Blood, Sweat & Tears...

When Eli & I bought this old house it was not because we loved it! It was because we loved the property & the beautiful view of the valley, and knew that the house could be remodeled. Currently our house is not very pretty to look at...it is a hodgepodge of cinder block, river rock, lava rock & siding. Not to mention the "garage room"...an addition that was intended to be a garage with an extra bedroom on the second story. The only problem it that the owner at the time forgot to factor in the staircase to get upstairs to the bedroom when he figured the length of the room, so it ended up being too short to park a car inside!

We had great plans for turning this ole puzzle into something beautiful...something to be proud of. Due to economic situations & a fire our plans have not come to pass quite as quickly as we had planned, but during my Spring Break from work we finally got started on our remodel!

One of the things that bugs me most about the house is that my kitchen is practically a part of my living room. In fact when we first bought the house, as you came in the front door, you were standing in my kitchen. Eli built a wall and created an entryway, but we knew one of the first things we wanted to do was move the kitchen.

The area we wanted to move the kitchen to is the perfect spot for a kitchen, except for the wall of windows! The windows are too long...we wouldn't be able to place cabinets on that wall. Well, not unless we change the windows! So that was our project for Spring Break.

Friday morning Eli & I started removing the molding around the windows & that went really fast...so then we took out the windows, & that went really fast too! We kept looking at the clock & saying, "Wow! That only took 10 minutes." Things just kept moving along so quickly, we were thinking we might actually have the new windows back in by that evening!

The wall that we were needing to change is a cinder-block wall, so while I made a quick trip to Lowe's to buy mortar, Eli was going to get the cinder-blocks we already had moved to where we needed them. That was when he noticed that the cinder-blocks on this wall are actually not as thick as the ones we had! Which was really odd, because the left over blocks were from when we filled in a window on another wall...who would have thought that a builder would have used two different size cinder-blocks when building a house! (This is the point in the story where Eli tells people that having level floors & square walls is seriously over-rated!) Luckily when we got back to Lowe's they had the exact size of cinder-block we needed sitting right by the back door, so I just backed the truck up to the stack & Eli loaded them on.

Once we had the right size bricks work started moving quickly again. Connor got home in the afternoon & was able to help Eli placing the bricks, which really helped out! Once all the brinks were in place, we decided to let the mortar dry & save the framing & putting the windows in until Saturday. Thankfully the weather cooperated, because we left it all open & just closed the door on that room, so the rest of the house wouldn't get too cold.

Saturday morning Eli's back was feeling a little tender from lifting & hauling the cinder-blocks the day before, so he took some Aleve & we got started building the frame for the opening. Once again things were moving along really well...we had the frame up & were trimming the molding that was going to hold the windows in place when Eli cut his finger with his circular saw...OUCH! Wow! What a lot of blood! We quickly got him into the bathroom to try a get it cleaned & bandaged. The problem was that the first aid kit with the gauze & surgical tape was out in the tool shed, and all we had was band-aids...which weren't sticking because he was bleeding so badly. So being a quick thinker, Eli grabbed some blue painters tape to wrap around the finger & keep the band-aids in place! It was amazing...within 1/2 an hour Eli was back working! He was back trimming the molding & nailing it in place. In fact it was his back that was bothering him! I guess it was a good thing he took that Aleve in the morning.

Eli's injury slowed us down a little but, by the end of the day we had the new windows in place! We still needed to make another trip to Lowe's for the the finish molding & it was late before we got home, so the project is not quite complete...but we are so close!

Outside...before we started!

Outside view: After the windows are out.

Inside view: without the windows!

Eli pulling wires for electricity...

The first row of blocks...so far so good!

Framing: After the 2nd row of blocks...before the accident!

The new windows!

Now we just need to get the finish molding up & paint. These new windows are wonderful! The old ones were not double paned...we never realized how much noise from outside came in until we got these new windows up!

I guess this is just the beginning...

Simple Machines...

Tanner had an assignment in his Science class to build a machine, that can perform a task, by putting together three simple machines...and he could not spend more then $10. He came up with an idea & the three simple machines that he used were a screw, a wedge, and a lever. Adding in some of the scrap wood that we have from past projects he was able to build a lathe....& it actually works!

