The first step was to put the front wall and the wall that divides the garage and the house.  Because of some mysterious “code”, this wall is specially built and sheet-rocked!

Garage and Front Walls go up first!

The next day we arrived to find they had been hard at work with other load bearing walls.  In the picture below, you can see the picture window in the living room and the window over the sink in the kitchen.

The start of the living room and kitchen

Next came the bedrooms.  According to Grandma Cindy’s “voodoo magic”, Ellie’s room is first and Simon’s room is in the back on the right.  Simon tried to lay claim to the master bedroom, which is in the back on the left, but I put an end to that fantasy!

This is looking down the "hallway" toward the bedrooms

The next day they put in the patio door bay.  The door will be in the middle with windows on both sides.

Looking out our dining room patio door to the backyard (eventually).

And all of a sudden, this rough wood pile begins to look like a house with the addition of the rafters.

The front view - it looks like a house!!

I had to go to the back yard and check out how it looks from our property line.  For those of you who know us well, you know that we don’t much care for the maintenance of a yard.  As you can see, we will not have a large yard and it will be perfect for the fire pit, a play yard, and some rocks that Stuart likes to wheel-barrow around.

The view from the property line

We took Simon and Ellie up to have a look around at their new place.  They approved.  Or at least they didn’t disapprove.

Simon, Ellie, Grandpa, and Grandma inspecting the new digs

Next week’s post will have the addition of windows, doors, shingles, plumbing, and electrical work.  Oh boy!

If any of you are following my blog postings about the building, you know they’re moving right along.

All this adds up to one conclusion: we need to sell our current house!  Stuart and I have now become what they can in the business “motivated sellers”.

So I am sending this into the Universe. And by Universe, I mean my anwesome web of people in my network! Please forward this to anyone who is looking for a twinhome on the water in south Bismarck.

http://www.bismarckmandanhomes.com/mls_detail?mls_number=314305

I promised this post a while ago and here it is!  I have pictures of the basement floor, the garage floor, and some of the basement walls.  I know, it’s all very exciting stuff.

Here you will see they poured the flat cement for the garage floor.  I looped past for about 20 minutes and they looked like Stuart spreading peanut butter on his toast.  They were sure to make it perfectly even, perfectly smooth, and perfectly flat.

The flat cement that makes up the garage floor.

Because they were working and it was getting dark, I didn’t get out to get a pic of the basement floor.  By the time I got up there the next day, they had started putting walls in the basement and laying the floor joists.  In the picture below you can see into the basement at our future family room and upstairs at the beginning of the living room and kitchen.

Standing in the garage looking "into" the house.

For the next picture, I swiveled in the garage and took one looking toward the bedrooms.  There will be bedrooms on both levels on this end of the house.

Standing in the garage looking "into" the bedrooms.

We opted to have a daylight basement, so the windows for the two basement bedrooms will be large and will look out over the back yard.

This is a view from the back side of our house.

So, there you have it.  They are framing the upstairs as I am writing this post, so there will be lots to look at and dissect next week!

I realize my last post promised you something about the magic of cement, but the beautiful spring snow storm that Mother Nature presented us with this week prohibited any real work on the physical house.  Therefore, we contented ourselves with making another vital decision – Appliance Shopping!

We visited Corwin Churchill Appliances, which was recommended to us by Sattler Homes.  As we walked in we realized that the sales person was the same one we purchased our dining room table and chairs from a few years ago.  She remembered us, too, but was more impressed by Ellie than by either Stuart or me.

What we found is that Stuart and I have very similar tastes in appliances and so once we told her what we were looking for, the package presented to us fit our needs perfectly.  I did get my request to have a french door refrigerator without too much prodding!  The whole thing was a done deal in about an hour.  My hope is that flooring will go equally smooth!

No pictures of the appliance shopping…sorry loyal readers.  I promise to do better next time

As promised earlier – stay tuned next week for the much-anticipated installment CEMENT MAGIC!

As some of you are aware…we are embarking on a major event in our lives.  Stuart and I are building a new home and the process officially started in the last couple of days!  I hope to chronicle this progress here.  Especially since I don’t have the time or inclination to do a real scrapbook, this will have to serve that purpose.

The “building timeline” is quite interesting and baffling to me.  This week’s progress included digging a giant hole, pouring the footings, and pouring the basement walls.

We have a hole in the ground!**

Every great house has to start here

These are the "footings"

"Footings" are what the rest of the house sits on

Inside these forms is the cement that make up the basement walls

A look at the progress

Stay tuned for next week’s installment – Cement Magic.

