like close to where we are now. As much as I wanted to stay in Orem, Neal and I feel so good about this location. Although it will be hard to leave our current incredibly convenient home, Ward and friends, I feel so happy about this new adventure in our lives. And we will still only be 7.5 miles from Super Target.....

I feel so truly blessed. I feel that the Lord knew what we needed, when we needed it. I need to remember to always trust in the Lord's timing, and when I do, good things always happen!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Favorite Moments

Last night I went to bed way too late, but before that I did have a wonderful outing with my good friend Natalie. We talked about kids, houses, friends and just life in general. We both needed to be away from our homes (and kids) for just a little while to refresh and relax. One of the days favorite moments.

Neal and I hung out for a little bit after I got home and before we new it, it was midnight and we were exhausted. It seems like those moments together lately keep diminishing because, life is just so busy. But, when I get them, those are my favorite moments.

My #1 favorite moment of the day was when after only being asleep for an hour, Joseph came into my room and with his soft little voice said, "Mommy, I can't sleep." He grabbed my hand and held it. He has such soft hands, I could rub them forever. I got out of bed and we walked back to his room. I tucked him in and he was cold so I piled a bunch of blankets on top of him and snuggled them up all around him. And then we sat there for a while and tried to figure out how to get him back to sleep. I finally gave him an idea he liked and he said he could go back to sleep. I turned on his music, the same CD of lullaby's he's been listening too since he was 10 months old. I bent over and kissed him and stroked his face and told him I loved him and he said "I love you mom."

I really love those moments in the middle of the night. Neal asks me how I can stand it and even said this morning he doesn't like it when the kids wake me up at night. But I do love them. They are quiet and tender and a chance for me to spend a moment with a darling kid who needs me. I know those few minutes at night are fading fast and I will only have the memory of them in a few years, so for now they are my absolute favorite moments.

Friday, January 6, 2012

What We've Been Up To in 2011, Part 1



Joseph got baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints August 6th. It was a very special day and Joseph was surrounded by many friends and family that love him so much. He is such an amazing kid. Unfortunately, these 2 pictures are the only pictures of the day. We were so distracted and busy we forgot to document his special day!



We finally updated our family photos in August. My good friend Olivia took them and we loved being with her. I hate having my picture taken, but she made it fun and I love all of the pictures. I just wish I weighed about 20 pounds less.....



Joseph turned 8! I can't believe he is getting so old. He got his first suit and had a super hero birthday party. His party was so much fun and he had tons of kids come to help celebrate the day.



Visiting with awesome cousins from Texas!



Awesome cousins from Colorado. We had a lot of family visit us this summer. It was great to see all of the cousins playing together and getting along so well.



Joseph went to his first Scout Camp and got to shoot a real gun! (Well, a BB gun.) It was one of the highlights of his summer!



Olivia graduated from her home pre-school program. I had the privilege of being one of her teachers during the year.



Neal is still in the Bishopric and this is what he looks like when he gets home from Church. He really does love his calling though!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

O Holy Night - An Irreverent Post

I'm sorry. I just have to post this video. This song is one of my favorites, but this version of it had me laughing, crying and almost peeing my pants. Enjoy it and have a Merry Christmas!


Thursday, December 1, 2011

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

I needed to hear this message as I struggle with some things. It is beautiful.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Mama Baer



My Mom called last night to let me know that a dear friend had died yesterday in a head on car collision. Jane Baer was not only an amazing woman, but she helped mold my testimony when I was a teenager. She was my teacher and friend and I know she loved me. I went to her house when I got my mission call, and I went straight to her house as soon as I got home from my mission. I spent a lot of time in her home and I always admired the teal wall in her front sitting room. I wanted one just like it when I was a young and now I have one!

Jane radiated goodness and Christ-like love. I remember sitting in class at church and feeling love radiate from her as she taught the lesson. She was so good that one time when she was driving to girls camp she left her blinker on the entire drive there, which drove me insane. But I didn't point it out to her because I didn't want to nag her. She made me want to be a better person. When I was shy and feeling like an outcast, she took me aside and made me feel important.

Jane was currently serving as the Temple Matron along with her husband, Mark Baer as President of the Denver Temple. Each time I would go home and attend the Temple I would see her and as always she would hug me, look in my eyes and ask about my life. Jane really was an angel on earth. I love her so much and I'm so thankful for her grace, her Christlike love and for raising such an amazing family that has been an important part of my life.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Dream On



I had a dream about my sister last night. It was so powerful and so real that this morning I felt like I had really been with her. It took me a while to realize it wasn't real. It was so sad to me that I just wanted to go back to bed and find my way back to that dream.
I so miss my sister this time of year. Starting in September, when the air gets a little cooler, I really start missing her. She could light up a room with her smile and her excitement for the Holidays coming. I wish she was in the kitchen with me baking up a storm and throwing a little bit of love into each dish. Time has helped ease the pain of her passing, but it really never goes away. Oh, how I love that dear girl.

Good Night, Love You, See You In The Morning Erin.