Lake Powell 2009

I have been in mourning since our return home from Lake Powell. We had a ball. It was a full week of sun, sand, water, sisters, parents, cousins, wind, rain, and tragedies. We started and ended the week with accidents. He was driving both times and witnessed both. I, the passenger, was never aware anything had happened until He had slammed on the brakes, pulled off the freeway, or until he jumped off the jet ski into the water.

Last Sunday on the 202 freeway, while leaving town, He saw a car airborne and turning in the air. He said the car completed about 8 rotations--Transformer style--landed and slid off the freeway into an electric pole. He ran across the freeway, knowing the all passengers in the car would be dead, but instead found 1 driver alive. He helped the man climb out of the broken windshield, then proceeded to clean up bumpers and car debris off the freeway. We were amazed at this man's luck and talked about His brother, Chad, and his unluck. We both had never seen such a horrible accident. For the second time this year my cell phone dialed 911.

This photo is not at all related to the above & below mentioned accidents but an accident indeed. Just because He knows how to live in a 5th wheel trailer, does not mean he knows how to pull one behind his truck in the sand at Lone Rock. Note the busted out back window.

Then on Friday, our last day at the Lake and on our last boat ride, I heard a loud bang. SMACK. The sound didn't register, until I saw He jumping off the jet ski and my Dad, and Kirsten and Dan all in the water and swimming towards a body in a red life jacket. A 14 year girl had ran her jet ski right into my Dad's boat. She never saw my Dad and my Dad didn't see her--until the very end. He cut the boat hard to the right and in turn saved her life. Her jet ski hit the front of the boat that was carrying 10 people, including my Macy. It was amazing that no one was thrown from the boat. There was a smashed finger, a bloody nose, a banged up lip, and lots of tears. We were lucky Dan was there. He immediately knew how to help this girl. I wishing I had my cell phone with me in the water to call 911 for a 3rd time this year, and a 2nd time that week. My parents got a phone call later that night, that the girl was going to be ok. She was in fact going back to join her family on their houseboat after her trip to the hospital. It was amazing. Those 1st couple moments after the accident were very scary for this girl and all of us watching. Her injuries initially looked horrible and probably should have been. Of all our years and trips to the lake, we had never witnessed or experienced anything like it. Heavenly Father was truly looking out for us all and a lucky 14 year old girl. The accident put a damper on what had been such a fun week. We all still think about the accident often and are reminded of how unexpected life can be. Are you ready for it?

Ezra.

Noah.

Macy.

All of them.

Have I mentioned the Flakes are back? We couldn't be more thrilled.

Papa and Sailor. She lived up to her name. She was a doll.

Max. Oh Max.

Who is in for next year? I can hardly wait.

I had chocolate cake for lunch. Followed by 3 Advil.

If there was ever a day chocolate cake and Advil should be on the lunch menu--today was that day. For a couple reasons.

1. I turned 28 on Saturday. 28 feels an awful lot like 27. We were traveling home from this vacation HERE. Therefore, no one made me any birthday cake. Except for the chef at Chili's in Payson but that doesn't really count because he didn't know me. It was still a really good day. He said I could pick out any piano I wanted on craigslist. He is the best husband. The kids and I made official birthday cake after church yesterday. The large leftover piece has been calling my name since I woke this morning.

28 years old.

2. Noah started kindergarten this morning. I have had empty pit in my stomach for weeks about it. When we pulled into the parking lot this morning, he sat in the car. I told him to get out. He told me he wasn't old enough to go to Macy's school. I think he thought all this back to school talk meant he was to return to Mrs. Lisa's preschool. He did eventually get out of the car and walked, hand in mine, to meet his new teacher and class.

My mom said on a scale of 1 to 10, the Batman and High School Musical backpacks aren't really important. I shouldn't fight it--just buy them.

3. Macy became a 2nd grader this morning. I know she will keep an eye on Noah for me this year. She nervously waved across the room at another little girl, when I was introducing ourselves to her new teacher. I presume the little girl across the room was a familiar face from her 1st grade class and a face Macy was relieved and thrilled to see this morning
Macy and Mrs. Proulx--rhymes with blue. Doesn't that sound like a really nice 2nd grade teacher?

4. Ezra and I entered the new and lonely land of "just the 2 of us-- all day." He is a sweet kid. He does not expect me to entertain him but all entertaining done by himself is done on my lap or in the near vicinity. I look forward to our alone time this year. We also started the potty training chapter today. He has already called 2 times this morning, checking on our progress. He loves nothing more than a potty trained kid.

Ezra thought he too was going to school. He was proud as punch walking the halls this morning with his new Mario backpack.

Can you see why I deserve the chocolate cake today?


