The Big News

Well, Jonny and I have some great news.  A highlight of this past spring was Jonny's new job in Heber, UT.  We are so ecstatic about this 'dream job' for him.  Well, on one of his conference trips, he met another teacher who explained the Self Help Homes program.  I then spent the next week learning EVERYTHING I could about this program.  It is through the USDA (yes the agriculture department), that allows for families that are below a certain salary to receive a loan.  Then, your family is required to spend 35 hours a week helping to build your home and the home of those within your group.  These families do everything except lay the foundation, plumbing, and electricity.  However, that is what is considered the down payment.  Once all the houses for the group are completed, you can move into your home and it is in your complete ownership.  Homes in Heber can be pricey, especially from a teacher's salary.  So we decided to send in our application for this program.  It took seven weeks to get it cleared from the government, but we found out this week that we have been accepted.  We were able to decide our lot and floor plan.  We are so excited to begin building our own house.  It is all within the confines of the program but there are still some leeway.

Here is our lot and a picture of our floor plan.  We are not sure exactly how the house will sit on the lot.

Our lot is off of the culde-sac right in the center.  It is the little culde-sac that seems to be just right off the road.  We are on the lot that is not developed in the corner.

This is our floor plan.  This is our best picture of the plan.  If you want more information look at selfhelhomes.org

We are hoping to start building in the middle of September but it will most likely be October.

The Rest of Summer in One Great Package

Wow, where to begin.  My Mom, Dad, and sister had the opportunity to come visit us the week after Independence Day.  Oh, I had so much fun with them visiting.  I am so glad they could come.  I had started summer classes but thankfully they didn't keep me too busy.  While they were here we visited seven different temples.  My favorite was Manti, that is such a majestic temple.  It was great to have Krista come with us this time too.

Next, Jonny had his GOLDEN birthday!  I gave him a golden ticket birthday.  Many of his gifts were tied up in this golden (really orange) balloons.  But we had a wonderful day together.

Oh, and we also decorated our own cupcakes instead of cake.  We had a lot of fun playing with different tips.

We have kept the rest of summer busy with various random other activities.  

We went on a 12 mile bike ride from our current house all the way to the Riverwoods.  That was a lot of fun and we enjoyed walking around the shops

Free movie in the park!  Not to mention there was free ice cream.  We had a lot of fun watching a movie we haven't seen in a really long time.

This week Jonny officially starts school.  I on the other hand have a two week break with nothing to do.  So, I decided to volunteer at education week, and I now have a pass to the rest of the week.  I am so excited for the classes that are offered.

It has been a great summer.