Awards!!!

The count down is beginning! Less than 2 months to graduation. It's bittersweet. Today Malia found out she is graduating top 50 of her graduating class of 500. I tell you what, Malia is my hero. Nothing will stop that girl. She sets her goals high (maybe a little too high) and gets exactly out of life what she desires. I love that she doesn't allow fear to get in her way. Malia goes after what she wants not making excuses along the way just makes life happen. Impressive!
I learned in a class I took this week that we as humans are to want which in turn helps us create. The society we live in with immediate gratification or worse case scenario we have to wait 2 days for shipping takes the desire for want. If you talk to most they don't want for much. When a young teenager who excelled in anatomy was asked if he would want to be a doctor his response was "8 years of medical school would be boring, so no I won't be a doctor" We need to provide our children opportunities to do things they don't love i.e.) chores... to help instill in them a need to want and experience delayed gratification. A child wants to play a sport or an instrument and boom they have the instrument or necessary sports equipment to begin the dream. Lets have our children earn money to purchase their own instrument and supplies. As we allow our children to wait it teaches valuable techniques that will help your children grow to much more responsible and goal achieving adults. As we want we create and one of the many purposes of this life is to learn to create. We are the masterpiece of our lives, what are you painting? Stepping off soap box.....



Malia is a creator. She is an amazing young woman who knows how to want and wait for good things. She found out she was close to being in the top 50 so she did the necessary requirements to make this want turn into reality. She did not sit back and say, "oh, it's too much work", "oh, I might fail so why try", she put her efforts where they needed to be and she achieved a pretty amazing award. 

Malia was asked to choreograph the dance performed and competed at State a few weeks ago. Malia was presented with most outstanding dancer of Taylorsville High School.

Because we believe whole heartedly in celebrating good successes and attempts we went to one of Malia's favorite restaurants tonight. Blue Lemon. Have you eaten there? oh my goodness every item on the menu makes my mouth water. So yummy! Miss Breeta  got her favorite spaghetti.

 Malia loves their Chicken Parmesan. It's so funny EVERY TIME we eat here her meal is brought out last and she has to watch us all eat. It happened again tonight. Poor Malia. It was worth the wait.

 Heres my favorite. Raspberry Salad. So fresh. So flavorful and it has crunchy nuts. Heaven!

Of course we ordered our hummus and vegetables 

 Before we met at the restaurant Malia and I made a trip downtown to grab the best dessert ever. Do you see the size of that cookie? It has mini Cadbury eggs, milk and white chocolate chips and its smell was so divine.

 You get 4 of these delicious pieces of yum. I dare you try to eat a cookie and not feel like your life is not been fulfilled.

After we stuffed our guts Malia and I ran to the mall for some Easter dress shopping while Corb took the two youngest to Costco for Easter dinner makings. 
Malia is truly one of my favorite people. She is so dang fun. We laugh at everything. She pushes me and I love her for it. She makes me a better person. She forgives me when I make dumb choices. Lucky am I to be her mom. Teenage years can sometimes be so challenging and she has made it a breeze. Literally raising herself and I have been along for the fun of it. I am gonna miss my alone time with this busy crazy motivated nugget. So proud and so happy for today in celebrating my Malia Ruth.

Some days are meant for laughter

We had tickets to the Jordan River Temple open house and my parents were down so they joined in. Since the temple is so close to our house, we stopped in for a little tour. My mom is recovering from her total knee replacement so we created a ramp for her to walk up. Our ramp might have been wobbly but with the help of these three she made it safe and sound. It is so fun to walk around and see where all the rooms are framed in. The only thing missing are the two bedrooms, a closet, and linen closet on third level.

 Would you believe I didn't get a single photo of the temple. So just believe me that we went. On Saturday we had the privilege to feed these fine young missionaries. Elder Silva from Brazil and Elder Acor from Montana. Elder Acor lived in Idaho Falls for a bit and we knew some of the same people. So tender!! They are sharp young men. They both have been out as long as Sierra. It's silly I know, but being around missionaries helps me feel close to my Magera. We fed the elders steak, roasted potatoes and vegetables. I wanted to feed them something I knew wouldn't eat often. Eat they did. It was fun to see them pack the food down. I took pictures of these two and sent them to their mommas. I love it when members do that for me. Pay it forward