When Ezra and I were making our lonely exit from the elementary school to the parking lot I managed to pull a muscle, pinch a nerve, or probably both. I was stepping one foot in front of the other, like always, and BAM. I was then hobbling through the parking lot. I need a chiropractor. I'm walking like a full term pregnant lady that just had her right leg amputated. Summer is officially over. I'm old enough to have 2 children in school all day and old enough to have 3 children that know how to use the toilet. And I think my body realized it today.


And that is where the 3 Advil made their way to my lunch table.

The big reveal. Before and after.

Jace says he had to talk me into it. He says I failed to see the potential

for the first couple of days and weeks.

I had seen prettier barn-turned-home(s) in my day.

The block walls were wavy. The siding rotted. The balcony - dangerous.

The windows would have to be replaced. Along with the doors. And the trusses. And the rest of the house.

But the lot was great. I knew an acre of irrigated green grass and trees in the middle of the desert was priceless. The neighborhood looked and felt a lot like Taylor, Arizona.

Home.

So although it was not love at first sight. I knew. Jace was capable. I had a vision. That proved to be enough.

Three months,

One 5th wheel trailer home,

Buckets of sweat and tears,

A million cuss words later,

(and not to mention a couple of these - $)

She is all spiffed up.

We broke up the tall rectangular shape with bat and board on top and stone on the bottom.

The barren, gray trees that we purchased last February are now full of life and green.

The front porch posts are just a few of the things we left original to the house. They are now stained and embellished.

Our back porch. Metal rusted beams are original. The white siding around front and back doors is where the original barn doors existed.

Before picture of front room, dining room, and kitchen. The tall sheet-rocked pillar at the end of the kitchen island was framed around an original barn beam. One was also hiding in the gray wall across the hall. The house has 3 sets of these beams holding up a metal, iron eye beam that runs the length of the house, in between the 1st and 2nd stories. Anther reason we felt good about our purchase. The house and foundation are rock solid.

After picture of old dining room and kitchen. We turned the old dining room space into a Mormon size pantry. The concrete floors are original - flawed - newly stained- and AWESOME.

The once concealed barn beams are now center stage and framed in. Should I paint them? Stain them? The new dining room and office that sits just behind it used to be a large bedroom.

The office is small. Centrally located. With a closet.

The previous owners loved to experiment with paint colors. Jace just thinks they were blind. At the top of these stairs was an old kitchen. The original owners built an apartment on top of the original barn and lived in it. While living in it, they converted the downstairs barn into a house. The result was 2 kitchens, 2 master bedrooms, 2 family rooms, ect.

After picture of the old upstairs kitchen. Now a wet bar for the large family room.

After picture of the once gray and fluorescent orange stair walls.

Before picture of the upstairs master bathroom.

After picture. The once pink bathroom is now the boys bathroom.

Tub turned boy's shower.

Before picture of upstairs master bedroom. Before we rolled the new trusses, the upstairs ceiling were just 7 feet tall. A little low for my tall Jace and for re-sale. All the bedrooms have walk-in closets.

After picture. The blue diamond walls are now white (surprised?), lined with the boy's toys and beds. The entire upstairs ceiling is now raised and vaulted.

Before picture of another darkly painted upstairs bedroom.

After. Macy was worried it would never look like a girl's room.

Macy's bathroom before.

And after. I was feeling the color white thru out the entire house. Jace quit asking about color, cabinet, and fixture choices. He knew the answer would be white. I wanted everything clean, open and bright.

Before picture of downstairs bathroom/laundry room.

After picture. We split the above pictured room into a laundry/powder bath and master bathroom.

After picture of master bathroom. Jace picked out all plumbing fixtures. On his own.

Our new master shower.

We call it our baptismal font.


I can now check this post off my to-do list. Our hard work is now documented.

Our house is feeling more and more like home everyday. We are so grateful for this house and the opportunity we have here. While the major construction has come to an end, we have lists and lists of non-major things to construct.....but who doesn't? That is part of the beauty of home ownership (and life). Construct. Tear down. Rebuild. Add on. Improve.

We are now taking your bets.

How long will Jace let me live in this one?

My nervous tick(s). 10 years later.

L to R: Erika, Lindsey, Sarah, Amy, Kira, Me, Cami, Jami, Mary, Molly, and Beth

Photo from HER blog.  I forgot I owned a camera.

Me with gal pal Nikki (Nikolaus) Nelson at the Show Low Park

Photo from Caitlin Hatch, class of 2005.  

Who would have thought that she would be at my 10 year reunion?  

Way to go Chaz.

