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Monday, April 8, 2013

March Medical Madness {Part 1}

March Madness is right.  We had 16 doctor and therapy appointments this month.  That is pure insanity.  To top it off, we had to learn a new system of getting around.  Jayson has been using his original infant seat since he was born.  We bought one that goes up to 35 lbs and 34".  Well, he was getting long and it was time we make the transition to the new car seat. We got a nice new convertible car seat that has six different reclining positions.  It took me 25 minutes to figure out how to get Jayse inside of it, and it still didn't feel right.  During our first appointment with our new system, he cried the whole time in the car because he didn't like his new seat.  I struggled to get him out.  I piled all of our crap on our stroller.  As the nurse got his vitals his entire stroller tipped over backwards sending everything flying and pulling on his three cables.  The stroller was too back heavy without the infant seat to balance it out.  Wish I could  have figured that out without having our oxygen tank, pulse ox, feeding bag, my purse, the diaper bag, and my soda all over the floor.  The nurse was rude and did not offer to help.  In fact, she acted irritated that I was late and then had the nerve to dump my crap everywhere.  I cried.  It's been a while since I cried due to frustration of getting Jayson around.  I felt like a special needs newbie all over again.  I felt embarrassed and angry.  I wanted to grab my baby, pull out all of his cables, leave all my crap on the floor and run away.  I got a lot of strange looks because not only did I look frazzled, but I now had mascara all over my face from crying.  That first day was a day I wanted to forget.  But at least I had been there before.  The first couple of months I took Jayson out with all of his equipment by myself I cried every time.  I eventually got the hang of it.  I created a system, and could do it with my eyes closed.  This was a transition and it would take time, but I would get it again.  And I had plenty of doctors appointments this month to practice!!


(This was our initial routine for getting Jayson in the car and to doctor appointments. Please ignore the fact that I look hideous in this video. Looking fab is not one of my talents these days haha)

 February 26, 2013

Jayson made it FIVE DAYS AND FIVE NIGHTS WITHOUT OXYGEN!!!!!!!!!!!  I wasn't meaning to try this.  He kept pulling his cannula off at night like he was saying, "I'm done with this mom!!!"  Instead of fighting him and keeping him awake trying to get it on, I decided to wait until he was fast asleep and desatting to put it on.  Well, that never happened.  :)  He is doing better than I ever imagined!!!!!


February 28, 2013

Jayson got to drink juice for the first time today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  He absolutely loved it and blew me away!



March 1, 2013

I was so nervous for today.  I feel like our special care pediatrician has been the only one who has consistently been on our side.  She has always been helpful.  She has always made miracles happen.  What if today ends up being a disappointment?  What if she is just like the rest?  What if she can't help us?  Or won't?  I just wanted to feel like someone was taking me seriously, like someone really cared about Jayson, like someone agreed all of this chaos we have been through has been beyond ridiculous.  I wanted to feel like someone was our advocate, and not just covering another doctor's butt.  I wanted our doctor today to not be intimidated by our GI doc and the consequences of giving medical advice contrary to hers.  I had high hopes for today.

I hardly slept last night due to my anxiety.  I stayed up half of the night getting my notes all in order as well as specific documentation of who said what regarding this stupid feeding tube.  I needed to do everything in my power to ensure we would be heard and be able to come up with a plan for Jayson.  I also spent a couple of hours in prayer and in scripture study searching for guidance and clarity.  Without fail, I got it.  My gracious Father in Heaven never allows me to feel alone.  In fact, I got some very strong guidance as to what needed to happen.  I was guided to do more research regarding the type of tube our past doctor selected to use with Jayson and made a shocking discovery.  I have evidence to believe that the hospital never ran out of the typical GJ tube, and instead our doctor made a selfish medical decision that put my son's health and life at risk.  Many of our discussions flooded my mind and made me physically ill.  It was so clear she had been deceptive to get herself ahead and that her medical counsel over the past few months was NOT made with Jayson's best interest in mind.  She had a motive.  And there will be consequences, but for now that is not important.  Through my discovery and spiritual guidance I learned the reason for our confusion and this back and forth between radiology and GI.  I got the impression it was to give Jayson more time to heal from his original tube placement and to give me the confidence to leave our doctor.  She could not be trusted, and almost any other doctor would be a better option.  I got the impression that it was not critical that I follow all of the guidance of the radiologists such as ensuring the tube change gets done in the OR, requesting a scope, etc.  The most important thing was that I switch doctors.  I found a sense of clarity and what I really wanted to have happen during this visit.  I just hoped I could make this request in a way that does not make my disgust towards our GI doctor apparent.  I needed to be professional, calm and reasonable.