**Interesting side note, in the very first picture of the hole, you can see our first attempt at house building.  Due to an error in the size they poured for the garage, we opted to start over.  Long story and if you want to hear it, I’m sure either Stuart or I would be happy to regale you with our story.

I have heard the advice from countless sources.  I should prioritize my tasks and work on the most difficult ones first.  I am great at the former, terrible at the latter.  I prioritize with the best of them…then the simple tasks look way too inviting.  I complete those, which inevitably lead to  something else entirely.  Usually this something else isn’t even on the original list.

The reason behind most of my procrastination, or choosing those tasks I deem “simple,” is often that I don’t know what needs to be done to accomplish the “hard stuff.”  Either I don’t know where to begin or I don’t understand the process.  It is this type of procrastination that has put me into my current dilemma.  I am responsible for recruiting/securing 15 judges for the state DECA conference on March 14th.  I knew I needed to complete this task a few months ago.  I simply didn’t know how to go about it.  I haven’t been in my current position for long enough to form solid contacts.  I haven’t lived in Bismarck long enough to know many local business owners.  So now, here I am, 4 days away from my drop-dead date and I need 10 more people.  (Helpless cry out to my 5 readers…can you judge on March 14th?  I would owe you big time!)

So what do I do when I have a list that includes grading the 3 page papers I assigned last week; creating a project for my marketing students to reinforce branding; securing DECA judges; tackling my VoiceThread latte sessions; etc?  Blog.  Remember, blogging was also on my “To Do” list.  I just understood the steps necessary to complete this particular project.

Another reason for my lack of task completion…those babies of mine.  They always seem to have a list of things they need me to do.  Mommy, play with me.  Mommy, change my diaper.  Mommy, hold me.  Mommy, wash my bottles so that I can eat again.  Mommy, FEED ME NOW!  These items always take priority…always.  Often, I don’t know what the crying means, and frequently don’t get it right on my first try, but the list of possibilities is pretty short.  I can generally find something to make them give me a little baby grin that makes it all worth it.

I guess the moral of this particular blog is to remind myself that I have a problem.  Admitting it is the first step…right?

It’s been forever since we visited…what have you been up to?

I have decided to kick off my new blogging routine by writing my digital Christmas letter.  So, here is a recap of what the Savelkouls have been up to in 2010.  Well, I guess I’m going to cheat a little and start with October, 2009.  Hey, it’s my letter and I’ll do what I want!

Fall, 2009

I began work in another new position.  Yes, I have more positions on my resume than most 60 year-olds right now!  I started teaching completely online for the Missouri River Area Career & Technical Center.  The center serves 22 high schools in the geographic area surrounding Bismarck and Mandan.  I taught over 40 high school students at 10 different high schools.  As many of you know, I had taught online before at the college level.  Making the transition to high school proved to be very challenging, but gave me an opportunity to really appreciate the distinct differences between face-to-face instruction and online learning.  For those of you really critiquing my writing…I used those descriptors intentionally as I believe they accurately depict the subtle difference in delivery.

Stuart continued his work with the North Dakota Public Employees Association.  We continue to feel thankful that Stuart was able to find a position that blends his talents into a job he so thoroughly enjoys.  He travels around the state a lot and defends the rights of the public employees and it is my opinion that they couldn’t have a better voice.

The fall brought news of our expanding family.  On October 15th, our 5 year anniversary, Stuart and I found out that we would be expecting an addition.  It wasn’t until 5 weeks later that we found out it would be not one but two beautiful babies.  I can tell you that nothing really prepares you for the day that the ultrasound tech says, “Here is the heartbeat and here is the other one.”  For a couple that makes their living talking, we were speechless for quite a long time.

Simon and Eleanor's First Picture Together

December, 2009

We were able to travel to Arizona to spend the holidays with Stuart’s family.  It was great to be able to get away from the snow storm that hit Bismarck right after we left and enjoy warm weather, great food, and wonderful family.

Me, Kiara, Linda, Stuart

After visiting Stuart’s family, we met Ma Fischer, Pa Fischer, Brent, and Whitney in Las Vegas for a few days.  I discovered a pregnant Rebecca truly loves the “All Day, All You Can Eat” buffet at the Excalibur.  I’m pretty sure they lost money on my that day!  While we were there, we went to a couple of shows (Defending the Caveman and Tournament of Kings), lost some money gambling, and did a lot of walking.

