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!

It's Only Just Begun

Last week was full of new beginnings for our family. My two oldest boys started school last Monday. Conner is in 2nd grade and Tate started Kindergarten. They are really enjoying it. They love to learn, play with friends, and ride the bus! In fact they wanted to ride the bus so badly that they refused to let me take them to school on the first day. I was rather concerned because they hadn't even had "meet the teacher" nor had they found their classrooms yet. (For some strange reason our school holds meets the teacher after school has already started- weird I know!) Anyway, since Tate was just starting K, I wanted to make sure that he found his way. To my dismay, he said, "Mom," "Conner will show me the way." What could I say to that. I am grateful that my boys have each other. All seemed to go well and they both found their classes just fine, even without my help. Will someone explain to me what happened to my babies!?! I just can't believe that they are off by themselves, totally independent and totally okay with it. I guess that I am glad that they are starting to take care of themselves. I pray that they will continue to grow and learn and always choose the right along the way.

Another journey that we started last week was our house. We finally broke ground on Saturday!!!! Even though we have spent months preparing for this moment it now is starting to feel ''real." Like it just might actually happen! Here are some photos of the guys digging the footings. A big THANKS to my brothers Eric and Paul for their hard work and to Rich for lining it all up. We really appreciate their willingness to help us out!

(Conner and Tate's creature. We kept him for 24 hours and then we released him.)

Experimentation #2

Here's another one just for fun!!

Experimentation

Okay, today I dropped my boys off at the Neilsen's to play and put Ethan & Grace down for a nap. The following was a conversation I had with myself. "Did you hear that?" "Hear what?" "Exactly." Since I had some "free" time (something that happens seldom to never) I decided that instead of doing the usual, (clean, cook, change out laundry,....) I'd do something that I've wanted to do. Here it is. My first go at Adobe Photoshop Elements. This took me forever!! I must be computer challenged. These pictures rock though. My Aunt took them at Davy's funeral. Isn't she cute! Enjoy!

Just An Update

It turns out that not only did my SIL have an infection, she also has a blood clot in her lung. After the doctors found it, they put her on some sort of blood thinner medication. They are now just concerned with whether the clot was a piece of a larger clot or if they have found it all. I guess that after you give birth women sometimes clot really badly. Supposedly that's what caused the clot to form. Anyway, we are just glad that it lodged itself in her lung and not elsewhere. Had it landed near her heart or brain it very well could have been fatal. It's also a blessing that she was in the hospital already so she could be treated right away. Thanks for your prayers and concern. The doctors anticipate that they will release her on Saturday if she continues to improve. Bella (3) and Chloe (4 months) got to see their Mommy today too which really has helped them (especially Bella) understand what is going on. Thanks again!!