As we arrived I quickly learned that our doctor made a special appointment for us.  She does not typically meet with patients on Fridays.  What a wonderful lady.  We had a great experience with the nurses and got settled into our room.  I got my notes all cued up on my ipad and was ready to tell our story.  Our amazing doctor walked in and I immediately felt at ease.  It's crazy how she always manages to make me feel better.  Mike got to meet her for the first time, and I could tell he already trusted her.  She sat down and listened.  She asked clarifying questions.  She didn't second guess me.  She didn't make excuses.  She didn't interrupt.  She really and truly listened.  I noticed there was not need for me to say all that I had prepared.  She could read me.  She knew what I was thinking, what we had been through, and what needed to be done.  "So, I can see your trust in this doctor has been broken.  Let's find you another GI doctor.  Do you have one in mind?"  That was it???  Really?  I have tried soooo hard to get a new doctor and a solution to our tube problem and I have met numerous obstacles and resistance.  I told her the name of someone I had in mind, simply because I heard this doctor talking with another patient's family and I liked her.  She said, "I can refer you to her if you would like.  Have you ever heard of this other doctor.  He and I have a good relationship.  I really like him and he is very direct and honest.  I think you would like him and that he would be able to take good care of Jayson."  That was all I needed.  I could tell she meant it too.  She really thought this man would take good care of Jayson.  "He has a lot of experience, but also works well with other doctors.  If he doesn't know what to do, he will find someone who will.  And he doesn't work closely with your old doctor, so you wouldn't have to worry about that conflict."  That sounded great.  She said she would contact the new doctor directly, explain our story and situation, and get us into his soonest available appointment.  Amazing.  GI docs are typically booked 3 months out.

She didn't stop there.  "What else?" she asked.  I told her my desire to try and get Jayson to a G-tube, instead of a GJ.  I told her my past GI doctor said it was impossible, that this process would take months.  She kindly disagreed and said that it would be possible given Jayson does not have complicated GI issues.  He has a tube due to aspiration.  It does take time, but if I was willing to push Jayson's limit, we may be able to make it happen.  She met with a team of medical professionals, and even made a few phone calls for support, to come up with a plan to wean Jayson from J feeds to G feeds in his tummy.  I could not believe the help and support she was able to give me.  She also examined Jayson, discussed his meds with us, and wrote us a script to get him some leg braces and additional physical therapy.

We walked out of that appointment feeling like a million kajiliion pounds were lifted off of us.  I sat in our car and cried and cried.  The fight was over.  We had a plan.  And Jayson was going to be okay.


March 7, 2013

Today was our first time in feeding therapy since autumn, and the first time since Jayson passed his swallow study!!!  Jayson got to show his therapist how well he has been eating, how well he is starting to drink, and how much he loves food.  In fact, Jayson at part of a fish stick for the first time in feeding therapy!!!!  Jayse is ready for big boy foods!!!!!!!!

We also witnessed a miracle today.  Before the Chiari decompression surgery, Jayson could NOT put weight on his legs.  They would just collapse.  It was almost as if he didn't know he had legs or how to use them.  Since surgery we have been working on our therapy which includes standing with support.  He  has been getting stronger and stronger, but something clicked today.  He figured out how to use and lock his legs.  He stood for about a minute while holding onto the couch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I honestly didn't know that my sweet boy would EVER be able to do that.  I was a bawling mess, of course.  And like a good mom, I got this proud moment on camera!