Winter, 2010

Stuart and I did a little traveling during the winter.  He visited various members and institutions with what has now become known as his “work face.”  I visited students while I could still move around.

In February we were able to have our ultrasound picture that finally allowed a “guess” about the gender of the buns in my proverbial oven.

It's A Boy!

It's a Girl - and she's waving at you

May, 2010

I was put on limited activity toward the end of the pregnancy, so life became very much about staying close to home.  Stuart was super supportive and understanding when I could no longer reach my feet to put on my shoes and fell asleep on the couch while watching the latest LOST episode.

On May 18th I was feeling particularly uncomfortable and at 9:30 PM I got my “sign” that it was time to go to the hospital.  We arrived there at 10:30 PM and found out that my doctor was on call.  The nurses, doctors, Mom, and Stuart were all great and calm and at 12:30 AM on May 19th Simon and Ellie joined us.

Simon weighed in at a strapping 5 lbs 5 oz and charmed his way into all of our hearts.

Simon and his bunny

Ellie was a petite little lady tipping the scales at 3 lbs 13 oz.  She may be little, but the nurses all called her “feisty.”  She had to spend some time in the NICU, making Stuart and I so grateful to those awesome ladies who treated her and us like family.

Ellie sunbathing in her cube

Summer, 2010

OK, I have to be honest here.  I don’t remember much of the details of May, June, and July.  I know that we were on a rotation of feeding, feeding, pumping, sleeping, repeat.  Everyone was so helpful about bringing food, taking turns holding, feeding, burping, changing diapers, getting spit up on, and general pitching in.  Stuart’s Mom stayed with us through August and was incredibly helpful.  I have many, many pictures that I took of the kiddos during the time so that I could have a record that they were ever that little.

During these hazy and crazy days I did make another major life decision.  A position as a Marketing/Business Education teacher became available at Bismarck High School.  On the last day of the job posting, I managed to put together a resume and submit my application.  I interviewed and was offered the job in early August.   I debated with myself about taking it.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to make a major professional change just 3 months after having twins !?  Teaching online meant teaching Information Technology and working from home.  Teaching at BHS meant teaching in my area of interest, but being out of the house for a significant portion of the day.  In the end, my passion beat my practicality and I took the job at BHS.  I am teaching Accounting, Web Design, Marketing I, Sports Marketing.  In addition, I run the school store and am the DECA advisor.  It has been a whirlwind of activity and an avalanche of new things to learn, but I am very happy with the choice I made.

Fall, 2010

I had a big milestone this year.  If you are reading this, then you are probably also familiar with my own personal holiday, National Becky Fischer Day.  Well, National Becky Fischer Day celebrated its 30th year this year.  It was a little hard for me, but most of you were very nice to me despite how incredibly ancient I am becoming

So here I am, back in school and loving it!  I am continuing to teach for Dickinson State University and I also teach just one section of a marketing class for the MRACTC (see earlier in my post for details on what the heck those letters stand for).  I am grateful to be interacting with students again and to be teaching in a content area I am passionate about.

Stuart has been very busy first with election details and support of candidates and now with gearing up for the legislative session.  I have joked before about becoming a legislative widow during this time, but I am a little more nervous about it this year!

Thanks to Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Don, Stuart and I even get to “get out” once in a while.  They are wonderful to have in town and I am not sure what we would do without them.  Our most recent activity was Yuletyme in Dickinson.  We had so much fun going back and visiting our old friends.  I mean “old” as in “known them for a long time.”  Not “old” as in “Wow, a lot of time has gone by.”  Because if they are getting old, then so are we and I am currently refusing to accept that!

The Savelkouls take on Yuletyme

Simon and Ellie are doing just great and growing like crazy.  I never really understood how parents could find clothing in their kids’ closet that had never been worn, but I get it now.  I have included an image gallery below if you are interested in seeing their progression.  For those of you who keep up with me and Stuart on Facebook, these will probably be mostly repetitive!

Our new family

Simon & Eleanor - 6 Weeks

Simon & Eleanor - 3 Months

Simon & Eleanor - 6 Months

Merry Christmas from the Savelkoul Family

So, there you have the Savelkoul Family wrap-up.  We wish you a very happy holiday season and a bright new year!

