Miss Independent

This is little Miss Grace. Her most favorite thing to do is get dressed and then change...then change again, and again... you get the point. She wants absolutely no help, not even suggestions. On this particular day (February 19th) it was freezing outside. Of course that made no difference in Grace's clothing selection. I couldn't pass up the photo op. You can't beat playing outside in your panties with snow boots and gloves on!! Too cute!

Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at the Kitchen! More to come later.... hopefully..... someday!!!

Conner's 8th Birthday

We actually moved into our new house on Conner's 8th birthday! This is the second year in a row that we have moved on his birthday. Unfortunately, he doesn't find it very fun. This move was a little bit more exciting because he got to open his new army bedding and sleep in his new room upstairs.

Conner was also baptized one week after his birthday. Yes, I know, life is crazy. I moved, unpacked, shopped, prepared food, re-washed sheets, housed over 30 people, fed over 50 family members and friends, and we baptized our oldest all within a weeks time!!! What an emotional experience for me. I really started to wonder if I had taught Conner what he needs to know. Man it amazes me how fast 8 years goes by. Crazy fast!!! It seems like just yesterday that I brought him home from the hospital. I can remember so many memories of him as a little guy (unfortunately, I can't say that for all of my children) it really doesn't seem possible that he is already eight. I'm sure that I'll say the same thing when he turns 19. Anyway, he is a good kid and was definitely ready for his big day. It really did turn out great. We only had one incident. Ethan threw up all over me during the closing song!! Kids...there's never a dull moment when their around. I will say that I was exhausted when it was all over though. Scott leaned over to me a church after everyone had left on Sunday and whispered, "Man, I wish that everyone could have stayed a little longer." Even though I knew what he meant I was relieved to have the week over and a new one beginning.

The Low Down

Okay, so I realize that I have not posted in forever. Life has been completely out of control for the Skousen clan for the last several months. I am still not caught up on everything. Infact I am not really caught up on much of anything. Don't get me wrong, the things that absolutely have to get done do, but things are still crazy. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now though.

Since my last post a ton of things have happened. We have finished our house!!! (I use the word finished lightly... there are still a million things that need to happen... put up the towel bars, hang the numbers on the front of the house, put up the rest of the fence, stain & install all of the bookcases...to name a few) The house is livable though, more than livable, to us it's heaven. The first night we slept here I asked Scott how he was feeling. Besides total graditute he exclaimed, "I feel like I have been let out of a box!" You have to understand that when we moved to Saint Johns, we left a beautiful NEW house in the valley. It had plenty of space (4 bedrooms & a toyroom) and an extra large backyard. Our "new to us" 30 year old fixer upper in Saint Johns couldn't even touch what we had become accostumed to. The master bedroom was so small that with the bed in it you couldn't even kneel to pray at the side of the bed without your feet touching the wall! Our family growing in size from 5 to 7 members didn't help either. Needless to say that a lot more space means a lot more freedom for everyone! We are loving our new home and thank our Father in Heaven often for all of the wonderful blessings we have in our lives.

Here are some pictures of events that have happened since my last post. Forgive me for not having any house photos yet. Boxes everywhere, dirt on the floor, yada yada... I am working on it though.

Halloween

(Ethan, Jacob, Tate, TJ (Conner's Friend), Conner, & Grace)

Tate's 6th Birthday

Ethan's 1st Birthday

Christmas

Just an Update

Things are still going good at the Skousen house.... I can not stress enough how much work it is to build a house. I will say that for the most part I am enjoying it- It really is totally stressful though. There is a tremendous amount of organization involved which I would say was a characteristic that I possessed before I had five kids. (key word- BEFORE) Anyway, we are moving forward. The heating and cooling rough in is complete and the plumbing should be finished tomorrow. As soon as the electrician is done we will be on to the insulation and drywall!! The exterior siding and the roof should also be complete this week. Like I said, we are moving forward- and I'm trying not to let everything else fall apart in the mean time. They say that if you can survive building a custom home with your spouse you can survive anything! Actually, Scott has been very, very good about the whole thing. He has pretty much given me free license to do what needs to be done. I guess he knows that I'm handling the budget on this thing so I have to be very particular about which upgrades we do and which ones we don't. I think that's one of the hardest aspects of building... trying to decide which upgrades you can't live without and which ones you can. Anyway, I apologize for so many "House" posts but it is what's going on in our lives right now- besides Soccer! Wholly Cow I didn't mention that the soccer season has started. Conner, Tate, & Jacob are playing and Scott is coaching! Ya- just needed a little something more to juggle in the schedule. The kids really are loving it though. It's so fun to watch them play. I always am trying to find a reason why I need to stay home, but I am always glad when I go and watch. (5:15- hello can anyone say DINNER TIME plus I really feel like Scott can handle this one... I sit with them at gymnastics, piano, swimming lesson- which are now over but still, you get the point. Like I said though, I really do enjoy watching once we get there. Tate & Jacob are such a HOOT! Just imagine twenty 4-5 year olds trying to play soccer- Too funny! Conner's age group really plays the game- complete with referee and positions. He's pretty impressive for a seven year old. Well, off to bed I go.... and yes I know you want pictures- I'll work on it. P.S. I totally hate titles- it takes me forever to think of what to call the quick updates of our lives!!!

Happy Birthday, Papa!

We just wanted to wish my Dad a very Happy Birthday! We love you- From all of us- Scott, Christy, Conner, Tate, Jacob, Grace, & Ethan (man that's a long list! Ha!) We hope that you enjoyed the song we sang to you!

Time Flies!!

I can't believe that it's September already! Wow, time sure goes by fast. Our house is now being framed!! So exciting. Along with all that excitement comes a tremendous amount of work. Being your own general contractor is crazy!! I highly recommend hiring someone- that is if you can afford it! Doing it ourselves is saving us a ton of money so I guess the headaches are worth it. I really am having trouble in the design area. I love so many different things. If any of you have any suggestions for paint colors, cabinet finishes, bedrooms themes, I'm all ears. Anyway, here are some of the latest pics. Oh, and with all this going on, Jacob started pre-school today! Hooray for him. He was so excited.






(Picture #1 Grace & the Footings, #2 Tate & My Dad pulling off stem panels, #3 Jacob sitting on the floor trusses )





(#4 The walls go up!, #5 Roof trusses being set, #6 The Exterior)

F.Y.I. - When I originally started this post it was the beginning of September and the framers were just starting. Now it is the middle of September and the framers are finished. Hvac, electrical, & plumbing are now being roughed in. I'll have to take some more pictures so you can see the house fully framed. Time really does fly by!