Home Sweet Home-part1

I have been wanting to do this post FOREVER! I just kept putting it off because I didn't have any of the pics organized. I consider myself a pretty organized person... EXCEPT when it comes to pictures. Ugh. It makes me cringe just to think about how many pictures I have and how they are just scattered everywhere. Even Al mentioned that very soon we should sit down and organize all our pictures on our computer. blah.... sounds like a huge, time consuming project!

Anyways, I finally took the time to go through a few pictures and with the help of my awesome husband, I got together all the pictures of our house remodel thus far.

For those of you who don't know... Al and I bought a house. I remember the day before our wedding (talk about stressful) signing and signing our life away. I remember thinking, "are you sure this is a good idea?"  

Rewind a few months before... Al and I were trying to making the lovely decision of where to live after we were married. Rent? or Buy? A LOT  of people told us it would be a HORRIBLE idea to buy. "Because you never know where life is going to take you." "Especially when you're first newlyweds." "Why? would you want to be stuck with a house?" We heard sooo many opinions! 

 My dad was the one who actually found it the house. He's like pro at house shopping. He knows what to look for and knew a great deal when he saw one. He sent me the link while I was at work and on my lunch break I went and drove passed the house. It didn't look too bad on the outside. I thought it was a pretty cute house! My dad said it was a GREAT price and something we should definitely look into. Al and my dad walked through the house a few days later. They said it was in pretty rough shape. But after discussing our options, we decided to put an offer on it because it really was such a good deal to not pass up. Keep in mind... we put an offer on it before I had even stepped foot in that house. How freaking trusting am I?? haha! I had way too much faith in those boys. ;) All I had seen were just a few pics and the outside when I had driven passed it. I just took my Dad's and husband's word and just jumped on board. Phew! It was a scary jump. 

However, long story short. We bought the house. Al and I both talk and laugh about the feeling we had after coming home from our honeymoon and walking into that house. "OH BOY" pretty much sums it up. It was in pretty bad shape. The biggest thing for me was the smell. The previous owners had 3 BIG dogs inside the house... that were not potty trained. The entire house smelled like pee. :( and well old houses never smell that grand anyways. So a mix of a lot of pee and old house. YUCK! 

Our plan was to remodel everything and make it look purrrdy :) and then turn around a sell it. Hopefully to make enough money off of it to then be able to build our "dream house" We got started right away. I can tell you, it has been A LOT OF WORK! My awesome husband is so handy! I tell ya, there seriously is nothing he can't do! Plus, we have been sooo blessed by the amount of help we have receive. both of our dads have just been rock stars! They have put so much of their time into helping us. Also Alek's friends have been so great to volunteer their time to help. We seriously cant thank them enough!! 

Okay, how about I stop talking and we just marvel at the pictures now?  In the 16 months we have lived in this house we have completed just over half of the house. Well all the big projects are done. Pretty good right?

The very first thing we did, was replace all the windows! 

 First off, check out the awesome wallpaper. Now this was the first window they did. It took them 6 hours!! I remember thinking "if it takes us 6 hours a window.... this is going to take forever!" We have over 15 windows, if I counted right. But once everyone figured out what was going on and got the hang of it, process started moving a bit more quickly! 

We got most of the windows done that weekend and finished up the last few during the week. 

Once the windows were completed, we started on the Living room and what we call the "game" room.  We had to re-mud all the walls and ceilings to cover up the nasty lath and plaster that old homes are built out of. But first, we had to steam off that wonderful wallpaper. 

This is what the living room looked like before-this was even before windows too.

Looks like so much fun right?

Paint!!

Two days before Christmas last year we  got carpet in those two room! Best present EVER! It's so crazy how much paint and carpet will change the look of the room.

The next project was the kitchen. This was the big one! Took FOREVER!

