Sticky Kisses: 2016

As a graduation present "for David", Mom and Dad took the whole family to Disneyland. I had no idea how much fun that would be! I also learned some very interesting things about David that I had not known before.

1. He had no idea how it was one of David's top three happy places, along with the temple and sailing.

2. I finally learned what it sounds like when he yells, and when he screams. Put him in the tower of terror and you will hear the sound of unadulterated horror--it starts as fear, then moves to an angry roar. I asked him about it, and he said, "I start out scared, then I get angry that I am scared and that I chose to get on the dumb ride in the first place.

3. He could ride Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and listen to the live entertainment all day and feel he got his money's worth.

I personally enjoyed some of the amazing food (I'm looking at you New Orleans Cafe) and experiencing the rides for the first time in my memory.

It was fun to see that Maggie and Ami loved the crazy roller coasters. Susanna and Tim took after their Dad, which is funny, because that follows genetic lines (Susanna and Tim look more like the Hoffman side).

Possibly the best vacation we have ever taken!

After a very normal evening training new ordinance workers, serving at the temple, David headed out to the car and got his phone from the trunk. A text message from an unknown number was left a few minutes before.

"David, what is your schedule tomorrow? This is [name of one of the head administrators of the Church Educational System]."

He responded and after a few texts, we were set to meet this individual in about 8 hours.

As we talked, we figured David's expertise in online education might be used in the upcoming online emphasis of the organization.

We opened up the computers and found the two options for public transportation to Salt Lake City, then went to bed without any understanding of what would occur in the next morning's meeting.

We sat down to meet the next morning, and the administrator immediately explained the purpose in meeting. The individual who is currently the coordinator over the New Jersey North area of the Church has been called as a temple presidency member and they want David to fill the position.

It is interesting to look at how the Lord has prepared him for this opportunity, through advanced degrees, opportunities to work with individuals who have experience in this type of assignments, along with leaders and callings that have provided significant preparation.

His assignment includes the following opportunities: He will mentor and train the stake-called instructors of the Seminary & Institute classes in five of the six stakes in New Jersey, working with Priesthood leaders to administer the Seminary and Institute program. He will be the institute director and instructor at Princeton University. He will work with full-time CES missionary couples who teach institute throughout the region.

After the meeting, we performed some work for the dead to consider the option. More specifically, to let David consider it, because this is basically my dream assignment: east coast where my husband can do what he does well (take care me and the family, train teachers, teach the gospel, respond in faith to philosophical ideas, and drive). Plus! depending on where we live, we may get to be part of the new Philadelphia Temple district! Exciting.

We sat down with the children and had a family council. We started to talk about the families in the Book of Mormon who moved; how the Lord stretched them, how things were hard at times, how their faith grew, how they were blessed incredibly, and eventually their lives became far better.

In the middle of the discussion, Susanna asked, "Do we get to go to New Jersey?" No joke.

Once the children and David were in, we informed the company we would like to proceed with the move. There are still some things that will need to fall into place before everything is finalized (i.e. we need to sell our home), but we are excited for the next adventure. These moves are often decade or career-long moves, so we expect we are saying good-bye to Utah (of course, we also thought we were here for the long run, so what do we know?)

That evening, David put on Disney's "Inside Out" and we talked about the various emotions he and the children are feeling as part of the move. We will miss the regular contact with some amazing family members and friends, yet this seems to me to be where we can grow next.

"Adventure is out there!"

P.S. We are selling our home. We built it to last, as we planned on retiring in this location. If you know someone who is looking, please feel free to share this information with them:

Come see an Ivory-built custom family dream home overlooking Utah Valley. Turn into a friendly cul de sac to see this four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home, loaded with extras.

