Good times

We had a fabulous Christmas, just us in our new house! It was PERFECT! Santa brought all the right things and there were just the right number of gifts and everyone was happy, excited and grateful for their newly possessed treasures. We had Jake home for a lot of the festivities and it was fun to be together for so many days.

We finally have internet arriving to our home within the next 48 hours and then the pictures will be downloaded and the addiction will be satisfied ;)

I went to the doctor just before Christmas and was told that I should only expect about a month before the little one arrives...I wasn't ready for that and am now just a little freaked out to get everything ready. Until today I didn't even have baby clothes at the house...now I just need to go through all the containers and sort out what still looks like it should and not-lol. We still don't agree on a name, so that is just going to have to wait until we are at the hospital and see her face-it usually does end up that way. Has anyone ever made freezer meals before they delivered and had enough to feed their family for a few weeks?? I would love to try that, but need some good ideas-if anyone wants to pass them on, I would be thrilled!

Bryant starts at his new school the first of the year and is pretty excited, he met his teacher just before Christmas and she will be AWESOME! I'm even excited. The kids are all loving the freedom of the space at the house and just keep themselves pretty occupied downstairs with all their toys rediscovered from storage-it's great, I've gotten a lot done, thanks too, to nesting.

Keep checking regularly after Thursday as we will have internet access in the home and will be more up to date on all things Thornock!!

Holy cow...

We have been trying to get internet into our home for the last 2 weeks, but for some reason it's taking forever and no one will explain the hold up...I suppose, at this point, it could be true that I could be addicted to the internet, but having no outside communication is driving me a little batty...seriously. Oh well, this is a great week to not have disruputions!! We should eventually get internet and then you will be able to enjoy some fun pictures of our decorated home, and fun activities we've been up to.

Anyway, onto a different topic...I just have to share this before I forget.
Sarah bore her testimony a few weeks ago. She had told Jake what she would say and then he went up to be moral support as she had all confidence that she knew exactly what she was doing.
She stood up there all tall and proud, looked around and began very clearly...

"ladies and gentlemen," {giggles all around}
"the church is pretty" she started looking around and quickly ended as she would a prayer
"bless us to go to grandma's tomorrow...amen."

It was so great to hear her pride in the church and to be officially known in the ward, as our records had just been transferred that day. It was great and she's looking forward to it another time, although we will be practicing a few times before she has another turn.

Time's flying

We are still here and momentarily disconected from internet and visual entertainment. That can change, however I believe we should be unpacked prior to its setup. (I as in Jake, this blog generated from my workplace.) The house is great. Waking up with warm forced air is a real blessing and to feel plush carpet under foot brings tears to us daily. There are many, many, many a boxes yet to move but with Bryant's Birthday party comming up they will be gone by Sunday. I have been working the last three days and this is frustrating to my dear wife and her pregnancy burdened body as she is unable to do much to move things and unpack especially with the kids asking where things are or needing entertainment. I will rescue you tomorrow my Love. (Funny how she won't be able to read this for another week and yet I posted it anyway) Thanks to all our friends old and new who helped with our moves both recent and past. Without all that support we would still be where we were the first time we moved. Future posts comming soon....

Time's ticking...

The house was finished as of Saturday, the 14th. There wasn't a garage door until yesterday, but otherwise everything was done, cleaned (in a man's version), and ready. The inspection and appraisal took place and then the appraiser never called to let the lender/realtor know that he had done his job so the lender wasn't able to request for money until today. We meet with her tomorrow to get the last minute details figured out and then we have to wait for the money to arrive-which usually takes about 5 days.

So, a fate would have it, we won't be able to close until the 27th, the day after Thanksgiving, and because Jake is scheduled to work that day we will be will be moving all in one day, the 28th (we have never done that before, I sure hope it can happen) so that I can get the apartment clean on the 30th and have our checkout by noon. It is going to be a long weekend, but we will finally be living in our own place.

I feel like I'm holding my breath until everything really happens and then I think I will just bawl my eyes out because it actually took place...when you have dream and it actually comes true it's hard not to just fall on your knees and cry like a baby all the while pouring your heart out in prayer!

We celebrated our 8th anniversary on Monday, the 16th...it was one of those days that we just enjoyed spending together with our children and reflecting on the few years that have passed before us. It was fun to discuss how it was that day and how we were feeling and acting prior to seeing each other. We just kept looking in each other's eyes and seeing what we saw and felt that day...it's amazing all that has happened in such a short amount of time and yet how much we've grown because of it!!

newlyweds!!

the best men...

the bridesmaids...

8 years later...

