Happy Father's Day!

Look what I got Ian for Father's Day! jk. :)

We were out yard sale hunting yesterday when we drive past a lady who is taping a "free" sign to this BBQ! So of course Ian jumped out and told her we'd take it! Ha ha.

It works great too! Just needed some cleaning. The couple was getting rid of it because the ignition starter didn't work and they bought a new one. Ian cleaned it all up and BBQ'd some chicken on it this morning! ha ha. 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY HONEY!!

I FREAKING LOVE YOU!

 Not to mention you are going to make a great father one day ;)

Also I'd like to thank my own father for all of his patience with his only daughter..and all of her emotional ups and downs during all the years. We appreciate all you have done on our new house and your love and support with everything!

Home Remodels

Before

ugly old carpet and old hand railing

after we ripped out the carpet; view from top of stairs showing old original door

After

    This is after we tore out half a wall at the bottom of the stairs, and two walls at the top of the stairs which was replaced with the railing. New carpet, and new front door.

  

Before

Old carpet, existing walls still present, old trim and flooring

After

after replacing base flooring, new trim, new carpet, putting in railing to open up landing

Before

This is the "blue room" as we like to call it ;)

Old carpet, brown doors, and old trim

After 

New baseboard, paint, and carpet

New white doors (the "blue room" is behind the main door you see in this pic)

Before

This is the "guest room" when we bought the house there was no carpet in this room, this pic was taken after we ripped out the trim

Closet in the guest bedroom

After

Guest Room with new carpet, trim, and paint

After patching the chips and dings on this shelf, then painting and carpeting the closet looks brand new!

Before

Linen Closet

After

(it has a door on it now...this was before we put them in)

Before

Main floor bathroom

After

The new vanity! (Thanks to my dad) and don't worry the mirror is gone too ;)

Well, that is all for now! We still have many projects that are a work in progress.  Soon to come will be pictures of our kitchen! It's almost done...just need some finishing touches! We also are fixing up the laundry room and have to do some updating on the outside! It has been so fun working on our house :) and we are loving being able to come "home". Thanks to all who came and helped with the Demo when we first got the keys :)



We Got It!

Well....WE GOT THE HOUSE! We are officially homeowners and I am now holding a set of keys to our new house! We started working on it and are so excited to get everything done so we can move in!  Family and friends have been wonderful and so willing to help out.  I am so grateful for everyone's generosity! It's funny how things just work out sometimes when you least expect it. If we need something someone seems to have it lately! You need a new lock for your door?...oh someone has an extra!...you need a new vanity?....oh got that covered!...You need a fridge?...oh there is one sitting in storage!...It's been crazy to see so many people offering their things. I am just so amazed how we have been blessed! Thank you for all the help you guys! Can't wait to get it done and have you all over :)

A House...Maybe?

Well, we have been living with family and saving money for a house and it might finally be our turn to be homeowners!  We put an offer in on one we really like and after some negotiating the bank accepted! We had and inspector check out the house and just this weekend we had it appraised for our financing...so now we just have to wait to see if we get it....! It's a long, tiring process, and lots of paperwork...but if it works out it will all be worth it...! (I hope).

Toyota Tribute

It has been a long time since I have been on here and documented life!! What a slacker I am :P  Well, Ian and I have been busy working full time and doing school still (does it ever end??) So there seems to be little time to do much of anything after homework and I love you's before bed!  So even though there is so much I could catch up on, I would like to take a moment and reflect back on our wonderful times in this Toyota. We have had this truck around 2 years and just sold it yesterday... I still remember very vividly driving it home by myself in the dark after we bought it and hating that I had to drive it (IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE!) Well, now here I am saying how sad it is to see it go...the MANY memories we have had with this truck...Here is our last trip in the Toyota...off roading on rattlesnake trail with Sam & Katie...

Comin up the hill

The start of Rattlesnake trail

It was solid ice! I expected it to break...

We have taken this truck to St. George...back and forth to and from Logan....moved all of our stuff in it...and I drove it everyday for over a year.  We have spent so much time of our married life in this vehicle. I will sorely miss it!!

Pondering.....

Sunday afternoons are a good time for pondering....

 

Pondering about life as it is, the things we are grateful for and have to enjoy and then ponder about our futures and what we want to accomplish or become.

 

I wish I could say I came to some sort of "conclusion" in all my pondering, but rather I simply had a plethera of thoughts and ideas, creative sparks, and overflow of scattered planning.

 

Just as a way to list my mess of thoughts I'm going to note some of the things that crossed my mind today.

• Be kind and never criticize. Try to see things from other's perspective.

• Life is FULL.  Focus on that rather than what you think is missing.

• It is important to dream about the future and create a plan, but don't always be looking toward "the next step" otherwise you will miss the here and now.

• Engage in something active.  Do something you LOVE.  Whatever that may be. 

• Creativity is only limited by what you dare to put together.  Don't let "practical" ideas keep you from creating something unique!  We all have talents that are DIFFERENT that's whats so great!

• Remember the rule of  "opportunity costs".  We've probably all taken statistics and heard about those right?  So the next time you see something you want, take the time to think about it.  You can get "this" or "that" and even when you think you can get both, just remember there are always costs...when in doubt...WALK AWAY.  Take that money you were going to spend...and save it....you might be suprised how good it feels to not buy what you want all the time.

These were not the only ideas that I toyed with today, but I wanted to note these as a gentle reminder for anyone reading and also to myself when I need a refresher on these simple but important ideas that crossed my mind today.

Las Vegas

I had the priveledge to go to Las Vegas to help with a Dealer Meeting at the end of October.  It was the first time I'd ever traveled for work!  I was very nervous and very excited!  I worked half a day at the office then flew out that afternoon and met up with some co-workers at the airport to share a cab to our hotel. I was so excited when I checked in and saw my room! I think it was the nicest hotel I have ever been in. As soon as I got there it was time for work.  I assisted with the set up and running of the meetings and helped to make sure everything was going smoothly. It was such a neat experience and at the end of the first day after all the meetings we went out to Hard Rock Cafe and even got to ride in a stretch hummer! (it was the first time I had ever been in a limo...so cool!) On the last day I was scheduled to fly out on the same flight as my boss, the area manager, the district manager, and one of the territory managers. Since we had to wait at the Las Vegas airport for a few hours we all went to California Pizza Kitchen and ate dinner.  It was such a great experience! I feel so lucky to have gone on this trip and help out in this huge event! :) :)

This is what we rode in when we went to the strip :)

Ours wasn't quite this crazy on the inside...but similar!

This was the bed in my hotel room :)

This was the bathroom I got all to myself...large counter space, bathtub...

...and glass shower! I was pretty excited about it :)