The House Tour Continues. Follow me this way......

to the master bathroom. The old layout only had a sink and toilet and a water heater closet. That handy Jace moved the water heater across the hall to make room for a tub/shower. Still tiny but much more functional.

Master Bath Before:

Master Bathroom After:

Master Bedroom Before:

Master Bedroom After:

The king size bed barely fit. Less carpet for me to vacuum.

Laundry Space Before:

The original fireplace in the front family room became more closet space for our master bedroom closet and a water heater stand in the laundry space.

Laundry Space After:

This space has officially become the mudroom as well. Jackets, purses, backpacks, shoes, and dirty clothes all come off here. One family sized dirty clothes basket on wheels resides here.

I hope shelves will eventually adorn the back wall and my iron will stop wiggling to the front and hopping to the floor every time I wash a large load.

Hall Bath Before:

Yes, that hole in the floor was there when we purchased it. Jace and I are always amazed at the conditions people will live in and tolerate.

Hall Bath After:

The only linen storage in the house. Custom built by my Uncle Lamell.

Girls Room Before:

Our children were horrified that their parents would buy a house that had writing all over the walls. You'd think they'd have a little more faith than that. This ain't their first remodeling rodeo.

Girls Room After:

Artwork on the walls is coming soon. A lot of my walls are what some would call "bare." It takes me a while. I really only buy and/or hang things that I LOVE. And what I love is "Junk". The more unique the better. And they don't sell that at the local Wal-Mart.

Boys Room Before:

Boys Room After:

Who is in love with the vintage picture of the chin-up competition? Noah and Ezra are. I bet.

That concludes our tour today. Thanks for stopping by. We are offering attractive financing packages, if you will step this way, we can show you how affordable home ownership can be.

Oh wait, this house isn't for sell. Not yet.

Not that I know of anyway.

We are about 1/2 way done on the Show Low project. Can't wait to show you that one. Jace just called and said the garage that was framed today is big. Really big. Like we should of gone smaller big. Crap. Does he think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight with that news? I'm this close to driving myself there to see this BIG garage in person.

I have a disease. I have had it my whole life. I studied Better Homes and Gardens as a child (and adult). Just stepping into Home Depot makes my heart race. I love the smell of cut lumber and hardware stores. When I go anywhere I'm studying people's homes. And yes, I have probably studied yours. What do I love about your house? That goes into my mental "love that house" folder. What would I do different? Would I tear out that wall and paint the siding a different color? Maybe. I lull myself to sleep at night dreaming of what pictures on the wall or trusses I could rearrange. I dream of houses I haven't built yet. I am sometimes jealous of Jace's work. He gets to talk about houses all day long with contractors and homeowners (he also gets to snake out toilets and other glamorous things). If I could have any job and get paid for it - it would be making the world a prettier place - one house at a time.

Jace loves to make a buck and doesn't mind moving. He knows I would follow him to the end of the Earth. Throw these facts about him and my above mentioned disease into a pot and there you have our life. Or as I sometimes call it.....our predicaments.

Even though you've probably already driven by....

I am documenting the largest project we have accomplished yet this year, aside from Miss Mikael. We bought this small house in the middle of town for a song - with no intention of moving in. The 1st day of school was coming fast. And a new baby was headed our way. We had to make a decision. This was to be our new home - our tiny, new, and probably temporary home. We had 8 weeks to make it work. And of course my Jace pulled it off......

Before:

And after:

New siding, landscaping, windows, roof, driveway,and a framed in garage.

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:

Most of the cabinets were salvaged. Painted and rearranged.

Dropped ceiling was tore out and new lighting installed. Ikea butcher block counter tops. I'm loving them.

Dining Area Before:

Dining Area After:

Entry/Office Area Before:

(as you can see most of the before pictures were taken after a lot of demo. sorry about that. blame it on the heat. and the pregnancy.)

And After:

Two small closets were tore out to make room for my office.