Part of the reason for this hiatus was that I didn’t want to be one of those pregnant people who had nothing to talk about but swollen feet, strange cravings, and the ever-expanding waistline.  It turns out, I really had nothing else on my mind!  I would look at the website and think, “I should really post something.”  I would think for a few minutes trying to decide if I had anything worthwhile to say.  Then my crazy mind would drift to the tents I was currently calling my wardrobe or the last ultrasound pictures and say, “No, no one wants to hear about that!”  So, my blog went untouched.

The other reason was that sleep became a subject of great interest in my world.  First, while incubating, I would nap constantly.  This often happened after school, while Stuart and I were watching TV, on random Saturday mornings.  It’s hard to get anything extra done when you are napping all the time!  Then, after the babies arrived and sleep became more illusive, I used any spare minutes I got to either wash the endless number of bottles lined up in the sink or to take a nap myself.  Trust me when I say, the first happened a lot more often than the second!

So, here I am contemplating that an entire year went by and have resolved to get back into the blogging routine.  I’m starting earlier than January 1st because I am hoping this lasts longer than most of my New Year’s resolutions!

In the weeks leading up to the reunion, I was extremely torn about the event.  A large part of me kept saying, “Wow, I’m not really old enough to have been out of HS for 10 years!”  But there was this other voice that would counter with, “There have been so many changes since HS, has it really only been 10 years?”

Now, if I really reflected on my time in high school (well, reflected honestly), I would have to say it was not my favorite period in my life.  Mine was a pretty typical school with the cliques and bonds that come with knowing the people you are in school with for your entire life.  Breaking into or out of those groups was difficult and often resulted in more headache (heartache?) than it was worth.  I was a bit of a nerd, coupled with a pretty stubborn streak of not doing something just because it was the thing to do.

So, in light of this honest reflection, I was pretty nervous to go back.  Did they still remember me as that awkward person I was then?  Have we all changed since the last time we were together?  Walking into the gathering, most of the memories of senior year rushed back to me.  The feelings, emotions, insecurities…all of these things suddenly transported me back to that nervous HS person.  We were all polite to each other with expressions of, “How are you doing?  What is new?”  It was pleasant enough, but after a while everyone settled back into the familiar groups from all those years ago.

On the way home, Stuart asked me if I had a good time.  I still can’t say with certainty one way or another.  It was nice to see everyone, but I am not wishing it had lasted longer.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to have another reunion of sorts.  One of my post-college friends got married to one of my college friends.  This created a unique set of circumstances where several of my friends from the last 10 years of my life gathered in one place to celebrate.

Not once did I worry about going to this reunion.  We laughed and talked and enjoyed each other’s company without any of those awkward silences that seem to accompany polite conversation.  We danced into the wee hours of the night, never thinking about how stupid we looked doing the Footloose dance or how many times we spun out of our partner’s hands during the two-step.

Of course, there was exclamations about how fast time goes, which of us were married, who had kids, but mostly we were still just the same people.  As was often said…older and wiser, but mostly older.

This weekend is Homecoming at Dickinson State.  This, of course, includes more reunion parties.  On Friday, we are helping to “host” the 2000′s reunion.  Then there is tailgating, the game, and the traditional trip to the Spur on Saturday.  Then, on Sunday, there is the new tradition of Perkins for breakfast before we all go off to our adult lives.  Again, there is no trepidation, just anticipation for a fun-filled weekend.

Amazing what 10 years will do, or not do, to your memories

In my research, I came across an article which detailed a study done by a 15-year-old student named Matthew Robson.  In it he concludes that students don’t have much use for technology unless is provides a tangible benefit at a very low (read: free) cost to the user.  This part of the article reaffirms my belief that we cannot add technology without substance.  Without a benefit, students will see through this as just another attempt by an out-of-touch teacher.

The part of the study that really interested me was the fact that students have streamlined their technology consumption.  Students are not interested in simply being connected.  They don’t use digital media to seek out as much information as they can when they can find a summary of the topic from a single source.  In addition, they are not watching TV passivelyor as a way spend down time.  They watch TV with a purpose, most often recording specific shows or viewing online, to enable skipping commercials or eliminating other unwanted interruptions.

This makes me believe that students have become better than adults at weeding out the unnecessary or irrelevant.  Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, has defined this as the Low-Information Diet.  The idea is that we can only use information when it is immediately necessary or relevant to the task at hand.

Let me bring this back around to my point.  Integrating tools or gadgets, just for the sake of technology, will not work to engage today’s student any more than worksheets and quizzes.  It must have a purpose.  It must be seamless.  It must relevant.

Please indulge my obsession over Twitter with another poll: