Really?!

I almost don't dare type this, afraid that someone will jump out and say, "Just kidding! You really don't get to build a house!"

September 1 was a beautiful day! I was walking around Temple Square with Alex while Mark attended the sealing of our nephew. I walked into the gated area next to the temple when my phone rang. I hurried to answer it - a little embarrassed to take a call right there. On the other end of the line came the news I had been waiting for. The building permit had been approved and now our construction load was ready for signatures!! Could this really be happening?! I am still waiting to see that hole in the ground, but I know its coming any day now.

My contractor contacted me today asking me to come in and make color choices for the house. Really!? You mean after all these years of dreaming about our home, I really get to pick the brick color? Seriously, how are you suppose to pick a brick color for your home off of the website sample pics? It's not like I'm painting my bathroom here and can easily change the terrible paint choice with something better. (I'm still lacking a little confidence after having thought I had the perfect yellow paint for my office. Needless to say, it tanked!! We've learned to live with it, but I know before long, we'll be covering up that big mistake with something else.) I'm going to the brick showroom tomorrow and hope they have something better than the website swatches!!

I know the boys want this to be over as much as I do. I don't know how many times I've heard them say, "Are we going to look at houses, AGAIN!!!!" We took them out again on Sunday. When they asked if we were looking at houses, we lied and said we were going to look at landscaping. It seemed to work until we stopped and got out to take a closer look at a paticular home. Then they were on to us.

I think I'm about to be overwhelmed!! But bring it on, right?!

Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Today we ventured off to find the Gilgal Sculpture Garden. I hadn't ever heard of this place until today when I found this site that features fun things to do. Not sure how we chose this place, but it looked interesting enough and something different for the boys than the usual park or playground. Best thing about the garden - it was free.

Nestled near Trolley Square, we enjoyed the garden to ourselves, literally. Well that was until the dreadlock guy and his belly dancer girlfriend found us.
I downloaded a scavenger hunt list for the boys which kept us entertained for quite a while. We actually had to leave because it started raining, and I took the umbrellas out of the car the last time I cleaned it.

The garden was created by Thomas Battersby Child, Jr.(1888-1963) in his back yard. Mr. Child was a masonry contractor and Bishop of the historic 10th Salt Lake LDS Ward. I would love to go again after having taken the time to learn more about the sculptures in the interactive online tour.




A few of the items we marked off the scavenger hunt list included the following:

The word Gilgal in stone


Never heard of the word Gilgal before?
"The name Gilgal refers to a Biblical location meaning "circle of standing stones" where Joshua ordered the Israelites to place twelve stones as a memorial. Gilgal is also the name of a city and a valley in The Book Of Mormon."

The words Count Your Many Blessings

I happened upon this gem and snapped a photo. There are several quotes, scriptures, and hymns carved in stone covering the garden. Lots to think about and ponder.

It wasn't until later when Ethan read the list of items to look for that I realized it was on our list. I just find myself needing to be reminded lately that I have much to be grateful for. This was a timely reminder for me and something I know I wasn't a coincident.

A spinx - Joseph Smith style?


Brick Pants and the 10th ward church building
Self portrait of Child with the church building where he served as bishop.


A Stack of Books
The boys thought it would be funny to pretend they were holding these books.


If only they realized how soon homework will be upon them. Heaven help me -- I know Ethan will feel like his homework is as much of a burden as actually having to lift these stone books.

This was just something I found that intrigued me and I wanted to take it home with me and reflect upon it some more.


As we drove downtown, I saw an advertisement for gourmet doughnuts. I'm sure I blew my points out of the water with this treat. Good thing we all shared.



Grasshopper and Cookies-n-Cream Doughnuts

We went to the playground and tried to work off the doughnuts. I'm sitting here hours later and still feel them. Might have to go let Jillian whip me back into shape.

Guess what made my day?

The road is getting laid with asphalt! After thinking it was going to finally happen on Tuesday, I was told it would happen on Thursday. Yesterday I was all prepared with my building permit papers in hand and drove out to see the beautiful road and turn in the paper work. We drove out to an empty subdivision and no work done on the road. Tomorrow I told. I was getting tired of hearing about things getting pushed backed, again. I stopped on the side of the road and cried. And to be truthful, we stopped at McDonalds on the way home, and I bought the boys ice cream.

Fast forward to today. I had a text message from my S&MIL telling me they were working on the road. The best was the message from my FIL telling me they had finished our drive way.

