Before & After...FINALLY!

**FYI--some great work on our remodel by some great companies--Here are the links:
AZ Granite Connection--AWESOME--my bro. in law's company, and they are the BEST! (Love you Kari...) Here is the phone #--but you guys need a WEBSITE! Show off your work!
Redline Custom Cabinets--they were a little slow finishing the work, but did a quality job, and the finished product turned out GREAT!
All About Painting Co.--these guys were AWESOME! They did the painting inside and out--and also restaining on some cabinetry that turned out great--I couldn't even find a spot that needed touching up! How do painters make such straight lines??? I can't do it!
Visionmakers International--did the cantera stone backsplash in the kitchen--I love it!
Dynasty Iron Doors--where we got the front door.

Our house has been pretty much finished since Christmas time, when we finally got the kitchen all done. There are still a few little things here and there that need to be done, or decorated--but I am SO happy with the almost finished product! I really love how it turned out! I thought I would post a few before & after pictures to give you a little peek at what we've been doing over here the last 6 months!
This was the outside of the house BEFORE:

The first thing we really wanted to change was the little door. It was a huge entryway, with a little 7 foot door. My kids called it the "hobbit door". So, the people came to put in our new 12 foot door & I think it turned out awesome:



We also painted the outside of the house a darker color so it didn't look so much like a church building. I think it turned out great:


Here is the entryway/formal living room BEFORE:

This is what it looks like now:







This was the formal dining room BEFORE:

This is now our music room:

This was the master bathroom BEFORE:

This is the master bathroom NOW:





One of my favorite things is the new laundry room, although I don't have a before pic--these BIG bins are awesome:



Also, we have a ginormous food storage room in the basement, check this out!:



This is Todd's office--BEFORE:

I really love the color he chose for it--without my help! And don't worry--I'm sure before long, there will be crazy animal heads all over this room!:



The most awesome part of this house, however has to be the new kitchen and family room! We completely gutted the kitchen and changed the whole layout, and I LOVE how it turned out. It's functional, we can have a large crowd at the house and everyone has somewhere to sit--I LOVE IT! This was the kitchen BEFORE:

This is how it turned out:










And the family room--they had the room turned with the fireplace in the back of the couch--we decided to put the TV above the fireplace and make an entertainment wall. It really opened up the room & made it a lot bigger! Here it is BEFORE:

Here is how it looks NOW:









We still need to finish my bedroom, the kids bedrooms, and the basement which need some new furniture & a little decorating--but I think the house has come a LONG way! I love it!

A Great Story...

So many times I have wondered, whether aloud or in my heart, "With all the people in this world, so many problems, how is Heavenly Father able to know ME? To know MY heart? To know MY needs?" And so many times, I have felt a quiet assurance that He does know me, He does care for me, as only a father could. I have felt His love for me so many times in my life, and He is amazing to me! Today in church, the lesson was on visiting teaching, and how important it is for us to be close to the spirit, so that we can serve and love our sisters, just as our Heavenly Father does. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs". The sweet sister shared an amazing story, that left the whole room in tears, that I wanted to share here. If we are listening to the spirit, and stay close to the Lord, we can be instruments in His hands. You never know when you might be a part of a miracle! Happy Sunday!