Today marks the 2 month mark since his decompression surgery.  I am amazed at the results and progress he has made.  It's more than I dared to have hoped for.  Take a look at some before and afters:
  • before: apnea episodes nearly every night, had to shake him to get him to breathe. After: not a single central apnea episode
  • before: greatly regressed in his swallowing and didn't eat anything by mouth for about 2 months. After: he's eating 12 ounces of stage 2&3 baby foods every day, puffs, crackers, baby snacks, etc.
  • before: Jayson was aspirating daily and especially during any feeds with thick and thin liquids. After: he passed his swallowing test and is now learning to drink thick and thin liquids
  • before: j was on 3/4 liter of oxygen day and night, and would still desat frequently. After: j has been off of oxygen for two weeks now with minimal desats
  • before: he had poor neck and easier control, couldn't sit up, couldn't put weight on his legs, wouldn't reach for toys or respond to play. After: he plays, rolls, sits up, holds his head up and travels around the room all day. He reaches for toys and interacts with them. He can put weight on his legs and stood independently for 1 second.
  • he is also babbling, saying momma and noms, happy all the time, has more energy, tracking better with his eyes, is healthier, is more cognitively aware and interactive, and has many less headaches.

This procedure has been a blessing and we are amazed at the progress Jayson has made in two short months. I am such a grateful and proud momma.

March 8, 2013
Today Jayson said his second word... Hi!  Proud momma once again!


March 11, 2013

We met our new GI doc today.  It went wonderfully.  He walked in, shook my hand, and came over to the table to meet Jayson who had himself wrapped up in the doctor's paper.  He was so prepared and our visit could not have gone smoother.  He had talked to our special care pediatrician on the phone.  He read Jayson's charts.  We didn't waste any time going over the many things in his chart, like most other docs do.  He just asked what I thought needed to be done.  I told him I needed Jayson's tube changed out in the safest way possible.  I told him it was a complicated tube and radiology has some concerns about the removal process.  I told him that it is difficult to find anybody who has seen a tube like this before.  He took a look and said, "Oh yeah, those are buggers.  They use these a lot in Texas.  That's where I worked for ten years before I came to Utah.  I've dealt a lot with these.  They're a little challenging to get out, but it is still an easy procedure.  I have no reservations doing it.  I could do it in the clinic actually, if that is what you wanted.  But it's typically painful so we like to give them a little gas.  We could probably schedule it for next week."  I explained to him that I wanted it done under anesthesia.  Jayson has to go through anesthesiology and not the sedation team due to his issues.  He said, "Not a problem.  We will have to coordinate that through Primary's, and it may take a couple of weeks, but no problem.  Did you want a G or GJ tube?"  I told him my hope of having a G tube instead of a GJ.  He said, "Awesome.  That's what I was hoping you would say.  No problem.  He's done with this GJ.  He doesn't need it anymore, and soon he likely won't need any tube at all.  Let's do it."

And that was basically it.  He gave me a phone number to get him  and his nurse directly, instead of having to go through the system.  He told me his nurse would work on the scheduling, and I left with a huge smile on my face.  Sometimes you know something is the right thing when it is simple, easy and just feels right.  I walked out of that office feeling like things were starting to fall into place.

Our date for this procedure is April 9th at Primary Children's.  We have heard all sorts of stories about this tube.  It's complicated.  It's difficult to remove.  It can cause perforation.  A couple of children have died in the process.  I have spent months in anguish over the decision of when, how, and who should do this procedure.  But now, I feel at peace.  Sure, I will likely be purging on the bathroom floor the morning of surgery, but that's how it goes being a mom of a special needs kid.  But I'm no longer losing sleep over it.  It's in God's hands, and I think we've got the right people involved.  And Jayson is and always has been a fighter.  He's not gonna let a little feeding tube complication get him down.  He will continue to amazing us all.

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Saturday, April 6, 2013

Ophthalmology and our Swallow Study Miracle

February 23, 2013
Today was our long-awaited ophthalmology appointment.  Discussion about seeing an ophthalmologist started nearly a year ago.  We had an appointment in December, but had to reschedule due to being inpatient at the hospital.  I have been anxious waiting for this appointment because I feel I cannot handle any more bad news.  I don't want to hear that Jayson's vision is impaired, or declining.  I don't want to hear what could be causing his nystagmus and strabismus in his eyes.  I have reached my peak of bad news.  But I put my big girl pants one, took a deep breath, and moved forward.

