Sept 10-16th Now What?

Sept 10th Monday - So I got a text from my friend Drew and he said we are now funded and the house in ours. He went and took the lock box off the house and left us the key. So I know what needs to be done. I need to move into the basement and rent out this house. But I stand in my house and just turn in circles not knowing where to start. Today we also took out a loan on the boat so we have the money for repairs on the farm yet get to keep the boat for now! That sounds much better to me.

Sept 11th Tuesday - After preschool I went to lunch with a neighbor/friend Deena Vanausdal. She just put her house up for sale and is looking to build in Highland. We went to eat at Zuppas then to the farm to show her what I have gotten into and then to see the lot they are under contract on. She is hoping they sell fast enough that if they can't rent from the new owners she can rent my house. Then I showed the car and they LOVED it and are going to buy it. I guess everything does work itself out huh.

Sept 12th Wednesday - Today I spent the day packing more boxes! What a surprise I know. Then I went shopping with mom to buy more boxes (for those scrapbooks). After school I took the kids to visit the goats and to tie them up in the field to eat the weeds. I hope they don't get loose! When Terry got home we tore back into the civic trying to change the timing belt... But that didn't really happen but we did break the harmonic balancer trying to get it off. $130 dollars later and we still don't have our car running. But I have faith in Terry... I know he can do this.

Sept 13th Thursday - After preschool I decided it was time to start moving boxes again. So I started packing more STUFF! Yes it is just stuff and I should have more guts to get rid of it all but I will keep most of it until we move and decide what we need and what we can really do without. I have this problem with letting things go. I know this is good for me. I can't imagine what life would be like if I kept everything. So little by little I will get there and this shed will be full. Because the more stuff you have the more cluttered you get and the more depressed!

Sept. 14th Friday - So my friend Amy called me and told me I needed to step up to the plate and get busy. So we went to the farm and started the demolition process. Tearing carpet out, tack stripping, and baseboards so we can start bleaching the crap out of this place. I am really getting excited to see this place turn around. Here we go a little at a time it will be what we love and live for in the end! I did this without Terry knowing so I could surprise him.

Terry got home and we tried to get the nut off again and we still couldn't get it off so Terry declared we needed to call in the "Big Guns" I asked who the big guns might be and he simply matter of factly declared "Your Dad" in an of course tone of voice. Dad came when he got off work and after about 1/2 hour of torching and trying and icing and trying we finally broke it loose and won! What would we ever do without our Big Guns!

Sept. 15th Saturday - Football game 3 soccer games and football practice. Then off to a Townsend family party in the park. Sounds a little like last week. We have a ton of stuff we need to do but you know what, family is the most important. We never know when will be our last day so we need to make sure and enjoy the times we have with them. So we went to the park with mom and dad Townsend and all the family to play some games. What a fun time we had there.

Then the big Utes vs. BYU game at 8:00. The game of the year! I always love watching a good football game with the family. Mostly Bowdee, but Terry really got into it this year. So the game started at 8:00 we made the first touchdown then it was a pretty intense game all the way right to the end where we won my a missed field goal that bounced off the pole for the wild win for the Utes of 24 to 21. Wow that was a crazy game ending right at 12:00am!

September 3-Sept 9th Finally we own a FARM!

September 3rd, Monday - Yes it is Labor Day and no we are not out boating or camping or playing. But we are here taking care of business. We had a cute couple come from Midway to look at the boat (which when they saw we were buying a farm) they asked us if we wanted a chicken hutch. So they brought that too us and checked out the boat. We decided we need to get serious about selling the boat. It was about 5 hours later we finally climbed out of the boat EXHAUSTED and sweaty! But she sure shines now.

September 4th, Tuesday - Preschool here we come. I can't say I was entirely ready for preschool to be here but it will be a nice distraction from all this farm drama. So all our kids and parents came today for orientation and I have to say we have some darling kids. Then we found out that we are not closing today because when they submitted our taxes it put us over the debt to income ratio so they have to get it approved then wait another 24 hours before we can close! REALLY! To think we were hoping to close by July 15th!

