Basement Update

Well, the drywall is up!! Can you believe it?! We've been working on our basement for years now and it is finally all coming together. With a vow to have the basement done by the new year, we just may make it. We still have mudding, painting, carpet, tiling, and cabinets to go....but we're slowly getting there. Unfortunately now comes the time for more expensive things. Well, we're getting there. Can't wait for my movie room!!!

The first picture is looking back from the stairs to the north. You can see the pantry and further back to the east will be Sarah's playroom under the stairs. Becca is going to be really nice and paint it for me :o).

This is looking into our family/movie room. On the wall we're going to have a large screen where we're going to have the real movie experience. Speakers are going to be mounted in the wall so you won't see speaker boxes everywhere. I love the fireplace! Come next Christmas we're going to have our family Christmas room downstairs and everything upstairs will be formal. Exciting!!

Here is our bathroom. I'm so excited for the tub! It is an overflow tub so we can fill it up to the rim! Soaker tubs are awesome!

Now comes the joyful work of tiling. Jordan says we're doing this on our own, so let's hope we can figure it out. Yeah....

Christmas Decorating

Well, that time of year has come again. I begged Jordan for weeks to put lights up on the house, but he hasn't done it. He's been busy working on the basement nearly every day after work, so the lights might not get up this year. I can't go on the roof, Jordan has banned me. Must be a man-ego thing. Hopefully though, we get something up besides my wreath.

Inside, however, is a different story. I had to call a neighbor kid to come over and help me get my tree down from the top shelf in the garage (Jordan was at work and hadn't taken time in the last week to get it down). After the tree was done, the decorating was really quick.

Sarah was so excited to have a tree inside of the house. At first she called it a castle. I guess it looks like one, in the imagination of a 2 year old. I had Anna give Sarah a tutorial of how to place an ornament on the tree. It was quite cute.

After Sarah learned how to properly hang an ornament, she was ready to go. Nothing could stop her! I had to hurry and grab all the glass and breakable ornaments before she took them and tried to hand them. With her tiny fingers she dropped more than just one ornament while helping Mommy decorate.

After the tree was done, I put the other decorations up around the house. Now my entire home looks and smells festive. With the new snow outside it really is beginning to feel like Christmas.

On Sunday morning, Sarah woke up early. Jordan was already working on the basement preparing for the sheetrockers to come, so I had to get up with Sarah. I changed her into her day clothes and brushed her hair. Then, I decided to look half-normal and brush my hair and get ready for the day. I let Sarah have free rein over the house for a few minutes while I readied myself. As soon as Sarah entered the family room, she ran back to me, all excited with glittering eyes. "Santa came! Mama, Santa came!"

Of course I was taken aback. Santa doesn't come till Christmas, not weeks before. I naturally thought Sarah meant she found presents under the tree that we'd placed their the day before. I hurried and followed Sarah into the room, her running, jumping, skipping slowing me down. Sarah immediately ran to the tree and pointed to a Santa ornament. She squealed with delight, "Santa, Mama! Santa's here!"

Sarah is indeed the cutest little girl I know. Jordan and I are truly blest to have her in our life. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter child.

Then came time to get ready for church. Since it is December, Sarah got to wear her Christmas dress. It is so cute! I had to do her hair as well, so I grabbed my curling iron and tried to entertain a 2 year old while curling her hair into ringlets. She was good too, except for the last 4 curls. She was antsy and wanted to get down. But, what a cute girl!!!Sarah and the rest of us (save having lights put up outside) are ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Well, it's been such a long time since I've written. I must apologize. Time just slipped away and I never found the time to write...or say anything. Nothing much as happened in the last few weeks. Sarah, Jordan, and I all have colds. It stinks, but at least it's not the swine flu again. Colds we can all handle.

Work is going good for both Jordan and I. I'm still working on getting my Mary Kay business going. It has its ups and downs, but I'm still working hard and doing all I can. If you want any makeup, let me know. I have plenty of things on hand :o).

Sarah is growing, growing, growing and growing some more. She is saying well over 300 different words and she's only 2! She's also starting to sing. I can't believe it too! Most kids don't start to sing till their nearly 3, but Sarah is hitting notes spot on with singers on the radio. She loves music, always has. She is getting better at the piano too. When I ask her to play middle C, she gets about 2 notes away or hits it right on. Not too bad for only being 2!