Fresh Crab and French Bread
By Garnee Faulkner
It was a typical winter day in San Francisco, cool and damp. We had lived there a few years before and were back renewing memories. Seeing the large, steaming crab vats as we walked along Fisherman’s Wharf, I exclaimed, “Oh, let’s take some crab home to Emma.”
“Crab?” asked my husband. “Why crab?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she would enjoy it.”
Sensing my ever-present desire to bring cheer to a grieving widow in our ward, Ron counseled me to find a more easily transported gift. He suggested that we find something more suitable in one of the souvenir shops beckoning us.
In and out of the shops we went, searching in vain for just the right memento. Empty-handed and tired, we started for our car, only to pass the crab vats once more.
“Ron, I still want to take some crab to Emma,” I pleaded.
He was still resistant to hauling crab 150 miles, especially when I wasn’t even sure Emma liked it. Nevertheless, we asked the vendor about transporting un-refrigerated crab that distance.
Soon we were crossing the Bay Bridge with the crab carefully wrapped in many thicknesses of paper; a long loaf of the Wharf’s famous french bread was tucked in the side of the sack.
On the trip home my thoughts turned to Emma. I remembered the sacrament meeting ten months before when Emma, her husband, Ed, and their oldest son, David, had spoken just before David left to serve a mission. That was the last time we saw Ed. After accompanying David to the Missionary Training Center, Ed suffered a fatal heart attack while still in Utah. He never returned to California.
Ed was a gifted surgeon, highly respected in our community. His passing was felt deeply. In addition to Emma, he left six children, the youngest just a toddler.
Though many grieved with the family, it was difficult to express their sympathy because Emma was extremely reserved and quiet. Few knew her well. As the months went on, her sorrow did not seem to lessen. Grief and poor health found her withdrawing from activity outside her home. I was determined to be her friend, her sister in the gospel, and not let fear or personal rejection dilute my concern. Each week I went to her home, sometimes to be invited in while she shared her heartache. Other times she met me at the door but quickly terminated the visit with, “Thank you for coming.”
As I rang the doorbell that day I could hear many feet running to answer. The door opened. Emma, surrounded by her children, stood there puzzled at my brown sack and protruding loaf of bread.
“Yes?” she inquired.
My spirits were dampened by her coolness, but I faked enthusiasm over our trip to the city and the gift we had brought.
As she took the fresh crab and french bread, Emma asked, “Is this for any special occasion?”
“No,” I replied, “I just thought you might enjoy some crab from the Wharf.”
“Thank you very much,” she said, expressionless, and closed the door.
I returned to the car and slumped down into the seat, deflated. All I could say to Ron was, “I’m not sure Emma likes crab.” We finished the drive home in silence.
Two days later came the following letter:
My dear friends:
I was very touched by your kind gesture last night and feel compelled to share a few thoughts with you.
Yesterday morning began with the usual daily tasks. I was out sweeping the walks when I looked up to the heavens and, noting the vast, billowing, white clouds, asked, “Ed, do you know what day this is? Do dates have a meaning in heaven? Can you possibly know how much I love you and how desperately you are missed; how I long to be taken into your strong arms and held again just for a minute?”
With tear-stained cheeks I wanted to know if he remembered twenty-three years ago, or even two years ago this day.
All day long memories came rushing back. I remembered our first trip to San Francisco and how cold it was as we walked by the steaming crab pots at the Wharf. Ed was so handsome in his Navy uniform. He always took my hand in his, and holding it tight placed both in his overcoat pocket. How comforting the warmth was. I could see him sitting in the cable car, with his boyish grin, a loaf of bread and a crab under each arm. So many times he repeated this procedure.
San Francisco was our playground. I cannot begin to count the number of seminars and scientific meetings we attended there. To learn more was almost a disease with Ed. After each session we always ended our stay by going to the Wharf. A loaf of bread and a fresh crab became symbolic of a wonderful time together. Now that he’s gone, I wonder what mysteries of heaven he is exploring, what avenues are being opened to him. So many unanswered questions … so impatient I am.
Yesterday was a difficult day to get through. In late afternoon a beautiful floral arrangement arrived with a card from the children declaring their love for me. It was heartwarming. As I looked at the two little ones, then at Eddie and Janet and Miriam—then remembered David—I could see a part of Ed in each and realized that my cup runneth over.
Then at the close of day when I opened the door and saw you standing there with a loaf of bread and a package of fresh crab, it was like a direct message. You denied knowing it was a special day. Therefore I felt it was Ed’s way of saying, “Happy anniversary. I do remember.”
As ever,
Emma

Feeling Like...The Biggest Loser...