Silence Is Golden...

It all started a few days ago...Tanner & I had been running errands & decided to get something to eat on the way home rather than cook. As I was getting ready to order, I turned off my radio to speak to the person that was taking my order. After getting our food, I forgot to turn the radio back on. We had been driving in silence for a while before I noticed how peaceful it felt. Then the most amazing thing happened...Tanner & I actually had a conversation about his day at school, rather then sing to the radio together!

The next morning as Connor & I got in the car to go to seminary & work, Connor asked, "Why is the radio off?" Then, after I explained why the radio was off, he & I preceded to have another very nice conversation!

After work, as I was driving home alone...still with the radio off, I realized that there is almost always some sort of noise going on in the background during my day...the radio playing in the car as I'm driving or in my office while I'm working, or the TV at home...even when no one is watching it. Then I realized, I really enjoyed the quiet! So...I have been leaving the radio off in the car & turning off the TV at home more often.

Wow! What a difference it has made! Not only am I getting to know my boys a little better & have them know I am interested in what they're doing...I find that I can actually hear that still small voice sometimes...now that it doesn't have to compete with the noise!

CoNnOr TuRnS 16 tOdAy...

The night before last...actually I guess it was morning...I woke up at 2 am & could not get back to sleep for about an hour, then I woke up again at 4 am! Since going off of caffeine I have been sleeping really well, so I was pretty frustrated that I kept waking up. As I was laying there wishing I was asleep, I realized that 16 years ago I'd had a pretty restless night too! I was very uncomfortable & couldn't fall asleep...at 2 am when I woke up because I was wet, without realizing why, I changed & went back to bed. When I woke up an hour later because I was wet again a light-bulb went off! My water had broke! I remember thinking, "but if this baby is as tired as I am, he wants more sleep" then going back to bed. I slept for a few more hours before going to the hospital. After a lecture about not coming right in, a long day & night of labor began! At 2 am Connor Thomas Escamilla was born!

(Our first family picture - Connor's 2 days old)

So, to celebrate Connor's 16th birthday, I've created a list of my 16 favorite things about Connor.

1) Connor is a hugger...I love Connor's hugs!
2) I love that Connor has such a quick wit & good sense of humor.
3) I'm proud that he honors his Priesthood.
4) Connor is a very good cook.
5) He writes really good poetry & short stories, and has even had a couple published.
6) Connor has always been very artistic.
7) I love that he enjoys reading SO much!
8) As much as I hate to admit he's taller than me, I love that he can reach the high stuff for me.
9) Learning is easy for Connor, especially when it's a subject he enjoys.
10) I love that Connor can help me with my math!
11) Connor is one of my favorite people!
12) He is a good big brother.
13) Connor is a hard worker & very helpful around the house with some of our big projects.
14) He is a good leader & follows through with his responsibilities.
15) Connor is full of little known facts & has one for about any situation.
16) He loves the gospel & is proud to be a Mormon.

Happy Birthday Connor!

Just call me the homework nazi!

I don't get it! Is not doing homework a guy thing! I don't ever remember my mother being on my case to get my homework done. Nor do I remember doing the homework, but not turning it in...what's up with that?!

Making Lemonade!

So...on November 13th as I was getting out of the car after getting home from work, Eli came dashing out to greet me! In my mind I was thinking, "oh cute, he's excited I'm home" but alas, I was wrong. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he was glad I was home, but the reason he was meeting me at the car was he had bad news he didn't want to discuss in front of the boys...He had been laid off from the school where he was teaching.

Luckily, about a week before this, he had taken a part-time job at WalMart, working evenings in the Dairy section. At the time that he was inspired to apply it was going to be extra money for Christmas & paying off some debt we incurred while he was in school...thank heavens for that still small voice that we sometimes think is our own good ideas! We actually didn't tell many people at first, because we aren't the only ones affected by this economy & although things have been a bit tight for us, we've been okay.

So why am I writing about it now? Well, earlier tonight I was counting my blessings and realize that some of them are because Eli was laid off!

