A Year in the Making

 

A year ago Rob and I were sitting on our bed and decided it was time to move. It was time to sell our beloved townhome in Layton and move into a single-family home in the Salt Lake valley closer to Rob’s job in Murray. We prayed about it and it was right.

We decided to spruce up our home to get it sell-worthy, especially since there was a lot of competition in the area. We tiled the front entry, bathroom, hallway, kitchen, and dining room, replaced all the carpet, and refreshed the paint. We decided to try and sell it ourselves first before we got an agent. We listed our home, and low-and-behold, within the same two-week period 3 other townhomes went up for sale.

Nobody’s townhome sold. We got an agent eventually, but to this day, only 1 of the 5 townhomes for sale has sold. The market is too bad at the moment, I guess. So after 6 months of not selling (and frustration), we decided to rent out our home instead. We got a bite after only two days. The catch was, we’d have to be out in two weeks. So we packed everything up and moved to my parent’s house while we conducted our new home search. Two days after we moved word came that our renter had to back out. We rushed to get a new renter and two stressful weeks later we got one.

Next came our new home search. We looked in Sandy. We looked in Draper. We looked in South Jordan, Riverton, and Herriman. Most places didn’t fit what we were looking for and nothing felt right. We looked in Bountiful. Nope. We finally looked in Lehi and when we walked into this house…we knew this was it. It felt good.

Now, just because it felt right, doesn’t mean it was easy…for me, at least. There were a couple of occasions when Rob and I were going through and signing paperwork when I froze and couldn’t initial on the dotted line. Talk about commitment! I have always wanted to move every few years and live outside the state and even country, but it doesn’t look like that is in the cards for us. At least, not for a very long time. Here’s to 30+ years in Utah County…REALLY??!!

Sometimes I got indigestion thinking about it. I also felt like signing the house loan meant I was solidifying my life as a conformist suburban housewife. But then I remember all the weird feelings I had looking in all the wrong places and how good I felt when we decided to move here. I think about my children and what is the best life I can give them. The life I want for them entails living in a fun and friendly neighborhood, being close to family, having great schools, and there being plenty of other people around them with similar values. So, alas, here we are. I will subdue my exploring urges and buckle down here for a while…and be happy about it. We are extremely blessed to be able to live in this area and regardless of some of my deep down feelings, I do love it here.  

Now for the pictures. We’ll call these “Before”. Who knows how long it will take to get “After” pictures. Probably years. But that’s ok.

This home was bank-owned but in terribly good condition, considering. The whole thing has new carpet and paint.

The backyard is (was) amazing. I guess the guy who lived here spent 20 grand on it. It’ll be so nice when all the trees get bigger. We’ve been working hard pulling weeds, pruning, checking sprinklers, figuring out the lighting, and will soon be planting grass. The big rock pile is actually a water fountain and it works! We just need to make it look pretty again.

I don’t have too many pictures of the views yet, but we have a lovely view of Mount Timponogos (when it’s not cloudy), Utah Lake (a little corner of it), the mountains behind us (and gravel pits), and the freeway (so I can tell when Rob will be home a few minutes late).

This also shows the small neighborhood park just behind us and a few houses down.

 

Here is the entryway.

This is the loft looking towards the front door.

 

This is another view of the loft. It’s our favorite room in the house.

 

One day I’ll have this bookshelf looking awesome. Have I ever mentioned that all growing up I DREAMT of having a library with a ladder? Well! Here it is!!

 

Master bath. It has a separate toilet room and a walk-in closet. Our room stays so much tidier now.

 

Unfinished basement (for now). Rob is SO HAPPY to have somewhere to play his drums again.  

Our living room, family room, bedrooms, and the other two baths are standard so I didn’t include the pictures. They’re entirely undecorated and only half furnished anyway.  We’re trying to get things set up so we’ll be ready for parties and dinners. In the meantime, come and pay us a visit!

Kayenta Revisited

I love this picture. I want it as a big metal print.

 

Both times we’ve been to Kayenta Art Village outside of St. George, Utah it’s been after hours. It actually works out perfectly. The light is beautiful this time of day, there are no people to get bugged by or bug, and everything is quiet and to ourselves. Lovely.

These are some pictures I (Julie) took. We forgot the SLR at the hotel so these are just taken with our small Casio point-and-shoot…too bad.

I decided to have some ultra fun with these and max out the detail and color. I pushed them, yes I did. But doesn’t it give them an uber-cool vibe? Just like the village.

These are some very cool wind sculptures.

A close-up shot.

 

The  shadow of one.

 

 

Tent or ship?

Chalk art.

 

   These flowers look so happy.

 

Some less friendly cacti.

Pictures from our last trip to Kayenta are here.

Happy Easter Snapshot

No one is looking at the camera. Caroline was worried. After this, she busted up screaming. So…here is our lovely Easter photo :) Sometimes, you just have to take what you can get.

Happy Easter! May we all keep its true meaning in our hearts on this special day and every day.

Allen @ 1

Here is our nephew at 1 year old. Total stud.

With his sister.

My Submitted Comment

Yes, I really sent this comment to management at Studio5.com. Some of you might agree…I hope.

 

I enjoy many parts of Studio 5. The topics of conversation are interesting and the guests are informative. What I sincerely dislike about the show is the crafting segment. I regard myself as an average Utah woman and I have a hard time swallowing the craft projects you present on the show. Honestly, the word I would use is "horrid". I personally don't know anyone who would ever want to create that junk. They are just way over-the-top gaudy and tacky. I don't mind a craft project, but it must have taste and those really don't.

The other thing that really bothers me about the segment (along with the cooking segment) is how dumbed down they are. Are we really to believe that the incredibly talented and successful show hosts can't operate a glue gun? I don't know if they are just trying to relate to the "average" person out there, but if they are it's just insulting. We know how to use scissors. We know how to combine ingredients.

I don't mean to offend, but I just really thought someone should hear what I and my counterparts really think.

Keep up the good work on the rest of the show! Thanks.

 

Sorry. I just had to do it.  Maybe they’ll send me a mug :)

From my Phone

I used to think having a camera on a phone was dumb. Why would I ever need one at a moment’s notice? Well, having children = needing a camera spontaneously. Here are some of the photos and videos I have collected over the past few months.

This was actually taken by a friend after she made them pirates. These are Nate’s friends at Legacy Village Townhomes. They are (top left) Tyler, Bryson, Brooks (bottom left) Dylan, Andon, Nate.

At the zoo on a preschool field trip. Isaac, Abby, Nate, Madeleine, AJ, Owen.

 

At the firestation.

   

A denim rag quilt I made when I thought I was having a boy.

I also have many videos from my phone. I’ll put those in another post sometime.

February and March

Caroline’s first solid food feeding.

The Raines Family March birthday party. We played all kinds of fun games and then ate éclairs. Thanks, mom, for planning such a fun time!

 

Cousin Racheal trying out Madeleine’s new bike.

This is currently one of my favorite pictures.

Family can see more pictures from February and March here.

Miss Madeleine Turned 3

 

Madeleine Gail turned 3 years old a couple of weeks ago.  On the spur of the moment I decided to take some quick portraits of my daughter on her birthday. I love her SO MUCH!

 

 

I asked her which picture was her favorite and it was this. I don’t blame her.

I love her eyes.

 

This is what she did when I told her to look at me and smile, just one more time. Nice.

Her gift from Grandma and Grandpa Raines was a cupcake baking kit. I bought an apron and chef’s hat and decorated them. She looks ADORABLE!

 

 

Don’t her cupcakes look delish?

She received $20 in the mail from her Great Grandma Maria and this is the stash she bought with it. I’d say she’s a pretty good shopper.

We didn’t get pictures, but from her Grandma and Grandpa Snow she got a toy cash register, which she loves scanning merchandise with, and an electric drum pad so she can learn to play like her dad.

This is her gift from us. A new bike! She was giggling like crazy riding this thing. I’m excited for nicer weather so she can ride up and down the street with her brother.

Happy birthday, Miss Madeleine! We sure love you and all of your 3-year-old personality!