September 5th, Wednesday - Today I talked to my Realtor and he said that they had an appraisal review. The new appraiser really liked the property and thought it was well worth $500K. Now they have to pass it on to underwriting and if it gets approved there we can close Friday, which is our extension date anyway. We showed our boat and he offered us 22K when we are asking 26K, I just can't do it, I Love that boat!

September 6th Thursday - Preschool today was photo day so we let the kids play a little extra and get to know each other a little better so they will want to come to school to be with their friends. Then I took them outside and we took our class photos. Man I love my job, it just doesn't get much better then this does it? While I was teaching I got a text saying all is going through on the farm and closing is scheduled for tomorrow at 3:00. Crossing our fingers, toes, and everything else we can cross! My sister Kathy posted this on her facebook and I just felt like she posted it for me. This farm buying has really worn me down to where I was ready to give up. I am so glad Terry didn't let us.

September 7th Friday - Today is the day... We could barely sleep... Many years ago we were scheduled to be induced for the birth of our sweet Treg. Today we had the same feeling of excitement but the induction was at 3:00pm not 6:00am so we had all the day long to fidget and worry about the final outcome. Both Terry and I never remember this excitement for any other home we have bought. We are so excited to give our children this new experience. They will both love and hate it, we know, but they will have stories to tell for the rest of their lives! 3:00 finally came I was nearly crazy at that time but everything went well. Drew Armstrong was there to hold our hands and make sure everything went as planned. We still have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to do anything on it though because it hasn't funded... WE BOUGHT A FARM!

After we left the closing we were so excited that I rushed home and called on a pygmy goat and a Nigerian Dwarf wethers. I would rather have a nanny that can have kids but for now these will be good because we can leave them at the farm without us being there. Then when we move there and get a nanny of some kind then they will be good companions for those goats. This is what my kids wanted to give me for my birthday but they couldn't give them to me because we didn't have the farm yet. So look how cute they are! I still can't believe we have a farm!

September 8th Saturday - We started the with football game, 3 soccer games, football practice for Treg then off to a Fletcher family reunion in SLC. It is always fun to visit with Terrys family they are all such wonderful people. Kaye has got the whole family worried sick about our adventurous move to the farm. "Giving up such a nice house for so much work". Well we told them how we are most interested in building character in our children and teaching them what hard work is all about. This is such a fragile time in their lives we never want to regret our decisions, and we feel confident that this is right. I am so excited to hear the stories my children will be telling about their childhood and the crazy things they would do when I wasn't looking.

After the fun family reunion we drove straight to the farm to find my sweet little brother and his 3 little girls there with a dump trailer picking up trash and helping clean it up already. He is so excited for us, he sees the vision of what that place can become. He sees the diamond in the rough as my dad calls it. We sat there just planning what we will do and what we can do for the next few hours as the kids swung in the barn and played with the goats. As we were there a couple that was 4th in line to buy the farm came by to do what we were doing... Dreaming... their dream came to an end when we told them we just closed on it on the day before.

Sept 9th - Sunday we spent most of the day trying to cut the concrete out of the basement in our house to try and do the plumbing for the bathroom and laundry room so we can move downstairs and rent out the top floor. It was a big mess, I can honestly say I hate cutting concrete indoors. It was hard to keep it wet so it wouldn't cause to much dust and set off the alarms, but not too wet that we were standing in a puddle. Oh my goodness I was happy when that was done. I hope to never do that again! Then we went to the farm to rest and met mom and dad there so we could talk about our plans some more! Mom and Dad have been up in Washington with my 2 older brothers for the last 9 days. So it was super nice to have them back and to be able to talk about everything that has been going on. They are so excited for us to begin this new life. They do understand all the work that goes into raising a family and a farm. But they also understand how very few times in life you get to make a dream come true and get a chance to live your dream so they are so excited!

Farm Drama! August 27-September 2nd

August 27th Monday - At lunch Terry took a part around from the furnace, I called a million places trying to find someone that would sell the part to us. He found it then when he got home we went to the farm to install it. Well it didn't fix the problem so we will be looking for a furnace guy to come fix it tomorrow. Before the inspector comes out to see if all our work is complete!