So Todd's family started our own Biggest Loser contest the week before Thanksgiving--(ummm, crazy--I know!). There are 5 women, and 5 men competing for weekly prizes, and we have had a lot of fun with it! There have been up and down weeks, especially at Christmas time--because c'mon, how the heck do you leave all of those sweets alone--not to mention the running around you do at Christmas and all the eating out, so those few weeks were rough. Anyway, we have been getting back on track, and last week I weighed in at 144--10 pounds down from my starting weight of 154, and almost 20 pounds down from when we moved when I was back up at my stressed out yucky weight--over 160. I was feeling pretty good, and pretty proud of myself for losing the weight that I had gained back over Christmas so I could be at a new low weight, until my nephew Austin (Katie's son) happens to mention, "Hey--144?? You weigh more than my DAD!"--OUCH!

Immediately after weighing in at Katie's house, we stopped by Todd's brother Greg's house to get some medicine for our sore muscles this week--(we are doing Bootcamp at 5 a.m. for the next 6 weeks--we will need it!). My little niece, Samantha who is 5 runs up to give me a hug--and so sweetly looks up at me and says, "Is there a baby in your tummy?" OUCH! Are you kidding me? Anyway, needless to say, hope the bootcamp can work miracles--because I am stuck once again at a new plateau 145, but at least this plateau allows me to fit comfortably into my jeans! Ha!

Holy Cow! My Ashlie is 5!!

Ashlie turned 5 on the day that we came back from the cabin! It was kinda a stinky birthday, because we cleaned all morning, then got in the car to head home. We did eat lunch with my sister and a few cousins in Payson at a great pizza place--called Pizza Factory (in the Bashas plaza). We love their breadsticks & pizza crust! We didn't get home until around 5, and so we opened presents, and I didn't even have a cake! What a terrible mom! I promised Ashlie that we would take her on a date the next day--just me and dad and her, to make up for it. Our date was awesome--we went to her favorite, Panda Express for dinner, then went to the movie to see "The Princess and the Frog", which was so cute. Ashlie was just so amazed that she got her OWN drink at the movie! That never happens in our family--we always share one or two drinks! I think she had a great time! Let me tell you 5 things that we LOVE about Ashlie:
1. She is SOOO smart! She has had an amazing preschool teacher this year, and she is reading like a pro! I love that she learns things so quickly, and it comes so naturally--she is amazing!
2. She is sweet. She is always thinking of how she can help others. Most of my kids will quickly tell me NO when I ask them to do something--Ashlie always just gets up and helps. I love that!
3. She is stubborn. You might wonder why I include this as things I love about her, but the fact is, this girl is a girl after my own heart, and she's the first child to really give me a run for my money. In fact, in the stubborn meter she might just have me beat...we are in big trouble. But I think if she is stubborn and determined to meet her goals she will go so far in life!
4. She is FUNNY! She tells funny jokes, and has the funniest facial expressions. I am going to miss her around the house next year when she's in kindergarten!
5. She is loving! That girl gives hugs and kisses whenever their needed, and she is loving and kind to her brothers and sisters, especially Jack. She is always looking out for him, and keeping him out of trouble!
Ashlie, we love you so much--and we're so glad you are in our family! Happy Birthday!






Jack saw an airplane!...

Word of the Year...

