Renovation

We are DIYers. All of our married life we have eagerly tackled home repair and improvement projects.  In the early years it was a matter of financial necessity, but I quickly learned that it was also something that Brent really enjoyed.  If he didn't know how to build, fix, repair, or renovate something, that didn't stop him.  He would simply figure it out and tackle the project with gusto.  I have many stories (as usual) to tell about Mr. McGuyver/Tool Man McLaws here. 

I knew he was a fix-it guy when I married him because in our first apartment, he demanded a shelf in the linen closet for his tools!  Speaking of tools, I quickly caught on that one reason he enjoyed DIY projects so much was because if it required the purchase of another tool, that was OK--just part of the budget.  After 30 years, we have quite a collection of tools and gadgets, and a long list of projects we have completed.  We've done concrete work and driveways, roofs, exterior/interior drywall and painting, outdoor decks, finishing basements, sprinklers and yards, linoleum, tile work, and other things I'm sure I'm forgetting.  He would really love to build us a home from ground up someday.  Of course, he would just need to quit all his of other obligations, throw his phone/computer away,  and rob a bank to do so!  As talented as he is, he has yet to figure out how to invent time.

During the build out.  The plumbing and electrical were finished, and the walls for the shower were going in. 

The finished shower! 

 I wish I had taken a picture before we started this whole project.  The transformation is amazing.
 No more early '90's "cheapy builder grade" bathroom. 

We have finally finished our latest project--a renovation of our master bathroom.  Our home is 18 years old--just the age where things look dated and are needing repair, and remodeling is almost a necessity.  Last July 10th (I remember that date well for some reason) we began this project by removing the garden tub.  We are "shower people."  The tub was never used, so we decided to remove it and build a double walk in shower and extra closet where the old shower used to be.  Our target date for completion originally was before the holidays.  Well, needless to say, "life" happened and the project moved along slowly all through the summer and fall.  We hosted the full-time missionaries in our home for almost 2 months, and didn't feel like we could demolish our bathroom fully if there was only one other bathroom for us all to use at that time.  Brent did all the plumbing work, the electrical, the build out, etc.  This past winter his work projects at Datadot were particularly demanding, and I was getting a little impatient :) -- OK, maybe a lot!  The part I really hated was that I felt like we slept in a garage--our whole upstairs became storage for all the equipment and tools, and that's not even mentioning the dust!  Yew!   Anyway, Brent wisely decided to hire some help with the tiling of the shower, as that was something that really couldn't be done with an hour here and there.  That was so smart, as the tile guys took a whole week to finish, and he would have never had that much uninterrupted time.  Anyway, our new deadline was "sometime before Jace gets home."  Well, we made it!  The renovation was essentially done the first of June, but just a few days ago we finally got the custom shower door installed.  We are pleased. . . it looks beautiful. 

Now I'm ready for some good times and
some serious partying!!  
The family arrives next week and we are looking

forward to catching up with Jace.

 This year July 10th will be awesome!

The Gathering Place

We just returned from a quick trip to Utah.   We do manage to get down there quite often (especially me) as so many of our dear family and friends live there.  I was born a Utah girl, and it will always be a place we visit often--a gathering place.

Several weeks ago we were invited to an open house/family reunion by my brother Jerry.  This event honored his wife Lisa, who is valiantly fighting brain cancer.  A celebration was in order, not only to honor, support and sustain Lisa, but as a way for Jerry to thank all his neighbors, friends and ward members who have helped him care for her and his family these past 14 months.   It was a wonderful evening filled with hope and love.  Lisa is amazing!


This is a collage showing Jerry and Lisa's family through the years. 

I was able to see many people I haven't seen in a while--several cousins, aunts, and best of all, my little sister Allyson who came from Omaha, Nebraska for the weekend.  I sure wished we lived closer to one another.  She has a great husband and two darling little kids, Jonathan and Alyvia. 

Coincidentally, Brent's two sisters were in town for the weekend as well.  Tanya and John Figgat and their family came from Eugene, Oregon to meet their new granddaughter, Frankie Jane.  Here is the proud Mom, Megan Hammond and little Frankie.  She is only a week old. . . so tiny!

His other sister, Lisa Budge and her family were also here from California.  Lisa and James have 6 children--we affectionately call them "The Budge Tribe."  They were here for summer camps for their older kids.  They're a great family with lots of energy.  It's always a good time when they are around.  His Mom and Dad also made the trip for the weekend, although I didn't get them in a picture.  They were probably watching the little ones.  They are so good at that. 



