Call in the troops

Leaving to California for Christmas was a  little lot hectic but somehow we managed to do it. (Thank you to my sweet mother in law for taking Everett for a few hours the day before and even taking laundry to her house to do) There were many things to coordinate and things that were continuing to happen on the house while we were gone. All without telling the workers we would be out of town. (you can never be too careful, right?) Once again my mother and father in law saved the day by paying workers, letting them in and out and checking on things periodically.

We had a nice time on our quick trip to my parents. It was a needed distraction and helped us to slow down and focus on what really matters. I was reminded of how much I really love and appreciate my family.

We knew coming home was going to be equally as stressful as leaving because we have our flooring installer coming to start Monday and there were still preparations that needed to be done. It didn't help that the day before coming home I was hit with a head cold. Great. 

But we got home, I unpacked (mostly), did a hair appointment and we focused on starting to tear out the wall between the existing house and the addition. Cody and I were pretty puzzled as to how to really get it out but we started with a few things. Then my good friend, Adrianne showed up. She gets into her "work mode" at times and this time was no different. She climbed up a ladder and started cutting.

Then one by one, other neighbors started showing up saying Adrianne said to head over and help. My good friend Alicia kept the mess at bay by constantly sweeping, Erik Fetzer apparently likes to demolish things (watch out when you see him with a hammer-glass was flying), Brian Riches showed up at the perfect time with a brick set to start chipping away at the brick to get a straight line and Adrianne just kept on working. And she loved using the sledge hammer a bit. Cody and I were thinking at this point something must be wrong with us because everyone seemed to enjoy this waaaaaay more than we did. They were seriously a life saver. They got that wall out in less than 3 hours and it would have taken us a week! Now we are filling as many garbage cans as neighbors will let us borrow and it will still take a few weeks to get rid of all the trash. No biggie. We're used to filling trash cans every week.

The picture above is a shot the next morning of what we were left with. Weird weird feeling to combine these two worlds of ours that have been divided for so long.

The next day (yesterday),Nate (Adrianne's husband), came over and helped Cody put up a support beam and then started hacking at the tile. Ryan (Alicia's husband) brought over tools in addition to the ones he lent us the day prior (they are the neighborhood pharmacy, video store, grocer and hardware store, seriously).  We had multiple visitors to come check things out which I love and it dust was filling the air. It was an experience. Good memories are being made. Crazy, busy, happy, had working, learning how to be flexible... memories.

After about half the kitchen it was time to call it a day. And call it a weekend. Aren't Sundays such a blessing? I've never been so grateful for a day of rest as I have through this process.

We now have a "shoes required at all times" rule. And you can see why.

 We got a little cleaned up and spent some late night hours with Dallas trying to plan where the island would go. He had some valid points and felt very proud we were considering them. It was cute. The set up might be a bit tight bit it is what it is!

And this morning we had to wipe down the table and chairs to eat but the boys thought it was great to eat in the new part.

The lighting was better from the other angle.

So we are now up to date! See those boxed stacked to the left? That is our flooring that is going to be installed starting tomorrow! Should take all week and then carpet hopefully next Monday. I better get that scheduled, huh?

This.Is.Craziness

But don't get me wrong, I'm happy about the crazy. Well not really the crazy but what the crazy will bring. So here I will share some of our crazy as my phone tells it.

We are getting our hands dirty with grout. Our funny Norwegian painter, Tom was surprised by all the molding we had including bookshelves and didn't want to do it so we helped. That job is a pain! Cody and I stayed up late working one night but there is still more to do.

Here is a current look at the outside.

The master shower in progress.

Another outside shot.

 There are boatloads of pics like this one my phone as I shop around looking for things I need.

Another one of the outside, really? I think I went through a state of shock when I would arrive or leave my house so I would stop and take a picture. It's crazy to see it like this after so many years!

More shower progress:

The inspiration pictures I taped to the wall to show my awesome tile guy, Roberto who speaks very little english.

Trying to decide if all the "venetian bronze"  shower parts I order match. They don't. But I don't think I have time to care. Hopefully I won't regret that decision for years to come.

Snapshots of items to sell on KSL. A constant in this process was buying and selling on KSL. Kind of a chaotic affair but totally worth it in the end.

The quartz slab I picked out for the new bathroom downstairs and it will also be a threshold and pony wall cap in the master shower.

This is the quartz for our island. It looks similar to the one above and they are but not as close as it looks. The little specks are not as pronounced on either one and the bathroom one is more white. The island is more creamy. We remodeled our kitchen just over a year ago with no expectation of this addition happening so soon so trying to coordinate with that granite has been tough. I have used all remnants to stay in the budget, both this time and when we did the kitchen, so that gives you less to choose from. I'm crossing my fingers it will all work.

Master shower coming along! (no grout, no floor)

A fave part of the new house.

This is our family room pre-paint. The brick wall is parallel to the bookcase and the stairs are behind the bookcase.

Office entrance

Pantry

Protecting the brick wall.