August 28th Tuesday - Today we had Best cooling and heating come fix the furnace we had a burned out coil, plugged pilot, and bad transmitter. $200 dollars later and 2 hours later the furnace was working GREAT thanks to Robert. Now we are waiting for the inspector to get back with us. I helped with Tia's soccer practice and Terry made this awesome new floor plan for the farm house!

August 29th Wednesday - Finally at 2:00 after waiting all day for the verdict on the house inspection Drew Armstrong (My wonderful Realtor) called to tell me the inspector passed everything and sent it to the underwriter. Now the underwriter wants us to replace all the carpeting and paint or they wont give us the loan! Really I am about to scream. I guess they are passing this through upper management to try and over ride it. So Terry and I took a ride out tonight to see if the house is braced the right way so we can do his floor plan if we ever get this place!

August 30th Thursday - I got to go to lunch with my wonderful friends Mindy and Chris we went to Rumbi, it was so nice to visit with them. I don't get to see them much so I love every minute I get with them. Then I got a call at 3:00 from Drew again saying the appraiser said if we clean the carpets and walls he will pass it to average which the underwriter should approve at that time. So back to the house to scrub scrub scrub until 10:30 at night! Amy came to help scrub which was so nice because this house is soooo GROSS!

August 31st Friday - So everything was lined up to close appraiser approved the home everything. My boys Drew and Mike called the title company and I guess the seller has a 24 hour waiting period so now we can't close until Tuesday. I am still to nervous to get excited although I am pretty sure this is happening. I guess we gotta get serious and get rid of some stuff and get this place ready to rent out. Crazy that we are doing all of this for a experience for the children to learn a little of country living. I am getting kinda excited for the views and chores! So since we can't work on the farm house we decided to start finishing one more bath in the basement. Not sure how far we will get but we are going to start.

Right after school was Bowdee's first dance... You know like boys and girls dancing together kind of dance? Well Terry and I gave him the 411 about how these things work and how it is cool to dance and not just stand around. Then we got the younger kids involved and worked on the little things like where to put your hands, how fast to dance, what kind of conversation is good-if any. He had a great time at the dance said it was way HOT, but fun. He asked Adi (his really good friend/girlfriend) to dance. But that was the only dance he danced to. But he had fun!

September 1, Saturday We are still upset about not closing by this weekend but oh well can't do much now except prepare. So we started finishing that room in the basement. Then we decided to start cleaning it out of stuff we don't need down there. Then we decided we don't have a place for that here so we took our first load of stuff to the farm! Just a bunch of shelving that we hope people leave alone but no big deal if they don't. We did get the electrical in the bathroom.

So we just finished showering and getting in my "To Stays" when Holly called asking me what I was doing. Then she said she had tickets to Sugarland and she didn't have to ask twice I was on my way to Sugarland. What a fun night. We got there just a tich late and missed the major downpour of rain and the first show. Then it cleared up for the second show and then when we were waiting for Sugarland it started raining again. But it was such a good concert we enjoyed even the rain! Thanks Hols for inviting me what a fun NIGHT!

September 2nd, Sunday We had breakfast then headed to the farm with our 4 wheeler and a rope swing. Terry set up the rope swing for the kids while I cleaned the windows in the mud room. That was not fun but the kids sure enjoyed the rope swing and Bowdee had a great time driving the 4 wheeler around making paths in the ragweed that is taller then I am. Then we cleaned out the rain gutters. I don't think this has ever been done on this house. It was crazy and we were so tired when we were done. So we ended up crashing to the new Footloose movie and fell asleep after.

August 20-26 School Starts :(

August 20th, Monday today was the 7th graders optional short day. Where they could go to school to see where their classes were and lockers and just check things out before the 8th graders and 9th graders were there. I was so excited for Bowdee because I remember being so excited for Jr. High. But, I was so sad for myself it is such a mixed emotions. I was scared for him, yet excited, yet sad that he is growing up. I love my little Bowdee and I am so sad he is becoming so big.

