The Handyman Can

I still can't believe that at 27 years old I own a home and property...thank you Mike! As we work on the house, I'm reminded how blessed I am that for the most part Mike has the skills to do the improvements himself. People ask me specifically what Mike does in construction and I find myself telling them, "He can do anything." I often swell with pride when talking about my husband, it's easy to brag about him. If there is ever anything he can't do on his own, Mike's friends are quick to jump in to help. They each bring their own area of expertise. Collectively they are welders, electricians, plumbers, excavators...the list is endless! They are incredibly gracious with their equipment and time. It's an amazing community of friends.That's another one of Mike's gifts...the man knows people. Granted he's lived in this town for most of his life, Mike knows people wherever he goes. There is always someone who knows someone who can get the job done.

Our latest project is the master bathroom remodel. It turned out perfectly. It is now my favorite room in the house. I love, love, love it! Mike had some guys do the tile and he wrapped up the rest. Here are some before and after pictures:

Mike demos the ugly floral tile...

In with the new...my mother-in-law Judie helped me pick the paint color, she's got style :)

The pebbles remind me of being at the beach...

These cabinets are the best! You slam the door and the hinges close them slowly so they never slam. Amazing.

We're waiting for a glass shower door

Why, look at this! A place to shave my legs!

I have dubbed this bathroom my personal day spa. The pictures don't do it justice~

21

Michael,
June 27, today you are 21. Wait, haven't you been 21 for a couple of years now?

(That must be fruit punch?)

The day I met you I got to your house and your Dad wasn't home yet. No formal introduction, just you and me. You were sitting on the bed in your Dad's room with a People magazine. I plopped down next to you and we bonded over celebs and a bag of chips (no change for us there). I was amazed at how mature you were. People comment on how different you and your Dad are, but I know better. You have your father's clever wit, commitment to your family, and at times your mannerisms are identical.

People smile whenever you are around. Your Dad tells me it's always been this way. He says that you were the happiest baby and you loved to make everyone laugh. I am so proud of all that you've taken on. Working two jobs, going to school, president of GALA, and still you have the fullest social life of anyone I know. Honestly, I feel famous when I'm out with you. Sit down at a table and-boom! a bottle of bubbly is sent over. Go out dancing and not only is it straight to the front of the line, but no cover for us 'she's related to Michael' they whisper as we waltz in, VIP style. I am the luckiest stepmom alive. That's all the fun stuff, but I truly am proud of the person you are. I treasure our friendship and love you so very much.

You're going to have an awesome time in Vegas, have a wonderful 21st birthday Michael Charles Beck!

I love you~

You both look like baby boys

Mike with Michael

Michael and Maegann at the lake

Mike and Michael

Christmas Eve ice skating tradition, brother and sister

Michael trying to get Dave Hovey's attention, clearly trying to get on the news

Because I'm a wicked stepmother :)

MBDC

We finally have a business identity for Michael Beck Drywall Construction! By chance I found the web page of local designer Nolan Henderson of Eternal Vision Design. I saw his portfolio and instantly loved his style of work. We met up for lunch to discuss ideas and we clicked right away. Nolan helped us with a MBDC identity, business cards, and t shirt design. Check out the logo on the business cards...

Congratulations to Nolan who is getting married this weekend!!!
Thanks for all your help Nolan.

Hormones and needles and pills, oh my!

In vitro fertilization, IVF, is such an involved process it's hard to wrap my mind around each step. I have been getting shots of depot lupron from the doctor's office, but now we'll be doing the meds at home. Last Thursday we had an appointment to practice (we used saline in the needles). Mike did great! He didn't hesitate and he understood exactly how to mix the vials. My favorite part is the ease and humor he can bring to any situation. Here we are in a doctors office with me bent over a chair, bare ass in the air. Leave it to Mike to whisper something in my ear to make me smile as a needle pierces into my bum.

As of Monday, we have been doing it on our own and it's not as bad as I anticipated. I give myself a shot of lupron in the stomach and Mike gives me repronex by intermuscular injection in the behind. The lupron is to prevent premature release/ovulation of the eggs and the repronex to to develp/mature more than one egg from the ovaries.

I HATE needles. I can wax anything on my body and take the pain, but when it comes to needles I get claustrophobic and creeped out. Somehow this is different. It's very uncomfortable, but it's obvious that this is a small sacrifice for a baby. I am also taking estrace pills and the side effects are ok. I have intense hot flashes! I finally get what these are, my regrets to all the menopausal women out there...it is not fun! I have been very nauseous but I had the flu for three days so who knows what contributed to that. Our next office visit is on June 30 where we will have an ultrasound to see if all is going well. We anticipate the actual egg harvest and embryo transfer to happen early July. We are told it might not work the first time. I have mentally prepared myself for this but I'm so emotionally fragile I know it will be disappointing if it doesn't. On the plus side, we forked over so much money that we get to work with Dr. S. for two years!

(Ouch! Mike does a much better job than I do, my bum does not have bruises!)


We were camping this weekend and visited our family SanDee and Earl on the way home. As always, we left feeling loved and encouraged. SanDee and I were talking and she reminded me of scriptures in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart"

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I claim these scriptures and I pray them over me and my baby/babies. God has already chosen them and planned a purpose for them, a purpose for me. I feel vulnerable and broken, but I am reminded that I'm not alone.

Maegann's junior prom

Meg and her friends met up at Grandpa Joe's to take pictures, then they were off to dinner at AJ Spurs before they got their dance on. Have you seen a prettier girl?






Note to self: do not ask the girl to smile with her braces...

Michael at the court house

On May 15, 2008, the Supreme Court of California struck down the ban on same-sex marriages saying sexual orientation, like race or gender, "does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights." As president of GALA, Michael had the honor of addressing the community and press in front of the San Luis Obispo court yard to respond. Alongside Channel 6, 11, and 12, I shot my footage. (hmmm...why isn't the video uploading?)

Michael is a leader and an advocate, he is already doing amazing things!

First blog post!

In an attempt to teach myself the ropes, I'm going to post a bunch all at once (aka, I'm a school counselor off for the summer and I have time on my hands). As I'm shooting up with hormones and popping pills, I'm in need of a distraction and creative outlet. Feel free to drop us a comment and share what's been going on with your family. Here's what's happening in ours...