Where to begin?

I don't even know where to start. Our Computer is officially dead (RIP) Sadly I haven't even missed it that much except that pictures are piling up on my camera which always makes me a little nervous. I don't even know when we will get a new one because there are so many bigger and better things to spend money on...


Bigger and better things... Since we bought our house 7 years ago we have dreamed of a garage and possible living space above it (translation: Matt dreams of a huge garage, I dream of a little more living space.) We have spent countless hours in the car discussing what we would love vs. what we can afford. (We never seemed to tire of the subject, going around and around.) WELL, this year we refinanced (rates were low, time was right) and started the process for a remodel/ addition (again, with the endless chatter; "If we replace the siding we really need to do the windows at the same time... but what about the roof, it leaked all winter and spring.... what to do? what to do?") So we met with our contractor/ friend Brian, drew up a plan and started getting numbers back in... oh my! Everything came back way higher that we could afford. Sniffle, sniffle, I thought our dreams had been dashed again. BUT WAIT... we started asking around and got some new bids.... Ahahahaha (you have to kind of sing this last part in your head to get the full affect.) Alas, we couldn't use a contractor (it was the first expense to go.) so Matt and I became co-contractors.

The first backhoe marks into the green grass were thrilling for me. (Honestly, not so much for Matt, he has been real worried if our yard would ever recover from all the lumber, tractors, digging etc.) I have never understood people who take pictures of the building every step of the way. Who wants to look at those boring pictures of holes in the ground, then concrete slabs and then a bunch of two by fours... I understand now. There have been times when I felt like this project was a boulder and I was pushing it ... straight uphill... by myself... pregnant... in flipflops. Other times I have basked in the loving support of my co-contractor. Still, so many hours of the wee morning spent worrying, second guessing decisions; if things would work out, supplies arrive, workers show up... etc. I had a dream that there were like 5 men walking around in the yard who I had never laid eyes on before, and in my head I said, "Oh no, I have no idea who they are and they've come to work on the house." It turned out they had just seen the mess and the huge dog and thought they would bring their dogs to say hi. " Weird, I know, I only tell you this story to illustrate how all consuming it has been for me. Another, really illustrating and true story: I am sitting in the kitchen with Val and Tami and I said something like, "So many people have told me that "If your marriage can survive building a house it can survive anything," but I just don't know what the big deal is, so far Matt and I have pretty much been on the same page." (I kind of shrug my shoulders like, "What's the big deal?") Then from the other room Matt pipes in, "That's because we've been on your page." Classic.

There has been some time for fun this summer; the kids have had fun collecting nails for a nickel each, they have enjoyed climbing on the pile of rocks in front of our house, and watching the cement truck pour, they loved climbing the stairs that went nowhere (it kind of stopped my heart before we yelled for them to get down.) You know, just the usual summer fun.

But seriously we had a few "summer type" fun days at Redfish with Matt's family. When they pulled up to the house before the fun began, there was a huge trench from the power pole to the new addition, it was kind of like a moat around the house, there was only a little spot to get to the house, nothing says 'Welcome" like a trench and no front porch lights. It all worked out though and the kids had a great time with their cousins.


Before all the madness and ripped up yard started we visited my mom and sisters in Billings, MT. I think it was the best drive ever, the kids did so awesome (Can you say Redbox?) Nana has a pool at her condo and there is nothing that spells fun like "pool". Matt had driven from Arizona to Idaho with our nephew the week before and then he drove to Billings. It was a lot of driving for him but it was fun to have him with us in Billings for a few day.

My cute niece, Meghan, visited from AZ so she could check out BYU-I. I got to go with her and take the tour of campus (alot has changed since Matt and I met and fell in love there.) The anat & phys classroom look the same and the lab where we use to flirt and get dark looks from the lab assistant (who clearly thought he was so mature.) was the same. I could almost see us sitting in the back of the class passing notes back and forth. Meghan and I checked out apartments and I drove her by where Matt lived when we were dating and the basement apartment we lived the first year we got married. I love that place! I wish it had been a four year school when we went there. I don't know if the trip was all that fun for Meghan but we enjoyed having her and can't wait until she is back in Idaho in January.


I am still gestating nicely, growing another little fantastic human being like the three we have. We have his name picked, some of you already know... Riggins Val Parke, if you don't like it, pretend you do. It shouldn't be hard since you are just reading this and not talking to me face to face and making comments like.."It sounds like a disease." And if you need further convincing call us and I will have McCade and/or Bella say it for you in their sweet little voices and you will be less wary if not completely convinced. I have felt really good the last few months (thank goodness) and I am loving the feeling of the baby moving and the kids laying their heads on my big belly asking if Riggins is moving and can they feel. I love being pregnant and hope I stay this way for the next 8 weeks as nature intended, I wouldn't even mind going a wee bit over since I am sure there will be lots to finish up. (so many projects, so little time.)

I know this has been a freakishly long post... but it has been a freakishly long time since I posted. Sorry about the lack of pictures but...you didn't really want to see pictures of the holes in the ground and two by fours. Did you?