In the meantime, I think I'll share some pictures that we've taken while living in our temporary dwelling.

she wants to be sophisticated like her mom...she LOVES to try on our glasses...we just have to make sure she doesn't touch them-she has a tendency to break every pair she touches.

taken 8/11/09

shortly after we moved to the apartment we finally made it to the park and the kids LOVED the slide...I tried to get one of all of them sitting so wonderfully at the top, but they had too much energy to sit still-I think this turned out even better!!

taken 8/16/09

Happy #3 to Sarah-she had a fabulous day!

taken 8/26/09

Bryant's first day of school (which happened to be Sarah's birthday)

taken 8/24/09

Kayelynn's first day of preschool-next to her locker

taken 8/26/09

Sarah's first day of school, in front of her locker

taken 8/26/09

Lydia was so tired, she managed to get lunch in her tummy, but didn't make it to her bed before she zonked-my first child to ever do this...it was pretty funny.

taken 8/20/09

the kids and I made it to the zoo on the free day-my sister and her boyfriend met us there and took this picture-it's the best one we could get-silly kids

taken 9/26/09

this is what Lydia does when the girls are at preschool...gather every single doll in the house and watch Elmo's world...she was especially into being mommy this day, as she insisted on the accessories on the ears-it was so funny

taken 9/24/09

remember that tire that blew out on our way to Boise? well here it is...in the shrubs just after it stopped steaming.

taken 10/15/09

and the wheel that got all chewed up with the remainder of the tire...I still laugh when I see these pictures, I can't believe it really happened. I'm still so thankful Jake was the one driving

taken 10/15/09

what is that, you ask?? She and Sarah got into the lotion and decided to paint their arms, faces, hair and even the carpet-it was too funny not to take a picture.

taken 10/4/09

the initial culprit got caught...she's the one that can reach the lotion and the one that confessed that she painted her sister just like herself! oh the creativity in this one's head...

taken 10/4/09

While potty training Sarah, Lydia decided she wanted to test out the pullups too, but did not want it on her bottom...this was the way she wanted it! (she's mad at the "binoculars" she's holding, they wouldn't do what she wanted).

taken 10/20/09

this is a common site at our house...a book and a teenager laying on the kitchen floor reading aloud the pictures that she sees.

taken 11/12/09

She has now decided that the pullups aren't as good at the "princess chair"...she really, really wants to be a big girl like Sarah. Oh how I wouldn't mind having her potty-trained before the baby arrives...what a great thing that would be! (Bryant potty-trained himself like this and was fully potty trained by 18months-it could happen)

taken 11/6/09

Walking in her father's shoes (size 18)...I sure hope she doesn't get feet that big...I don't even think they make women's shoes that big!!

taken 11/1/09

found this wizard costume for a quarter...she wanted it on and then decided that she wasn't so sure...

taken 10/27/09

Kayelynn's ride on her uncle's motorcycle...she was so cold, but insisted on getting a big girl ride!

taken 10/25/09

Lydia was mad that she couldn't have more rides and longer...she loved having the wind in her hair. You could hear her giggle as they came up the road...it was pretty stinking cute!

taken 10/25/09

We have had a lot of fun memories in this apartment and can't wait to begin new ones in our own place! The kids ask daily how long it will be until we move, the excitement is spreading throughout...it's really fun to see how much they are understanding and enjoying this transition! Thank you all for your comments of love and support. We are grateful for friends and family, such as you in our lives.

Another glimpse

A lot has happened in two days...I am getting so excited to see everything coming together!! I'm pretty sure they will be doing all the finishing touches tomorrow and that we will be able to close as planned. What an exciting thing...it's so fun to walk through the house with Jake and see him light up and get giddy about OUR place and see the relief he has that he has brought a dream to life and that he has proof that he does support us adequately. Thank you, Jake, for all that you do and especially for working so hard to let me be home with our hooligans.

The ENORMOUS rolls of sod ready to be laid. It was such a cold and windy day, but the landscaper was out there getting the job done!
taken 11/12/09

And he had the coolest "tractor" to actually lay the sod for him and then a neat little rake to help straighten the rows...it was pretty neat to watch and know he wasn't breaking his back as much with the help of these neat inventions.
taken 11/12/09

the cabinets!! my favorite...the thing I've been waiting the most to see.
knotty alder with a medium stain...LOVE IT! I asked for extra storage and they custom built the large cabinet on the left of the picture. I think that will be my favorite feature in the kitchen...
taken 11/12/09

I drove up to the house this afternoon and I saw this...
the grass COMPLETELY done! and the back fence up!! I got so excited I literally ran into the house to see how much got done there!
taken 11/13/09

before I entered the house I took a picture of the back yard...this is the angle that shows my garden spot...it looks like there still might be a little fence to be put up.
taken 11/13/09

this is the opposite side of the yard...there's a little spot of fence left there too...cool! I can't believe that we already have a back fence and a yard with sprinkler system! It's all surreal...
taken 11/13/09

I walked in, and my carpets were all laid!! It looks fantastic! Yes, I picked a more expensive carpet, but we made a sacrifice with a few other things to keep the budget as it should.

