Happy Times at Lake Erie

Well after a few attempts at planning an outing to see the "frozen waves" at the lake we finally made it out there, we tried to contemplate the outing last Sunday but it was cold and snowing and no one felt particularly adventurous, so after church and choir and before all of Joe's extra meetings we plugged in some family time to ignore the house and everything else that occupies our life and we took full advantage of the 63* weather and took a drive out to Presque Isle.

We were not disappointed, though much of it has already melted we still got to see some pretty great stuff!

I have said it before, but Spencer was made for the beach, he adores everything about it and the short time we had there was not nearly enough, he protested all the way back to the car, saying in his special way, "legg-go" (let go) any time we tried to pick him up to hurry the process along. Granted none of us wanted to leave, it was so gorgeous and let it be known that when there is a day of beautiful weather here in Erie a good portion of the city is hanging out at Presque Isle!

Bella was thrilled to wear flip flops again- a sign of spring hooray!!

It was fun to just listen, there are very different sounds at the beach when there is ice involved.

The ice was melting but it was fantastic to see the crystal formation of it and when you crumbled it and dropped it the sound reminded me of the beautiful delicate tinkle of some lovely fine obsidian needle chimes that I heard a long time ago at an art show, I think in Park City Utah. It was just so fun to experience this new wonderful thing together.

There were a lot of great textures there, from the rocks and water to the ice and snow banks. The snow formed over the shallow area of the beach and mixed with sand to make these pebbled surfaces.

It was fun for the boys to play in the sand and the snow at the same time, kind of like all of my families journeys up to go snow sledding in the mountains every 4th of July, warm enough to be comfortable playing but to still have the perks of the snow.

What a great family outing, we will certainly be making this a tradition, though we will have to do it earlier before it all melts and we certainly need to have more time to spend there to really enjoy it. I am ready to go back there today!

House Update

Yes we have 2 working toilets now- the half bath has walls painted,flooring and a toilet!! Who could ask for more? Well..... we will talk about that later! This is a major milestone for us, it doesn't matter that we don't have the door on yet or a sink in place anywhere but in the kitchen, but we have success in having an emergency toilet for those moments when someone is taking too long in the main bathroom, which seems to happen quite regularly with a family of 7- who knew?!

You know it is funny but we were putting in flooring last March. 

MERCY me, it has been a long journey!

We are ridiculous at bargain hunting and we come across some real gems from time to time, for example the lighting which we got for about $13 for both, I still have to find a solution for the light over the sink, cause I don't care too much for the color of the glass shade- a project for another day! The flooring was another good find at 50% off because someone ordered it and didn't need it. We actually always ask for a bigger discount and our friends at Lowes have really come through for us usually an additional 10% on all the clearance stuff; of course we have spent a fortune there, basically every paycheck since the dawn of time.

We knew we wouldn't be able to find a perfect match for the hardwood that was already here so we found this Brazilian Cherry that had some complementary tones and I think it works out pretty well. That is the problem with re-models on a shoe string budget, you just have to make do with what you can find. Every day is an act of creation, trying to find a solution for a difficult spot. We got the bookshelf built and inserted in place on Saturday after Joe took the big 3 to a stake function in Jamestown. We are ready to have this done so we can just live and enjoy all the extra outings!

Here is a look into the half bath, but you can see that I have a stove in place and a sink and a dishwasher and as of Saturday we also have a refrigerator in place as well. It will be really fun once my cupboards are filled with dishes and food instead of tools and paint! One thing at a time- today I am grateful for the things we have accomplished.

Take a little glance at the edge of the flooring, yep don't you know it, we came up about 6 pieces short and we only had about 15" of waste. Lucky us, now the search to find enough to make it work or buy a whole box at full price, blah!

So the adventure continues and we have many a projects ahead of us, but there is great hope for furniture in the living room and a table in the kitchen; what a prospect! Too bad we can't just snap our fingers and have the perfect furniture to go with our small space, we will just make do with our hodge podge of furnishings until some miracle takes place and our couches dissolve into the Greenwich collection from Pottery Barn and I have a beautiful custom kitchen table and benches; one can always hope right??

Palmyra and the January Middle

Joseph and I had sort of an epiphany 2 weeks ago and decided it was essential to take our family to the temple in Palmyra and we are so glad that we made that decision. It was a tremendously spiritual day and the weather was a dream.