Family Room Before:

We tore down a wall that separated the family room from a very narrow hall way. See the hanging light switch box? The wall ended there. We tore out a fire place. See the new framing on the back center wall? It was there. We also replaced the large window with french doors, they open onto a newly poured patio in the back.

Family Room After:

Want some more?

Come on back for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry pictures. We will have a lesson on how to fit 6 people under a roof this size. Not a easy task. My garage could furnish another home. How do I keep ending up in these predicaments? We'll talk about that tomorrow as well.

Blessing Day

Her Dad gave her a sweet little blessing this morning in front of our families and congregation.

Her dress was a hand-me-down from her cousin. I forgot the headband at home.

Today I was relaxed. I was happy. I was extremely grateful. For her. For family. For gospel. And a loving Heavenly Father.

It is unfortunate that my other children's blessing days were not as cheerful and relaxed. I am just now learning to be relaxed and grateful for what I am and what I have.

Dang it.

Mikael,

You should know that today was that is was a happy day for our family. We publicly thanked Heavenly Father for you. Your Grandpas and Uncles stood in. We ate Cafe Rio tacos and pumpkin cake. Everyone agreed you are positively plump. Growing fast. You slept all day. Never messed your dress. And smiled at your Mother approximately 13 times day. Your Father can no longer pretend he does not notice that I am positively your favorite.

Love,

Mom

1 Month and 617 diapers later.

We are still in love.

We officially changed the spelling of her name to Mikael and her diaper 12 times everyday for the last month. Mikael hates a wet diaper, a dirty diaper, and is allergic to Huggie diapers. She prefers sleeping in a sweaty ball right next to her Mother. She is kind of starting to look like someone. Don't yet know who. Macy? Me? Time will tell. I swear she has smiled at me a couple times. Noah is no longer afraid to hold, talk to, and kiss her. Ezra never was. He has walked into the room a couple times toting her in his arms like a football. Macy is of course the best help and was surprised to learn that Mikael will not be playing Barbies with her anytime soon.
I have loved being home with her and Ezra this month. It has been a quiet, peaceful month. Newborns always slow things down and I have been so grateful. The time I'm forced to just sit and be still with her is just what I needed. Newborns remind us of what is important in life. My heart has been so thankful for her, her health, and all my blessings. Mikael has taught me, just like all my other children did, that I want to be a good mother. I hope to be the Mother that she needs. I hope I will know how to help her. And how to love her.

But for now.....loving her comes easy. Helping her at 3 in the morning is not as easy but still a pleasure.

Looked who graced us with her presence.

Mikale Jaree Baum

September 21, 2010 8:16 pm

7 lbs. 12 oz. 20 3/4 inches

She is tiny and lovely. She is cut from a different mold. We have no idea who she looks like yet and we have decided to keep her. She has been so quiet and sweet today. She has no idea yet how much she is loved.

Her name?

Jace chose both names. While pregnant I wasn't convinced but as soon as I saw her, Mikale was the only name that came to mind. I couldn't even remember the other names on the list. She was named for two of our favorite people. Her Grandpa Michael Seaman and her Aunt Addie Jaree. If I haven't said it before about these two, let it be known - we are big fans. We love and admire them both. Mikale has big shoes to fill. We are so thankful she is here.

As I type.....

I am in labor.

Impressed?

Don't be.

My labors consist of laying around a hospital ALL day waiting for someone to hook up a pitocin I.V., followed quickly by an epidural.

But none the less, today is the DAY! I have waited exactly 40 weeks for this day and am so looking forward to sleeping on my back tonight without passing out.

Of course, my Jace came with me this morning....but he is already off again. Have I told you he can't sit still very long? He decided to close on another fixer upper today. Today! He has important papers to sign and fax. He told me he has a good feeling about this house, even if right now the kitchen has rooster wall paper and it smells like poop. Soon enough that will all be fixed. House pictures are coming soon.

Jace has also told me that he will come back for me today. Me and his 4th child.