this is the living room...

taken 11/13/09

this is the angle from the front door...I'm loving the softness of my carpet-even with shoes on I could tell it was plush. I can't wait to walk through with barefeet and enjoy brand new carpet!!

taken 11/13/09

the style of home we have is "santa fe" this is the door style throughout the entire house-LOVE it!! good thing they've invented swiffer dusters-I'm sure this will be a pain to clean

taken 11/13/09

this is the master bath...I took this to show the counter tops throughout the house...again a splurge (supposedly-this was not intentional) but I LOVE how it matches/goes with all the colors and styles we've chosen throughout the rest of the house.

taken 11/13/09

the appliances are in!! The dishwasher and sink...

taken 11/13/09

the microwave and gas stove-with an extra burner in the middle. again, we splurged on this, but we knew that the only way we would get what we really wanted and not have to replace it was to use the appliance allowance toward the three appliances and then purchase the fridge separately. I am super excited to use a gas range-I grew up with them and have never really liked electric, it's just not the same. I also know that I want/need a huge fridge, so we will be purchasing that just before we move, so it can be in and ready to store food! I will show pictures of that when it's in it's spot...I'm loving my kitchen!! now if I can just figure out how it will work with me and not against me as most kitchens have done...we'll get there soon enough!

taken 11/13/09

I can't wait to go see the finalized version tomorrow...they still need to put on a few door knobs and touch up some paint spots and most importantly, they need to install the garage door! It should all come together by tomorrow evening! It's a thrilling and surreal thought to know I will have my own custom home-it's really kind of a weird thought-I'm sure it's like that for anyone who's a first time homebuyer...but wow! what a step in life.

Progress report...

Satisfactory.
Could use improvement in speed and communication.
However still close to the top of the class.
That is the ranking of the house at this point in time.
Enjoy the progress.

We are hoping to see carpet put in tomorrow, the fence finished, cabinets and countertops begun and then the garage door, appliances and finishing touches on friday/saturday! I hope we will be done then...that's what the builder promised, so we'll see if the hired labor guys feel the pressure we do!

there's a door, you can also see the sheetrock through the front door...they were working hard-surprisingly it only took two days to put in all the sheetrock, mud and tape and then texture over the weekend. The driveway was put in that day and had a tarp over it the very next morning!
taken 10/26

putting the stakes in for the driveway pad
taken 10/26

basement steps
taken 10/31

basement bathroom
taken 10/31

basement, one bedroom closet framed
taken 10/31

basement shot from one end to the other
taken 10/31

The basement will be left unfinished for us to do what we envision for the benefit of our family. We are hoping to have the bathroom, the storage room and at least one bedroom finished before the baby comes-that's the goal. We will then put in two more bedrooms and a possible play room for the kids as well as the "theatre room" aka family room.

brick is being put on!!

taken 10/31

brick is finished!

taken 11/5

there's the fence line! our property is "special". In the back yard there is a portion that has 5 feet deaded to the original land owner, which is why we have a jog in the fence/property. In the front yard it's a whole different story...we'll get to that when I have better pictures to show of the craziness.

taken 11/11

wood flooring! It's hickory and oh, so pretty, can't wait to see it shining without the dust

taken 11/11

the outside it finished!! it only took them 3 1/2 days to do it, but it's done...I don't think the lighting outside was all that great, it was overcast but it's a green hue in the siding, not grey

taken 11/11

master bath tiling, he did a brick pattern here and in the laundry room, he laid it "normally" in the kids bath...

taken 11/10

the front entry-he did an awesome layout per our request and he did a FANTASTIC job! the kids are so excited that this cool place is actually ours!!

taken 11/10

slightly closer take-it still looks grey here, sorry. it is a color that changes depending on how the sun is shining (or not) on it. The door does have a grey hue, I will probably change that at some point, but for now I kind of like it and it's not a priority ;)

taken 11/11

There you have it folks. The house is coming along and there will for sure be more pictures in the next few days-we should be done in THREE!!!! I can't wait to see my cabinets and countertops in with the carpet on the floor and the minor touch-ups done! It will be so exciting!!! Then we wait for the inspection and the closing date to draw near-that will go fast as we will be packing up a storm. The unfortunate part, with the days Jake has been scheduled to work we will not be able to move until Thanksgiving weekend, unless I can convince him to move the few days before Thanksgiving...either way he does have to trade one day, so we'll see if they really finish the house by Saturday and we go from there...so if anyone feels like helping move after shopping Friday morning, we would LOVE your help-we want to get done in one day!! Ha! I will be cleaning Saturday, so again if you feel like helping during your holiday, come on over-I intend to try and get enough helpers that there can be one or two to a room and be done in a few hours!! This is all ideal and I live in an ideal world-at least momentarily {wink}