Daisy Mae is as annoying as ever, but we love the dog. I practice in my backyard with her dummy and some pheasant scent the other day and Daisy was right on. It was so neat to watch her track the scent in the very same pattern I dragged the dummy around the yard. Man that dog as a nose! The vet said she couldn't go hunting this year (since it takes a while to recover from an ACL surgery) but next year she'll be ready to go. I can't wait. I hate waiting an entire season to hunt! Good thing I got my itch scratched on the deer hunt this year.

We're spending Thanksgiving this year at my folks house. I'm really excited. Maybe because since this year it's my family turn, I didn't have to spend weeks cleaning my house in preparation and then buy most of the food. It seems like Thanksgiving is a lot of work!! But, it's worth it to see all the family and spend time together. Jordan loves to cater and show off his mad turkey cooking skills. Well, next year hun, we'll do just that.

Jordan is also gearing up for Black Friday Sales. He's big into that. He's going to go with my Mom and shop. I like it that way. I get to stay home, sleep, and take care of Sarah. Trying to wake a little kid up at 3am isn't advised. I always wonder how some of those parents do that when I see a little kid in their shopping cart at 4am. Well, whatever floats their boat is what I say.

I went and saw New Moon last week. I must say I really, really enjoyed it. I wished there was more Jacob in the movie, since the book was mainly him and Bella, but I was still very pleased. I thought they really did take it up another notch and I'm really excited for Eclipse to come out this summer! June 30th seems so far away!!

Well, that's about all the update you're going to get. Like I said, not much has happened. I'll be sure to take some pictures this weekend and post them when I can. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!

Halloween 2009 -The Year of the Fairies-

Well, Halloween was a blast! Sarah was a Fire Fairy, I was a Water Fairy, and Anna was an Earth Fairy. We tried to convince Jordan to go as Air, so we could cover all the elements, but he wouldn't. All well, 3 fairies were enough this year.

Anna and I woke up early on Saturday to start getting ready for the day. I did Anna's hair and makeup and I think it turned out pretty amazing. I wanted her hair to look as if it was beginning to grow, as if the earth was just beginning to bud with life. I think the outcome was pretty good. I put in fake flowers and leaves to add the earthy effect and to make her hair seem like soil. With Anna's auburn colored hair, I think it worked out pretty well.

I then hurried and did my hair, wanting it to look like rolling water in a stream. I added some blue to the roots of my hair with eyeshadow and then had Anna and Karina put in gems to make it look like dew drops were in my hair. I think it turned out pretty good, don't you?

After Anna and were done with our hair, I did Anna's makeup. It was really cool. I began with a light gold color, merged into copper brown, then a burgundy color, then a deep purple to match the flowers in her hair. I think her makeup looked fantastic, but I am partial to my creations.

As soon as Anna's makeup was done, I started working on mine. It didn't take too long to do mine. I work makeup pretty quick. I began with silver, merged into a light blue, then a dark blue, then a turquoise color. The effect was really neat. I added some gems to my face, to make it look like more dew droplets, and added lashes. I really liked the outcome of the makeup.

As soon as I finished my makeup a neighbor girl came over for me to do some FX makeup on her. She wanted me to make her neck look as if it had been cut off and reattached. But, she didn't want the look of stitches at all, just the slit part. So I did some theater makeup magic with liquid latex and this is what the outcome was.

As I was doing this, she began more and more nervous the more realistic it looked. I don't think she realized how gory looking it would be till I began coloring in the latex to look as if the neck had a deep cut and then added the fake blood. I warned her how realistic things would look and I don't think she believed me till the end result was done. I wonder what her parents thought? They bought the materials I instructed, so they knew what I was doing, but still...I wonder.

After she left to go home, I hurried and packed everything in the car to go to Logan. While the latex was drying, I managed to do Sarah's hair. I wanted it sticking straight up like a fire flame. I tipped the ends red with washable marker and used a lot of hair product. It worked though! The trunk-or-treat at my Mom's ward began at 5pm and we had 2 hours to get there, get Sarah's makeup done, and head to the festivities. We barely made it in time, hurried and slipped into our costumes, and headed over to the church.

Sarah had a blast! Nana, Anna, and me escorted Aiden, Abby, and Sarah around to each car. It was a lot of fun and by the end of the circle, Sarah had the phrase, "trick or treat" down pat. She would walk up to someone with a bowl of candy and say, "Trick-or-treat" then take a piece of candy or wait for them to give her one. She was so impressed with how she could just receive candy that when we got home, she "trick-or-treated" to Jordan and me to get a piece of candy from her basket. What a cutie!

We visited Grandma and Grandpa Harris for a while and then headed back to Nana's for some chili. Sarah got a bath (thank goodness because her hair was caked with hair cerement, gel, and hairspray) before dinner.