I am thankful for a messy house...because it means Tanner has had friends over. After Eli was laid off, we transfered Tanner to our neighborhood school. It has been a wonderful move for him, for the first time in a long time Tanner has made some really good friends!

I am thankful for a tight budget...because it means we aren't spending our money foolishly & we are more appreciative of the things we have.

I am thankful to be tired at the end of the day...because it means I had to get up early enough to take Connor to early-morning seminary. There have been many mornings, when after snoozing my alarm too many times, Connor comes to remind me that he can not miss Seminary. I am SO glad that he enjoys studying the gospel!

I am thankful for sore feet...because it means I was able to go walking with my friend before work.

I am thankful for a pile of work on my desk...because it means I will be busy! I love my job and feel so good at the end of the day to be able to see what I have accomplished.

I am thankful for static on the radio...because it makes me turn it off & gives me the peace necessary to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost to call a friend, not knowing that she had just had a lousy day and needed cheering up!

I am thankful to have a sink full of dishes...because it means my growing boys are getting plenty to eat...not to mention the fact that they are the ones that get to wash them!

And believe it or not, I am thankful for traffic & stop lights...because they teach me patience. Some times it's just not worth stressing about getting stuck at every red light or getting mad at another driver...because in the end you always get where you were going, but if you let those things bother you, you just end up in a bad mood & can't enjoy the things going on around you!

Yes, right now there are many lemons in my life...but I choose to make lemonade!

May 10, 1991...More strolling down Memory Lane!

Life has been pretty boring lately, & I've been wishing I had something for my blog. The last time my Life Story group got together the topic was our wedding day, so I've decided to post what I wrote.

Where’s Sem…

It’s a good thing Eli & I both have a sense of humor, considering the comedy of errors that we call our wedding day!

It all started at 2 am, when we rang the doorbell of the temple apartment that my mom had reserved for Eli’s parents, so they could spend the week prior to our wedding doing temple work. Imagine our surprise when a stranger opened the door…I guess he was pretty surprised too! Not knowing where to find Eli’s parents, we both went to the room my parents had reserved for our family. When we arrived at the room there was already a crowd, due to the fact that not only had my parents decided to invite Guinevere & Evan to spend the night with us, but Suzy & Brent decided to spend the night also! The apartment had only two hide-a-bed couches, but somehow we found a place for everyone to sleep. Poor Eli spent the night before his wedding sleeping on the floor! Come to find out, earlier in the week there was construction going on next-door to the apartment his parents should have been in, so they had been given another room.

So much for not letting the groom to see the bride before the wedding!

We found Eli’s parents the next morning & all walked over to the temple together. As we entered, some very friendly temple workers greeted us & I was rushed off to the Bride’s room, along with my mother & mother-in-law. I assumed Eli had been rushed off to the “groom’s” room with the two dads…Imagine my surprise as Eli & I were brought into the Sealing room & Eli’s father was not present!

Eli’s father, who does not understand English very well, had been lost in the hustle at the front door & had been lead in to a regular temple session. This was before the temples were computerized, so a very helpful temple worker had to go check all the sessions in progress looking Sem, my soon to be father-in-law.

While we were waiting for Sem to be located & brought to the Sealing room, we learned that the Sealer performing our ceremony had been the mission president of a Spanish-speaking mission and was able to translate the ceremony for my father-in-law.

What a wonderful blessing for my father-in-law who had been lost & confused to be able to understand the sacred ceremony being preformed that day.

Sem, Maria, Eli, Me, Mom & Dad

Pictured L-R: Dad's side, Eli sleeping, Brent & Suzy in the corner on the floor, Evan, Me & Guinevere.

A Few more fun photos from the day...

What a beautiful bride? ...poor Claire was SO sick!

Eli being silly...

Monkeying around... Suzy, Me & Lori Harper

Getting ready for the kissing pic...

...we couldn't keep a straight face & ended up laughing instead of kissing!

And the car...does anyone know who these kids belong too!

Joseph, what's that behind your back...

Done...just done!

...we had grass clipping coming out of the air conditioner for months!