First Day of Summer

Yesterday was the last day of school for eight of our kids, making this the first day of summer break!  (Poor Cali is in a year round school and has to go for four more weeks:(  The kids love the days of staying up late and sleeping in, reading, going to camps and family reunions.  They are not so much in love with the chores.  We had the "beginning of summer" talk today.  We talked about fun things we want to do during the time off school.  Christi and I also talked about some projects we wanted to accomplish and set up some rules regarding bedtimes, screen time, etc.  For the most part the discussion went very well.  There were definitely some scowls and exaggerated sighs, but by the end, we got really good buy in.  I love my kids!

Tonight we went to the rec center and swam.  Taylor chose to stay home (he said it was so he could mow the lawn and get that out of the way for tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure it had more to do with the NBA finals game he wanted to watch:)  Graci also wanted to stay home.  But the rest of us had a great time.  Other than me coaxing Lex to go down a bigger slide than she wanted to (and her conking her head on the side) everyone was all smiles and giggles and splashy fun.  Parker and I did some flips off the diving board.  For some reason, he looks much better doing those than I do.  He adds twists to his and looks awesome.  We jumped off the high dive and went down the big slide.  For the last 20 minutes or so, all of us were together in the mini lazy river.  The little girls LOVE that.  Sophi was particularly sweet.  She just wanted to cuddle up to me as we went around and around and around.

The home continues to progress, although not at the rate our builder was hoping for.  The framers are still there, but will hopefully done soon.  One major thing happened yesterday.  As we had looked at the plans, it appeared that the elevator would not be able to go up to the bonus room.  Once they had framed upstairs, however, we saw two things:  1.  The loft/bonus room is much bigger and cooler than we had thought, meaning Cali would most likely be wanting to go up there more than we had anticipated.  2.  It was actually possible to have the elevator go all the way up to the bonus room!  So, we've modified things a little bit, and Cali will be able to get to every room in the house!  How awesome is that?

We continue to be amazed at the home.  It is really a dream come true!

Jer

When did he grow up?

When did our little boy become a man?  It's crazy how big Taylor has become over the past year.  I notice it most when I shake his hand or give him five.  He has man hands.  They're almost as big as mine!  He is wearing a size 13 shoe at this point.  It's crazy.  It's a frequent reminder of just how quickly  they are all growing up.  Take advantage of each moment of these precious years while they are at home.

Speaking of homes, ours continues to progress.  There have been some minor issues in the past couple of days, so the progress has been a bit slow, but framing should be complete on Friday.  Plumbing, electric and HVAC are all going in at this point.  The timbers on the front porch arrived and are gorgeous.  It is SO fun to watch our beautiful home go up.

Thank you!

Jeremy

Moving on!

The blessings continue to pour in!  In the last few days we have had several people volunteer to help with different things.  A finish carpenter who we've known since we moved to Herriman has volunteered to build in triple bunks for the girl's rooms and to put lockers in the mud room.  A man from our congregation has volunteered to install the decking material.  Several people, some relatives, some friends and some who just heard about us on facebook! have put together an interior design committee to help with ideas for the Parade of Homes and beyond.  A friend of ours contacted someone she knew who recently closed his lighting company.  He donated several hundred dollars worth of fixtures.

We just can't say thank you enough to everyone who is helping this project come together.  So many, many people continue to amaze us with their generosity and the love the feel and show for our family.

Thank you all!!!

Jeremy

The trusses are on!

Holy cow!  It is so awesome!!!  We are so excited!!!  Most of the trusses are on and the framing should be done soon:)

 (I had to put this one in because something about the arch just made it feel like a home:)  This is the entry into Cali, Jesi and Graci's walk in closet.)

Stormy Weather

We often pray for rain here in Utah.  So it's usually a good thing when it comes.  Just not on the day that you're supposed to put the trusses on your new home!  Not too much progress on the home today due to the thunderstorm.  But there is a big pile of trusses awaiting the crane that's scheduled to arrive at 7:30am tomorrow morning:)

Tonight was the pinewood derby.  Xander has so looked forward to this day!  He watched his older brothers making their cars, always being told that someday he would be a Cub Scout.  Well, the day finally came.  He had a great time.  His car won two of the three heats he raced in and he was ecstatic.  He also won an award for "Best Hot Rod."  Way to go, X-man!

Jeremy

More Updates!

