New home....we hope

A few things on the horizon...we close on the sale of our current home in a week. and the week after on our new home...at this time everything is progressing well...no more hiccups at this point so we are optimistic about the moves(that they will happen). Getting antsy knowing whats ahead, the packing and move, and changes that will come with it, but excited as well. As much as our home has been a challenge(the constant remodeling and size of projects we have taken on over the last 2.5 years) Im getting sad to leave this home. We finished the last major project just a few months ago- the master bath...) and we finally took a breath. The home is really perfect now. I love it....each day I even go down in the basement just to look at the kitchen we installed a few weeks ago just to look in awe. Everything in the home - every piece of tile, the patterns, the finishes were all redone and picked out specifically for the space. It wasn't new construction but its been 100% redone and now we will be leaving it. Jonathan has done so much work, his blood sweat and tears are in this house. We love this neighborhood, and ward( oh how we will miss our ward) And more tears than I care to admit as while we were doing all the of the work we butted heads and fought like crazy.... And now without even being able to enjoy it- its time to move on. I think we are a little crazy - but really this move will be financially for the best. After running all the numbers and even considering renting the basement out, we just couldn't justify staying here, when we could sell and start over and be debt free. So a lot of people have asked me why did I pick the house we are moving to? Its 17 years old, needs all the updating that we just did to our current home, and we MUST be crazy to embark on such a journey again. Well heres why....the new house that we bought in Bluffdale never felt right...we had some concerns with it while we were in escrow. While it had all the finish work that I loved, and new construction, I felt uneasy. So when the original sale of our home fell through and we lost that house in bluffdale ( we had to pull out and loose our earnest money because we couldn't afford two house payments) I was upset but felt like it was going to be fine. I looked at probably another 8 houses in Draper and Lehi and none felt right. I didn't even want to look at our new house because it was over our price range but with a recent reduction I put it on the list. Immediately when I walked in...I felt right at home. It was like being at grandmas house. Welcoming, warm, loved....The place while not having been updated since it was built, had a single owner ( a recent widower ) and she wanted to downsize. Everything had been maintained well and its a very sound home. I could see us raising our kids there, and the space and layout were perfect. I had visions of what I would do, how I would change it all ( in good time) and I was super excited to be still in the same school district and just a few streets over from where we live now( ward will be new- every few streets in Utah is a different ward lol). So when we put an offer in, we were surprised to hear that it had a contingent offer on it and it had been several months...we were panicked...Here I thought this was the house and it already had an offer....they had 72 hours to make their offer a "hard" offer of pull out. It was the longest 72 hours of my life. JK. Well kinda. Jonathan and I both were on the edge of our seats hoping for good news. When it came I just felt overwhelmed and grateful as I really knew this was a good home for our family. Ive included some pictures of some of the spaces below - and be assured that pretty much the major stuff will get a makeover in the future ( kitchen, baths, and flooring ) but the rest of the house is done...the basement and yard are done - although we will likely put in a fence and some garden stuff down the road. Specs: Its a rambler...2200 each floor. ( main and basement) total sq 4400 oh my guys...the basement has 12 foot ceilings! The basement sold me...I could envision the boys running around playing down there for hours! 6 bedrooms 3 baths. Open floor plan which I love. Large laundry room and a separate 700 sq ft storage area for food storage and all our CRAPola! 3 car garage which Jonathan gets part of it as his man cave which hes excited about...Valley views :)! I will miss our current backyard...seeing the entire SLC valley and no neighbors and backing a park....couldn't get better- but this is a good runner up....kitchen is large, and while it and our master bath need work, everything works! No broken cupboards- so we will be able to really take our time in changing things as nothing needs repairs. Well that's about it...wanted to share with the family the pics and latest info as the last two months has been literal hell for us and Jonathan specifically( job , school, home issues..)We have been put through the ringer. We are excited about 2014 and all the new changes it will bring!

37th...

My birthday kinda got celebrated with Jetts as we had Jetts dinner on my day.  No biggie --good time – had everyone over for dinner and had a great relaxing day. 

I got some very thoughtful gifts and Jonathan was especially good to me with a bracelet I had been asking for.  The one thing I wanted was a picture with the boys on my day.  Its hard to get them all together for a picture let alone a good one, but we tried.

my oh my

things couldnt get tougher for the bechtold family.  our house went under contract a couple weeks ago.  we found another house in bluffdale.  great neighborhood brand new home.  a few minor issues- near trax.  new construction means no landscaping, basement isn't finished, needed updated carpet and blinds.  so some costs.  PLUS out of our preferred location and not so great school district.  but inventory is low and we need to stay in a few places- lehi, draper area close to freeways, elijiahs carpool etc.  the house itself is adorable so we put money down.  however with the loss of our buyers last week- they pulled out... we aren't able to buy another house right out-so with the feeling of bluffdale being just so-so Ive started to look for houses again.  GOODNESS there is nothing for sale in our price range, desired location, with the finishes I want with NO work.  its a tough one.  what do I sacrifice?  location, school district, DRAPER? Or a house with no work?  I dunno.  However what is amazing to me is for a new house even in Lehi, that is not very big(2300 sq ft) we are talking close to 400K.  So pricy to me.

on a good note jonathan found a job! yippee! starts in Jan so we are very relieved.  hes super excited and out of the crappy situation that is the current role soo on ward.

so while there are numerous other things going on that cant be discussed its a miracle neither Jonathan or I are in the funny farm.  we are hanging in and will just keep plugging along.

Happy birthday Noellie

This lady turned 18 this month.  3 kids, all born within days...makes November a busy month.  Noel you are so important to me, and all of us.  But especially me.  LOL> Life holds lots of what ifs but thankfully ive never had to wonder if you were okay, loved, taken care of.  I see first hand just how incredible you are.  Happy birthday my first born, and only daughter.  May life be bright, happy and full of fun, and love.

xoxoxo
Mom

Jett- 1 year letter Happy birthday!!

Oh my dear jett. Jett Jett, Jetty. 1 yr old! I cant even begin to tell you have fast this year has flown by. Its not fair really. There have been quiet moments with you, when I have intentionally stayed present – knowing time is so fleeting. When I was feeding you, or rocking you. Sitting telling myself to remember this moment. Not to get up but to sit still. You weren’t little for long…about 3-4 months you hit a major growth spurt and you haven’t stopped. You’ve hit all your milestones on time, have 7 teeth, almost walking, mimicking funny things we do, trying to be bigger than you are. You have started to babble tons and have a bit of a vocab- mama, dada, elijiah, Tristan, kitty, tink, bob, baba( bottle), byebye…your schedule has been pretty much the same for months. You sleep 12 hours going to be on avg around 5:30 6 pm and sleeping till 530-6 am. You have your morning nap, and afternoon is spotty. If you don’t hit that afternoon nap sometimes your in bed by 5 pm. Makes for working mom and dad sad because we don’t get a lot of face time till the am before work. Your brothers adore you. Elijiah is in and out but hes a great helper. Showers you with lots of kisses and plays with you. Tristan and you spend every waking hour together. He is VERY protective of you. Makes sure we know what happens in the day or if someone doesn’t take care of you right lol. Hes awesome at telling us when you are in danger( starting to climb stairs, or picking something up that could harm you). He talks to you all the time and you talk right back. Its very sweet. Tristan had a hard few months when you arrived, and at times he can be a bit jealous of all the attention you get, but for the most part hes your buddy. Jett one of the many fond memories that I made sure to burn into my brain was when you must have been a month or so old. Having you fall asleep in my arms, allowing me to put you in bed with me and take a nap was precious. We have never had our children in bed with us and you are no exception. You don’t sleep anywhere well except a crib, so this was very nice. We haven’t been able to do a repeat ( falling asleep with me in bed) so it’s a good memory. Thinking back over those “firsts” food, baths, holding your bottle on your own, feeding yourself – all mean so much to me. While I do believe we are done having more kids, you being such a happy, healthy, fun baby makes me want to have more kids. I love having all boys. You just seem to fit right in…wrestling with your brothers, and giving me and daddy lots of hugs and kisses. You have an attachment to your blanket, but no real fixations like a pacifier, or stuffed animal. Your super picky with food however. You don’t like any textured food. Any lumps in it or anything. So you remain on stage 2 baby food despite our continued efforts to introduce other things…you wont eat it no matter what. You make the “puke shivers” as your dad calls it. In your mouth for a second, puke shivers occur, and then the mouth hangs open and you let it all dribble it out. You do like bananas, cheerios, yogurt drops, baby cookies/snacks…but meal time foods or other snacks…NO go. You spend your days with Grandma Cindy and she is our lifesaver. You are so loved by all, and grandma makes sure you are well taken care of while we are working. We couldn’t imagine life without her help and I know you love her so. You are happy to go to grandmas in the morning which is a huge blessing to us. Jett. … Words just cant describe the love we have for you. You make being a parent easy. That we are old pros when in reality you are just a great baby. We hope that with each year you will continue to be healthy, happy and bring joy to our home and know how wanted and loved you are. Much love – your mama

Happy 11th bday my dear Elijiah

Happy Birthday Elijiah.  11 years old.

