Home Improvements: Part I

It's been a busy year in keeping-up with Ayla and our crazy schedules and we realized: our home is almost 16-years old already! 

(See Ayla's blog here for the latest updates in Adventures-in-Ayla-Land)

What began as a temporary 'starter home' for us newlyweds has become a permanent residence and we cannot imagine moving. We've made many small home-improvements and upgrades throughout the years that our little home has become quite comfortable and "customized" to fit our needs. 

We noticed that the outside needed a bit of care and set about the plans for: new roof, new lights, new paint and new fence.   

BEFORE Picture: this picture has the new roof and shingles already but the rock along the sides of the garage is removed and the exterior paint is the original all-boring-white.  

 New rock which provided a bit of a boost for the exterior. 

Below:  Ryan and Jake laying down the new shingles. Those guys worked HARD in the heat and were able to finish the new roof within a few days. Impressive! 

Almost finished painting:

AFTER: The house and shed are three colors: brown, cream and with black accents which provides a more updated look and we are pleased with the results. 

Ryan worked hard to roof and paint the house and am blessed that he has the talents and resources to accomplish home projects that would otherwise, be quite costly. He is an awesome all-around handy-man! 

The next summer project: new fence and possibly, a covered porch onto the back of the house. We'll get the fence finished first.....

During the winter months we will work on updating some of the interior rooms- starting with the bathrooms. 

Busy hands keep us out of trouble!   

Also, a family picture- amazing! We haven't had a family picture in....years. Another goal for this year: professional family photos.  

Belated Blogging

I think about blogging as it's really an online journal for our family but over the past 2 years...I've been a bit slower at it than unusual. Mainly because Ryan and I are just boring- without Ayla keeping us busy and full of adventures we'd rarely have much to contribute other than, "Yep, worked another day, came home, did some church stuff, played with Ayla and went to bed." Pretty much sums it up lately. 

As the year 2013 drew to a close, began pondering those things that I would like to change for this new year so that I'm enjoying life more fully instead of getting stuck in the same old routine. Day after day, living for the weekend when there's a day or two off to clean the house and attempt to catch-up on the dozens of other errands that didn't get accomplished during the week.  

Do you ever feel like this? 

This year I am resolved to set and meet some expectations and resolutions. I believe this can be accomplished. 

Here we go (drum roll please):  

1. I will try to drive closer to the speed limit.
2. Eat more nice things like candy, popcorn and ice cream. Eat more fresh fruit, vegetables and soy nuts as that cancels out the candy.
3. I resolve not to swim in any swimming pool without water.
4. I resolve to stop poisoning my family with my cooking  (maybe learn to cook?)
5. To be more positive and less sarcastic....like I won't screw that up right away...
6. Use more Sunscreen
7. Save for the future instead of that cool pair of boots/sandals/ flats/whatever (bah-boring!)
8. I resolve to tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not  encourage them to take up more of my time.
9. I will drive by a fitness center at least once a week.
10. I will work harder to find time to sleep more.
11. I will stop blaming the dryer and washer for my clothes not fitting.

 What else do we have if not humor?

Honor Guard Team

Ryan is part of the Honor Guard Team for the Idaho Dept of Corrections and as part of that team, they perform at various functions such as academy graduations, funerals and state functions. 

Ryan can be found in the middle next to the State Flag.  

 He looks quite smashing in his 'Class A' ensemble! 

There have been some other changes within the household: one of them being that I was recently called to be the Primary President in our Ward. Not exactly a calling for which I am happy but will serve in that capacity until the children have been sufficiently corrupted and I can be released :-) In God's infinite plan, He seems to pair me with callings within the church that I do NOT want... that'll teach me! 

It's been an interesting time-juggler managing full-time work, full-time Primary along with being wife and mom. However, one of my strengths is organization so hopefully within the next few months when things settle it won't be as crazy.