Before:

The demolition:

If you and your spouse can live like this for 3 months and not kill each other... you will be able to get through anything! No joke! It took so much patience to get through that time. Mostly for Al because I was the one going CRAZY. He seriously had to deal with me for 3 months and I'm sure it wasn't the easiest. It was just sooo hard for me. Yes the Kitchen was a disaster but trust me... dirt travels. The ENTIRE house was covered in dust. I remember having nightmares about suffocating in dust. Yes it was THAT bad! We had the microwave in our bedroom and lived off of T.v. dinners and hot pockets and ate out A LOT!  Finally, finally we finished. We got through it! and by looking at the pictures below, you can see that is was oh soooo WORTH IT! 

This summer we started working on the siding. This was a pretty fun project, probably because it was all outside and inside the house wasn't in a disarray. 

Before:

In the process:

My brother, Sis and I had some fun. We talked Syd into squeezing in this box. It was a tight fit but she was a trooper! Skinny minny!

Gads, made me so nervous when they were up that high!!

The finished product:

Pretty sweet huh?! I'm pretty proud of all the work my Al Pal has done! And I am so thankful that I own this house and that we have the opportunity to fix it up. It's been quite the adventure and lots of work/money but its been so much fun to be able to work as a couple with the help of friends and family and get it done! 

We are currently in progress of adding another bathroom upstairs. Then all we have left to do is finished mudding the two bedrooms downstairs and the rest of the bedrooms upstairs, then carpet and a few small, random projects. We should hopefully be done... well our goal is August. (fingers crossed) That will be two years we have lived there! What an accomplishment it will be! :) I will keep you updated as we keep completing projects, so stay tuned! 

Proposal story

I absolutely love this time of year. Who doesn't?  Probably the "latest" reason why I love it is because two years ago around this time, is when Alek proposed to me. I figured since I was reminiscing about it, I might as well share the story. 

Looking back, I first looked at rings online, well probably Pinterest. But that was just for fun. I wasn't "seriously" looking. Al and I both knew we were planning on getting married. We talked about it. ALL. THE. TIME. We even had the date picked and temple sealing scheduled before we were even engaged. I thought for sure it would jinx us.

Then Al mentioned that I should start looking at rings and get an idea. At first it was sooo weird! and I can't even explain why. Hmmm maybe because I didn't really picture myself shopping for rings. Ever. Weird huh? I swear most girls say they remember planning their wedding as soon as they knew what a wedding was. Not me. I didn't think about it until it was happening.

Finally I got use to the idea of looking at rings and starting obsessing over it. During my collage classes I would browse through ring websites the entire class period. We picked a day and decided to actually go and try some on. We went to Jerricks here in Logan. Al and I both knew that's where we wanted to go.We had heard only the best things about them and wanted to check them out. And of course we were very impressed! 

I swear I tried every ring on...at first I was stressing because I was waiting for the one that felt right. and none of them did. They were all beautiful! I was just waiting for the perfect one. It was funny because the style that I thought I liked online, I absolutely hated the way it looked on my finger. Finally, I found the one. And still to this day, I'm in love with it! 

I did make one adjustment to the ring and Jerrick said it would take probably 6 weeks to get it ordered, fixed and sized. I swear they just say that to help with the surprise because it was NOT 6 weeks. I remember thinking dang, well that's not til January! BUT, I had been tricked.

Al picked up the ring 2 weeks later and started making plans for the proposal.

A week later, December 23rd, it was a Friday, Al came over to my house early. We had plans to finish up some Christmas shopping together before I had to go to work at 3. When I first saw him, I remember thinking he looked so good! He was wearing a nice button up shirt. I'm pretty sure I even asked him, "Man, why are you all dressed up today?" 

Not gonna lie, I was pretty grumpy the whole day. Pms? maybe... and probably the fact I had to work a closing shift. That always made me angry. Al tried making me happier by being goofy and helping me put my boots on. I think he was trying to make me laugh by sitting there trying to jerk my boot on while I hobbled around on one leg. I ended up falling backwards and hitting my head on my closet door. Instant goose egg. Ouch! And it did the opposite of making me happier. Poor Alek felt really bad and I, of course, just got more grumpy. 