I had fliers to pass out for my Mary Kay event in Logan next week (New Moon character makeup class) and so Anna and I headed out to the Howl at the University to pass out fliers. We passed out at least 200 there and then we decided to head to the movie theater and pass some out there as well. Hopefully I get some calls and some bookings!!! Wish me luck!

After which, we came home and I took out Anna's hair and Becca took mine out. It took a while with all the bobby pins, but we did it. Our hair and faces felt so gross we both ran and took showers before heading off to bed. But, we had a great time walking around as Fire, Water, and Earth. Making our own tutu's was a plus as well. It was fun and very easy to make. Sarah liked to dance around in hers and she loved her wings. I think I have a drama queen in the makings....don't you?!

The next day we headed home. I quickly did Sarah's hair, very curly, and then had to take some pictures. Sarah is just so beautiful I couldn't resist. Her hair was all done and she was wearing her new fall dress. She was very excited to go to church, but looking this cute, who wouldn't want to?

All in all, a great Halloween and great weather!

Happy Halloween!!

Well, Halloween is on a Saturday this year, so we're going to head to Logan. I promise to take a lot of pictures with costumes!! It is sure to be a blast!! I wish everyone a safe Halloween this year and don't eat too much candy!

Deer Hunt 2009

Well, the deer hunt began off on a good start. This year Anna, Karina Lindsey, Jacob (Robert’s friend) and Robert joined us. It was good, although crowded at times, and we had a lot of fun. Personally I liked the girl time with Anna and Karina and liked staking out the mountain with their help. Most hunts just involve men, so a little extra estrogen was indeed refreshing.

After my grandpa Harris’ 80th birthday celebration on Friday, Jordan and I drove back to SLC, picked up Robert and his friend, and headed to our cabin. Sarah got to spend a fun weekend with Nana and Bompa in Logan while I went on the hunt. She’s too young to hike miles a day, I was carrying my gun as was Jordan, and I much rather not have her in that sort of environment until she’s older and can understand what is happening. So, she got some quality Nana and Bompa time.

We arrived just shortly before midnight at our cabin—hunting shack—unpacked, and quickly went off to bed knowing we were getting up at 4am the next morning. Robert and Jacob decided to sleep in a tent and the rest of us took the beds in the cabin. With our propane heater, we were toasty warm inside.

Four in the morning came all too quickly. We hurry and ate, got dressed, and headed up the mountain to get our best, plotted spot. Anna and Karina were with me and Robert and Jacob were with Jordan. We hiked in the dark, found our spot, and waited an hour and half before we could even see a few hundred feet in front of us.

Come sunrise, us girls decided to head down the mountain and hike down the ravine, as Jordan and I had planned. We had walkie-talkies, but Jordan turned his off. Since we had no way to communicate, thanks to his clever move, I headed down with the ladies and waited for Jordan to accompany us.

Once we neared the bottom, I decided to wait a few minutes and see if Jordan was going to stick to the plan. Within 30 minutes Jordan and Jacob joined us. Robert didn’t want to hike down the ravine, since it is easily a 6 mile hike on deer trails hugging the mountain side, and stayed at the truck. We then headed in, our spirits high, our mouths sealed closed, and began trekking through the mountains. Within the first mile we saw a herd of deer. Unfortunately we only saw doe and yearlings. We pushed on. Within the next 5 miles we saw nothing. It was a risk to take, but you can never really know where the deer may be. They’re pretty skittish opening day.

Anna fell down at least a dozen times. But she continued on despite her falls. It was rather funny at first, and then she just kept falling and falling. Her black pants, by the end of the hike, were brown. Karina was nice and stayed back with Anna and helped her get up each time.

In the afternoon we ate lunch and then Jordan and I took naps. We were exhausted. The rest of party decided to go 4-wheeling. I didn’t care though, that gave me a solid hour of silence to sleep. I relished the opportunity.

The evening hunt was good. Anna decided to stay behind because her ankle was injured during one of her many falls and Karina stayed behind with her and Robert decided he wanted to stay at the cabin and Jacob stayed behind with him. It was just Jordan and me. We jumped on the 4-wheeler, headed up the mountain, and took off in search of bucks.

We drove all the way up to Skyline Drive thinking the deer would be higher up with the warm weather we were having. We then found an off road leading to Scoffield Reservoir. One the trail we saw 2 doe and 2 yearlings. We thought our chances of getting a buck were pretty good considering how many deer were grazing off the side of the road. We found another off trail, took it, and found ourselves overlooking a beautiful meadow. There were deer tracks and scat everywhere. Bucks had indeed been there.

