People Who Helped Us

Like people usually do, we believe we had the best working for us throughout this process.

First of all, we have possibly the greatest real estate agent ever. I know, I know, everyone's an agent, or knows one. I know several. In fact, one of my best friends is an agent. But I've been calling on Tricia Ashby for my real estate needs since she sold my home in Midvale in 2003, and she has helped me buy and sell several more since. She is now with Keller Williams South Valley Realty in Riverton. Tricia is incredible and well worth every penny she's paid. If you can't tell, we highly recommend her, and if you need more information, like with anything else, we'll talk more.

I also recommend Stacie Marchessault as a mortgage broker. Again, I know, we all know at least one. I know several; two that I consider close friends, but Stacie has helped me a couple times over the years, and not only is she great at what she does, I really enjoy working with her. She is now with Approved Mortgage Funding in South Jordan.

BIG thanks to both of them for all they've done to help us, and all they'll do in the coming weeks to get us closed.

House Hunters

Well, where do I begin? Let's see... It was a Thursday morning, June 19 to be exact. I awoke with an overwhelming feeling that we needed to look at existing homes for sale. You probably know we've been holding out for that perfect piece of property on which to build our perfect home to raise our family.

We've kept our hopes high for years now that the piece of land we sought would become affordable, and though the price of land has come down, it hasn't been enough. We thought we'd just have to keep waiting patiently, since we knew that our patience in the past had paid off; I think we were immensely blessed to not have bought any of the land that we thought we wanted so badly.

As we had been waiting we saw the one lot that we would have bought in Saratoga finally go, after more than a year of being on the market and several price reductions, and we were so sad... or so we thought.

Then I told Brian how I was feeling about looking at existing homes. He was surprised by my suggestion, and at the same time completely supportive and excited, as he understood the great positives of buying an existing home: an immediate yard, established neighborhood, big, tall trees, knowing what we're spending up front, much better location for us, the list goes on...

So we began looking that Thursday evening and have seen nearly four dozen homes the past two-and-a-half weeks! After a couple offers on a couple different houses, and some simple negotiating, we've got one under contract! Yea, yea, yea! This is such an exciting time for us.

You ask where? Well, we'll still be in West Jordan. In fact, we'll be in my parents' ward. This was not my idea, it just so happens that Brian suggested we see it, and when we did we realized all the positives this specific house has for us: It not only keeps Whitney in the same school that we've been taking her to for the past two years, but we'll be right next to it! Also, lots of little ones around for the kids to play with; a much better commute for Brian (20 minutes in rush hour traffic); a great little shed in the backyard that Brian can use for his workshop; a good sized yard (the 3000 sq ft rambler sits on about a .25 acre lot); And it really is neat for the kids to be able to grow up so close to Grandpa & Grandma. It is a great house and we're excited to have found it. Hopefully things go smoothly over the next few weeks; we plan on closing on July 23, if not sooner.

Happy Easter!

Catch My Drift

Wednesday Utah got pounded by a great snow storm. It was supposed to brush right by, dropping a couple inches at the most. Instead it camped out and dropped more than a foot on us. That would have been a lot in and of itself, but the wind blew all night long at 30-50 MPH. (That's one thing we have bragging rights to out here on the west side. Lots of wind.) That left us with some pretty sweet snow drifts that piled up. I spent about 2 hours clearing the driveway of the 3 to 4 foot drifts. Here are a couple shots:





(Editors note: I had a great idea to jump into the 5 foot drift in front of the house, I thought it would make a great picture, but it was too cold for Steph to go outside and she didn't want me getting all covered in snow. Oh well, maybe I am getting too old for that sort of thing.)

Wherefore By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

In light of his passing on the evening of Sunday, January 27, this past week I have read and listened to many touching tributes to President Gordon B. Hinckley, who served, it seemed tirelessly, as our dear prophet for the past (almost) 13 years.

As we reflected on this humble man's teachings and testimony for our FHE last week, I asked each of us to share what we remember about him.

• Brian shared an experience from his days singing with the Mormon Youth Chorus. President Hinckley visited the choir in the Tabernacle to announce to them that it would be disbanded. Before he stepped down, President Hinckley shared with them that he had always wanted to direct a choir. What else are you going to do?! Of course, let him lead! So, there he stood, that little man, arms held up high, bouncing very slightly, leading the choir. I don't think there were many dry eyes in the room.


• I shared that his love and patience is such a powerful example to me. He showed us to love one another as Jesus Christ does. His patience, as he endured aging and sickness, especially without his sweetheart for the last four years of his life, while he served the Lord by serving the world is absolutely amazing by any standard.


• Whitney shared that he taught us what to by talking with the Lord and telling us what is right.

We talked about some of his legacies, including:

• Directing the most intense temple building program in the history of the church, making the blessings of the temple available to more people than ever before.
• Sharing with the world the six "B's": Be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, and be prayerful.
• His deep love and appreciation for the scriptures, and his challenge to us to read them, especially the Book of Mormon.
• His and Sister Hinckley's example of a happy, healthy, eternal marriage.

And of course, his most important legacy to the world, his testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe, if nothing else, President Hinckley would want us to remember his undeniable witness of our Lord and Savior, and to come unto Him.

It is true that we shall know them by their fruits, and this man did so much good with his life. I know he is still performing good works.

"Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

A day late and a dollar short

I had always hoped to get the blog going on our website that we actually pay money for but I haven't had much luck working with that one. So here we are. Official bloggers, just like everyone else.

No real theme for today other than just to welcome you to our site and I thought you might enjoy this. Or maybe even this.