Change of Pace

Life takes turns when you least expect, doesn't it?! I was happily working for Google about 5 hours a week, and then I heard about a job opening as a project manager for a remodel just down the street from us. I went back & forth between excitement and wondering if it would be too much for me right now. But then I got the full scoop on the project... the Checkett family bought the house for Stephanie & Christian Nielsen who were in a plane accident a few months ago (more info on the nie nie blogs on my contact list) and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

We started over 2 weeks ago and Christian & their 4 kids will move in around Dec 15. Not a lot of time for all that needs to happen! But we've had 2 highly productive Saturday yard & house parties and I'm realizing how many people are touched by this family and want to contribute (Courtney's blog gets over 40,000 hits a day!). It seems everyone is somehow connected to this family around here... almost all the subs are doing their work at cost, and we're doing it all for about $23,000 (floors, kitchen, painting, electrical, exterior/yard stuff, ETC). It's amazing.

Here's the house before we laid hands on it:


Here's Saturday #1:


Here's Saturday #2 (seems like these pictures should be going the other way around, right?)


So, that's pretty much taken over my life and poor Ruthie is holding on for dear life. My relief society is all young married girls (only 3 or 4 babies in the ward) and they have been super-helpful taking Ruthie for afternoons here & there. And my mother-in-law has taken over dinner most nights and helps with Ruthie, too. Although I'm exhausted, I'm so grateful this family has put their trust in me and that I get to meet all these salt of the earthers and see this house turn around for a great cause.

We did manage to celebrate Halloween...here's our little chicken loving trick or treating-

And the ward party -


and we did make it to Wheeler Farms in SLC - I LOVE that place!! Much better than Farm Days at Thanksgiving Point(not as cool and not as free!)




and up the canyon for a picnic with Jen Ryan & fam -


and to the corn mazes with our mentee Toft-






and a quick trip to Vegas to visit Papa -




and to THE garage sale with my mom & Aja in St George. Love Aniston's outfit and her cookie sign and Aja's name tag 'Yes, I work here'.




and Ruthie thoroughly enjoyed 2 full days of quality cousin Elsie time-


So, I guess work and school aren't keeping us TOO busy. It's been a fun, full couple months, and lots to look forward to next month (except the freezing cold! snow all over the ground today! pretty, but brrr!).