I love that guy.

I'll keep you posted.

p.s. who is impressed with Show Low's hospital's wi-fi? And no, we still do not have a name.

By the way....

We live in Heber these days. Jace sold my house in Chandler. We had talked about it for months and in the end he won. Again.


But the hotter it gets and the more pregnant I get, the smarter I think that man is and his decision to take the check and run. Home. To the cooler mountain air.


Life has slowed down. Most days we are bored to tears in Heber. Ezra wants nothing more than to "go home" on most days and "see his Imran" (our 35 year old Chandler neighbor). And the older children attempt to give each other wedgies all day. Long.



But life is good. I loved my barn house. My neighborhood in Chandler. My neighbors. My ward. My children's school. But I have had zero sadness (except for you, Addie). My children now swim in their underwear on our weekend fishing trips.


And one of the main topics of conversation these days is...

HER.

We are getting a "sister" baby. We can't wait to meet her and as Ezra says see her "tinsy toes."

Oh, what to name her?

This summer's forecast doesn't predict very many more bored days. Jace and I have purchased some fixer uppers. Oh, how we love a challenge. Before pictures coming soon. After pictures following soon after.

Motherhood

I have been thinking a lot about it lately. I have been counting down days and weeks until this stage of motherhood will end. Grateful the nausea has left but devastated that most of my pants no longer button. I don't love or even like being pregnant. I will give birth any day of the week. I find the experience completely fulfilling and emotional. But pregnancy? I struggle to find the joy in it. The pounds gained during pregnancy not only pain and weigh my hips, feet, and back down but I'm ashamed to say my soul as well.

photos by Justin Hackworth

Funny how a little perspective is all we need sometimes. I watched Stephanie's video this morning. I have a healthy body and healthy skin. Skin that stretches with the new life inside me. I have healthy children. Children I get the privilege to know and love. I can choose to have more children. I can choose to see my eternal role as a mother as a privilege.

Ezra is sick today. Threw up all night. He climbed into my lap this morning and sat. I bounced his growing body on my leg and soon his appendages sagged. He had fallen asleep. On me! He had choosen me over the beloved blue blanket. I got to study his relaxed face and feel his body's heat against mine. Just like I used to do, a hundred times a day, when he was just a baby. My long night of interrupted sleep to clean up after him and large loads of laundry this morning was all worth it. I was reminded of how a child can love their mother, like I love mine. Sometimes it is only her that can give me what I need. I can and will be that for my children as well. And it is a gift.

I will probably continue to mourn my "skinny clothes" for a little while more but I'm grateful for the reminders today of my purpose here. I will try hard to find the beauty in this stage of motherhood because like Stephanie said, "I am [Lindsay Baum] and I am not my body............motherhood and beauty are one. They are the same thing."

It should be noted that while I do not enjoy the gestation period, my husband does. He finds pregos completely attractive. Just ask my sisters. He can't get enough of them. And for that I love him. A lot.

Growing. Things.

Easter was everything it should be. Spring weather, dresses, egg hunts, ham, General Conference, friends, and family. But the highlight of the day was this:

If you have spoken or seen my Jace lately, you've heard talk of chickens. And farms. And more chickens. He loves to watch his growing herd. He tells me the name of the breed the white chickens are, or the brown, or the black chickens. He tells me things like, "You'll like them. They will grow up to be short and round." Or things like, "Those right there, they will lay brown eggs."

He bribes the children with quarters and dollar bills. They will rub his back and neck. Well, most the children will. The child on the right is one very distracted masseuse.

The children are almost as proud as Jace of their growing chickens.

And what was suppose to be my growing project, has turned into Jace's other pride and joy. My focus these days is on growing children and a growing belly. Isn't it the most lovely raised garden you've seen? We hope to see it through. And for the record, I put most of the plants into the ground and I've pulled a couple hundred weeds....it's just the watering part I can't seem to remember.