I was told this exam would be quick, ten minutes tops with the doctor.  I got concerned as the exam persisted and as the doctor repeated certain tests multiple times.  She decided Jayson's eyes needed to be dilated.  I expected that, so I was prepared.  She left while his eyes changed, and came back.  The exam went even longer.  Then I heard good news I was scared to hope for, "His optic nerve looks fine.  His vision is good."  Really?????  Wonderful!  I wanted to do a dance.  But, I knew there was a "but".  "But, he's got some serious problems and they are not typical.  In fact, in all of my experience, I have not quite seen anything like this."  Again.  Again Jayson is so unique the doctors are stumped.  "His left eye has some serious nystagmus in both directions when moving his eye horizontally.  Typically we see nystagmus with our Chiari kids, but it is vertical, and usually just going up or going down.  His nystagmus is quite abnormal, and it's in only one eye which is not very common.  Then, his right eye does not have any nystagmus, but it has some strabismus and pulls inward.  But, it won't look right of midline, at all.  I wondered if it was that it didn't want to, but I believe it can't.  When he wants to look to the right, he has to move his whole head.  His right eye will not look that direction.  Additionally, his left pupil was larger than the right, which is not common, and he has an open tear duct in his left eye which explains why he frequently gets eye infections.  With some of these concerns being so abnormal, I would commonly expect a brain tumor.  However, he has had an MRI and we didn't see a tumor.  I think he needs to be seen by neuro-opthamology."  Neuro-what?  Wow.  We have reached the point where we are seeing specialists that I never knew existed.  That was a lot to take in, but really she didn't tell me much I didn't know.  I focused on the positive- my boy can see, and it looks like he does not have a real threat to his vision.  Such a relief.  The doctor advised we wait until the summer to get our referral to the neuro-opthamologist.  Even though all of these eye issues existed before the Chiari surgery, the neuro-opthamologist will attribute any of these things to swelling and post-surgery complications.  So, we will see our new specialist in late summer.

 Jayson was watching his favorite show Yo Gabba Gabba about glasses while at the eye doctor!

February 27, 2013

Today I witnessed a miracle.  Not just the tiny miracles I don't take for granted, but a HUGE, life-changing miracle.  Jayson had his swallow study today, and I already had a good feeling about it.  I knew he was going to pass, but I didn't know how amazing I would feel.  I sat him in the same chair he has sat in on multiple occasions.  He looked around and checked out his settings, and then he saw his cup of thin liquid.  Every other time we have had to start with thick liquids and slowly try to move down to thinner liquids.  Not this time.  We knew he was capable of doing more.  He was not given a bottle or a sippy cup.  He was given a regular cup with thin barium.  I brought it to his lips and he opened up eagerly.  He didn't spit it out.  He didn't swallow it.  He let it sit in his mouth, and he looked at me as though he wanted to say, "What am I supposed to do with this stuff mom??"  I was told to give him a little more.  He opened up but still no swallow.  They told me to give him a good amount and force him to swallow and see how it goes.  I was a little anxious, but I filled his mouth with barium.  We could see on the xray that it collected in his laryngeal area, and then went down... to the right place.  I gave him more and he swallowed.  Some more, and more swallowing.  He passed.  My little guy passed his swallow study 100%.  I dreamed of this day.  I envied other moms who celebrated this day.  Now I was living it.  My boy was a living miracle.  A little over two months ago he was aspirating nearly everything, including his own saliva, and now he can drink thin liquids.  It was so much to take in.


My typical reaction when Jayson has a big success is to be hesitant to celebrate.  He can make good progress, and then regress.  I also recognize that this was a short, quick test, and that he often aspirates after many minutes of eating and getting tired.  But this time was different.  I knew he had his brain surgery and there was good solid evidence that his swallowing should improve, and it did.  I felt little anxiety.  I felt confident.  I felt excitement.

As I left Riverton Hospital, I got tears in my eyes as I pictured myself on the juice aisle.  I imagined myself thinking, "Hmmm.... what juice would Jayse like to try today?"  I got excited at the idea of giving him something to drink and seeing his reaction to new tastes and textures at home.  I got butterflies in my tummy as I pictured me giving my son a juice box sometime in the future.  What a blessing; what a miracle.