I did not want to go into town. We had been Christmas Shopping every single day that week and I was so sick of it. All the traffic and all the pushy people, you know how it is right? It was only two days before Christmas and I was just NOT  in the mood. But I went anyway and I told Al, "only on one condition. As long as we don't go to the mall." Haha I was so sick of the mall! We went to Walmart first and got a few last minute gifts. I was doing good until I noticed Alek obsessively texting someone over and over. He's not a big texter and when I asked who he was texting, he wouldn't tell me. This BUGGED me. Especially when we would be walking next to each other and the next thing I knew He wasn't there and I found him in the next aisle bent over his phone sending what seemed like an important text. I kept bugging him about it and he wouldn't tell me anything! Grrr! At one point the thought crossed my mind, maybe he is planning the proposal with someone... but why would he have to be doing that now? and why right it front of me?! Plus, he wasn't going to have the ring for another 3 weeks. Grrr. I got frustrated. Seriously, Pms is no fun. Ha Turns out he was texting his mom the whole time making sure everything was set up and ready to go.

Then his brother called (he was also in on it) and said he wanted Al to meet him at the mall to help him pick out a present for their dad. "NO." was my reply. "I already told you I'm not going to the mall. I'll stay out in the car" hahaha  I was seriously being a baby! 

Finally, after Al did a really good job of convincing me to go, I caved. But, then I remembered that I needed food because I didn't bring anything for my break at work and I wouldn't be able to eat anything til I got off at 10 that night. So, I made Al stop and buy me Arby's. We sat in the Mall parking lot and waited until I finished eating.  Al later said, he was going crazy and couldn't believe how insane I was acting. (guilty face) Everyone was in the mall, patiently waiting on me to finish stuffing my face. Embarrassing.

When my tummy was satisfied, I very sulkily walked into the mall with Al. And of course, Al is REALLY excited and walking really fast. But, I decided I need to go to the bathroom. Al said, "Are you serious?!" Yes. yes I was. He said he texted his mom-"Well, we FINALLY made it inside... but now she's in the bathroom." Everyone was dying of anxiety because I was seriously dragging my feet. What was the big hurry anyway?

When I was finished, we started walking toward Dillards, where we had planned on meeting Rhy. But, before we even got there we see Rhy walking out holding a big bag. "Hey guys, check out what I got for dad!" I was like, "WHAT?!  I thought that is why we were here.. to help you PICK something out?!" Rhy got all embarrassed and said, "Well, I got to go. See you guys later." 

I turned to Al, "Why are we even here?!"

"Sorry Linds, let's just keep walking. We have time to kill before you have to work anyways."

ugh.... I gave in. He had a point. I still had 45 minutes until I need to be at work. Next thing I knew we were walking passed the place where Santa was.

"Linds, let's sit on Santa's lap!"

"Are you kidding? Why?"

"It would be fun!"

"Fun? Maybe if we were 5."

He kept nudging me towards Santa and I kept resisting. Terena told me after, that from watching from her hiding spot, she was dying. She was thinking I was going to screw the whole thing up.Which I almost did!

I caught the Elf-helper lady's eye and she gave me a weird look... (because Terena from behind the curtain whispers, "That's them! They finally made it! Get ready!"

Finally I agree to sit on Santa's lap. I didn't want to make a big scene and Al obviously was really adamant about sitting on Santa's lap. I told Al, "Fine, but I don't want our picture taken and I better get a candy cane." I watched all the little kids leaving with a candy cane. I'm ridiculous, right?

We get in line and when it's our turn, I tell the Elf lady that we don't want our picture taken. Again she gives me a weird look and doesn't say anything. hmmm... what is her problem?