My 10 year reunion was last weekend.  It was somewhat of a success.  And by success I mean that I managed not to call someone by the wrong name, no old flames were in attendance, my children behaved, and Jace's zipper was down only for 20 minutes.  I really feel for spouses at these gatherings.  What I didn't manage was controlling my nervous ticks.  The older I become the more apparent they are.  Call me Kim.  I talk loud.  I'm constantly cracking jokes.  Jokes that only I find funny most of the time.  And I'm the one trying to give high 5's or firm handshakes instead of hugs.  The hugging thing drives Jace crazy.  Not the part about me hugging people from high school but the part about me trying not to.  (Have you read HER post about it?  She appropriately named it the Great Arm Wrestle).  

In these attempts to be funny and put people as ease, I often offend innocent bystanders.  I said something to Gaylon about his (future) sad wife and everyone around thought I called Gaylon's life sad.  I told Ryan, "now that's not true, they were lots of underclass men that wanted to date you."  I said something about Lindsey's attempts at making children.  Something about Josh's wife being 5 feet tall.  And probably many more.  I could explain them all but I won't. 

Isn't it amazing how people don't change?  The Show Low class of '99 looks the same.  Talks the same.  It was fun to be in the same room with these people again.  It was also a trip.  Back in time.  I went to dinner the night before with Erika, Kira, Beth, and Nikki.  It was almost like 10 years never happened.  I want to see them more.  They thought I was a shoo in for the "least changed" award. I wasn't thrilled about that.  Surely 10 years has brought or taught me something.  Does it mean I need a new hair cut?  Or does it mean I still say things before I think and laugh loudly at myself?  Probably all of the above.  Lucky for me Cynthia took home the "least changed" award.

For the public record:  I'm working on my nervous ticks (not the new hair do).  Recognition is the 1st step.  I do not intend to harm or offend.  My intention is to make everyone at ease and I really like having a swell time.  I like you all.  Please come in 10 years to another reunion, give me the "least changed" award, we'll party like it's 1999 again and....I promise I'll take it easy on you.

Jace took me on a boat ride. And a house progress report.

Last night as we were skimming across the waters of Saguaro Lake at dusk, the warm wind in our faces and hair, five children were laughing trying catch their breath, as our boat crashed up and down thru every wave and ripple in the water. Shadows from the looming red rock walls had darkened the waters and relaxed our squinting eyes.

A "David Hasselhoff" reference was made about the handsome, shirtless man navigating the boat thru the waters. I know he won't mind that his co-captain this summer is not of the Pamela Lee variety but of the Kim Seaman type. I felt just like my beautiful Mom sitting in the upper passenger chair next to my husband, holding the baby, passing out towels, life jackets, and nourishment to any empty belly. My swimsuit wet only from splashing children and wet towels.

There was a time when I would have been racing Addie to the back deck of Mike's boat to jump off into the icy waters. Grandpa Don would be there in the deep waters teaching us to swim, float, and then to water ski. There was also a time I would have been racing Jessica to any boat that would pull us around on a wake board. My Dad was the best driver. He would cuss, instruct, and zoom past us in the water after a fall. The rope handle would land in our hands again and he would pull us up out of the water again and again.

"Ready? Ready?," He would yell.
I would nod, then yell, "Ready. Let's go."

We weren't allowed back into the boat until we stopped crying, cussing, or until we conquered.

There is no better way to enjoy Arizona. I love to live here. Swimming in dark, cool lake water is fine. Feeling whiplash for days after a tube ride is great fun. Wake boarding is a thrill. But without a doubt, the best part of a lake trip is the boat ride. The smell of the vinyl upholstery, gasoline fumes, the hum of the engine, cousins, siblings, and the wind made my heart very happy last night. I should know better than to let Jace take me on a boat test drive.

Mr. Boatman, I think you have yourself a deal.



Long overdue Progress Report on the house:

We are living in it. Our temporary residence rolled out of our yard last Friday. I wish I could say my heart wasn't jumping for joy but it was. The night I have to sleep in a 5th wheel trailer again will be a night too soon. We have been scrambling to finish to house, therefore still kind of camping. Things are slowly coming together....and just like usual I'm waiting on the plumber. He's up to his eyeballs busy, so I try not to complain. He built me the finest barn posts yesterday and hooked up an R.O. system (AND took me on a boat ride). Stayed tuned for the big before and after photos....even Jace and I are astonished. Until then you can check out these:

Need I say more about the deep windowsills? Or the Ikea open shelving in the kitchen?

Every home that was once a barn should sport barn lanterns in the dining room.

Irrigation. Trees. Green grass. Swing.

White bat and board walls to match the exterior. Worn leather furniture. Need I say more about the deep windowsills? Ok, I will. The original barn was constructed out of 8" cinder block, then filled with dirt for insulation. When the original owner decided he wanted to try living in the barn he turned 2 x 4's on edge to frame, insulate, and sheetrock the original block walls. In turn the downstairs stay cool all day long and makes for some lovely, deep windowsills. One of many of the great perks we found as we demolished and revonated.

More pictures coming soon.