 After the Elders shared an awesome message we bolted up north to Kaysen's eagle court of honor. We were about 40 mins late but let's get real the 30 minutes we were there was plenty. No offense, but court of honors are kind of boring especially for my girls. We made up for the boredom by playing with cousins afterwards. My girls love to play with Tobias and Zane. They all get a long so well and it makes my heart happy. Cousins are the best. We have plans to spend time together over spring break. As Bria was running she kept limping and telling me her foot was hurting really bad. So little back history about 3 weeks ago Bria hurt her foot at recess. She was limping and complaining but seriously I didn't think much of it because she was walking on it. So after she was really favoring it tonight and still complaining every once in awhile I dropped Ada and Dad off at home and Breeta and I went to urgent care. Dr. requested x-rays and after a detail examination it was determined its most likely tendinitis. The X-ray did have one area that was inconclusive and so an actual radiologist will examine the films and get back to us. We were sent home with a brace and recommendations to ice it and use ibuprofen a couple times a day. Bria was so brave even though I know her little heart was pounding and scared. I love you my little Bria and I am always here to help you when life is scary.

 Sunday we attended our ward. We sometimes feel like we should introduce ourselves as visitors, we are gone so often. We got a new bishopric. I have mixed feelings about the situation and it actually tries my believes but that's for another day. Let's just say I question "inspiration" when friends call friends but whatever I am out of here in June so no worries.
Our new bishop is Rich Guevara, 1st Counselor Brian Nmezi and 2nd Counselor Mike Badger

I made a delicious salmon dinner and Jameson enjoyed it with us. While we were eating, Ada puts her salmon in front of Jamie and said "is this the salmon's penis Jamie, I don't want to eat a salmon penis. I know what a penis is I sometimes go the bathroom with Dad in public and I see the guys whip it out" Are you kidding me? We could not stop laughing. seriously kid you are too much. So when Corby got home that evening (he missed the excitement) I informed him that Ada is not able to use the men's restrooms anymore. At least she knows her anatomy.

 Here's the beauty Corby surprised me with on our anniversary. Oh man this is an amazing kitchen necessity. I made a turkey sweet potato chili (delicious btw) and it would take 8-10 hours just to cook and Corby and I took meat from freezer and sat down to eat dinner in less than an hour. Seriously so amazing. If you want my recipe let me know. It has black beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and so much more and my girls gobbled it up. 

What a week. So many good things. Loved having Teesh with us and loved spending time with family from both sides. I absolutely love hanging out with Ron and Valynn, they fill my aching soul. Good week!

House Building; Step by Step

Pull out your magnifying glass......here are our house plans. 

There are a lot of changes made since I took this photo but overall you get the idea of what our dreams are made of...

We have 3 levels. The first photo is the main level. Zoom in and enjoy. 

Next level our basement. 

We are taking about 1000 square feet and creating an apartment. I feel strongly about having an apartment. We shall see what the future holds and why this was inspired but here's a close up on the apartment. It has its own private entrance.

 Here's the rest of our basement. It is a wide open space for accommodating large family gatherings. We will have a kitchenette down there for popcorn and serving food. Visualize one of those large old fashioned popcorn makers....

 3rd level is strictly for Bria and Ada. They will each have their own bedroom, walk in closet, and a bathroom to share. There will be a utility closet and a linen closet up there and a skylight in bathroom. It's so cute, just wait till you see it.

Let's begin the fun of documenting this journey. 

Our lot is just shy of half acre. 

2200 west is our backyard which was the motivator for this lot. 

I don't want backyard neighbors.

 when we saw this backhoe on our property we about peed our pants. It is happening. It is no longer a pipe dream. 

 pouring the cement

 We have a library in the basement which is the cut out you see below. It will have a fireplace and bookshelves. I see myself nestling in close to the fire flickering, reading some of my favorite books. 

YES!

 our separate entrance for apartment

  We will have dark grey, light grey and white as exterior with stone. The colors are a little distorted in my photo but here's our choices. The stone for our downstairs fireplace will be same as our exterior stone. Have you ever seen a cuter shingle ha ha

Let's take a look at the inside shall we:

our laundry room floor and powder bathroom... love it. 

It's bold and different and makes me smile

 our carpet is just lush!! I saw it in a model home and knew it was what I wanted at first glance. Color is a little distorted but it gives you an idea.

 our master bathroom floor. Oh man I am so excited to walk on this darling design

far left will be master vanity

 middle is master shower. 

We will have little to no tile in our house. 

