Thanksgiving Week

So I know how lame it is that I didn't get any photos of Thanksgiving, but my mind was pretty preoccupied with all the things I needed to accomplish and I was really stressed about our hardwood floors. Eric and I had to have another go around with them after the floor guy tried twice and didn't do the job we expected. So, before we left for Cody we worked super hard to get the floors ready for another coat of Urethane. We had to pick out all the of the gunk the floor guys put into the holes, refill the holes, sand the holes, stain the holes, prep the floor for the 1st new coat, and then put it on. When we got back on Sunday we sanded them and did another coat. It was a lot of work, but they look so much better than they did before. Even though they are not prefect I would say that we did a pretty fine job on the floors. We are wishing though that we had just taken the money and done them ourselves because they still put us back like 3 weeks with all the problems, and we ended up helping with everything except the sanding (which is the easiest part)-without getting paid for most of it. Essentially we paid someone to do the floors that we ended up doing most of ourselves-really annoying!! Anyways, Thanksgiving was really fun and we were so glad we were able to see Eric's whole family! We had family photos taken as well, so I told my MIL that I would edit them to save some money...so I whipped up a Christmas card for her as well :0). We did lots of fun things in Cody besides shopping, eating, and hanging out/playing games-we went to the movie "Blindside"-which was amazing, and to Cody's downtown light parade. I got a little bit of work done on the computer while we were there too, it was nice to have a break and a chance to catch up on life without the house hanging over our heads! Thanks for all the fun times Oram family!! Love to you all and happy memory making to all my friends!

Thank a Soldier...

With today being Veterans day I thought I would take the opportunity to say thanks to all of those soldiers out there!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU...this country would not be the same without you!! Eric was telling me about an e-mail he received yesterday about an English teacher in a high school who wanted to teach her kiddos about the importance of our service men and women. When the kids entered her class they found that there were no desks in the room, nor were there chairs for them to sit on. When they asked the teacher she told them that they didn't just deserve to have the chairs, but that they could earn them. They spent the majority of their class time trying to figure out what they would have to do to earn their chairs back. Would they have to get good grades? Be on time? The list went on and on. Finally the teacher told them what they would have to do to get their chairs back. She opened up the classroom door and several veterans entered carrying chairs and desks. She told the students that because of these veterans they have the right now to a free education. That because of their sacrifices and service given to the United States these kids were now able to enjoy all the rights and freedoms they have, and that they should be very thankful to our veterans for all that they have been given. I just wanted to share that my appreciation for all those who have served before or who are currently serving in the military. God bless you all!! May I always work hard to earn the rights that have been provided me!! HaPpY VeTeRaN's DaY!!

One Week Left

So we're supposed to close in one week from today...and I am seriously hoping we can get it all done!! We have to do the trim this week, and clean up the exterior. Thank goodness my parents are coming to help!! The electrician, and heating guys both have to come and finish, but it really is coming along. Wish us luck!!

Are You Getting Tired Of Hearing About The House Yet??

I am...but it's what I do day in and day out, so that's what you get :0). Today Eric and I worked on the rock and made some serious progress (more than what you see on the photo). We're hoping for good weather tomorrow so we can get it done and move inside before we get snow!! The Lord has helped us so much with the weather and being able to find subs to help us finish in time!! Everywhere around us has seemed to be getting snow, but the storm that was supposed to come our way didn't and we are so grateful!!! Eric's friend, Danen, and his brother are here helping us get all the tile done and we are so happy!! It is turning out so awesome and we are so glad that Lamar is gone and our finish work is getting done so much better!!! We are looking forward to being done and moving in to enjoy the fruits of our labor!! It has been a pretty stressful time and I feel like all I do is work, but soon enough we will be in and ready for visitors!! The appraisal finally came in, our insurance is square away, and our loan is almost done-can I get a Hallelujah?!!! (It's a ton of work!!) The last two days at the house have been interesting because the long awaited beams and steel valleys were put in---which was no small feat!! They put the valleys in today, and at 600 lbs a piece it was pretty incredible to watch!! We love the patio covering they put up downstairs and can't wait to put in matching posts when the groud unfreezes!! BTW the photo of my little feline friend is quite cute huh? This little guy showed up at our house on Friday and has no tags. He is so good though!! I seriously am not a huge pet fan, but I have thought about keeping this little guy!! The electrician has been taking him home at night to feed him and bringing him back during the day to keep us company. He just sits in whatever place is being worked on and is super friendly and never barks-so cute, but he sheds so he will not be staying. Our Halloween pretty much consisted of doing the house with minimal time spent in festivity. I did go with my friend Shanoa to the ward party last night, and stole someone else's baby so I could go in the cake walk-haha. Working at the Elementary has been so fun and the Halloween parade and parties did not disappoint-the kiddos looked so cute!! Eric and I didn't get to dress up this year, but I have some amazing ideas for next year!!!

