Isn't this so cool??

http://www.thepaintbrushgoesspottie.blogspot.com/

Seriously love this cute scene!! Check it out and you could win it!!

Be back with more life stuff soon!!

Liz

Thanksgiving...Belated

I finally uploaded my Thanksgiving photos...better late than never :0). We went to Cody for the big day and spent it with Eric's family. Little Evie definitely keeps us all entertained...and from the looks of the previous photos that must come from the Oram side. One night during our visit Eric convinced his mom to teach him how to make Spudnuts, which are very yummy donuts made from potatoes. They turned out great and he is pretty excited to turn that into a Thanksgiving tradition-as if I need more things to eat on Thanksgiving. Then the boys went through their old things and Eric found his high school jersey, he still looks pretty awesome in it-huh ;0). Anyways, Thanksgiving although not a long enough break was super fun!!
Happy days for all my friends!
Liz

Christmas 2009

We had a very laid back and much needed holiday this year! Eric and I didn't really do much for each other since we need things for the house, but we got totally spoiled by family...we are so appreciate of all everyone has done for us this year!! I don't even have any New Year's photos since it was Eric, me, and a low key evening :0). We were able to go to Poky this year and spend Christmas with the Murphy side of the family. We wish Jason, Kristina, and Adelina could have been there :0(...but it was fun watching Amber's kiddos open their gifts. We got to see tons of friends and family while we were back...and still had plenty of time to get things done that we needed to and to take a much needed break! I think the Lord really knows when we need his help and how to help even the simple things seem easier. I was able to see girlfriends that I haven't seen in years all in one place, and bump into old friends we wanted to see but weren't sure if we would have time. It was great to see the kiddos and family...Mara is still trying to warm up to Eric :0), maybe next trip!! Thanks for all the good times and memories...love you all!!
Happy vacations for all my friends!!
Liz

Garage Sale Anyone??

After several days of caulking, texturing, and patching wall imperfections...they are as hard as plastic :0) sign of a job well done!!

Dirty Floors and finished trim...still trying to finish the painting of the trim.

Garage sale?? Enough said! Yes, we have a garage full of stuff...I will be throwing out anything without a home or that I have not used but have saved thinking to my self, "Self, when you have a house you might need this." Well...I now have a house and if I don't need it, I won't need it and out it is going. Yes...we have 3 beds, and no we have not bought any of them. However, we have 3 bedrooms and live out of town-so as soon as we are in I will need people to fill those beds so I am not forced to throw them out-haha. I am so excited to clean out all the boxes-some of which we have not seen in years!! A new start, in a new house, with a new year!!
Wonderful new starts and new year to all my friends!!
Liz

I Believe....

I wanted to share with you all our Christmas card the won't make it out this year, and my modified Christmas Story and Message, it's long-but the message is true! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season-however you celebrate, may you keep the light of Christ with you all year round! Love to you all!!

Twas' the night before Christmas and I was thinkin' 'bout the house...hoping my pipes haven't froze and that there is no mouse! Knowing our clothes have been hung in the closet with care, in hopes that our shoes might soon join them there. The boxes are nestled all snug in the garage, hoping soon to be unpacked with the rest of the junk in the lodge. Me in my flannels and Eric in his shorts, thinking about unpacking, painting, bills, and sports (Eric that is). When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter (hoping it wasn't my Mom's awful neighbors again). Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the curtains expecting to see a big clash. The streetlights were bright and flashing with glee, much to my surprise only snow did I see. When my eyes wandered up what should appear? Why it was a whole honkin' huge sleigh and 8 massive reindeer! Lead by a man not too small but quick, I knew in a moment that large man must be St. Nick! More speedy than lightening down from the sky he came, he hollered and yelled and called them by name. "Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!" To my amazement they flew from the roofs to the walls, then they dashed away, dashed away! Dashed away all! And then in an instant, I heard on our roof the dancing and prancing of each little hoof! As I turned from the window and flew down the last stair, there came St. Nick down our chimney with care! He was adorned in red fur, from his top to his feet, and eyes had a twinkling that was really quite sweet. He carried a bunch of neat things that we need, he pulled out a gift and I followed his lead. "His eyes-how they twinkled! His Dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow! (I'm just gonna skip the part about smoking-nasty!) He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly." He was chubby and round (we have much in common), a happy shining old light, and I laughed when I saw him and choked on my sprite (hehe). With a quick little glance, he giggled my way, and it was then I knew that it was okay. He said nothing to me, but laid down the lot, he got all we needed-there was not a thing he forgot! He then ate all the cookies and up the chimney he sprang, while up the rooftop his sleigh bells they rang. He jumped in his sleigh and the reindeer they did it, they headed to Wyoming where there's less people to visit! "But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all", and don't forget on this night that a Savior was born-who brought us all light! It is his birth we celebrate, not the gifts and Santa's story, but the giving and Christlike living that will bring us all glory! So when you forget and get wrapped up in the season, remember this season has more of a reason. Santa is only a representation of all things good, he stands for Christ and all that we all should. (adapted from Clement C. Moore's, Twas The Night Before Christmas)