Al sits on one of Santa's knee and I sit on the other. I felt like I was killing him. Poor old Santa! He asked us want we want for Christmas of course, Al said he wanted a boat and I said a new pair of running shoes. Then Santa says, "Well I have something special for you." Yay, here comes my candy cane!  He reaches his hand into the basket of candy canes. I noticed he was shaking really bad. We joke that he was more nervous than Al. :) His shaky hands started digging around the basket. I'm good with just the candy cane on top. C'mon just grab one, anyone will do! I really don't need one from the bottom. Of course I get impatient and decide to focus my attention else where. I look at the elf lady and wait a second.... Why is she taking our picture?! I told her not too!  I look at Al, just in time to see Santa hand him the little brown box. Al took the box and got down on one knee. Are you kiddin me!!  I'm completely blown away. SOOO SURPRISED. It all happened so quickly! Al asked and I said yes and he put the ring on my finger. I couldn't believe it!

Aww looks at Santa's face:) This picture is perfect. Thank you Elf lady.

(It's a picture of a picture, so not the best quality)

Slowly everyone comes out of their hiding places. Al's whole family was there! There were lots of tears and hug. I was still in shock. Al, then broke the news that I didn't have to work. What? seriously? That was the cherry that topped it all off:)

Everyone wanted to celebrate of course and go out to eat. Oh wait, was I hungry? Nope. I was so mad at myself!! So we all decided to go share the news with my family and then meet up later for dinner. I called my mom and she was so excited she ended up driving to the mall to see us. She probably was as excited as me!

A couple hours later, both families met at Olive Garden and we celebrated our engagement. It was so much fun to be there with everyone! I seriously could not stop smiling at my fiance'. Ha FIANCE'!!

After dinner Alek and I decided to go for a drive up to our favorite spot that over looks the whole valley. It was the first time we had been alone all day. The first time we could actually talk about the days events. We laughed at all the things that could have gone wrong. I thanked him for talking to my boss and letting me get off work. I was so happy I could be spending time with him instead of working. I couldn't stop smiling and giving him hugs. I was soo happy! He was very glad things had worked out and said that he was really worried for awhile that I wasn't going to cooperate:) I apologized for my behavior. I felt bad, but we both just laughed it off. It really was the perfect day and a perfect proposal. It was now official. I could now start planning the wedding without being worried of jinxing it. ;)

WICKED JIG!

Pretty much the last few months of my life I have been consumed with Irish dance and getting ready for our Halloween show WICKEDJIG. I am apart of the performing group at ATN Irish Dance Academy  and it is a blast! I love All the girls and.. pretty much we have the best instructor out there! And she also happens to be the best mother-in-law out there too :)

Performing and dancing has always been my absolute favorite thing to do. Probably not a lot of people will understand, but seriously there is no greater feeling than being up on stage doing the thing you love to do! Plus, when you have worked you tail end off for months, there in no greater reward than to finally show off all your hard work.It's a high like no other!

This whole week I've been feeling a bit.... down? Only because I have realized that after Saturday I am going to have NOTHING to do. What am I going to do with all my free time? I kind of related it to my wedding. All this work goes towards it and its such an exciting day! But then in just ONE DAY it's over! Those are the times when I wish I could just pause time or replay it over and over and OVER! 

Yes, a little part of me is down. But! An even BIGGER part of me is just soo excited!!! Especially this week as it seems we have endless dress rehearsals and are running around like crazy, getting the last few details ready. It's so fun to see all your hard work come together! 

Pics from lasts years show! 

I love these pictures! Love the memories and all these girls! We seriously have the best group and have so much fun together. If last year was as awesome as it was... I can't even imagine what this year is going to be like!

Now a sneak peak of what's to come Saturday! Don't think our witch costumes could get any cuter!

Our awesome Jr. Troupe girls! My other bestie (my sis) is bottom center. She's got that devil attitude down!

Did I mention The Aaron Aston Band is coming?

We are ready.... ARE YOU?

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! :)