This cultured marble won our hearts when we saw it.

far left is shower for main and girl's bathroom

 I wanted to show what this looks like displayed in their showroom. 

Isn't it all that and a cup of cheese. 

 main bathroom vanity with black cabinets

 girls bathroom upstairs vanity is glacier  and shower walls mossy graphite with black cabinets

The hardwood will be in entry way, office, kitchen, mudroom, living room, dining room and halls on main level.

flooring for main bathroom

 my backsplash in kitchen. Subway tile is just so cute.

 third style down will be my kitchen cabinet knobs. My kitchen cabinets are solid flat front cabinets

Day for framing begins.... 

Framing has gone so fast (thanks weather for cooperating). It normally takes 3 weeks but we are not even 2 weeks and look at our house. It was such a pleasant surprise to see our 3rd level was begun a day ago. Oh man can you hear my excitement??? I am giddy. 

That's all for now...stay tuned 
We made a few changes to the house after walking through it as the framing began. We now have a Costco door (small little door in the pantry that you can access through garage, no more hauling loads and loads of groceries through the house) spoiled I know but so fun. We  added a window in our master bathroom and moved a wall from the laundry to pantry, ain't no one need a large laundry room ha ha. Love visualizing a dream and then watching it become reality.

It's been almost a week with no progress on the house but look what they accomplished in one day. The roof is almost completed and the basement is officially done. We watched the crane pick up the tresses and put them where they belong. Watching and learning the house building process is pretty fascinating. It seemed so complicated but as I watch each step its really rather simple. Not saying the work is simple, the process is.

This is one of the bedrooms upstairs. I wondered why they weren't framing it in, now I see the tresses were specially designed to create the walls. Fascinating. 

 Here's a view from the kitchen to the master bedroom and bathroom

 our dining area is coming together

today they should complete the framing. They still need to finishing framing two bedrooms, covered patio, and then roofing will begin......
The work is cruising here's what happened today

 side view

back view

It's getting more and more exciting each time I see the progress. This is one of the bedrooms over the garage. It will have a bench seat with cubbies and two steps to get down to it.

 Here's the second bedroom above the other garage. Can you spy with your little the roughly framed closet?

 a view from same bedroom just different angle

 We have one of two furnaces. It's so cool(or warm haha)

 In the basement they are beginning to add the heating ducts

 view from the living room area looking at apartment

 Mechanical room

 Main level from master bedroom  looking at master bath

our covered patio is almost complete

 office is behind me, hall to master bedroom and Malia's bedroom and bathroom. Can you see the tub?

 I'm standing in the entry way. Our front door is the open space

 this is the kitchen, pantry(see the orange spray paint? that's the Costco door), bathroom(behind where you can't see is the laundry room mudroom and two closets)

Finally a decision has been made. I have been going back and forth on my kitchen colors. I know white cabinets are all the rage and I will be honest it looks so pretty but I feel like its trendy and I am more of a timeless classic gal. I listened to our interior designer I listened to people who opted for white in their kitchen and for a while I decided on white. But it didn't feel right. Every time I thought about it the thought was always will you regret going with white. So I spent some time on Pinterest and searched and searched until I found this........

 I knew this was my color because see that backsplash? I had already decided on it. So there ya go. Since I made this decision I am at complete peace. I know I am sounding dramatic but man it has been a huge decision. Kitchens are the heart of your home. The focal point. I am so happy!!!

 Shingles!!!!

 My mind is a little blown at the moment. So I had a few questions and we scheduled a walk through with Trace who is in charge of the building to go over my issues. The cabinet guy was with him. We went through the rooms that I had concerns about and we discussed moving walls and changing closets and just a list of things. That was at 10:30am and when I took Corby back around 6:30 would you believe my list had been completed. I picked up my jaw and just was speechless. They are fast little beavers working away.
My Costco door has been framed!

 This situation was stressing me out way more than it should. So the laundry room shares a wall with the pantry and after it was framed I could tell my laundry room was larger than I desired. I asked Trace if we could move the wall from laundry room to pantry. He is one of the coolest guys I know and was like sure. He pulled out his measuring tape and said we can go 19" does that work. I was so happy. Then I looked at the laundry room and was concerned about the spacing for washer/dryer and sink. Trace laughed at me and said we can make any size sink you need. Thats the benefit of custom builders ha ha oh yes I forget that feature. I will still get my laundry basket cubby and sink and my larger pantry. I am just so happy! It is fun to see it come to reality.