First things First

Two weeks ago we FINALLY started our home, here are some pictures of the day we started the Sewer. Ben's favorite machine that day was the remote controlled steamroller (really it was just a roller) But he loved it.

 

 

Chopping Down The Cherry Tree

 

We have been making SO much progress on the house I can't keep up with the pictures.

We had this beautiful Cherry Tree right where our front porch would be, so sadly we had to chop it down. We didn't realize how huge it was until we started cutting, it took over 6 people to get a few of these logs in Kyles truck. The logs are down at the mill getting ready to become a fireplace mantel and what ever else we can think of.

 

 

 

 

So are we gonna build a house or what?

So last post was in May its now October and well quite a lot has happened, We officially sold out home in mid August after many tears showings fast cleanings, more showings and fast cleanings. Our home finally sold I cried quite a bit but I know we made the right choice to move and to build a home that our business and our family.

We are now living in the Basement of Kyle's Parents house as we eagerly await the building of our home!

Now here is where the story lies, Building a home is so far proved to be a stressful and frustrating waiting game.


First had to find out if we can be approved for a certain type of loan and being a self employed family that proved to be challenging... We finally got that figured out....
Then we had to find a plan that worked for us and that worked for the city and that had the Historical feel. We found a home online but the floor plan needed to be changed so we found an architect and we were able to make and design our own home that was a lot of fun and I am so grateful me and Kyle were on the same page when it came to where we wanted rooms and the rest of the layout of the home.
Once we had that done we had to finish buying the lot. only problem is the lot has no sewer to it so we had to make a special contract with the city that they would pay for sewer to be put in and we will really close on the lot when we close on the house. (that's been a long complicated process)
Once we got the final plans back (it took about 3 weeks) we gave the final plans to Mark (our Contractor) and he started getting bids (we also can't get the lot until all the bids are back)
Today  we finally got word bids are back and we should be able to sign early next week.

For now we are sitting tight saving money and feeling blessed we have a roof over our head and that our company is still successful.


I am going to try hard and at least put our home updates on here, Maybe if you are lucky I will get to updates about my boys! Until then enjoy pictures of our lot and our floor plan this was just the first edition changes have been made.

Huge Changes

Well after a lot of dreaming on my end and denying on Kyle's end 2 weeks ago we made a choice to start a new huge journey!


Our home is on the market and we are going to build our own home! It all happened so fast but we know that it is the right choice after going back and forth we know that running a business and having our family in a 1000 square foot house just wont work Kyle's parts are seriously taking over the whole house.  add toys laundry and you have one worn out and tired Mama. 
If you know anyone interested in an adorable home in Ogden send them here


And now for the question everyone is asking... We are going to be moving just 5 blocks over but up quite a ways the lot we love is On 25th and Eccles pretty much! We love the historic Eccles district  and its just across the street so that will be way nice!

These are the homes we really like, we can't make the final choice till our home is under contract then we will meet with Ogden City again and get the plans set in stone

We love this floor plan and I like the outside but the outside of the other one is by far my favorite

This is the Lot we will be building on I am paying the Huge maple tree stays alive during construction

I love the outside of this house it just makes me happy inside!

Jacks Blessing Week

The First week of March my Mom drove out so we had a whole week of play time before Jacks Blessing we had such a great time all getting together. The kids thought it was one big party playing with each other everyday. We were so thankful to have all our friends and family make it to the Blessing. Jack is one loved little dude!

 

 

Preparing for Jack

In the months leading up to Jack's arrival time I started making freezer meals on the days I was feeling good. I found some recipes HERE, HERE, and HERE

The ones we really liked were cilantro lime chicken (this is also a great meal for diabetes)  Teriyaki chicken is great on the grill, the one from I liked from 6 sisters stuff was the chicken alfredo however I like to make my own alfredo sauce instead of the jar kind. The Dump chicken is my favorite to do cause you really just dump it in the crock pot and forget it.
  By far our favorite meals were my own creations Shredded Beef Enchiladas  and Shepherds Pie

For the Shredded Beef I bought a roast when they were on sale and let it cook in a crock pot over night I added enchilada sauce and sliced olives after I shredded the beef and then fill the bottom of the aluminum pan with some more enchilada sauce filled and rolled the Tortillas and then covered with more sauce and some shredded cheese and covered with plastic wrap and foil and put them in my freezer... Got them out to thaw the day before I wanted them for dinner then cooked for 1 1/2 and they were done....
Kyle favorite was the shepherds pie for this I brown ground beef then make brown gravy and add it corn, (if it were just me and not Kyle I would add in peas ad carrots but Kyle only likes corn.) then mash potatoes and on the bottom of the pan put the meat and veggie and gravy mix then add the potatoes. This is such a simple recipe but its SO easy and quite tasty.

The meals have really helped on days where I am lucky to keep my eye lids open.  If you have an upcoming surgery or are going to bring your own new bundle of joy home soon, or if you just want to have lazy dinner days I so suggest doing freezer meals it was so worth it!

More updates

 

Not a whole lot going on in the VanderDoes home, But I do have two adorable boys that you must all be dying to see pictures of :)

 

Jack is still as serious as ever, you have to work hard to get this little guy to smile. But you don't have to work hard to get him to "think" I love his little eye brows they make you wonder what this little dude is thinking.

 

Ben is still as silly as ever, after he got the flu we got him a real Buzz Lightyear (Best thing ever he is SUCH a good boy) If Ben is naughty Buzz gets taken away but now that we have Buzz in our lives I he comes EVERYWHERE with us and for some reason this makes Ben behave. He talks to buzz he took buzz to the Dr and put some Gauze on him and healed his wounds :)

 

Last week Buzz had an accident Kyle was playing with Buzz and his leg broke off... As I was explaining to Ben that Buzz broke and can't be fixed he kneeled down and with his hands on buzz gave him a blessing and said "Heavenly Father please bless buzz with get fixed soon"

 

Seriously ripped my heart out so we ended up buying another Buzz for Ben and all is well in the world...