August 21st, Tuesday today elementary school started and it was a full day for Bowdee. Let the games begin of friend drama, homework, forgotten lunch bags, bad days, and flat bike tires. Oh I never look forward to the first day of school. I always get so sad watching them go off to a new year, just one year closer to being gone. But they had a fantastic time at school, all of them. They loved their teachers and friends and were excited to be back to a routine of things.

August 22nd, Wednesday Happy Birthday was a very familiar saying today. I had so many friends calling, texting, facebooking, coming over and leaving messages to wish me a happy day. I feel so lucky to have such great friends. I spent the morning at Steven Regins in SLC getting the water pump fixed for the well, then to lunch and shopping with Kami and Mom :) They always make me so happy. Then to a soccer game of Tregs. Then Terry made me pizza and we opened gifts then off to the farm to bleach the mold and install the pump... WOW what a busy day but even though I am 38 I handled it like a pro.

August 23rd, Thursday This morning I had to go touch up the paint on the farm house. And of course I always do a little more then planned so I spent 3 hours trying to make it look good. Then down at the farm after soccer practice we had Terry, Dad, Kyle and Clayton all trying to figure out the electrical problem and we just couldn't figure it out. We spent like 5 hours down there searching for the answer but still no clue.

August 24th, Friday What a fun treat Tara and Mindee took me out for lunch. Man what good friends you know we understand each other when one gives me a work out video and one gives me face cream. Terry was slightly jealous because of how excited I was to get them but he knew if it came from him it would have been insulting! He came home at lunch pulled off the pump and brought it home and it worked. So that told us it was the electrical not the pump. Rocky Mountain came out and found they had a bad neutralizer so they spent 6 hours fixing it and wow everything seems to be working!

August 25th, Saturday Today was Bowdee's first Football game of they year. It's crazy how much bigger the other boys on the line has gotten. But Bowdee is strong and he doesn't let them toss him around, he plays a great center. They won against PG 31-6 so it was fun to watch. Then we came home and showed the Pilot to some buyers, cleaned the boat to sell, then went to the farm to fix the propane. Of course we couldn't get it going so I guess we will come back again tomorrow to see what is wrong.

August 26th, Sunday We spent the day at the farm it was a long hard day of work pulling weeds, fixing the propane hookups, cleaning cabinets and window gutters. But I tell you what the dream I can see in my mind of that place and what it is going to be is well worth all the work we are putting into it. I am just hoping all my children will enjoy this dream I have for them. I know Tia will for sure and hopefully the boys will too! So now the furnace won't work so dad came down to see if he could help us figure it out. It seems like everything we attempt to do has issues. I hope this is a sign of a forgotten farm not a sign of how things are going to be forever!

August 13-19 Last week of Summer :(

August 13th, Monday I am so sad to think that this is our last week of summer. It has seemed to go by so fast this year especially with all this farm drama! So today I took the kids clothes shopping for school to make sure they all had the necessities. Matia fell in love with this cute shirt and the boys both agreed they didn't need any more new shirts just pants and shorts... I think they were just trying to get out of shopping, but I am not going to complain. But thank heavens I have a little girl who still likes to shop with me!

August 14th, Tuesday, Terry has been playing Ultimate Frisbee with some guys at work. Well they put together a team and entered a competition. They seem to be pretty good although I have to say I have never watched the game. Until tonight I sent Bowdee to football with a friend and me and the younger kids went to watch their game. They played so well and it was so super fun to watch the LanDesk team play a tough game of "Ultimate"! Good playing baby, we Loved it!

August 15th, Wednesday, So today I just wanted my babies back and when my children were small every summer I would take them to Thanksgiving Point Farm. So that is where we went today it was interesting to all of us because with the possibilities of getting the farm we inspected everything they did to make their animals happy. Then I took the kids to the Utah County fair and were extremely disappointed to find out they no longer show goats. Oh p.s. good news on the house today it looks like we will be closing next week, loan is completely approved just need the title to the house!

August 16th, Thursday, This morning I woke up the kids bright and early to go horseback riding with my dad. It was a fun experience because the horses were being so good to everyone. Bowdee rode Jake which he LOVED! Matia rode Robby who was being so sweet to her, and Treg rode Trigger with Grandpa leading him. Then later it was back to school for bowdee at the Jr. High. I just can't believe this is happening that he is going into Jr. High. CRAZY!

August 17th, Friday, Today I spent the day finishing packing for the Townsend Reunion, then got a very upsetting e-mail about the house stating that before we can close we have to fix the shingles, dry rot on exterior, mold in bedroom, well water pump, and propane has to be installed. Which none of this will be covered by the seller due to it is an "as is sell". I just don't know anymore I am so frustrated with all these hoops to jump through! We made it up to Granite Flats to camp with Terry's family. It was so nice to see Tammie, I just wish I was in a better mood!

August 18th, Saturday I took Bowdee down for a scrimmage game and someone wanted to drive my pilot so after we were all finished with our business we headed back up to the canyons for more fun with the family. We played at the lake then came back for a group dinner to celebrate Kaye and Chucks 45th anniversary! They are such a cute couple always there for each other. Then we stayed up around the campfire telling stories while the grand kids played night games.

August 19th, Sunday, Today was spent packing up and saying goodbye. It was a fun weekend, I love watching the cousins get along so well. We will definitely miss these two as they head back to Oregon. Tammie and Ted are such easy personalities to get along with we just LOVE having them around to visit with. They both took off this morning for a early morning run. Ted went 20 miles and Tammie went 11 miles through the beautiful American Fork Canyon. What a fun experience for them. It is always hard to say goodbye to those families that we know we won't see for a while. But we sure appreciate the time that they do come to spend with us!

August 1-12 (20 Year Reunion & Gooseberry)

August 1st, Swim team is officially over for the summer. Today the kids had their end of summer swim team party where they were awarded their trophies. Bowdee and Treg both took 1st for their ages and Matia took 5th. I am so proud of the kids for doing their best and completing yet another fun year of swimming.

After the swim party I went with my big sis kat and mom and dad up American Fork Canyon to go for a ride in dads side by side. We had a great time just being up the canyon and visiting with each other. I had to come home to get Bowdee off to football practice and then we went back out for dinner that night. What a fun treat to have Kathy around so we could have some fun together!

August 2nd, I decided to take the kids to Seven Peaks today so they all chose a friend to take with us. And I just threw out a text to Holly to see if she was going to be there. And wouldn't you know it she changed all her plans to go chill at Seven Peaks. I must say Holly is a very spontaneous friend always up for something fun. Treg took Cameron, Matia took Tayla and Bowdee took Easton. What a fun day!

August 3rd, today was filled with friends playing with friends going here and there and just loving the freedom of summer. At the end of the day my kids ended up over at the Callaways for a late night of babysitting while Terry and I went out on a date to the famous JDawgs. Terry loves this place and was so excited to take me so here I am enjoying my first REAl JDAWGS Dog. I must say it was nice to be on a date with a hot man who treats me like a queen. Love ya babe thanks for the dog.

August 4th, Wow today was my 20 year school reunion at Wines park. What a trip it was to see these faces that I have not seen in 20 years. Crazy how so many of them live here in Saratoga Springs or Lehi and we never see each other. It was fun to see these cute people and remember the good old days. Holly and I had so many people say we look like sisters. What a fun time!

After the park Terry and I were going boating but my kids didn't want to go too bad so I invited Tonja because I knew she had no kids at the moment and Holly because she has wanted to go so bad for so long. So me and my girls headed for a last minute boating experience. Terry came along just to keep an eye on his boat... You know how he is but that was a good thing other wise I don't think we would have ever came back we were all having so much fun! Thanks girls!

August 5th, We spent the day on the lake with our kids. We bummed into a friend of Terry's who just happened to be out boating with another friend of his from Alpine. They were a FUN group of people who loved to smile and have a good time. So we chatted and threw the football around and the waves stopped just in time so the kids could enjoy some wake boarding. Matia is really getting the hang of it. Treg struggled a little today getting up so I got out and helped him remember how to do it. But what a fun day just relaxing in the sun with some good people!

August 6th, As Treg was at soccer practice and Bowdee was at football practice Matia helped her daddy assemble the benches for my kitchen table. She was having so much fun just helping her dad I just couldn't let the moment pass without a photo. I have to tell you the attitude that girl has is just amazing. She is always so happy and positive we love having our little girl around us. After we assembled benches we went to the basement to hang our closet doors.

August 7th, Well its time to start getting ready for preschool once again. This year with all the craziness I have decided to just do 2 classes. So that means only 20 students to prepare for. It's crazy how much more work those other 10 students are. But I am so thankful to be working with my sweetest friend Christina as my assistant. She is always there to make the work seem not so bad! After we got our preschool shirts printed and ironed we were spontaneous and hit a 3:30 movie the Step Up Revolution and we loved it!

August 8th, Seven Peaks AGAIN! This is the first year I have not hated Seven Peaks. I have actually enjoyed taking my kids there this year. Today I went on a bunch of rides with all of them. It was fun to run around acting like a kid again. It really took me back a few years to when I was a teenager checking out the cute boys getting all giggly. Now I was just the old mom SCREAMING her heart out with fear going down the scary rides. What a fun day!

August 9th, Farmland update so for the last 2 months we have been dreaming of owning this farmland just 5 minutes away from us but far enough away that it really feels like a farm. Today they are telling us it might not qualify for the green belt tax break which if it doesn't the taxes double and would be at least $6,000 a year. Which we are just not willing to pay every year along with the home insurance would quadruple from what we pay now. GRRR!

August 10th, Gooseberry FINALLY! As you all know I enjoy going to Gooseberry every year just for a little camping away from the crowds. So today I spent the day grocery shopping, cleaning, researching the farm, and packing. But I tell you what it is all worth it when we skip away for a little relaxing in the sun with a fishing pole in hand. On the way down Troy's tire came off of his suburban and he lost the lug nuts so he was not able to make it. The Salina Reservoir was REALLY low so no fishing tonight but we did enjoy a wonderful campfire by "one match Tia"!

August 11th, We drove around looking for a better camp spot and didn't find anything so we went fishing at cold springs. Turns out the fish were biting on everything and we caught quite a few. Then we packed lunch and went to visit Jason Wells and his family who were camping at Fish Lake. We talked with them a bit which is always nice to see them. Bowdee learned a new card game from Wayne called Garbage. But we mostly just enjoyed visiting with some dear friends and finding shelter from the daily 2:00 rain storm.

After our visit we went to Bowerys for an ice cream you know that tradition that grandpa started. Well we enjoyed our ice cream with some beautiful scenery then we headed to the lake to try and catch some bigger fish. Well all we caught was perch and seaweed.

The kids thought the perch was pretty cool because they had never caught perch before so that was exciting and I can't say I have ever seen one either. Bowdee lost his favorite spinner so he stripped down to his boxers went out in the freezing lake and by golly he found his spinner. I didn't think he could do it but he sure did.

We headed back to the Gooseberry side just in time for some cards, dinner and another fire. Terry even found time to catch a quick nap because he has had this kink in his back that has been buggin him. Treg made a very nice fire we enjoyed BBQ Pork Sandwiches and smores! Man I just don't think life gets any better then this!

In the morning we went back for a little fishing at Cold Springs and we were all having such luck but man it got busy lots of families all along the shores but we all caught alot. Matia caught the most fish and she ended up getting one big enough to keep so she gutted the fish and away we went to play some more Garbage card game and explore around our campsite.

On our way home we pulled over to pick some pinion pine cones when Terry noticed we had a flat tire on our trailer. So he took this time to teach Bowdee a thing or two about changing a tire. Bowdee did amazing changing the tire while Matia made us some turkey bagel sandwiches for lunch. After our little flat tire adventure we were back on the road and on our way home.