James Budge, John Figgat and new grand baby, Megan Hammond, Brittney and Stuart, Me, Russ, Camille, and Lisa.  Who knows where Brent was--probably on the phone somewhere!

We also got lucky and on Saturday night were able to catch Stuart and Fictionist play at a neighborhood concert in Salt Lake.  I'm always amazed when I watch him on stage.  I have to pinch myself and say, "Wow, my son in law is a bona fide rock star!"  It's always a rush.



On Sunday, Father's Day, we spent the morning and early afternoon with our kids.  After church and dinner at Brittney and Stu's, we started home again.  Whew. . . only 2 1/2 days in Utah, but it was worth the 12 hour drive each way.  Now we began the trip back home. 


My two favorite women on earth.  You know you've grown up when you legitimately call your daughters "women!"

We only went to Idaho Falls on Sunday night, and when we got to our hotel room and looked out the window, we saw a beautiful sight.  The sun was setting and Brent was able to snap this great shot of the Idaho Falls Temple.  What an appropriate image to end our weekend.  Families truly are forever.




HAPPY BELATED FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE

FATHERS AND FATHERS-TO-BE.

YOU ARE AWESOME!

P.S.  Guess what?  Only 16 more days until Jace gets home!!  We are getting just a little bit excited!

THE BIRTHDAY BOY

Brent at 10 years old.  Thank goodness he grew into his ears and teeth.

Today, June 12^th, is Brent’s birthday.  He’s 53—wow!  We celebrated his birthday last night because Sundays are his busiest day of the week.  There is no chance we would have time today as he is gone by 7 am and usually not finished until around 9 pm.

So, what to say about this guy?  There are stories galore, funny and endearing nonetheless, but without writing a lengthy novel, let me just say that he is amazing and wonderful.  Everyone that knows Brent likes him.  He is a “people person”—one who genuinely enjoys socializing and conversing.  I think he would make a great politician, because he has a knack for “working a room.”  He makes people feel important and relevant, and it is sincere.  When I met him, he actually had dated my roommate and several other girls from our ward.  When he asked me out, of course I accepted because, as previously stated, “Everyone likes Brent.”  I just assumed it was “my turn.”  Lucky me—seriously!  I do know how fortunate I am to have him as my husband and best friend.  He's a fabulous father, son and brother.  He is adored by many.  He's basically awesome!

Quite a handsome stud, uh?

Like most guys, it is almost impossible to buy him a gift.   We usually end up getting him the typical—shirt, DVD, CD, tie, socks, church book, etc.  Occasionally we come up with something clever, but not very often.  Also, he takes care of himself very well.  If he wants something, he usually gets it, and like he reminds his kids these days, he can do that “because he has a job!”  (See previous post and the dirt bike outfit. . . need I say more?)  The last few months he has spoken a few times about wanting a PC Tablet, but was conflicted.  You see, he has been very stubborn about his opinion of anything Apple (computers, not fruit).  He has refused to buy into their monopoly, and to date has not—not even an IPod.  Of course, as the months and years have gone by, it is getting harder not to admit that some of their products are cool.  He has grumbled that “The IPad is pretty sweet.  A couple of guys at church have them and I just might have to think about crossing over to the dark side.”

 

So, I get this crazy idea that maybe I will really surprise him for his birthday this year and beat him to the punch and buy him a Tablet/IPad before he buys it for himself!  First, it would be a total jump for me to buy anything techie without his knowledge, and secondly, I may do him a favor by saving him from his obstinate refusal to personally buy anything Apple—he technically could still say “he” has not.  So, I consult my family tech support (Russ) and he confirms that the Apple is really cool and probably the best out there, and if he doesn’t like it, he wouldn’t have any trouble selling it.  So I did it!!  I surprised him and bought him an IPad.

He isn’t a birthday cake kind of guy—he doesn’t care for frosting—so I made him a pie.  Pumpkin pie is his favorite, but he likes most kinds, so I tried to give him a hint by baking him an apple pie.  He didn’t get it.   It was so great to see his surprise when he opened his gifts—first a shirt, because it wouldn’t be his birthday without a new shirt (yawn), and secondly his IPad.  He looks pretty happy to me, wouldn’t you agree??

Happy Birthday Brenty Boy!

We love you! 

Couldn't resist. . . he was at his computer last night grumbling because now he has to register with Apple.
 "And so now it begins. . . I drank the Kool Aid!"