We had another appointment today, and I was hoping for another miracle.  We have been so upset, torn, confused and distressed about this tube change.  I was meeting with a surgeon today, and I hoped he would tell me he would be willing to change out Jayson's feeding tube for us, and that he would be willing to do it safely and take extra precautions.

The surgeon was nice, courteous and professional.  But it didn't take long for me to realize this was not going the direction I had hoped.  He had not see a tube like Jayson's before, and he had a hard time believing there was anything unique or challenging about it.  He offered to pull it out right there in his office.  Wow.  Not the reaction I was hoping for.  When I tried explaining to him the different opinions I had heard he said there must be something he is missing.  He said he needed to make a call and he stepped out of the office.  I could hear him through the wall talking to someone... our old GI doctor.  Great.  I got nauseous.  I could hear his voice sounding interested in helping me and inquisitive as to how he could get my doctors' support.  Then it transformed as he said things like, "Oh, I see.  I understand.  Okay.  Yes, I understand."  He walked back in the room with a serious look on his face and said, "You know, it has become clear to me that you need to work with your GI doctor.  She is very invested in Jayson, and I'm afraid I am not able to help you.  Good luck."  Shot down.  What is with this woman????  I know darn well that she is NOT invested in Jayson.  At least, unless it somehow benefits her?  Why is she sabotaging all of my attempts to get help?  I don't understand.  What is she to gain out of this??

I walked out of the office and almost made it to the hospital doors before breaking down.  I found myself on my common bench, again crying uncontrollably.  That bench has absorbed so  many of my tears.  I let out tears of fear, frustration, anger, confusion, and my heart and mind thought, "Why?  What now?"  I was doing everything I could to find a solution.  I was doing everything I could to protect Jayson and keep him safe.  Still, no plan.  What was I supposed to do?  I was getting desperate.  I was emotional, and it was time I showed it.  I wrote our favorite doctor who is our special care pediatrician.  She is a problem solver, and has helped us in so many ways.  She didn't help us the previous week when the Risk Management person spoke with her, but perhaps she wasn't aware of my despair and desperation.  So I wrote her an email, not withholding my fear and emotion.  I hoped she would write back and give me some home, some idea of what to do.  She did the following day.  And she wanted to see us the following week, on her day off.  Bless her.  I would be counting down the hours until we could see that woman and hopefully come up with a plan.

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Friday, April 5, 2013

Home Sweet Home... in Lehi!

I am sure it has come as a surprise to family, friends and neighbors that we put our house up for sale and we're moving to Lehi, Utah.  It was a quick decision and things moved very quickly.  We are building our dream home, and no, we aren't wealthy.  Truth be told, we are blessed.  Due to our good credit, low interest rates, and quality builder, we are getting a 3000 square foot brand new home in Lehi for slightly more than we are currently paying for our current 1980's 1400 square foot home in West Jordan.  Once you factor in the $200+ a month my husband will be saving in gas, we are coming out ahead.  Here is our story as to how our dreams of having a new, safe home for Jayson have come true:


Mike and I bought our home 3 1/2 years ago in West Jordan.  We are completely in love with our home.  It fits us.  It is like it was made for us.  I have had no intention of leaving it anytime soon.  But plans change...

A year and a half ago Mike began working for Lehi City as a City Planner Intern.  It was a huge blessing when he was hired full time in July of 2012.  As an employee of Lehi City, they prefer that you live in their city.  We knew that our next home would be in Lehi.  We originally went house shopping in Lehi, about 20+ miles south of Salt Lake before we bought our home in West Jordan.  We put an offer on a home and lost it at the last minute.  We've always been attracted to this city, so I felt comfortable knowing we would move there one day.  ONE DAY being the key words.

As everyone knows, we have had a lot on our plate.  Although Mike is not the biggest fan of driving nearly 2 hours a day to get to work and back, I am not the biggest fan of getting a house ready to sell, putting it on the market, having showings all of time for months, paying storage fees to store all of the extra crap so we can show our home, packing, packing, packing, shopping for a new home, crashing at someone else's pad while we find a new place, and moving.  All while working and caring for a special needs baby.  No, it was not going to happen.  And Mike knew that.  I wasn't ready to move for at least another year or two.  At least.

