I am an American

My cousin posted a truly inspirational blog this morning, please check it out!
www.daveandmargo.blogspot.com : I'm proud to be an American

Say it aint so... 1st House Blog

I got the call, the one we've been waiting for, FOR YEARS!! We can close on our construction loan today! HOLY SMOKES, I think I'm crying. I got the call about 10 min ago, and Jayson is too busy to listen to me rant, so I'm blogging it! YEA, YEA, SUPER YEA, and another YEA!
For all of you who actually read this, and don't understand the true greatness of this call, let me explain.
Jayson and I were married in 2000. It was the plan that we would rent for 5 years, and then start to build on my dads land on the drive farm. Well, two years into our renting, our landlord passed away, and her son bought the house. He wanted to raise our rent from $500 to $900. This was in November, one month before Christmas, and we were still poor married folk. We did what we had to, moved into "grandpas house." Grandpas house is actually an apartment in the back of my parents, more like a studio apartment. We had our own entrance, bathroom and kitchen... but we were still living with my parents. It worked great for awhile, but that doesn't last forever.
My dad started the process of developing the land on the drive farm, but it wasn't working for me- timing and location ( I wanted to be on the farm road).
We FINALLY got pregnant and was in the process of getting custody of Joslynn - so we needed a house - NOW!
We purchased our first home in August 2004. A cute little white house, directly east of the Paradise Fire Station. Jayson worked hard for 5 months tearing out lath and plaster, updating electrical and getting the floors ready for new flooring. We moved into our 4, small bedroom, 1 bath home just in time for Christmas. I LOVED that little house (Jayson didn't feel quite the same way). We stayed in our home for two years, before we felt it was a good time to sell. We were ready to build, and knew that we needed to save a little to do that.
Three houses to the North, the Blankmans were renting Jerry Welchs old home. They loved our little house, and purchased it in November 2006. They have made it the cute country home that it deserves to be.
We did a house swap - literally, in less that 12 hours. They packed up the rental, and we packed up the house - passed walking, and with trailers on the 1 block road. It worked out PERFECT. However, we only intended to be in the rental 6mo-1year. 2YEARS (almost 3) LATER...WE ARE FINALLY BUILDING!!!!
Our home will be on the farm road, just NW of my Dads, 7771 S 400 W, in beautiful Paradise. Here we will stay till we die!
We have chosen Todd Pignataro as our General, and I couldn't be happier. This man is amazing - and he helped convince Jayson that I want a butcher block in my kitchen :)! We couldn't be more excited to work with such a great guy.
SO... the first of the house blogs:
Today, April 28 we have a septic permit, the building permit should be done at the end of the week, or first of next. We will stake the property tomorrow night, and sign our construction papers in SLC on Thursday afternoon.
Until then.....I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!

I'm gettin married in the morn'in!

CONGRATUALTIONS JILL! My cousin Jill Weston is getting married in ONE MONTH (not in the morn'in). We celebrated with her Family Shower this weekend. It's always fun to see family. Since I know both sides of the family, it was especially fun. Plus, I had the enjoyment of organizing the shower with my cousin Margo. We joke about how we didn't like each other when we were younger, but I feel closer to her each time we talk.
SIDE NOTE... My mom passed away a little over two years ago and I believe that It helps put things in prospect. My Weston family is closer to me than ever, and I LOVE THEM! Plus, my best childhood friend Kaehla Owen and I started hanging out again. I want my friends close to me, and family even closer!
Okay, back to the shower...
We had the shower at Jills house, THANKS JUDY! She has a beautiful home, perfect for parties! We had good friends and family...and of course YUMMY FOOD! I served the Mixed Berry Parfaits and Dipped Strawberries I mentioned in my previous blog, and Margo made the most AMAZING Chicken Salad! I think the Sour Cream and Salad Supreme were the secret ingredients.

STRAWBERRIES

Tis the season... It all started on Wednesday night when I walked into Ridleys, just to grab some bread. You all know how that turns out...30 min later, a full grocerie cart, and $100 worth of "bread." BUT, strawberries were on sale, and they actually looked GOOD! $5.99 a flat!!
1st up - Freezer Jam. I love taking jam out of the freezer whenever I want it. Freezer Jam has to be the eaasiest thing to make - sugar, pectin, and chopped berries, with an excellent, yummy ending. I just wished I had time to make homemade bread like mom used to.

Next on the list - Fresh Mixed Berry Parfait Cups (for Jills Bridal Shower)
This was a fun recipe that I found in Better Homes and Garden. Simple and tasty. It looked beautiful, especially next to Margo's Chicken Salad - YUM!


My final FAV... chocolate dipped berries!
My mother in law bought me this wonderful double boiler, after calling her to find out how to make Rice pudding WITHOUT a double boiler. PS- not to hard, just more dishes in the oven. The oven recipe that I have is better that the double boiler one anyway!
I LOVE dipping berries, it's simple, yet beautiful. I didn't have time to drizzle with white chocolate - but they still tasted wonderful! We used these at the shower too. I love the way people think these are so gourmet...Look it, but not! My favorite is probably chocolate dipped FRESH pineapple.If you get the chance... eat as much as you can!

My Life...wife, mom, friend

out with the old!

I purchased a wonderful Kirby, back in 1998...yes, 1998! Before I was even married, I had a cleaning obsession. I thought I needed the BEST. Needless to say, we won't even mention how much the thing cost. I was single and working three jobs...so I got it.
We have a wonderful little pug, who isn't supposed to shed....WHATEVER! She SHEDS all the time, year round! Some "seasons" are worse. So, I vacuume daily.
Joslynn was supposed to vacuum the stairs when she informed me that it wouldn't start! WHAT! Won't start!? So, I tried, and tried. AGH! What will I do? It's the weekend, and I have to bleach my walls and vacuum the edges!!!
SO.... I REALLY want a Dyson Animal Ball Vacuum, but they are close to $500(or more), and I really want to buy a new kitchen table, not a new vacuum!
Needless to say, I took my Kirby to Wimmers (a local fix-it-shop). Mr. fix it man was not very pleasant, and said he wouldn't even look at it until Monday afternoon. (Great customer service) So, while at Sams Club shopping, I came upon the new addition to our household...the lovely Bissell, for only $70! YEA!!
What makes this even greater, it's bagless, so I can see just how much of that damn dog hair is in my house! SICK!! I am pretty sure that by morning, every surface of my house will be spotless (as far as vacuuming goes)...because the living room has allready been done two times!
As far as my trusty Kirby goes...If he can fix it for a reasonable price, It will stay in the family. We will just have an upstairs vacuum and a downstairs vacuum. :)

Easter bunny stopped here...

I grew up, without the "easter bunny." Mom and Dad simply left out a basket of goods, and we talked about the real meaning of Easter. I feel blessed for those memories. However, Jayson did not have the same. Every year he pouts...so this year...the bunny stopped...literally!
Our sweet friend Maddy (mad-e-line, as Ashton says) caught him a bunny at the annual Paradise Bunny chase. I am trying to be excited! :)Zoey actually likes 'ol Loyd.