"I believe in Santa Clause. Imagine Santa. What is he like? He wears red. His hair is white. He comes in the night. He loves little children. He wants us to be good. And he brings gifts. Now imagine Jesus. What is He like? He wears red. His hair is white. He comes in the night. He loves little children. He knows we are good. And he brings gifts. Santa Claus is a symbol of Christmas. The symbols of Christmas can remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. The symbols of Christmas remind me of Christ. So, I believe in Santa Clause." (I Believe In Santa Clause, by Diane G. Adamson)

I believe....in the symbols of Christmas:

Christmas Tree Lights: The lights represent Christ as being the "Light of the World."
Fir Tree: The pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
Star: The star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise. It is also used on top of the Christmas tree to represent the guiding of the Shepherds by a star to find the baby Jesus.
Candle: The candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.
Wreath: The wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.
Santa Claus: The symbol of the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.
Holly Leaf: The holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.
Gifts: The symbol that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son. Gifts are to remind us that Jesus Christ was a gift to us from God.
Candy Cane: The candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.
Angel: The angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men.
Bell: The bell is the symbol that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.
Red and Green Colors: The color red symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus. Green is the perfect background for the red. Green represents youth, hope and nature.
Snow: Peace, purity, and renewal.

Signed away my life and 1st child...

Mid-morning we should finally be the owner of our new home. It's been a long ride...but it is finally paying off!! It feels a little like signing away your life and your 1st child, but none the less it's over and we are moving things in today (thanks mom for coming!!). It's strange to go from no debt and lots of money to lots of debt and no money. I will post photos when we don't live in dirt and boxes :0)!!

Closing date #3 come and gone...still no house!!

All crap broke lose this weekend...literally! Our pipe to our septic froze and in doing so we ended up with sewer water in the basement. It was coming out of the toilet pipe that is roughed in down in the basement. This is just one of the pleasantries that has occurred while doing the house. I knew building would be stressful and that we would have some issues...but I never anticipated all the problems we have had:
#1-Me being flashed by our cabinet maker
#2-Our roof having a 15 pound snow load
#3-Our builder skipping town mid project
#4-Having to finish incomplete or wrong projects ourselves
#5-Having to do the floor to get it complete after the floor guy tried unsuccessfully 2 times
#6-Frozen septic line
Of course there have been other minor problems, but even with all of this I feel that we are pretty blessed to be able to close only 1 month past our closing date! I am so grateful that our financer is such an honest man...because otherwise we would be out several thousands of dollars! He has currently lost around $35,000 on our house and has been pretty amazing about the whole thing, and I feel very very blessed that the Lord has been looking out for us through this whole ordeal! We have even been able to do a lot of the work on our own to save some money (now only if it would save us on time too...I guess I can't be too picky!!)!! These are a few of the things I have learned/am learning how to do:
#1-Masonry, we rocked most of the exterior that was left
#2-Finish Trim, I made my first 45 and baseboard seam on my own
#3-Power tools...yes, I can figure out most of the ones in my house now
#4-Door knobs, I thought they would be easy...boy was I wrong, time consuming little suckers
#5-Finishing hardwood floors, stain-polyurethane
#6-Patience and people skills
#7-Caulking joints, OCD does not help on this one
#8-How to set a door
#9-How to pick out the right things for a house
#10-Framing/Insulation