Caitlin's Blessing

With the move going on at the same time, I completely neglected to take pictures of Caitlin on her blessing day. I'm sure I will always regret that slightly. However I did manage to snap one shot when we got home. Uncle Jon was just gazing at the baby while she slept in the carseat and I thougth it was so special. I love my brother and I love that he loves children so much.
Caitlin wore the same dress that my sister Heather and I were both blessed in. The boys were both blessed in Michael's blessing outfit, so it has become something of a family tradition. I used a silk flower from my wedding veil in Caitlins hair to complete the ensemble. She was beautiful and the blessing was beautiful. It was our very last week in the Hyrum 12th ward, and I thougth it fitting to have Caitlin blessed there.

You are about to receive a virtual tour of Mayfield, Utah. Now that we have lived here for an entire week, I feel as though I know the place well enough to offer some small descriptions. I hope you enjoy this snapshot into one of the most well preserved country living towns I’ve ever had the privilege to explore.

The post office: Due to the fact that Mayfield doesn’t provide home delivery service for mail, everyone in town visits the post office on a daily basis to retrieve and send mail, and to socialize. The post office is the hub of town for day to day chit chat, and catching up on the latest news. On my first visit I learned all about the most recent haystack fire, on my second I got details on an upcoming wedding. If there’s something going on, you’ll find out about it at the post office.

Town hall: Next door to the post office is Mayfield town hall. A beautiful and modern building, my only experience here so far involved the end of summer reading program. All the young families in town gathered on Wednesday night to watch their children perform little skits from stories they had read over the summer. We met several families that are a lot like us. Once again, everyone was very friendly and excited to get to know us. The town hall is not large, just big enough to hold maybe 100 people. Apparently there is a basement about the same size because a little idea has been floating around the community that the Barlow’s should set up their theater down there. The nearest movie theater is in Gunnison, 7 miles away, and it is under renovation. Wouldn’t it be neat to have a mini theater right in Mayfield town hall?

The cemetery: Just a few blocks west of our house on our road is the cemetery. We took a little drive around the place Thursday evening to have a look. Sorensons, Petersons, Michelsons, Olsons, Nelsons, Christiansens, etc. Most of Sanpete was settled by Scandinavian pioneers, and it seems Mayfield is no exception. I wonder if it would be a scandal to have a Barlow buried there. Maybe we could change the name to Barlowson. There are also several Whitlocks, which I found out yesterday are related to my grandpa Gene. What a small Scandinavian world.

The order: When Mayfield was settled, a small portion of the community continued practicing the united order. They were the folks on the north end of town, and so to this day the north side is called “the order”. I met a young mother at story time on Wednesday and when I asked her where she lived, she simply said “I live in the order.” My neighbor had to clarify where that was and why it’s called that. It is a fun bit of history that has been preserved. Some names just stick.

Mayfield estates…aka Stonehenge: What do you know, there is a new part of town. It has been hard for new people to move into Mayfield because people hold on to their land here. But over the last few years a subdivision called Mayfield estates has opened up on the north side of town. Beautiful, large, modern homes are going up there, and they seem almost out of place. I’m glad though, because if we decide we like it here guess where we will be building. Some people like to refer to the area as “Stonehenge” due to the boulder work at the entrance of the subdivision. The landscape does leave something to be desired – maybe Mike can do something about that.
Cobble heaven: The canyon road leading east from town travels through a beautiful area of farms and fields referred to as cobble heaven. Heaven seems like an appropriate description of the area. It is so serene and lovely.

Frog hollow: The West side of town is called Frog hollow. Rae Lou Olsen told me that before they put in the irrigation canal there were streams and ponds all over around there that spawned frogs. All the adults in the area have fond memories of catching frogs around there when they were kids. Maybe there are still some frog ponds around – I know my boys would just love that.

The merc: As you roll into town, the first public building you come to is a little market with a single gas pump called “the merc”. I think the name has officially changed to 16 mile market, or something like that, but everyone still calls it the merc. I haven’t actually been in there yet, but according to a neighbor it used to have a café inside that was “really hopping”. My neighbor Holly especially liked their scones. But, alas, the café is closed down now and it is just a little market.

Mayfield Manor: On the block south of the post office and town hall is a large building that as far as I can tell is sitting vacant. It used to be a rest home, but the place was so run down and gross that now it seems to be nothing. I wonder if someone will try to renovate it, if it will be torn down, or if it will just be left to sit for who knows how long.

The park: Mayfield has one of the most beautiful parks I’ve seen in Utah. It’s obvious that the community really takes pride in the green beauty there. The place has beautiful old shade trees as well as lots of young trees. Mike loves that they are planning for the future. The play equipment is fairly new, and the local Lions club just installed a fabulous toy train with bell and all. Everyone in town is proud of the work the Lions club has done at the park. There is an amphitheater and two covered pavilions as well as baseball and basketball areas. Mayfield has a lovely public park.

The Whitlock house: Last but not least, I introduce you to the Whitlock house. This is where we live. I think it’s the cutest house in town. We are renting it from Dale Whitlock, who says it has been in his family since it was built in the 1900s. Several people say they remember playing here when they were children. The place has a lot of history. It also has a lot of quirks. We call it “the rabbit hole” because it reminds us of Alice in Wonderland. Everywhere you turn there is something a little odd. But all that just gives it character.

That concludes my little tour of Mayfield, Utah. I hope you enjoyed seeing a snapshot of what we are now surrounded by on a daily basis. If you ever feel inclined to come and visit, please do! Everyone will be so glad you came.

Moving to Mayfield

So much change, so little time. I sit here today and I can’t believe that just six weeks ago I woke Michael from his sleep to tell him that I was in labor and needed to get to the hospital. Since that night we have had a baby, interviewed for jobs, got a teaching job at Gunnison Middle School, put our house up for sale, house hunted in Gunnison, rented out our Hyrum house, found a rental house in Mayfield, packed up, moved, and unpacked in a completely new town and home with a completely new career, and what feels like a completely new family with the addition of Caitlin.
Since that night I have learned and experienced so much. I’ve learned that each baby brings a special and unique kind of joy to your life. Caitlin is such a special gift. Cuddling a sleeping baby is Gilead’s balm. Everyone in the family loves her, but the bond between Caitlin and Joshua has been especially strong which is fitting since the baby looks just like her big brother.
I’ve learned that my body is an incredible piece of equipment. I labored and gave birth in a little over three hours with no pain medications. I’ve been able to nurse a healthy strong baby. My recovery was quick. Emotionally I have been fairly stable, and when I’m not I understand that I shouldn’t fight the hormones. I’ve been able to do all the work that has been demanded of me. I’m grateful for my healthy strong body.
I’ve learned that our family is capable of stretching our abilities to meet the demands placed on us. Watching us all take these life changes in stride has amazed me. The baby cries, someone takes care of it. Something breaks, someone takes care of it. A job needs doing, someone does it. Everyone’s hungry, someone starts dinner. Someone gets emotionally overtaxed, everyone else supports and lifts. We have proved that family is a strong force and support system.
I’ve learned that there is beauty everywhere. I’ve never particularly cared for Sanpete county. I always found it fairly barren and devoid of interest. But I believe god has given me a gift. Everywhere I look I see sites that take my breath away. Whether it is the sunsets, the acres of alfalfa, the rocky ridgeline, the Victorian houses, the quaint towns, the scenic canyons, beauty surrounds me. I’m falling in love with the land in Sanpete.
I’ve learned that good people can be found anywhere. I guess I already knew this one, but a few points have driven the concept home. The elders chorum moved us out in Hyrum, and the Elders chorum moved us in Mayfield. The relief society bid me farewell in Hyrum, and the Relief society president brought us dinner our first night in Mayfield. I was so glad to be in touch with the RS, that I threw my arms around her neck when she told me who she was! Our next door neighbors are our age and have children our children’s age – they already have best friends. Everyone has been friendly and kind. We feel welcome here.
I’ve learned to lean on extended family. I don’t know what we would have done these last six weeks without Barlows and Jaussis. Carrie and Jon, Dad and Jan, Grandma Jaussi, Ma, Mom and Dad B, Daniel, Becky, all of them have been giving, working, babysitting, feeding, advising, driving, animal tending, and listening. We have asked more from our extended family this month than ever before and I am proud that I have such a strong support system. I’ve not always been able to say that and it’s nice to know that when it is needed they are there.
I’ve learned that 100 year old houses can be creepy and charming at the same time. Our new home is a beautiful old Victorian house that has been updated rather nicely. It has central air and a gas furnace, new appliances, new wiring and plumbing, storm windows, etc. But there are still things that are just plain old and gross. I need to go through room by room with a toothbrush and pine-sol. I keep finding spiders in all the dark spaces. We’ve nicknamed the place “The Rabbit Hole” in honor of Alice in Wonderland. Everywhere you turn there’s something…odd. Doors that are sealed up, doors that lead nowhere, a hole in the kitchen ceiling that leads into the upstairs boys room, light switches in odd places, no plugs in the bathrooms, stairs so steep you have to go down sideways, an exterior door on the second story with no railing, pea green bathroom fixtures, bats swarming the yard at dusk, and so on. Everywhere you turn the house gives you a surprise. That being said, with every box that is unpacked there is more and more of a spirit of home here. It is quickly becoming our home -eccentricities and all- because we love each other here and have brought our history and sense of self here.
I have learned a new level of organization and list making. I’ve always been a list maker, but this month I’ve had to be so organized to make sure nothing important falls through the cracks. In our marriage I am primarily in charge of finances so the lot fell to me to arrange all of the banking, switch over all the utilities, set up all the new accounts, enrolling Joshua in school, etc. I’ve been impressed at how well I’ve been able to manage the “business” end of things; especially with a renter in our house. It gives me a sense of pride to know that I am capable of handling financial and legal matters efficiently.
I have learned to be happy with who I am. One of my fears in the whole move was that I would lose my sense of self. People can be judgmental in small towns, and I love to please people. But just understanding that about myself helps me stand up to the temptation to change for anyone besides me. So what if you get sideways glances when I pop a Diet Coke. So what if people think I am strange because I like home theater but not four wheeling. So what if my son wants long shaggy hair instead of the missionary cut. I will be who I am and try to love others for who they are despite what they think of me.
Babies, career changes, and moves. So much change, so little time.

She's Here!

We just came home from the hosopital a few hours ago, and one of my first priorities is blogging! I'll post the whole story and all the pictures later, but for now let me just introduce Caitlin Clair Barlow. We are so excited to have her here - what a blessing for our family!

7 year old philosophy

Joshua:

"Mom, I know why you have all your babies around holidays. I was your Christmas present, Andrew is your Easter egg, and this baby is your firecracker!"

Master suite part 2

It feels so good to finally say: "It is FINISHED!!!" For the past four months I have been almost single-handedly finishing the basement. It was a HUGE undertaking, and one that required me to expand my skills in ways I never thought I could. Thanks to numerous how-to books and the expertise of friends and families who's brains I picked endlessly, I managed to complete plumbing, electrical, duct work, wall board, tile, refinishing, windowsill, trim, cement board, faucets, mirror doors, light fixtures, vent fan, closet organizer, spray gun texturing, painting, and of course - moving in. This is a picture of my project file. I kept track of virtually everything, because I am just that kind of compulsive person. I also kept a detailed budget and tracked every penny that went into the project. I'm proud to say that we ended up about $1.23 under budget when all was said and done.

This is the room as you enter. It's already cluttered, but in a couple of months when we move baby to the nursery things will be a little roomier and I can focus on actually "decorating." Til then, it is still wonderfully functional. I'm looking forward to having everything I need for night time changing, feeding, and bathrooming in the same place.

Mike and I both wanted to have mirror doors on the closet. Nine years of marriage, and this is the first time we have had a full length mirror in the house. It is so nice to be able to see the whole picture when I look in the mirror! Plus it makes the room feel much larger and spacious.

Instead of installing a traditional shelf and rod I bought a closet organizer. I love having the extra shelf space and three hanging rods. It was a pain to install, but well worth the effort, and surprisingly cheaper than the shelf and rod option.

As much as the kids love the new room, they understand that it's a place for Mom and Dad to relax and be alone if need be. Our own space!

And on to the bathroom... Who knew such a small little room could be so much work? The bane of my spring has been TILE. Everything else was fairly easy for me - I managed to figure out things, or learn things as I went, or just plain logic things out. But tile, OH. It is definitely one of the hardest things I've ever tackled. Having said that, it sure looks nice. Now that it is done I just love the look of it. It was the cheapest alternative for the tub surround surprisingly, which is one reason I resigned myself to it. But if I can ever avoid laying tile in the future, I will!

Now caulk, that I can say I am now a pro at. Give me a can of caulk and a project to seal up and I'm a happy camper.

I'm rambling on like I did this entire project alone. Not so by a long shot. Michael has been so helpful - especially this last month when my energy started to wane. He helped install the tub, install the flooring, install the toilet. He fixed the vanity when it wouldn't fit to our plumbing and rebuilt the drawers. Mike also helped hang the wallboard and install the trim. Thanks honey for lending your muscles when I was tired, and your shoulder when I was frustrated!

I saved a good chunk of money by buying this vanity on KSL. $40 versus $400. It's a little yellow on top, but with a new faucet and refinished wood, it works like a charm and looks pretty good too. Thanks to Carrie, Dad, and Jan for transporting it from Nephi to Hyrum.

Now that this mega project is wrapped up, we can officially say that the house is finished. We can also say that the yard is finished. And all that work in just six years. It's nice to have it done and to know that we haven't acquired any extra debt to do it. I don't know if we will recoup all of our investment if we end up selling, but it sure is nice to have everything done. It's nice to have the space. It's nice to have the skills. I wonder how long it will take till we get antsy for a new project....I'm pretty sure it won't be for a while because this has worn me out! But it is done, and now we can focus on baby. Yeah!