We waited till it was almost too dark to see. We had an hour drive back to the cabin and didn’t want to get back too late knowing the next morning we’d be up hours before the sun. On our way back a 2-point buck bolted in front of us. Jordan jumped off the 4-wheeler and took a shot at the buck who was trying to assess who we were and if we were a threat. Jordan was at a bad angle, but I thought he would’ve waited till he had a good shot. He shot, the buck bolted up the mountain, and Jordan tried to run after it. He missed, no questions asked. He aimed for the neck area since he didn’t want to just injure the deer or ruin any meat. In my confidence in Jordan, I didn’t even ready my gun. Honestly, how can you miss a target, which wasn’t even moving, from only a 100 yards away? Well, Jordan did.

Sunday I didn’t hunt, since Sunday’s are considered an animal’s day of rest too (at least in my mind it is). Jordan went hunting since he doesn’t care what day of the week it is. Anna and Karina joined us in the morning. They drove the 4-wheeler while Jordan and I opted to drive in the truck. Personally the longer I could prevent freezing to death, the better. Once we arrived at the meadow we had found the night prior, Anna and Karina slipped into the bed of the truck, got inside their sleeping bags, and slept. Jordan and I hiked about a ¼ mile in and found a good spot to sit and watch. As the sun rose, we finally had to admit to ourselves there wasn’t any deer at all and the chances of one coming weren’t high. After a couple of hours waiting, we decided to leave and find another place.

Anna and Karina stayed behind and slept while Jordan and I went exploring. I didn’t care at all that we were road hunting, because the chances of getting a buck off the side of the road are less than 5%. At least Jordan doesn’t fully hunt on Sunday, it is halfhearted. Needless to say, we saw nothing the entire day. Not even doe.

Sunday evening Anna, Karina, Robert, and Jacob left for home. Jordan and I were the only ones left and I liked it. I could wake up when I needed to and didn’t have to fight anyone to get them up and ready to go at our appointed get up time. I didn’t have to cater to anyone at all. It was nice (although I did miss a little of the extra estrogen). Jordan and I simply work well together and I love spending time with him. We almost walk the same pace too, so hiking with him isn’t bothersome. I don’t have to slow down and he doesn’t have to slow down. It’s nice.

We woke up early Monday and decided to give our first spot a chance again, since that is where Jordan got his deer last year. We stayed there for a couple of hours and only spotted 3 does across the hillside. We decided to hike back to our 4-wheeler and take our chances heading up higher again. We decided to hike down into the bowl where the elk normally bed down. Since the elk hunt was the prior week, the chances of elk being there were zero to none. Deer would’ve moved in, or so we hoped.

We hiked in about 3 ½ miles. The trail was well trodden and the leaves were trampled into the soil. We were walking practically silently. We were almost to the clearing when Jordan and I spotted a herd of deer. We stopped walking mid-step. Jordan was right in front of me, so I couldn’t see anything in front of him at all. But, standing right in front of him was a huge 4-point or larger buck. Its rack was so huge Jordan at first through he was an elk. Straddled between two trees, he stood grazing as he slowly walked, stopped, ate, and then continued on. Jordan decided to take a shot. He missed, again, and the buck ran behind a large pine tree. He stayed there for a good 30 seconds before he bolted. Jordan took another shot, but missed again. Down the mountainside the trophy buck ran and Jordan had lost his chance.

I was a little upset, I admit, since Jordan was standing right in front of me and I could see nothing but doe and yearlings. He had a chance with the last buck; this one should’ve been mine. But, it was too late and now he was gone.

We followed them down the mountainside for about a mile before we decided to head back up. Layered in about 5 shirts, a sweater, and a coat, I was getting terribly hot. I had to shed my many layers of clothing and carry them while we hiked. Jordan decided to stay and sit a while in hopes another herd would move through. I told him our scent was everywhere now, the two gunshots scared everything in a mile radius away, and it was getting late in the morning. After spending another two hours on the mountain, seeing absolutely nothing, we headed back for lunch.

After spending some time cleaning and packing, we thought about taking our nap. The morning came much too early and it seemed hiking around 8 miles a day wasn’t keeping either of us awake. But, property owner duties called….

Instead of taking our planned nap, Jordan and I decided to cut down some dead Cottonwood trees. The deciduous trees are trashy, rot from the inside out, and look horrid. I want them all gone. So, we started with 4. We cut them down and watched them tip. We moved the truck as a precaution, and thank goodness we did. One of the trees didn’t tip the way we wanted it to and had the truck been there we would’ve been riding home on a 4-wheeler.