I had to drive out AGAIN to see the progress. When we got there the paver wasn't working and a handful of workers were sitting under a tree in the shade. The dump trucks had left to refill with asphalt. By the time we walked down to check out our driveway and visited Grandma for a bit, the trucks were back with new loads - and they just kept coming -- truck after truck. Each one went by and I had to think, how much money is each one of these worth? We went back up and watched the trucks unload their trailers into the hopper and lay that black asphalt down. It was beautiful!!





Of course Monday has to be a holiday. I'll have to wait until Tuesday to submit the building permit papers. I'm hoping to have a hole dug, maybe even some framing complete, before my parents leave for their mission to South Africa. A girl can dream!

A before pic:



Well, here's my new AFTER:

07/11

How about celebrated 7/11 with a hike up to the boys favorite spot - Donut Fall - and then topping it off with a Slurpee, (also know as a "Special Drink") free just today as it was 7/11.

I forgot Alex's backpack, so I made the kid walk about 1/2 of the way himself. It was great PT for him up until he fell and came down pretty hard and hit his nose. Needless to say, I looked like one rugged hiker with blood stains across my shirt.

The funny part of today's hike was Alex and the hydration packs. He couldn't get enough of that water. First he started with Ethan's water. When Ethan wanted a drink, he had to pry Alex off. Before we knew it, he was drinking off of Aaron's. I finally had to wear Aaron's pack myself and put Alex up on my shoulder's so he could drink and we could keep walking.







Due to all the snow and the wet spring, we weren't able to get very close to the falls this time. The boys were a bit disappointed and were trying to find someway to cross the river. It was quite pretty with all the extra white water falling down the mountain side.

Tonight we went out to Grandpa Gull's potato weeding party and dug in the dirt till the sun went down. I had to take some pics of the new culvert for Mark. He hasn't seen it yet as he's been one busy man at work lately. No finished road yet...it has taken a long time. We are told that the asphalt will be done by July 21. Crossing my fingers.





My layout is all messed up, but it's late, and I really don't want to take the time to figure out the HTML right now....

Moving Forward

After months and months of rain and failed inspections, I am so excited that our road past inspection this morning. I know it's only the rough grade, but I feel like we have reach a big milestone here. Next step: final grade and asphalt. The county won't let me even submit my building permit until after the road has been COMPLETELY finished and approved.
I was seriously considering building a boat rather than a home. But it looks like the tides are changing and we may actually get to build a home.

I am on my home to my parents to visit them and my little sister and her two kids. Yeah!! Let's hope something comes in the mail while we're there. The other big change in my life: my parents are waiting for their mission call.

My Little Star

Today was a big day for the students at our local elementary, one I hope my boys remember for years to come. The governor came to their school to sign an education funding bill. I told Mark last night, that I know we live in the capital city, but to have the governor come to their school is pretty cool. (Parents were given a notice to NOT come to the school for the assembly.) The boys were excited and had to wear their yellow school shirts and practiced their song this morning over breakfast. We talked about the chance of the boys maybe being on tv. Of course I made sure their hair was combed and their faces were washed when they went out the door today.

Low and behold, my little Aaron made the cut. His little face is on a local station's coverage of the story, and I am one excited momma! I know this kid is gong to eat it up too; he loves the spotlight! So you can watch this clip and look for Aaron (He is sitting there watching and listening. I have to admit, I first recognized his friend next to him before I even saw Aaron. Am I a bad mom or what!?

Now Aaron's teacher tells me he is in the local paper too. He said he was interviewed, but they just asked his info to caption the photo. He yelled, "I'm a super star, Mom!" when I picked him up from school.

Phone Calls

This morning between phone calls with several people concerning the home loans and septic tanks, I got a call from the elementary school. That for me is always a little alarming - wondering what is wrong with one of the boys. On the other end of the line I heard Ethan's voice. He said, "Mom, I think I know what disease I have. It's called sceema, and I think I better come home."

This poor kid has the worst skin ever. I try to use lotion to take care of it, but it's not really working. He's been wearing long sleeves all winter, and I really havne't looked at his arms that closely until just recently. They are in bad shape. I told him his "disease" isn't really a disease and that no one in his class would "catch" this if he stayed at school today. I think when he gets home I may have to find out if there is more to this story than bad skin. On another note, his teacher told me the govenor is coming to his school tomorrow. I better take care of him tonight so his disease is all better by tomorrow.