While Joseph was with the older kids at the temple, I took my two young lads to the Sacred Grove. It is truly hallowed ground and since it is the middle of the winter, there were not many other people out exploring the grove and that made it very special, and quiet and peaceful. It turns out that is exactly what I needed.

With the snow melted we got to see the vivid green of life in the Grove, it was remarkable and I couldn't keep my eyes off of it.

Spencer was delighted to be able to go exploring!

This was one of my favorite spots because you can be surrounded by peaceful quiet and hear the brooklet going by- I wish I could hear that everyday. At one spot over by the Joseph Smith farm the creek was literally making music as it navigated the rocks- Oh to be back there right now!

Eli was so sweet and wanted to wear his suit to the temple that day- he was determined to be dressed up to go through the Sacred Grove. He was enjoying all of the delightful tree shapes and roots and was just as thrilled as I was to be there.

We met up with Joe and the kids and went back into the grove with them.  Zach and Eli went farther into the Grove while the rest of us used the main path and when they didn't show up on the other side I went back to find them, giving me the opportunity to be alone in the grove. Words can't describe those few minutes I had alone there; I crave that feeling of peace and contentment that I felt there. I am just so glad that we chose to put the tools down for a day and cancel everything else in our lives to be able to have a spiritual reboot, I wish it was closer so we could go all the time!

Joe and I were able to go to the temple together while the kids watched movies at the Hill Cumorah visitors center. It had been far too long since we had been together and that was rewarding in and of itself. We even saw some people who we stayed with 7 years ago when we came through this area. They are the parents of some friends from Warrensburg- the Ormes, we are certain to be seeing more of them while we are in this neck of the woods. Alas it is a small world after all!

This past Sunday morning we were greeted with these amazing icicles along the front of the house- they were beautiful, and extremely dangerous. Joe took it into his hands to remove the ones right above the door and Zach was not pleased with that destructive behavior. It was just lovely but they have since melted and now we have just a couple of patches of snow left after the rains came today.

Joe has been diligently working on the kitchen cabinets which he is building from scratch. We found some awesome stainless steel countertops which are now mostly in place and the sink is setting in place. We are nearing the time when I can actually be useful and do things like tiling and painting and flooring. When the master isn't at home I just mostly spend my time trying to keep Spencer out of the tools and new found places to hide and play. He looks forward to the moment Joseph gets home every day and jumps right in with tools in hand doing everything his dad is doing. It is so endearing!

This moment was today while watching the rain storm; he likes to ride in his boat (also known as the bathroom sink) and read his books about the "Guys". He is a superhero addict, he loves everything about them and talks about them all the time.

So its is really funny- or not depending on my frame of mind, that I feel like I have already posted about things when really all I did was compose a blog entry in my crazed little mind. Anyway I thought I would add this picture of Isabella in her fencing foil from a couple of months ago. We hope her instructor (Language Arts teacher) will do another class because Izzi had a good time learning some fencing basics.

25 January

Now that it has been a month since Christmas, I figured it was about time to post something about our lives since that time. Zach helped set the mood for Christmas by participating in the Ugliest Holiday Sweater Day at school- he came up with this lovely creation with help from the dollar store. 

You can see just how into the holiday's we were this year by our pathetic tree which we threw up the week before Christmas and took down right after. The lighting issue from last year was still not remedied so half of the lights didn't work and we never made it around to decorating it, with the exception of the star and a few snowflakes that the kids would place on there after they finished cutting them out; not exactly the most festive year, however, the kids dreams did come true and we had a white Christmas, it finally snowed after months of prayers (from them)!

We did capture a wonderful little moment when Spencer opened this special gift from his daddy. There is a toy maker that uses the scrap lumber from OSI to make these rather remarkable toys- this one happens to be a dodge ram truck with some spectacular tires. His face tells it all, he was delighted with it!

 This has to be the most stellar picture we have taken in a while, but I figured I would post it anyway because you can see that Zach and Kaija are wrapped up in their special gifts from Grandma Nielsen who has been working all year to create these beautiful quilts for the grandkids (she is working down the line throughout the next few years). They are beautiful and have that wonderful minky cloth inside which makes them want to be wrapped up in them all the time! Not only that but they are all wearing their jammies that she made for them as well! Thanks Grandma!

Zach made pots or whistles for everyone in ceramics- he is really enjoying it!