We spoke with some neighbors a few weeks ago who have had their house on the market for quite a while.  I knew how discouraging and stressful that has been for them, so I figured talking with them would confirm my fears about the idea of moving.  It actually did the opposite.  They were really encouraging, and after discussing specific details about our home and what they knew about the market, they were confident our house would sell.  Wow.  That was news I didn't expect to hear.  Of course when I told Mike, he began rattling off facts about the low interest rates, how it's a sellers market, how the lots are going like crazy in Lehi and the prices are going up so we better grab one now, etc.  We started looking at some homes on the market in Lehi in our price range.  Slim pickins.  Hardly anything.  So we started looking at builders.  It was crazy how much more our money could get us if we built opposed to buying something existing.  I told Mike that I MIGHT be interested in putting the house on the market over the summer, not sooner.  He decided it would be good for us to talk with some builders since it is quite the process to build.  We wanted to be prepared.

We went out the next Friday to look at builders, get some facts and ask our questions.  We had a very good idea about what we wanted and needed.  We had to have a rambler.  Jayson needs something that is a single level and wheelchair and walker friendly.  We needed something clean and new to avoid germs.  We needed something safe with a few upgrades to ensure safety.  We needed his bedroom to be right across from ours, so when he is finally ready for his room we can easily get to him.  We needed a master bedroom big enough to fit his cosleeper and eventually his crib.  We needed hallways and bathrooms that are wheelchair accessible.  We needed a lot of carpeting.  Although hardwoods are beautiful and easy to clean, Jayson is going to be learning to crawl soon, and then he'll be learning to walk.  He will be falling, a lot!  We needed carpet with upgraded padding for our sweet boy.  We needed an open floor plan for entertaining and to make it easy for Jayse to get around.  We needed an unfinished basement to give us room to grow so this could be our forever home.  We needed the stairs to be in a safe place that could easily be blocked to keep Jayse safe.  We needed windows with lots of light to help preserve mom's sanity with all of the many many hours we stay cooped up at home.  We needed plenty of storage space for all of the baby stuff and special needs equipment we have and will acquire.  We needed it to be a place we love to be.  We looked at several builders, and only one won our hearts-- Edge Homes.  They were perfect, and they had floorplans that fit all of our needs and desires... in our price range.

We spoke with an agent in a model home.  Problem:  There were only two lots left in our price range.  So I think, "Hey, it's okay, they will probably buy more!"  Wrong.  Mike is a city planner and knows what is coming.  He knows all of Edge homes plans for nearly the next year.  Their future plans were well out of our price range.  Edge Homes explained that the demand was higher than the supply, and things were selling like crazy.  Their next subdivision would be in the $300,000's and after they sell their first 5 lots, they will jump up another $20 grand.  Wow.  We did need to jump on this.  We took a look at the two lots.  Truth be told, I wasn't in love with either of them.  One was right next to main street, and the other had a wall in the back yard to separate our property from the highway.  I felt discouraged and needed to sleep on it.  I knew I wanted an Edge Home.  And I knew what floorplan we wanted.  We walked through our dream floor plan for the 1418 home that night.  Everything felt right.  We just had to make a decision about the land.  I called some family members and some friends.  Mike and I talked all night.  And we went back to Lehi the next day.

I knew I couldn't deal with the danger of the lot next to main street, so I tried to picture us in the lot in Lehi Country Estates with the wall in our backyard.  I thought of the benefits... Hey, we won't have any creepy neighbors in our back yard.  We'll save on the cost of building a fence.  Stray animals won't be jumping over the wall to get in our yard.  The rock wall is beautiful and will be kept by the city.  The city technically owns 8 feet of land from the wall, but we get to use it and maintain it without having to pay for it!  There seemed to be a lot of benefits, so it began to grow on me.  But one thing needed to happen... I needed to meet the neighbors.  Mike was shocked, but I got out of the car and went and knocked on one of the neighbor's doors.  A young man answered and was so welcoming.  He let me into his home, told me about his family, showed me the size of his back yard even with the wall, and told me how great the neighborhood was.  He informed me of block parties, barbeques, and the great ward and community.  I got the greatest feeling, and I was sold.