So sorry we haven't updated more on the house!  We promise to be better!!!  It is SO amazing:)  We are SO excited.  The trusses are going up tomorrow.  We are so in love with this home.  Thank you SO much to everyone who is helping.  We are amazed at the donations of labor and materials that continue to come.  Here are some pics from the past few weeks:

Not sure what look Jesi was going for here but we were certainly entertained (she cut up paper and taped it to herself for the eyebrows and moustache):

Picture day for Sophi and Lex at the baseball diamond:

(As you can see, Sophi was not super-excited about the photos!!!)

One of Lexi's best friends came along on this week and was her helper at the game.  We love Erin!

Elli, Lexi and Erin had a fantastic time on the tire swing (especially after dad started to push!)

We went down to the cemetery this evening to visit Emily and Jacob.  Hope you all had a great memorial day! 

-Jer

Meeting Hilary

Click HERE to see Lexi on one of the most special days of her life!  (:

The joy of Elli

A few minutes ago, I heard Elli crying down in her room.  I was tempted to ignore her, but something prompted me to go and check on her and asked her what she wanted.  Elli is often able to answer a question like that with one word answers, such as "treat" or "drink."  Tonight she answered, "music."  I told her that I would turn her music on and I gave her a hug and told her goodnight.  As I knelt down to turn her CD player on, I heard the most beautiful words come out of her mouth.  It was said clearly and deliberately.

"Thank you."

I have never in the six years that she has been my daughter heard those words come out of her mouth without being prompted.  It was such a special, tender moment.  Miraculous even.  I serve her and help her because she is MINE and I am her mother and I love her with all my heart-- I haven't needed her to say thank you.  But tonight she did and it felt so good to realize that she IS grateful, even if she usually does not or cannot express it.  I don't know if I'll hear those words again, so I hope to always remember how sweet it felt tonight.

I love you, Elli.  Thank YOU for being my daughter.

Ben

Jer and I were recently asked to share Ben's story in the hopes of finding a family with room in their hearts and home for this sweet young man.  If you are interested in adopting an older child but finances are stopping you, this is a wonderful opportunity! 

From someone at the agency:  

"This sweet guy would cost next to nothing to adopt. We at LWB have gotten word he is getting really depressed as he has still not been chosen by a family and he is close to aging out. He is a kind boy with a huge heart. He has mild CP and is very good with the kids in his orphanage. If you or someone you know could give him a home, please don't hesitate to contact me."

 

(Ben is the older boy)

Catch Up!

1.  Though having a child who qualifies for a wish from Make-a-Wish is certainly not something anyone wishes for, there are definite blessings that come with it!  Besides the amazing process of going through the wish granting process (you can read more about that if you click on Make-a-Wish under the Labels menu on the left sidebar) the child continues to be a "Wish Kid."  This means for five years following their wish, they are invited (along with their families) to Make-a-Wish events.  A couple of weeks ago, we were invited to "Pet a Shark Night" at a local aquarium.  It was so much fun.  Besides getting to pet real baby sharks, the kids got to enjoy the whole aquarium and a nice dinner from Chick-fil-a.  It was such a fun, FREE evening!  

2.  Graci looked pretty cute for her dance pictures!  Now I just need to get photos of her without her braces-- her smile is stunning!

3.  Jeremy came in the other day and said, "You'll never guess what was sitting on top of our mail."  He proceeded to hand me the mail-- which had a snail sitting on top of it.  I was on the phone with my sister, Leslie, when it happened.  As I told her, she quickly replied, "Oh... you got literal snail mail!"  Ha.

4.  The house is looking absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!  I meant to take pictures today but forgot--- we PROMISE we'll take some tomorrow and get them posted.  It's just beyond incredible.   We are having the time of our lives with this whole process.  Ok, so this is a fun coincidence.  Right as I was typing that, Jeremy called me from the property.  He took a little jog there tonight to get some exercise.  I wish that all of you who have contributed to this project in any way could have heard the emotion in his voice as he said, "How is this happening?  This is just so so amazing.  It's just so beautiful here!"   Ah... we are so blessed!   We still have quite a way to go with the financing end, but have faith that God is in those details.

5.  When you have lots of kids, you get lots of Mother's Day gifts.  (:  I'm still waiting on Graci's and Parker's (they are apparently working very hard on something) but I'll post pics of the others:

homemade journal from Xander

Jesi had been given "puppy chow" at a birthday party.  I told her how much I loved it, so she saved it for me.  (;

From Jesi:  I asked her what the rice was for and she said,  "Oh, the flowers were in a little pot of rice but they kept getting off balance so I just put it all in a baggie.  Wasn't that smart of me?"

Sophi "gave" me these babies (who incidentally were not hers to give)

This is the real me.  Jesi crowned me queen.  I think I should enter a pageant.  (: