Backyard pics

Okay hopefully these pics will make sense...Jonathan was on our roof looking down at the one side of our yard...

This is a picture taken just off the back of our house

This is the view looking from one end of the yard to the other 

Same view but at the top level of the yard ( 3 tiers) 

Again same view looking south but viewing upward at the rock wall...

Bottom level of the house looking towards the street....

Now what I want to point out is our entire plan for the backyard has been changed several times during the week...and infact the above pictures were taken yesterday and I came home today and it looks- AGAIN entirely different and it was discussed all the work that has been completed today will be ripped out and re-done yet another time.

Why you may ask is this the case?We started with a 15 ft high semi circle rock wall along the back side of the house( which you can see part of it in one of the photos above) and sloping non functional hill around it.  We were also dealing with a grading issue around our house with runoff and flooding into our window wells.  We needed to scrape at least a foot down around the house - fun times!  In trying to figure out the best layout for our yard( we hired a landscape designer) it was decided that we would level out the top part with several flat areas...one would serve as an in ground tramp, a grass level, then finally a fire pit and zero scape with fruit trees.  Leaving as much of the existing retaining wall intact to add a deck of sorts, garden plots, and a lawn.  We would fill in around the yard with additional trees, shrubs, flowers and plants.  

However in working with the existing rocks on the property, it was determined that the wall wasnt structurally sound( not sure how it passed engineering) and the rocks were deteriorating and falling apart.  No amount of support or adding additional rock would stop the erosion from happening and potential safety issues with a crumbling retaining wall.  So as one plan changed, it evolved into another - into another and hopefully we are at the final point where no additional changes will happen and we can proceed.  We have the fence to install and then sprinklers, and grass, firepit then tramp.  We will hold off doing any of the planting and finish work till next year.  So far this is what the progress looks like....and hopefully by the end of the summer I can post before and after pics of the entire process.  Crossing my fingers it will all turn out in the end! :)

SOLD!!

Sold!  Its official.  It took 2 months to close....several delays and extensions on the part of the seller...a few mishaps at the last second...but its done.  I thought I would feel a bit sad, but in all honesty Jonathan and I are not the Landlord types.  We have so much going on in our own lives the liability in having a second house to worry about was always on our mind...its a real blessing to us to have it sold.

On the home front news...with the sale of the house it allowed us some cash to work on a project.  We discussed finishing the basement, however the landscaping was such an eyesore, we felt that we should probably tackle it. 

Just wait...the pictures will astound you.  Or maybe it just astounds me...I dunno.  Stay tuned....

Noellie

This is a picture that Jonathan worked on...that really says what we feel about Noel.  Jonathans Dad, Carl, took the photo on our front lawn and it was a cute snapshot.  Jonathan then has turned it in to something else all together :)

In reflecting on this past trip with her and why it was so special for us all...she changes our home for the better.  The boys are still boys...but her presence is such a gift to each of us.  We know how lucky we are that her parents are willing to share her...what a blessing.  But likewise here is my husband who will not have a little girl.  Something hes dreamed of his whole life.  In marrying me...he gets to be a part of her life in a way that is hard to discribe.  While we arent her parents there is certainly something along those lines that we feel.  She and Jonathan have forged a special bond that even surprises me sometimes.  Seeing how Jonathan has taken to both Noel and Elijiah-is really hard to explain.  How he loves those two...and then how he is with Tristan......

I am lucky.

Noel is growing up, dealing with her concerns and issues regarding adoption, fears she has over the future all things that are normal regarding teenage years, but as we listen to her and try to help in ways that we can, its a testiment to me just how unique our situation is and how hard it is to let her go.  Jonathan is feeling a bit of what I have for the past 17 years.  And now the boys too.  The saddness the reaches us with her departure lasts a few days...and I kinda laughed when he mentioned the house is empty without her.  Welcome to my world honey...ive been saying hello and goodbye more times than I can count....the great thing is we will be saying hello again before long.  She wants to come out again at Christmas, spend time with us but also with her new brother.  (YES we are having another boy.  :)  in case you hadnt caught that earlier)

....So this picture is meaningful in more ways than one...shes an angel to us. 



Summer with Noel part 1

Per my sister Whitney's request to update the blog...here is part one of the photos...had a great time with Noel...and life is a bit sad when she leaves...

Pregnancy Update

Dear Little One, 

16 weeks in and im starting to believe you are real.  I know…strange huh?  A part of me is still in disbelief…and hoping that all will be well.  I haven’t been sick in a little over a week and its amazing.  Ive got some energy back…been on one walk/jog the other day with your big brother Elijiah.  Surprised at 1.  How out of shape I am 2.  How fast Elijiah can run.J  I told him he has a track future and could be as good as his big sis one day.  Anyway your dad and I went and got a few maternity clothes as I was having some trouble fitting into my pants lately.  You definitely have grown a bit over the last month.  I think I have gained a pound or two now that Im eating normally.  We have our next appointment with the Dr later this week and Im excited to hear your heart beat and even more excited next month to know if you are a boy or girl.  Currently Tristan cant decide what he wants, and Elijiah is hoping for a girl.  We will see!!  Either way Im at the point where I have a hard time not getting emotional about your pending arrival to our family.  Both your dad and I feel slightly overwhelmed at the prospect of another “Tristan”.  So im begging…please please sleep?  And colic?  We hope that it will skip our house this time around.  But again, I feel like we have been down that road, and so if it happens again, we have some experience lol.

***

17 weeks-Well another week gone…the doctor appointment last week went well.  Ive gained .5 pounds so Im on a roll!  However I am getting bigger everyday( pants that I could fit in a week ago I cant get into) so I know you are growing despite the scale. I do know that I am bigger with you than with Tristan, and that so far you are much more mellow.  To the point that I hardly notice you, and sometimes have a hard time thinking that this pregnancy is real!  Tristan was a mover and shaker from about 15 weeks he was all over the place.  I think have felt you move once or twice and we are 17 weeks along.  When I mentioned this to your dad all he could do is shout for joy believing that you would be one that would potentially sleep!  Haha.

(weight update…a mere 4 days after the doctors appointment I got on the scale again…4 pounds in 5 days was gained! OMG! What will my end weight be at this rate!!!! The neat thing however – with this obvious growth spurt- I have actually felt you move more consistently- FINALLY!)

***

On another note...havent been pleased with my current doctor and practice.  Ive looked around for a new OB based on some recommendations but those I called werent accepting new patients...SO I took a stab at another Dr that my co-workers sees and likes( however this is her first baby so what does she know)  Reviews online are mixed about this dr.  What Im looking for is continuous care by one doctor...not a large practice where I see someone new every time and have to explain my medical past and current concerns each time.  I want a Dr that shares my point of view for delivery, listens and understands and alleviates my concerns, and that I can develop some sort of report, and relationship with during this pregnancy.  However what Im finding is that is a lot to expect.  Whats more challenging is that because my next appointment is the Ultrasound- I wouldnt even be meeting said doctor till Im 24 weeks along.  What If I dont like him after meeting with him?  Do I go back to my old one?  Keep the new one regardless?  15 weeks prior to delivery and not having a secure OB is a bit scary....

What an adventure today! Took the day off from work to take care of the 100 degree bedroom situation. Spent an hour at HomeDepot researching and getting opinions. Wound up with a 100+ pound bigger than life evaporative cooler (because to us boys, bigger is better and aesthetics aeschmetics). Got it home, spent 3 hours doing "some assembly required" which included splicing into our bathroom water line, running 1/4" water line through the wall and other fun stuff.

Amber walks up stairs and goes WHITE! Exclaims in a shaky voice, "I'm kind of freaking out". Then more firmly said, "you better make that thing pretty"!!! HAHAHAHA!! I decided to at least get the thing running before I gave up. Fired it up and smiled at the sheer force of cool air that blasted forth. 10 minutes later as the entire house reeked of festering coughdrops with soft rotten egg centers (that's a smell!?), my chest was puffed out significantly less as I began to dry-heave a tad.

3:00: siphoning out nasty satan bilge water (getting far too much in my mouth in the process), disassemble, manhandle down 3 flights of stairs, and back to Home Depot.

4:00: bounce to Lowes to pick up a 12,000BTU portable AC unit that is much more pleasing on the eyes (and nostrils).

5:00: Install new sexy unit with funky window exhaust thingy - Tristan almost gives dad aneurysm while working on the very small but very steeply pitched ledge as he dangled halfway out the window with nothing more than hard packed protracted hospital stay 30 feet below.

9:00: Room @ 78 degrees, 4 year old  alive and well, and pregnant wife = smiling. <flex><grunt><zzzzzzzz...>

Father's day (as a father)

Amber always makes massive efforts to make Father's day special for me. I always get a wonderful breakfast in bed, super cute and meaningful gifts from the kids, and much pampering all day. I just always question whether or not I truly deserve the kind words in the cards, the big warm hugs from the kids, and all the rest. 


When being applauded as a great father, I seem to always reflect on all the times that I lose my temper with the kids, am not patient enough, or don't do wonderful daddy things like taking them camping, showing them how to change the brake pads on the cars, etc... Hopefully these thoughts are simply the by products of a mind that always questions praise and I actually do perform my duties as a father adequately. In all honesty, I think that the Bechtold Clan should celebrate TWO mother's days but I'm eternally grateful for the love and support of a wonderful wife, an amazing, unique and charismatic son, and a brilliant, energetic step son.