The two and three-tone painted interior is warm and relaxing with complimentary hardwood railing and gas-fireplace mantle. A tile walkway connecting the front, rear, and garage entrances allows guests to take their shoes off on the bench by the coat closet and half-bath before walking on the plush, upgraded carpet. An office/conservatory and living-dining-kitchen effectively fill the main floor, in addition to the three-car garage that includes over 240 square feet of built-in storage shelving and a motorcycle/ATV bay. The kitchen has high-end GE stainless steel appliances including a gas stove and fridge with water filter. The kitchen and bathrooms in the house all feature Hanex® countertops. A walk-in pantry, additional food storage, and hanging pan rack allow the most appliance-happy home chef plenty of storage space.

Head down to the basement that was finished as part of the construction of the home to find two storage rooms and a large, naturally-lit entertainment area. Put a ping pong or pool table up for entertaining before moving to the theater area, pre-wired for seven-speaker surround sound. Children can play in the additional carpeted storage space and child area under the stairs. The water softener system and built-in passive-radon-prevention system are significant comfort and safety upgrades. One of the storage areas can be divided in two to create a fourth full bath in the future, for which it is already plumbed.

Upstairs are the four bedrooms, tile-floor laundry room, and two tile-floor, full bathrooms with integrated sinks. The master suite includes an enormous 19x13 room, bathroom with separate tub and tile shower, and walk-in closet. Another large bedroom features a walk-in closet.

Exit the backdoor, or go through either of the locking side gates out to a professionally fenced backyard. The fence is rated to gusts of 120 miles per hour. Walk around the nearly 1/3 acre of property on five hundred feet of custom cement path. You will pass the bar-b-que and picnic area, large enough for two picnic tables. At the high point of the property you will find a 20x30 foot stone area, with a metal fire pit in the center, surrounded by large sitting stones. From this view, one can see over eight different major fireworks shows on the 4^th of July and dozens more personal showcases! Continue on the path past the concord and red Canadice grapevine custom stainless steel tresses and see this year’s harvest growing. The backyard features two cross-pollinating pecan trees (Giant and Sure-Crop), an Elberta peach tree, a Stella cherry tree, along with Honeycrisp and Red Rome cross-pollinating apple trees. Over twelve thriving raspberry bushes of various varieties line the back fence next to the Russian sage and Rose gardens. Between the paths are a clover field, a wildflower meadow, and a hollyhock patch. Four raised garden plots are currently growing tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkins, and basil. The twelve large pots surrounding the home contain various herbs including multiple types of mint and sage. At the bottom of the yard is the outdoor trampoline, built into the slant of the hill, and secured to the ground with stainless steel anchors. An area was reserved for a future chicken coop near the gardens if the future owner desires. The home is currently a fully-functioning Apiary with three large beehives. Two hives include Italian honeybees, and one Carniolan honeybees. These bees are extremely docile. When properly cared for, these hives produce between 100 and 300 pounds of medical-grade local honey (which can be sold for $8 a pound or enjoyed personally to combat allergies and satisfy taste buds). Keeping bees only requires about 30 hours of work a year outside of the honey harvest. Learning to keep bees is easy, rewarding, and productive. If future owners are not interested in beekeeping, the current owners will arrange for the sale of the hives, as established hives are incredibly valuable.

The house is pre-wired for internet and has a satellite connection hub directly below the East roof to prevent unsightly wires and holes in the house. Other upgrades include LED can lighting throughout, Satin nickel faucets and fixtures, egg-shaped door knobs, toilets are upgraded, elongated, and powerful enough to handle any cooking disasters or successes. Whole house plantation hardwood shutters.

Seven years remaining on manufacturer’s home warrantee, and twenty-three years remain on the roof and select other areas of this immaculately kept home. The only flaw is the mess of tear stains near the brick mailbox where the owners prepared to say goodbye to their intended retirement home as part of a cross-country work transfer only three years after building it. The cherry on top? It is in one of the only parts of Saratoga Springs with CC&Rs but NO HOA fees.

The price and location will be on the MLS on Friday, July 15th, 2016, or you can contact us directly thereafter.