Mike and I went to the model home to meet with the agent.  We were anxious.  The home was FILLED with young couples, all asking about the last two lots.  I was ready to beat some of them down, but there was no need.  They were still unsure, and we were ready to write the check!  We put our earnest money down and worked out a deal that we could get a 100% refund for the next 3 months.  We had 3 months to sell our home.  What a bargain.  Low risks.  It was meant to be.  And even more evidence?  The 1418 home we loved was the ONLY rambler that would fit on our lot.  Perfect.




We spent the next 4 days cleaning and packing like madmen.  We pulled 2 all-nighters, but the house looked amazing.  I had so much fun staging the whole thing.  I felt like I should have been on HGTV, and that all my years of watching that station paid off.  Our house went on the market on a Friday afternoon.  We had 6 showings that day, and another 30+ the next.  It turned out to be more of an open house since Jayson needed to be hooked up to his equipment.  We couldn't leave off and on throughout the entire day.  It was so much fun to show off the house we loved and to see other people admiring it too.  There was a lot of interest.  We had an offer Friday night that was well above our asking price and a couple of more on Saturday.  It was really happening, and so incredibly fast.  We asked for the highest and best offers to help us know which one to pick.  We made our decision on Monday afternoon, and felt great about it!!!  It wasn't the highest, but it was the best offer in our minds.  A great family, a great price, and their hearts are golden.  They were willing to let us do a lease back and rent our house from them so we would not have to spend the next couple of months homeless, crashing with family or friends.  Everything was working out like a dream.






















We went to our first design center appointment and designed the outside of our home and some of the interior details.  Things were getting real, and exciting.  Then we got the call.  The bomb.  The bad news.  Our dream home wouldn't fit on our lot, as it turns out.  None of the ramblers would.  The only home that would fit on our lot was a two story with a basement.  That wouldn't work.  I seriously felt like I had been punched in the gut.  We sold our home.  We didn't have a place to live.  Our dream home was taken away from us.  We were lied to.  We didn't know what to do, so we looked at our options.  We looked more at existing homes.  No, they wouldn't work.  There were only 2-3 ramblers that were highly overpriced.  We looked at other floor plans from our builder that could be modified, but that made it so they didn't fit our needs or safety requirements.  I felt so angry.  So much thought went into our choice.  It wasn't something we settled on, and now we were in a situation where it was like we needed to settle.

Fortunately, I am married to a fix-it man.  Whenever I have a problem, he has to fix it.  He was easily satisfied with many of our different options, but he knew I wasn't.  There was no way our home could be modified to fit the lot, so I picked our second favorite- the 1500.  Mike studied the Lehi City laws and zoning guidelines.  As an employee of the city, he knew the law.  He found some loop holes, some ways we might be able to get our second house approved to build.  Our lot was not tiny, by any means.  But the zoning law required that each of the homes have so many feet between their house and the property line to ensure the backyards were good sized.  Our lot was the smallest in the area, and our second choice home missed fitting those guidelines by a couple of feet.  Our first choice home met those guidelines, but missed the guidelines for the sides of the home.  Mike knew that UDOT owned the rock wall, and 8 feet of property in front of it.  The intent of the law was met.  If we counted the wall as our property line, the law was met.  We took our case to the board of adjustments not knowing what to expect.  They don't ever grant exceptions like this.  Edge Homes Personnel were there to present the case, and Mike was there to explain how the intent of the law was met.  He was so well prepared, that there was no way they could not approve it.  They all unanimously agreed to grant us the variance!!!!  Our home could be built.  Yes, it was our second choice, but in some ways it is better.  It is bigger, it has a bigger guest bathroom for Jayson, and a larger living area.  This house even has an adorable porch.  We had to completely go back through and redesign our home, but I think we both feel very good about our choices.




So that is the story.  We are breaking ground on our new home next week.  We should be closing on our current house in mid-May, renting our current house until mid-July, and moving in our new house mid- to late- July.  This whole thing has been such a whirlwind, and I wasn't ready for any of it.  I hope that our new neighborhood, ward and community are just as welcoming and supportive as our current one.  We are leaving behind many dear friends, but know we will take them with us in our hearts.  Here's to our new adventure, in Lehi City!
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