HOUSE UPDATE

This week, we were officially approved by the bank for a construction loan!!!

Next, we hope to secure a lot in the next few days, and then begin building as soon as possible. We are beyond excited for this next phase in our lives.

Above, is a rendering of what our house will basically look like. The biggest difference between this picture and the real deal is that the garage will be flipped to the side of the house. We love the craftsman style look of it.

We are envisioning the interior to have the same craftsman style with the pretty, wide trim and wood floors. Here are a few examples I've collected from the Internet to give a general idea:

So, Anyway. We'll keep you updated on all the excitement!

ISSUES

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What my baby sister Aria, does for fun:






And posted by Dad on Facebook yesterday:

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"‎4-year old Aria spent some time in her bedroom and I found that her Teddy Bears were all tied up to chairs. I'm sure psychologically this is not a good thing..."

True that. True. That. =)

PLASTIC WRAP

Last month, my in-laws relocated twelve hours closer. We drove down to Utah help them move in.



And wouldn't you know it, it poured the entire time.

It was one wet, drippy, soggy, soaked-through kind of day.

After the trucks were unloaded, our niece made good use of all the fun packaging.

The "princess dress" she personally designed for me, certainly pushed the fashion envelope.

I mean, sure, it was pretty. But I usually prefer those that aren't quite so transparent.

And then she got really creative with Andrew's princess dress.





The rain falling in Utah, we knew would be falling as snow in Idaho. Do we leave now to try and beat the storm blowing in? Or do we wait til morning with the chance that it could be really bad after the fact? It's always a gamble either way.

We chose to leave that night and stay ahead of the storm...

But Unfortunately, we hit the Malad Pass just as things got exceptionally bad.

When the accumulation became so deep that we couldn't even tell where the highway was anymore, we followed the last set of tire tracks we could find--ending up in a hick town Chevron parking lot. It was also where every last, late-night traveler was parked...also stranded by the storm...just waiting it out.

I've never seen snow fall so thickly in my life. Oh, how we regretted not staying the night in Utah. All we wanted was sleep!

Eventually, the snowfall slowed to the point that we could see out the windows. Then, we saw the flashing lights of a snowplow pass us toward the highway, and we tentatively ventured out toward home.

We pulled in our driveway about 4:30 a.m...a four-hour trip having turned into over eight...long... hours. It was a horrible night.

The moral of the story is, of course: Don't ever, under any circumstances, let a four-year-old encase your head with plastic wrap.

The lack of oxygen to you brain can only hinder your decision making skills. I don't care how cute she is.

Consider yourself warned.

I DRIVE A DODGE STRATUS.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I wrecked my car. I don't really want to talk about it.

But so as not to leave you hanging, I'll just say that Idaho roads suck in the winter after high winds. Especially when you're maneuvering a sharp curve. And you're late for work. *ahem*

It could have been really bad. But luckily, I missed the oncoming traffic, the fence, the telephone pole, and the trees. So I'm counting my blessings that all I have to show for the ordeal is some mild whiplash and the need for a new front bumper.

My poor car is currently at the car doctor. Meanwhile, I have been provided with a Nissan Quest minivan to get around in. It was rather awkward for me to get used to in the beginning...probably because of the whole not quite being in the mini-van-stage-of-life yet deal. But I've since learned to really enjoy the luxuriousness of the interior, being higher off the ground, and (don't laugh) the greater horsepower.

But this weekend, we took the van out for a date night spin. Driving the mini-van must have been strange for Andrew too, but I didn't understand the extent of it until on our way out the door, he offhandedly suggested we put fake car seats in the back.

My ignoring this, didn't discourage him. Because then, on our way to the movies, Andrew kept randomly yelling things to the back seats like:

Don't make me come back there!

and

Don't make me turn this van around!

I'll keep an eye on him over the next few days, and let you know if his delusions get any worse. In the meantime, if you see a young gal parking her van at the far back corner of the grocery store lot go say hi. It's just me...not used to parking a van...and doing my best to avoid further accidents.

WEBSITE WEDNESDAY-- [framed] photo site

I can't even remember how I found it. But I'm sure glad I did! Their weekly episodes are my new guilty pleasure.
Along with Moose Tracks.And maple bars.And those Little Debbie chocolate swirly cakes with frosting in the middle.
But anyways...
Every Tuesday, [FRAMED] posts a 15-minute documentary-style video about a different photographer. They've hit up photographers in the Salt Lake area of various styles: film, digital, high fashion, family, children, etc. Next, they're headed to Portland, Oregon.
It's been fun to learn about what entails a photo shoot, a photography business, and the editing process. I get a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the real deal. SO cool.
If photography is your kind of thing, visit their site and take a look around. When I first found it, I spent an hour at least, getting lost in their older episodes. I dare you to do the same. Have fun!

Well, I'm gonna go now. I wonder if Andrew left me any of that ice cream...

MEMORY MONDAY--honeymooners

{*post edit}

This may be the only picture I have of our honeymoon: just the two of us...officially married...riding off into the sunset...living the adult-life alone! I love that it perfectly captures the golden, happy mood of the whole trip.
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{And if I remember right, this picture was actually taken by a polygamist family who happened to be on the bridge at teh same time.}

Being married to Andrew really is the best.



But after my dad saw this picture, he e-mailed me a picture of his own:

He and my step-mom...on their honeymoon...on the same bridge...at the same time of day...in the same pose.

*awkward silence*




I know, right?
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The myriad of complicated emotions that surfaced for me then, all seemed to be synonymous with the word: uncomfortable at varying degrees.

Don't get me wrong. I like these guys...but...weird. Do I really need to explain myself any further here?


I'm doing my best not to let it taint our own golden glow.
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SAINT PATRICK'S DAY DECOR--freebies!

1.)

I shared the Valentine version of this subway art last month, and was pleased to see one for March. I thought I'd share the wealth. This one comes from the blog eighteen25.

I think mine adds a nice St. Patrick's Day Touch without being tacky.

Because let's face it: decorating for a holiday that revolves around little, green, beer drinkin' Irishmen can get tacky reeeal quick.

2.)

If that one doesn't suit your fancy, I found these free printables on the blog two twenty-one.

Signs like this are all the rage right now. If you care about that sort of thing.

This is my favorite one. For some reason, it makes me think of Andrew.

3.)

And here are some funb printables from it's a crafty life.

Each one comes in 2 different color variations.

Get your minds out of the gutter.

Anyway. Here are a few ideas of my own.

Printer out of ink?

{Mine is...after all these darn printables}

Stick some scrapbook paper in a frame for a super simple holiday statement.

Happy March!