And speaking of of growing things. How about Spiderman's hair? He was sporting this du for months. Jace couldn't take it anymore and buzzed his head this week (no, I did not cry). Often people ask me if my hair looked like Macy's when I was younger.....recently I was able to point to another child of mine's head and answer, "Not really. More like his curls." His loose, fine, sweaty curls. Love that kid.

**Can I just tell you? A couple minutes ago while sitting at my desk, loading pictures, I felt dizzy. Like the ground was shaking or that my pregnant self was going to pass out. I would move my hands from the desk to my legs. My whole body was rocking or so it seemed. Am I going crazy? I would look at Macy standing next to me. Why can't she feel that? I am crazy. Then Jace walks through and casually mentions, "California just had a 6.9 earthquake. The neighbor's pool water was splashing." Wow. Turns out I'm not so crazy. Turns out I'm just "earthquake sensitive." So now not only am I going to have food to eat when the world ends, I can carry a concealed weapon (as of last week), and I sense earthquakes. Jace is one lucky duck.

In Recent News...

I ran over the last puppy, Lucy. And though, my last post sounded harsh and cold hearted, let it be known - I cried. All day. "Who runs over puppies, seriously? And doesn't even feel it?"

Jace said lots of people apparently run over their own dogs. On accident.

Apparently, his own mother ran over 3 in one week.

Ezra still reminds me of how I "died" his Lucy.

It was a tragic day at the Baum house.

Jace and some Heber boys built me a garage and that my friends, is concrete Macy is riding on. Is there anything better in the world than concrete? Oh, glory.

Well, I can think of maybe one other thing. How about a garage parked, black SUV this summer when the temperature is 114? Hallelujah.

And a note about this guy. Noah. He turned 6 last month. He is about the best thing ever. I loved his parent teacher conference yesterday. He read me books he had written in class and showed me pictures he had drawn. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. Noah is a great student. And for some reason, Jace and I find it completely endearing and hilarious.

This is the only picture I got of Macy on 80's day. The tights. The leg warmers. The denim jacket. THE HAIR. It was my 8 year old self reincarnated. I wanted nothing more than to have big hair like Mauriah and Kirsten. Good thing Kim didn't know that natural curls and brushes don't mix. I walked around with frizzy, big hair well past the 80's. Macy's teacher explained to Jace and I yesterday that 2nd graders are social creatures by nature.

You don't say?

And speaking of hair. My hair is still always a mess.

As is my life these days.

I want to wear a sign on my forehead.

Jace wants to shout it from the rooftop.

Lindsay is not rude, or lazy, or usually forgetful. She doesn't usually cry this much. Or puke this much. She usually loves food and comes running at meal time. Her bedtime has not always been 6pm.

The sign on my forehead would read and the rooftop explaination would go something like this:

Lindsay is pregnant.

We told the kids weeks ago. We told them one morning at breakfast. Jace said, "I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, your mother ran over the dog yesterday. Lucy is dead."

We let that sink in for awhile.

"No, you can't see the body."

"No, I don't think she buried it on the property."

"Ask your Mother where Lucy's body is."

He then continued with the good news.

"The good news is....."

"We are getting a new puppy?" The kids asked with voices much too high and eyes too big in their heads.

"Well, no. What would be better than a new puppy?"

Silence.

Finally.....Macy squeaks, "A new baby?"

Yes! Yes! A new baby! In September!

Macy squealed and proceeded to call and tell everyone she knew. She has picked out at least 89 names for her sister and a place for the crib in her room.

The boys. Well, they still aren't buying it.

They still dream of puppies and find it hard to believe that a baby is in my belly. I told them if it is a girl, we will name her Lucy. They had a hard time believing that was a fair trade.

And the last item of news for the day is....

Lindsay and her mother, Kim, and daughter, Macy were choosen for this project HERE.

Exciting, right?

Do you think if I asked CJane could come? And bring Stephanie? And we could all eat lunch together?

I'm pushing it. I know.

Do you think any of my pants will still fit?