Just Us 2009 Style and A Little Venting...

Here is a preview of us...courtesy of me running back and forth to set the timer. I need to figure out my remote...was gonna do it and then company came. At least we still got some photos in before the weather really turned south!! You can get a sneak peek of our Christmas card on my blog http://www.simplemomentsphotographybyliz.blogspot.com/

****Oh BTW did any of you feel a breeze, or get a crazy whiff of something nasty? If so, I apologize...that was the crap hitting our fan :0). (Sorry, I have to have fun with this somehow to keep the sanity). Our builder skipped town on us and left us and the financer to figure out how to get our house completed by November 15th-fun, thanks for the all the patience building you turd of a man. In a way I saw it coming, and in a way I am glad. However, it's like breaking up through the phone...use your cahonas and dump me in person, seriously. He ran away like a dog with his tail between his legs...it will catch up to him eventually, and now I get to save some money and get it done right-with about the same amount of stress. So, please excuse our smell...we're working on cleaning up the mess as we speak ;0).

Fresh weeks to all my friends!

Liz

Our Week

Kinda boring I know...but exciting that the doors are finally hung!!

The kitchen is finally starting to come together!!

My $108 dollar break from school....

The master bathroom.

The flooring is going in.

The spare bathroom.

The front-it is finally changing again!!

I love how everyone is blurring around them in these photos!!!!

I finally have some photos to upload along with the house!! This week was Homecoming and I am so glad to say that both the varsity football and volleyball teams won!! It was on Thursday night which made it super hard to want to go to school on Friday, especially since we have Monday off. Today was our Super Saturday here and I taught earring making-which was a huge hit!! I probably have 10 new pairs of earrings to show as models because of teaching!! I also had the chance to get a head start on some Christmas presents!! Eric is taking a break to go fishing today, but tonight he has to be a chaperon for the Homecoming dance-which I think is pretty funny since he's not really into things like that. They have not been working on the house the last couple of days, but we have decided I think to put the beams in the roofing structure so that you can't see them. The kitchen cabinetry has been put in, and is almost complete. I think they turned out really great!! They look black but they are actually a really dark brown. They turned out a little darker than what we wanted, but I still really like them!! They have also started on our flooring, the wood floor is going down and so is the backer board for the tile. The brick out front is almost complete, but they ran out of mortar so they should be finishing that up next week. The house is almost all sided as well. It seems to be moving along quickly, but we know how much they still have to get done in less than one month so I am not quite sure they will make it. None the less we are happy with how it is all turning out. One the bummer side...while trying to be quick since I was leaving work to get the appliances delivered, I recieved a nice speeding ticket on my way back. The worst part is I knew I totally deserved it, and then to top it all off the guy took like 15 minutes writing it so it made me even later that than it would have if I had just gone the speed limit!!! (That'll make you want to scream at the man) So...$108 later, I have learned my lesson-lie about why you were speeding to try and get off (j/k).

Happy ticket free weeks to all my friends!!

Liz

It's Our Baby....

Seriously messy...not so good for the OCD in me...

Rock and siding is going on...

Master bedroom is currently getting hardwood...

Paint and texture is pretty much done...

Yea....we are closed in now!!

I know for some of you it is a little old hearing about the house (Shayne), but I like to think of it as our baby, which makes me feel better about the extreme obsession. For example these are some similarities I anticipate when we actually do have a baby: We wait with anticipation as it changes and progresses. We're super proud of how it's turning out. It has caused moments of extreme stress, anxiety, excitement, tears, ect. It's super messy!! We have lots of people around for support, information, and TLC when it/we need it. Like a proud parent I like to show people pictures and talk about it :0). I think about it all the time and wonder if everything will be okay, will it look alright (you know you think it-haha), will everything function properly when we are in, will we have problems down the road, ect. Although it's not really a baby (I know some of you were hoping for an announcement), it will have to do for now. Besides, I am surrounded by babies and mommies to be that will let me share in their joy until it's really our turn. BTW....the painting is done, the rock is going on, the hardwood is going in, the garage doors are on, the septic is finished, the appliances are coming tomorrow, and it should be done in a month or so.