 

My letters may seem shorter year to year, but its not my intention.  Just in the last few years life has mellowed, no major milestones, new hobbies etc.  Just a continuation of things done before and excellence in performance…

 

Lourdes 5^th grade—mmm you are happy enough.  LONG days.  Ended 4^th grade with a 4.0.  Pretty dang good accomplishment given only one other student in the school did the same.  You played Basketball, soccer, skied, and finished out with a Track and Field try.  Which you killed it as usual.  You seem to be at the fun age where you are open to trying everything and so far you enjoy it all.  You haven’t been able to focus 100% on any sport as each one brings with it a lot of things you like so Im happy to oblige.  If there does come a time where you choose one sport I know you will do great no matter what.  You got a new baby brother in the last year.  Jett hasn’t been a huge part of your life…when you are here you are rarely here.  With only two days a week and every other weekend…sometimes if feels like you are a visitor in our home…although its 50/50 I wish you were here always.  Our home doesn’t feel right when your gone.  But with Jetts arrival- you have been happy to help, and you seem to love him a great deal.  Jett loves when you play with him and now that hes almost a year, starting to interact- he lights up when he sees you.  Tristan still remains a bit of a challenge for you.  One minute you guys are happy and get a long…the next its world war in our home.  HOWEVER as Tristan is getting older I notice that with the common obsession( MINECRAFT) you have something in common.  You are more patient with him, and play video games, minecraft, and hang out which is fun to see. 

 

This year also saw you getting GLASSES! Oh honey Im so sorry….that is my fault.  I didn’t start wearing them till high school, but never realizing how bad your eyesight was it’s a miracle you have been able to play sports or read the board in school.  So yea…got your glasses and you are a trooper!  You still read a book a day practically – its amazing how much you are reading.  I love that you love it.  Your dad and I both love to read and hopefully its something that you will always enjoy.  Its hard to do leisure reading with all you have going on, but It’s a great hobby.  Your friends that you enjoy and play with the most…Zach, Kai, Talon, Bon…your happy with your friends, your happy alone.  That’s what I love about you.  Your contentment.  Your ease.  Its fun to be around you these last few months.  Your like my buddy now!  That preteen stage where you still want to be around me, and home, but you can chat about anything.  We have great conversations, and you’re a big help.

 

I do wish you would open up more.  I recognize some days your in a bad mood and want to be left alone.  Its very hard for me.  Seeing you only on certain days...makes me want to eat up every minute and when you don't want to talk, or something goes wrong in your day and your frustrated...I just want to talk talk talk of course.  I hope with each passing year you and I will still have our good conversations.  You've lost like 3 teeth all on one side of your mouth...funny actually...your still loosing teeth, your entering that funky teeth phase where some are falling out, coming in, everything is funny looking and you hate it.  Braces will come sweetheart hold on!  You also got your first ZIT! You obsessed over it, and trying so hard to not worry about it :)  But as an 11 yr old- you aren't terribly consistent or interested in the face routine of your mother lol.  Don't want to be messed over too much.   

As for events, went to Lake Tahoe vs Canada this year, you went to Oregon with your dad as usual.  Noel came out several times and you adored her time and attention.  ELEVEN- I still cant believe it.  Please stop growing up.  I love you more than you will ever know.  My heart isn't quite whole when your gone, but I love seeing you become a young man with each passing day/month.  You ROCK- You are amazing.... 

Happy Happy birthday Elijiah

Love,

MOm

 

 

 

Halloween 2013

Halloween… I know I know. I cant seem to keep up this here blog. Halloween Tristan still carried on his goth/skeleton get up- knowing that we didn’t have a ward Halloween activity I didn’t stress too much about Jett. We just put him in a fun outfit from Jonathans China trip. And I didn’t have elijiah on the actual holiday so his dad took this shot and sent it to me. Im a big holiday humbug Ive realized. Too much hype and annoyance with it all. Im not into decorating and creating clutter around my home either. So with the house for sale and having to keep it clean, Im doing a happy dance. Ill still do a little something around for Christmas- but not nearly what I have in the past. Any way I digress. Tristans Halloween obsession is waning. He has told me that Christmas is now his favorite holiday because its when Jesus was born( how cute)….so after Halloween was done- so was he. Back went everything into storage with no fuss or complaint. YIPEE!! I was surprised by Elijiah but some of his friends decided to dress up in this costume so they all had a good time. Other than some job changes, house on the market, birthdays galore coming up…nothing is going on hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah.