Home Searching

A couple weeks ago, I had a dream Michael and I moved into a house. I woke up that morning feeling excited and pulled up houses for sale on the internet. I ended up finding a large, beautiful home overlooking the golf course. It was only $175,000! There was a little box on the website where you could write comments. I posted how the house was something we may be interested. That's how I first met Devin. 

Devin is a Realtor, and he called me literally within seconds of my inquiry about the house. Unfortunately, the house I was interested in was a "Short Sale" home. Knowing nothing about houses and real estate, Devin took 10 minutes just to explain what "Short Sale" meant. To make simple, he told me the house was not available and that he personally wouldn't recommend buying a "Short Sale" home, because of the deceiving list prices and the long process. 

He asked me what we were looking for in a home, and told me he could email me a list of homes for sale. I told him we hadn't really discussed it as a couple and didn't even know what we could afford. he recommended a lendor and told me he would keep in touch. 

Later that day I nervously approached Michael about the subject. We had discussed buying a home once before, and he expressed his desire to stay in our apartment until he was finished with school. Michael is extremely busy, and I knew he wouldn't be able to participate much in the home buying experience.  I offered to do all the work. Surprisingly this time, he told me if it was something I really wanted, I could run with it. So... That's exactly what I've done!

I've talked with Jon Aldrige with First Colony Mortgage and got qualified for a home loan. I've also talked a lot more with Devin, and today, we walked through 7 different houses! My mom and dad also came with us. Ahhh! it's all so exciting! Let me show you my favorites. 

426 S 1400 W, Spanish Fork UT 84660

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BEDS	BATHS	SQFT	YEAR	ACRES
3	3	1,475	2009	0.14

1475 sq ft, 2 car garage w/opener, built 2009, fenced back yard, sprinkling system and central air! This beautiful home is just like new inside! Open floor plan, tile entry, gorgeous kitchen with large dining area w/wall seating and built in desk w/cabinet above! Huge master bedroom w/ huge walk-in closet! Laundry upstairs with the bedrooms! Spotless bathrooms, large master bath! Lots of storage in spacious crawl space! This home is the perfect way to start home ownership at a price you can afford! 

This house is really nice. It's on the smaller side of the homes we viewed today. It's right behind the old sugar mill. It's fully fenced so we could get a dog. :) The only thing I'm worried about this home is that there won't be enough room inside for Michael to practice karate during the winter. 

505 S 1230 W, Spanish Fork UT 84660

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BEDS	BATHS	SQFT	YEAR	ACRES
4	3	2,081	2007	0.14

Why buy a new home when you can buy this "Like New" home with over $30,000 in upgrades? Home is very well maintained inside and out. Private back yard with Vinyl fencing. Very nice manicured yard. Great curb appeal! Functional floor plan with family room off the kitchen. Square footage figures are provided as a courtesy estimate only and was obtained from County Records. Buyer is advised to obtain an independent measurement.

This home is definitely a possibility! It is very nice and spacious inside. The owners were out of town, and were very particular about how we entered their house. They didn't want us to scare their cat. Man! That cat was spoiled! Kitty isn't even that spoiled! The cat had toys everywhere around the house, and a castle mad of scratching posts. Ha ha. We saw two other homes with a very similar floor plan to this one, but this was the only one with a half bath on the main floor. They also have a vegetable garden in the back. 

449 W 200 S, Spanish Fork UT 84660

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BEDS	BATH	SQFT	YEAR	ACRES
4	3	2,162	1998	0.12

IMMACULATE Spacious and well lit four bedroom home in quiet Spanish Trails. New carpet through much of the home and gorgeous granite throughout. Extra-Large vaulted master bedroom with office nook, built in shelves, private master bath with separate toilet and large walk-in closet. Quality craftsmanship shows throughout the home starting with the exterior stucco and tile roof. The home is close to parks, ball fields, shopping and the freeway, but is also close to walking trails, rivers, and open space. Don't miss the wood burning fireplace with gas log lighter, large laundry with sewing or craft area, upgraded fixtures throughout, and the two car garage that easily fits a large truck and SUV with storage to spare. Easy to show. Will entertain all offers. Please take a peek at the photo tour.

This one was my favorite! It's also the most expensive... It has a fireplace, a jetted tub and a beautiful vaulted ceiling in the main room. I absolutely love the green door and shutters. They're so unique. 

Look at the Living room! Gorgeous!

Tomorrow, Michael will see the last two. Fingers crossed, he'll like on of them and we can move forward from there. 

My Poor Acura

Look what my brother did to the Legend!

So the guy in front of Adam stopped short, making him slam on his brakes. The guy behind  Adam tried to swerve but still ended up crushing the back corner. 

I know it's not mine anymore, but it was my first car! and it still makes me sad :'(

Picnic and Pelicans

My poor boy got sick today. I'm positive it's because he's trying to do so much... Just this weekend we had 5 birthday parties, a free karate community karate event and the Springville parade! I'm not going to lie, it has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life. I'm so grateful for my parents who helped out so much!

Iron Man came to see us after the parade. :)

Anyway, because Michael was sick, we decided to relax with each other instead of going over to my parents house for dinner. We made a couple sandwiches, and had a picnic at the duck pond. It was so fun! We ate, made and sailed paper boats and fed the ducks. And guess who the ducks were sharing their pond with! Yep! That's right. These guys:

Aren't they so cool!?

This night is definitely on my "dates to repeat" list. 

Happy 24!

Let me just start off by saying, What an AWESOME weekend!

Friday!

Scott started us off by throwing a birthday celebration for Michael the night before. We went to Brick Oven with a bunch of crazies. ;)

I think the Waitress was a little relieved when we walked out of the restaurant. Ha ha

Then we went to see the new Star Trek movie. Which was awesome. 

Michael and I had the entire night paid for! Thank you Scott. :)

Saturday!

The following day was Michael's actual birthday. He turned 24. Woo Hoo!

Isn't he such a cutie! 

I planned a party for him with his family. It was especially fun, because his sister Bonnie, and her family were in town for the weekend.

 We ate lunch, and played for hours! We played:

• Pop the Balloon
• Army Navy
• Water Balloon Volley Ball
• Everybody's It Tag
• Star Wars
• Volley Ball
• Kick Ball

With the help of my mom and sister Grace, I even made a fishing booth!

Did it actually let me upload videos!? As Michael would say, "Un milagro!"

Here's Michael fishing out one of his birthday gifts, a couple of tickets to the Living Planet Aquarium!

The Living Planet Aquarium was Amazing! There were so many cool things to see! And... I got to pet a ray!

Look! It's Dory

The otters may have been my favorite. even thought they were just sleeping.

So FUN! I want to go back...

Sunday!

Sunday, was our new baby nephew, Noah's baby blessing. Isn't he adorable?

Monday!

Monday was Memorial Day. It felt so good to have an extra day to play. We started the day by throwing a karate party for the nephews. Charlene was nice and let us use the studio. Instead of birthday chopping a birthday cake, they chopped a breakfast cake with a samurai sword. In addition, Camille brought several different kinds of muffins.  Yummy! Look at all the fun we had! 

and, I'm stealing these from Kimberly, because I think they're awesome! Especially the one of Jonny.

Poor Dad hurt his ankle. At least he was able to break a board.

After all the karate fun, we headed up to the canyon. It wouldn't be Memorial day if we didn't hold some cucumber boat races, now would it?

My boat was ahead, but Michael's passed at the last second... This was probably our tenth run. The sails were no longer intact. You're luck if the sail lasts the first run! Ha ha. 

Well, like I said, it was such a great weekend! Thank you for everyone who contributed, and to the Brooks family for the good times! We love you all!

4th Degree Test & Karate Tournament 2013

So... I've been kind of reluctant to blog. Blogging has been a good outlet for me since I've been too busy to write in my journal. However, it's also very frustrating. Videos take ages to upload (if they upload at all), and the last post I wrote, about my experiences and friendships I made while I was working at Hogi Yogi, had issues saving and I lost the entire post! Grrr..
Anyways, I figured I'd give it another go because earlier this month was mine and Michael's 4th degree black belt test and the spring 2013 Bobby Lawrence Karate tournament.
We started off the tournament with the demo team competitions. Scott put our demo together. We performed well that night. We placed first in the 3A division, which somewhat surprised me. So here goes my attempt to upload the video. Let's see if it's going to work this time... Nope. Not today. I guess pictures will have to suffice.

The remainder of the tournament went very well. Michael and I showed up a little late to judge, and they already had all the rings organized by the time we got there. For me, it was perfect. It gave me the opportunity to bounce from ring to ring to watch and cheer for all my ninjas. 

Addison and Quinn getting ready to compete. 

Austin Poulsen. He placed first with White Tiger. I was one proud instructor! 

Landon and his brother Garrett. 

I was so proud of Landon! He messed up on White Tiger, but  he restarted , and with a couple ques from me, he got through the entire kata!

Here's Carson. 

He got that third place medal in flag sparring. And then guess what he did with it! He placed around his baby sisters neck. Awww!

Me and the Bronsons. This picture is becoming a tradition. 

 There were over 600 competitors, and we got through all the divisions hours before the black belt test! 

I didn't do great in my division, but I expected as much. I can't hope to place when I don't practice at home... Yeah I have to do better with that. I did however do better in sparring. I scored 3 points on Joelle, which I consider an accomplishment. 

Michael on the other hand, was AMAZING! (I love bragging about my husband!) He placed in every event he competed in! He took third in traditional kata and 1st in traditional weapons kata. His weapon kata was called Total Eclipse of the Moon. His commas were slicing through the air so fast! you couldn't even see them! 

Now to the good part. Sparring!!

Not only did Michael place first in his division, but he went on and became the GRAND CHAMPION!! Woo Hoo! Here are the people he faught:

Colten

Kuba

Jared Stout (AF)

Martin Tinoco (Lindon)

I hate watching him spar... It seems like every time he gets hurt... 1st it was his foot, and he had to wear his black boot. Last year he took a sidekick to his ribs, and they hurt for months after. This time, in his match against Jared, he took a spinning hook kick to the head, and it actually knocked him out! Right after the kick, he stumbled and then collapsed into Miki's arms. Miki was one of the side judges. He was only out for a couple seconds before he came to. The paramedic came and checked him for any signs of a concussion. I guess he passed all the tests, because they let him back out to spar. Ah! He really needs to stop scaring me like that! Anyway, he finished and won his match against Jared, and then he won the Grand Champion match  which he fought Martin Tinoco. I actually have footage of that one, but Michael thinks it's a boring match and didn't want me to post it. Next time. 

For winning, Michael got $500 prize money. 

Check out Spanish Fork's loot this year! 

And then the wife takes the prize money. ;)

Now, on to the test. There were pros and cons to the black belt test this year. They ran it differently than they've done in the past. We started off with 50 squats, and  this time there were 4 rotations. The rotations consisted of kicks, power karate, weapons and grappling. Then we were tested on the first part of Kanku Di and Kanku Sho. I thought it ran smoothly, and I liked the addition of the power karate.

I disliked that Michael and I weren't tested on any of our 3rd degree curriculum, and that the 3rds and above weren't highlighted like they've always done in the past. Oh well... Also, Miki wasn't the m.c. He is the best! Maybe next time. 

Well, Michael and I are now officially 4th degrees. Here's the video of us receiving our belts. We must be rubbing off on each other, notice how we do the same fist pump. Ha ha. (I attempted to upload it...)

Here's the rest of the testers.