We spent a good portion of Christmas day in the company of the Hoopes family who invited us over for a real meal- it is the small things that we are so grateful for! After spending some time there we went to the Sawatsky's for some great treats. 

Marion makes a lovely pecan tart. 

How we love all these dear people that bring such joy into our lives!

Izzi, Eli and Spencer have had a great time in the snow and would trek out there everyday to work on their Igloo- they never quite finished before it melted.
We had some storms this last week which brought 15" but it has just been too cold to have any desire to play in it. The other day I nearly froze off my appendages while I was out shoveling the driveway and digging out the van, it registered 8* or rather -25* with the wind chill- yuck, I am so glad I don't live in North Dakota or any other place like unto it!

Eli likes his new hat and I love going outside to find he has created another snow angel.

Over the holiday Zachary worked on some art projects which he took photos of (I should really have someone going about with the camera all the time so we don't leave this part of our lives undocumented). This sculpture was just to be a face mounted on a board that was designed after the style of any particular artist you wanted; Zach opted for Charles Rennie Mackintosh which I thought was a lovely choice. The face ended up being almost a self portrait. He said that he has glazed and fired it now but I have not seen the final product- I guess it will be in the spring art show so we can see it then!

He worked on some new skills- drawing hair and ears.

And he finished it off with a commission from his Aunt Jessie to draw a pic of Gollum. He did a great job looking at a pic from the internet. So the auntie has her precious!

We did finally make it to see the film of the Hobbit as a family and it was a good time (all scattered through the theater)!

We have just come off of the most difficult year of our lives- difficult for so many reasons, but amidst all of the trials we have been truly blessed and we are grateful that we have been able to fight the battles together and because of that we have seen blessings come in very unexpected ways. We are indebted to kind friends and family who have shown us true charity and who have given comfort and aid on so many levels. We know God is mindful of us and He leads us on in spite of our weaknesses and shows us hope. We are recognizing more and more that hindsight is a valuable tool to help us find the place of peace that we long to be in now, and in the future.
Onward and upward, and thank heavens it is a new year!!

Progress

So I am sure that you are thinking that we are making this up, but these glorious treasures once graced human kind with their presence right here in Sebago house!

 I wonder if people think we are really just sitting around twiddling our thumbs... we are in fact working diligently and smashing them instead! It has been a lengthy process and continues to occupy our daily life. Our kids are so grand, they have learned about FLEXIBILITY in so many different ways and they will certainly have tales to tell!

So at this point all of the gas leaks are fixed, we have redone the electrical, and finished up the plumbing. Almost everything is framed, lots of sheetrock done, we have a workable toilet and shower so we have been living in the house for 1 week today!!!

We are dying to get the kitchen in so we don't have to eat such lame food, but that being said we are just glad we don't have to use the bathroom at Burger King anymore or eat there for that matter, and we have a working fridge and microwave, so we really can't complain! And most importantly (for me) the kids ride the bus to and from school each day and they don't hate it!! Fairview has a million busses and they have one per neighborhood so there are very few kids on each bus, making it a pleasant experience for all; not very green, but pleasant!

This picture is a good reminder that it is worth every effort to make it livable for our family.

The entry was so small and both rooms so claustrophobic. It feels much better now!

Zach and Kaija are having a jolly good time hanging out. This is from the garage looking into the kitchen, and the basement stairs.

Zach is framed by the new entry to the kitchen, wearing his lovely cork hat. Joseph is in the process of framing out the 1/2 bath (on the right) and the bump out for the fridge and some built-in cabinets (on the left).

The kitchen bump-outs

The 1/2 bath and bookshelf framed in for our future happiness.

A blast from the past

Zach and I are embracing the demolition process

Kaija is working I think..... to the left is the kitchen, to the right is the reconstructed bathroom with laundry access in the hallway.

Ghetto shower curtain and drapery, laundry closet, and a smidgen of the living room.

The garage which now houses the fridge bump-out on the right and a new storage shelf above the basement stairs.

Spencer is being Joe's helper whilst framing in the furnace room and food storage room.

I am standing in the organ chamber looking into the storage area- to the left will be the exercise room.

Isabella looks awesome in dad's tool belt, though she could wrap it around twice. She is standing in the entertainment room- looks entertaining right??

More later- for now I am off to the laundromat!