It's All in How You Phrase It

I've said before that I want to write a book. I'm not really any closer than I was this time last year, BUT I've at least had a little boost to make me think I possibly have a shot at some success.

Back in March I entered the Great Beginnings writing contest for the Utah Romance Writers of America. The first five pages was all I was allowed to submit. It's tougher than it sounds--especially since my entry involved time travel (I was thereby whisked out of the historical category and lumped into the paranormal category which forced me to rush the time travel element more than I would have liked, but I digress).I had some AMAZING friends that helped me work out some of the kinks & really tighten my entry up. Thanks ladies--y'all rock!!

I actually took fourth place (I know it's not first, and my naturally competitive nature made a small & ugly little appearance, but after an hour of contemplation I decided I'm content with placing). I mean it's kind of cool to see my name on the list of finalists on their website http://www.utahrwa.com/gbfinalists.html

I had to laugh at the message the contest coordinator left me informing me I placed.

 "Thank you for entering the Great Beginnings contest. I am pleased to inform you that you took fourth. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing more from you."

Since there were only four finalists I almost split a seam laughing. I guess it's all in how you phrase it--that was the most diplomatic way of saying "you lost" that I've ever heard!  Don't misunderstand me. I'm still proud that I entered and I am thrilled I advanced on to be a finalist! Maybe I should actually sit down, write the entire book (not just the beginning) & try resubmitting a new submission next year.

Remodel Tour-Part 2

These tours are mainly for my sister living out of state, so I apologize for the boring content (not that my blog is full of witty gems anyway)! This room used to be dark brown & was an office

This is a "fireplace"...really it's more like a space heater but it does offer some ambiance & the kids think it is awesome.

This room used to be carpeted & tan & had a single couch & huge bookcase.

The guest room (now my sister & in-laws have a place to stay with us when they come into town)

I changed the carpet, wall color & banisters

The hardwood is all new

I LOVE my front door-we took it to a gorgeous dark brown & it looks amazing on the inside & outside!

Home is a Pretty Nice Place to be

It's taken a year but I can see the end in sight...
First we tackled the backyard. Wait, you mean there are no more dump trucks, trailers, or construction equipment back there??? What will we do with all the space?


Then we decided that the back looked so good it made the front look...well a little lack-luster; so around to the front we went.


The basement came next...


Finally we remodeled the upstairs...


There are a few projects still in the works that I should now have time to do (since I was recently released from my Relief Society calling I seem to have a bit of extra time on my hands-maybe I will even get back into the swing of blogging)...like some curtains, throw pillows, bed skirts, furniture refinishing, paint touch ups, a little concrete work (which I will NOT be doing, but they need to be done all the same) and I plan to tackle the re-painting of our master suite this spring & remodeling my salon & mud room after that.



All in all, home is a pretty nice place to be!

House Remodel Tour-Part 1

Yo-Ho Yo-Ho a Pirates Life for Hayden

 As I mentioned before we've done some extensive remodeling this past year, so here is the beginning of the "grand" tour

Part one...the kids new rooms

The chest of drawers & bed frame are Rob's from when he was young & I was thrilled that they fit the room so well!!

 One of Hayden's favorites in his room is the bell hanging next to the light switch (it's REALLY loud so the other kids don't like it much, but he LOVES it).

I still need to make his window treatments and put leather straps on the toy chest, but outside of that Hayden's room is finished.

  

Oh How Sweet Life Is for Rachel

It was kind of terrifying to put this much pink on the walls, but it turned out well and it's not nearly as Pepto-ish as it first seemed.

The cupcake stands we found at Hobby Lobby this summer were too fun to pass up!!

Her room is the least done...I still have to make window treatments, throw pillows and a bed skirt (hopefully I will get to those next week)

 "This is not your father's Oldsmobile" (Ben's door letter isn't done yet)

My dad thought I had lost my mind when I told him I wanted the walls covered in sheet metal, but he did it any way & it turned out awesome!! Now I don't have to worry as much about my walls getting dinged!

The obvious thing I still need to finish is the nightstand...eventually it will all be red.

He got the best closet of all the kids...the girls were a little bitter at first.

A favorite in Ben's room for me are the coat hooks and

and his clock

Ooh-La-La Lauren

The silver paint was a nightmare to apply...let base coat dry for 6 hours then apply another base coat in arching strokes(same drying time), then apply top metallic coat making sure to back brush after every 2 feet of painting. But the results are beautiful!!!

One of her favorite things in the room (and mine too) is her chandelier.

It has made such a difference having all of the kids in the basement. The house stays cleaner, the chaos seems more manageable (I had 11 kids running through the house at one time & I didn't want to cry), and the phrase "I really don't like my roommate" hasn't been heard in months!

****DEEP HAPPY SIGH OF CONTENTMENT****

Duck Dynsasty Wannabe

Rob and I have come to an agreement about his beard...

Let me just say that I really wanted to slap everyone silly that encouraged him with compliments about how good he looks with the beard (his mom was the WORST). Don't get me wrong, it's not that he didn't look hot-I simply disliked kissing all that hair! I wasn't buying into the Duck Dynasty facial hair love...it did not make me "Happy, Happy, Happy".

Since he LOVES it and I don't, we had to find a happy compromise. 
I admit it is his face and all, but I need to not laugh every time his beard touched me; so we made a deal. He could look like a Duck Dynasty wannabe from November 1st to February 28th and he will shave from March 1st thru October 31st. Although, he is trying to convince me that our Halloween costumes this year should be Robertson clan inspired and he needs to start growing it now-we will see who wins this battle soon enough I guess!

I am kind of afraid that for his 40th birthday next year he will tell me all he wants is to grow a beard for the entire year...I'm gonna have to start thinking now so my gift idea sounds way better than that!

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust...or Cash

All it takes is FAITH, 

TRUST and something I forgot...

DUST! Just a little bit of pixie dust 
(and a medium amount of cash)!

Our window of opportunity was small...ONE YEAR.
Lauren couldn't be too old and yet Hayden had to be just old enough...
This was our year...

For Christmas we gave the kids a Disney Cruise and a week at Disney World. And since we survived our last cruise sans any icebergs, shark attacks or hurricanes the kids response was actually ecstatic when we told them!

Exploring the Oceaneer's Club and Lab

 

This place was AMAZING! There were two separate places the kids could go play. The Club(where they engaged in more imaginative play...like dance party with Minnie) or the Lab(think Captain Jack leads you on a treasure hunt through the ship or the nutty professor builds volcanoes with you).

 Once they were checked in, they could transfer between the two places and there were always at least two different organized activities in each club at all times. From 8am to midnight-playtime!!! They would page us if the kids needed us, but they all LOVED IT!!! We got off the ship & Grandpa asked if the kids wanted to go on to Disney World or just get back on the ship for another week..."THE SHIP!!!" Too bad for them, Grandpa wasn't in charge & I'd already paid for a week at Disney World-no going back!

 We loved having Grandma and Grandpa Cooper come with us!

The kids room and their verandah

Water Sliding @ Sea

Hello, St. Marteen-so nice to finally meet you!

This beach was great
 (except for the locals stopping every 2 minutes to try to sell you their wares)

Lauren wanted a hair wrap as one of her souvenirs. Just as a fair warning-the price they quote you is PER INCH OF HAIR. 
They don't tell you that, until AFTER they are finished and waiting impatiently for you to scrounge together a zillion dollars. That was one expensive souvenir!!!

Ended the beach day with lunch and a little touristy shopping.

We got to meet quite a few characters while on-board ship

 

Aahhh-St. Thomas(Maegan's Bay)...
so we meet again old friend!

What could make breakfast better than napkin hats?

Our Family's Favorite Port

Newest Family Member? 

Jack Sparrow...

"There should be a captain somewhere in there."

 This island swim platform opened once the tide came in. The kids could swing from the rope monkey bars and drop into the water.

This is the water slide island that is located a short swim off the beach.

Since there was no surf for Ben to play in, he spent his time paddling around the bay in a rental tube

You might be asking yourself, so was it worth all the STRESS, HEADACHE AND MONEY...I mean FAITH, TRUST AND PIXIE DUST?

It was worth EVERY OUNCE!!!