Last year I blogged about my word of the year (read it HERE). I did it because I had seen several people blog about their word of the year, and it seemed like a fun way to focus in on my life, and really think about something I wanted to change this year. I really think that having that word in the back of my mind all year (JOY), helped me to focus on what was really important, and really helped me to be a happier, more joyful person. I feel like I was able to enjoy my family more, and not think so much about all of the things I needed to do--but to live in the moment, and take each day to focus on what we are all really here for: "Men are that they might have JOY!" Still love that scripture!
I have been thinking about what word I wanted to use this year, what I need to work on, and I haven't been able to come up with anything. Not that I don't need to change anything--of course I do. Part of the problem is there is too much I need to change, and one word wouldn't suffice. So I was stumped...until today.
I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Second Nephi, chapter 2, where Lehi is getting ready to die, and he is talking to his posterity one last time, telling them of his love for them and his love for the gospel. I have often wondered what it would be like, if I knew I only had a certain amount of time left on this earth. What would I do? What would I say to my children, to my husband? Would I have regrets? I think that Lehi was such a trememdous example, he took each of his children, and blessed them, and gave them counsel, specific to them before he left the earth. The part that stood out to me though, was in 2 Nephi 2:30, where Lehi says:
"I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons, in the last days of my probation; and I have chosen the good part, according to the words of the prophet. And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen."
It was like those words just jumped off the page, and into my heart. The question I wrote in the margin was, "Have I chosen the good part?" I think most of the time, I can answer yes, I try to choose the good part. But there are always SO many distractions...so many things that take my focus away from what is really important in this life--my family, the gospel, my testimony, and instilling that testimony in my children. I think so many times my spiritual life gets so crowded out by the every day craziness. So many times, I sit at the end of my day, and think of what I accomplished that day--and it is usually a VERY long list, but what did I do for my spiritual welfare that day? What did I do to come closer to my Heavenly Father, and my Savior that day? That is usually a much shorter list, and I need to focus more on that.
So my word for the year is CHOOSE--more specifically, "choose the good part." I really feel like if I can keep this phrase in my head, that it will help me in all aspects of my life. I can choose to be healthy, I can choose to be patient, I can choose to be kind, I can choose to be a better mother, a better wife, a better daughter. Every day is about choices, and each day I need to choose the good part--for myself, and for my family, just as Lehi did for his. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin gave a talk (HERE) on this subject a few years ago, called "Three Choices" and it came to my mind as I was writing this, part of it says:
"Our destiny and ultimate fate depend upon our daily decisions.
The great Old Testament prophet Joshua knew this when he said, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua understood how critical it is to choose without delay to be more righteous. We too should decide now. Will our lives be filled with regret and despair? Or will we repent and strive each day to make our days worthwhile and meaningful?
Tomorrow’s joy or tomorrow’s despair has its roots in decisions we make today. Perhaps some people think to themselves: “I know I need to change some things in my life. Maybe later, but not now.”
Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land.
Today is the day of decision."
Today is the day of decision--I LOVE that! So I will choose today, to become closer to the Lord, to focus more on what He would have me do, on what He would have me be. I will try to "choose the good part." If I can do this, 2010 may be the best year yet!

New Years at the Cabin...

We went up to the cabin for New Years this year with Todd's sister Katie and her family. We all had a great time--except for half of our kids getting sick (and both of Karin's kids we were babysitting!). There was a little snow left, even though it was more like ice, the kids had a good time slipping around in it. It is so funny when you bring a kid to the snow who has been in Arizona most of their life. They go outside, half clothed, no gloves on, and tennis shoes, but happy as can be to go play in the snow. 10 minutes later they come back in, crying, hands frozen, nose frozen, feet frozen, and miserable as can be. Warm them up, and they are off again--so funny! I for one am SO glad to not live in the snow--it's so much work to get all of those clothes on and off 3 or 4 times a day! The snow is fun to visit--too cold to live in!







Poor baby, his hands were freezing (he took off his mittens...)

Emie wrote her name in the snow--much cleaner than the way the boys do it...

New Years Eve was tons of fun--in fact I think I spent pretty much the whole day on this couch watching football--can you tell by the way I look! Love those lazy days at the cabin! This was at midnight...





The next night while the adults were at dinner, the older girls made brownies--little Jack LOVED the brownie batter! They gave him the whole bowl!




Stosh wasn't feeling well, so he loved sitting by the fireplace...


This was a great game of "catch the blue gorilla"...the boys have fun catching just about anything!




We saw lots of deer, right by the cabin, I managed to get a picture of this big guy who was scratching his antlers on a tree right outside the kitchen window!



Poor Stosh was SO sick, and coughing so hard. Luckily, I had borrowed Katie's breathing machine and I still had medicine from Jack having pnemonia a few weeks ago, so we could give him breathing treatments. He was so cute, he would be sitting there doing a treatment, and you smile at him and he would take off the mask and smile back so big. What a trooper. He ended up going home on Sunday with Katie and Shaun, and having Uncle Greg check him out--he had double ear infections! We got home and found out that Jack and Stacia had them as well! Poor little guys! They are feeling much better now...




~HAPPY NEW YEAR~2010 WILL BE AWESOME!