The reality of how this process has affected us. We have Christmas presents, boxes of shower parts, mirrors, packing to leave for California, laundry: both clean and dirty, blah, blah, blah... It's killing me.

The grout beginning just as we were heading out the door to CA.

And the paint, too.

There's Tom.

 We'll see if we can get this thing buttoned up by the end of January. It's hectic but I want to work fast and get it done!

Many hands make for light work

So my dad flew in and was a tremendous help. That guy knows how to get things done. Like for reals. My brother Brent came to help as well. 

 And Brannan... well, he brought the hot wings. Ya know, the necessities.

Thanks to great neighbors who had great tools they were willing to lend us, these guys flew through the basement and got a lot done. They worked like trojans and it was so appreciated. We     feel so good to have that much more finished.



And the timing was perfect for Papa to go to the Veteran's Day assembly at the school. Dallas and Preston loved having both Papa and Grandpa at their school event. They were pretty proud of those awesome veterans.

This week coming up is going to be a stressful one full of inspections, internet wiring, insulation, more inspections, drywall and something else... what was it? Oh yeah, Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I happen to love this holiday and I'll love it even more if we pass all of our inspections. That would definitely be something to be thankful for in addition to our many blessings.

I think I can, I think I can

Well we are still alive and still building. There were some definite slow moments in there but it feels like we're rolling again. I compare this whole experience to pregnancy. No, I'm serious! The beginning was tough. Like really tough. In the first trimester of pregnancy it is hard to be excited because you just feel so sick. It's hard to be excited about the potential of something when it seems so far away and the moment you are in is terrible. The middle part of the process is pretty good. Things are going along pretty well, everything is dandy. You feel up to doing things... like making decisions on flooring. I imagine the closer we get to the end, like with pregnancy, it will feel like it's dra-aaa-ging on and on. You know the end is inevitable but it just can't get here fast enough.

I'm almost to that point but still okay. There are enough exciting things happening each day that I'm happy with the progress thus far. Here is what our house looks like as of today. We have about 1/2 a roof!

Here's the siding crew from Warburton's. Clay, Tyler and Trevor. They are putting up the house wrap for us since we totally didn't finish it ourselves. Everything is a lot harder to do than you think once you're doing it!

 And here is how they let me repay them; with a homemade lunch. We gave them a little menu to check the things they wanted on their sandwiches. They had 3 choices of bread, 2 meats, 2 cheeses, multiple pickles and chips options, and fruit with dip. Good thing Cody went to the store. I mean I would have made it nice, but not with all the options. The boys are always happy when he does the shopping because we actually have food! Anyway, they also got a lemon square and a brownie. So this is them so happy to let me take their picture before they dig in.


Let me just add that that has been my secret weapon with the crews. Making treats. Lots of them. I am particular, indecisive and I change my mind! And they are so much happier to change things for me or show me different options because I treat them well! I think it's been key. Remember "the way to a mans heart is through his stomach"? Well apparently it applies to building as well. I just don't think it's to the heart as much as the hands... okay that was a stretch.

Here is the back of our house currently. With windows, a door, hard siding, etc.

Here is the family room with can lights and wiring.

Master shower plumbing.

Downstairs bathroom plumbing.

Shiny new furnace.

And this is what our front yard looks like today. The electrician, the roofer, the exterior guys, and two Murray City trucks. Busy. Thank you neighbors for your patience! I love having so much getting done at once but I'm not sure they love having to step over each other to work. 

And here is the side they finished today. The siding comes primed only so some painting will happen at some point but we may be too late this year. Eventually the house will all match but it might be a while.

I'm learning so much through this process and mostly I'm really enjoying it. I've learned a lot about myself which is interesting. I thought I had no problem being confrontational but I've actually struggled with asking for what I want or confronting people when there is a problem. I've discovered I don't have a problem doing with companies over the phone or with someone at a business where I will likely never see them again but when we will work together again and again... I don't do so well. I'm figuring it out. Kind of. Well I'm making treats, that's what I'm doing. (And sometimes in the dark since we have no power here and there)

My Dad says drywall is half way. Please tell me that's wrong. (But don't tell him, he's never wrong) Totally kidding. But that brings up a good point I really need to address. My dad has been invaluable throughout this project. He jumps to answer my every phone call to answer my questions and help me through the difficult times. He's eased my mind during stressful moments and given me great advice. If all of that wasn't enough, he's getting on a plane this weekend to come here and help us with a bunch of work. He's so hard working and willing to serve and it means the world to Cody and I. Thank you, Dad. And thank you, Mom, for giving him to us for a few days. We really appreciate it. Thank you for your endless support and shared enthusiasm. I don't know what I would do without you.

Another big thank you to my sis, Lisa. She is a talented designer and really understands what my design goal is and has helped me countless times with difficult, time sensitive decisions. My house would not look as beautiful as it does without her advice, sending emails back and forth with inspiration pictures etc. How she keeps all her design projects straight in her head I'll never know. But thank you, sis, for keeping my project straight in your mind. :) And for making me a priority in your already busy life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.