We went back to the same meadow in the evening as we did during the day. Jordan was sure the 4 point would return. I was certain he wouldn’t. So, we hiked in the 3 ½ miles and waited. Guess who was right? I was. I spotted 2 doe and that was it. We decided to hike back before it got too dark and hope to see a buck on the way. We saw nothing, so we headed back to the cabin. We loaded the 4-wheeler, packed the rest of our things, and headed home.

On the way home I received a message from a very sick Nana. She had gotten some sort of illness and was so sick she couldn’t watch Sarah. She went to the doctor, worried she had H1N1, and was told she tested negative for the flu. Her asthma had been acting up the last 2 weeks and her doctor seemed to think her illness was bacterial and not viral. Bompa ended up watching Sarah on Monday, since Nana was too sick and couldn’t breathe. So, I woke up early on Tuesday and drove to Logan arriving just as Sarah had woken up.

I felt bad my mom had to take care of Sarah while she was ill. She came down with it Sunday night, survive through Monday, and felt a little better on Tuesday, but was still sicker than a dog. I packed Sarah’s things up and headed home, stopping at Bompa’s work so he could say goodbye to Sarah.

I wanted to spend the day in Logan, but with Nana being so sick (and Becca, Aiden, and Abby) I thought it best just to leave and not let any more time pass. The less exposure, the better.

Sarah and I spent the day at home cleaning. Not the most fun or favorite activity to do, but it needed to be done. Sarah even tried to help me fold clothes and later that day she helped drying dishes. She’s a very good helper for only being 2.

Now we’re back. Jordan and Anna are heading up Thursday night and staying until Saturday night. I’m taking off Friday to spend with Sarah. I need my mommy time with her. She’s such a doll and I feel as if I don’t spend hardly the amount of time with her as I should. She deserves to have a tentative mother.

All in all, a good hunt and a good trip. I'm looking forward to this weekend with Sarah and am praying she doesn’t get sick.

Sarah's Owee

We went to Logan for the weekend to visit Nana and Bompa and also have a Mary Kay party for Anna. Upon arrival, I asked Sarah if she wanted an apple. She was in her footy pajamas and came running excitedly towards me. She slipped, fell, and slid right into the corner of a chair leg. Needless to say, Sarah had a trip to the Urgent Care down the street.

The doctor checked it out and they said it could use 1 stitch, but it wouldn't be worth the trauma it would cause Sarah. So, they numbed the area with some sort of special topical ointment, and then cleaned it off. After it was all cleaned, the doctor glued on a piece of tape and walla, Sarah's head was taped back together. He said the tape will fall off within a week or so.

Sarah, however, wasn't too fazed at all by this experience. As you can see, she still had enough happiness in her to give Mommy a good 'cheese' picture. She also thanked the doctor and the nurse who helped her. She melted their hearts--what child thanks a doctor for scrubbing at their wound and then looking at it to determine whether a stitch was needed or not? Only Sarah would, that's who.

After our trip to Urgent Care, Sarah went to bed. It was already late and I didn't want her up any longer; considering her owee tuckered her out. Saturday came too quick. We ate breakfast and then went over to Auntie Liz's to see the puppies. Sarah really had a fun time with them. She had fun playing with Aiden and Abby as well. Then, we went back to Nana's, ate some lunch, and then went to Gosner Cheese to get some milk cartons for Sarah. Since Sarah has been doing a fantastic job at potty training, I went to Six Star in Logan and got her some presents for her achievements. She got a red feather boa, princess lip gloss, and a ball that lights up.

Later that night was the Mary Kay party. It was a lot of fun. Thanks to all those who came!! My pumpkin squares were a big hit, especially with my dad since he watched Abby, Aiden, and Sarah during the party. He rightfully deserved 2 pieces of pumpkin squares.

I also signed up to be a Mary Kay consultant. I love makeup and I love teaching others about makeup. I thought it'd be a good match for me right now. I also think this will help me establish a good business at home which I can do and be a stay at home mom one of these days. When I get everything set up, I'll be sure to post my website on my blog.

Sunday was good. We came home, went to church, and then ate dinner over at Grandma Resch's. Lynette is getting her gallbladder taken out on Thursday, so Jordan gave her a blessing with the help of her home teacher. I firmly believe everything will go well. Lynette is a strong fighter and has lived through a lot already.

That was my weekend in a nutshell. It was fun, tyring, and worth every second of sleep I lost.