Well, not exactly tomorrow, but close …

So, we are learning that “tomorrow” is apparently relative. As in - “we will definitely be done with that tomorrow”. This is a few days past what I thought tomorrow was, but it’s all good.

We now have lights, heating and air, and outlets!!!!! Very exciting!!! Now, I will be painting at night after the kiddos go to bed instead of playing on the computer :)

Heating and air units.

Front entry lights installed. Note: the door is not stained yet – it is not necessary for moving in … therefore has received a pretty low priority.

Lights up the front tower.

Interior lights … ok, I guess you get the idea.

My current favorite tool. I finally had a chance to use it yesterday to prime the walls for the kitchen. I like it. The complaints online talk about what a pain it is to clean, and I kind of agree, but feel like it is worth it. I am planning on trying to be organized as I paint and do large jobs all at one time, and then just clean up once for them. If I can find the right block of time, I think that will work.

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I went and picked up my Casting Crowns CD – I had preordered it (which with coupons made it free – of course, you have to buy something more to get the discount, but that is not a problem for me and Christian bookstores :).

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I am THRILLED to report that Hadden is feeling substantially better today. Praise the Lord! I haven’t had to give him any Tylenol or Advil all day and he has been great. Certainly not 100%, but he is WAY better than the past week and a half. Thank you for your prayers – I appreciate them so much.

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Psalm 28: 6-7 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

House Progress

So, all in all some very exciting progress on the home front. We have decided for sanity sake to sub out a lot of the major systems so that we can get in the house by winter. Trying to build part-time has proven to be a pretty big challenge :)

So, the 5 sets of stairs are all installed with temporary tread boards. Very nice to be able to walk easily between the floors. We really like how they turned out and I can hardly wait until we have drywall in so that they will really stand out.


One set from the underside - there is not any risers on our stairs, so they will be "see-through" from front to back.


Here's a close-up shot of the welded joint. We used a 2"x3" tube of metal for the main run and then used angle brackets welded on in the shape of an L to form the support for the treads. They are very sturdy and quiet (bonus!).




In other news, we now have permanent power to the house!!! And just today, the electricians wired up the hot water tank in the basement for us. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS???? Now, we can shower in the basement shower! And, I can use hot water for washing clothes. And, it is just so exciting to be one step closer.

Heating and Air, plumbing and electric are all pretty much roughed in and we are ready for the next step of insulation and drywall.

And ... here was the current state of the brush pile!!


John lit the fire this last weekend - yippee!

We have a kind of stubborn pile of brush, however. It has been pretty humid and raining off and on and the stuff just does not want to burn. It's crazy. So, he did manage to get the left side in the photo to burn, but the right side stuff did not. Thankfully, this time, the smoke has not been flying right at the house!

As the reality of moving in gets closer and closer, the desire to be in gets stronger and stronger (and I become more and more impatient :). Trying to keep things in perspective.

We still do not have a front door. Majorly long story that I will not bore you with, but we are hoping for a resolution soon.

Hope you are all well where you are!

Long overdue update ...

Anybody still out there? :)

I realize this is long overdue - sorry for the break without warning. We have had a pretty busy summer and alas, it is time for school again. We started back today.

So, what have we been up to? Working on the house, of course.

We have taken a break here and there - we went to the beach a couple weekends ago and had a restful, relaxing time enjoying the ocean.


Isn't the water beautiful! We ended up with great weather, although it didn't look too promising on our drive over to the beach. We drove through some pretty heavy rain showers, but John wisely persevered and we enjoyed a beautiful day.

On the house side:
We have subbed out the major systems in the house - plumbing, hvac and electricity. The plumbers have finished the rough-in, the electricians have started and the hvac guys are supposed to be coming tomorrow morning.

We had a setback with our plumbing ... it's a long story, but we ended up without water for 2 days, had to replace the well pump and are still wondering if the pressure tank was damaged. I have to admit that it was pretty difficult to take such of a big step backwards.


Here's the crew who swapped out the well pump - that was a job!

We do have water again, for which we are thankful.

On the positive note - we have STAIRS!!! So very exciting. We are getting them installed piece by piece - so, right now, saying "one step at a time" is very accurate.


Here are four of the five sets of stringers ready to go.


John lining up the first stringer.


This is actually the second set of stairs installed - with the old set next to it. John is standing in the kitchen below. These are not the final treads - they are just 2x12's that we will use during construction. After construction is finished, we will replace these with nicer wood.


Look who else is happy to have stairs! She loves to be with us and now can be wherever we are in the house.


This is also very exciting - I know, it's just a washer ... but ... it is IN the house now! We are running an extension cord to it for power, but the water is running in the house.

There has been a lot more here and there, but those are the major things for now.

House update

It has been a long while since I gave you a house update - sorry about that. We have been working - little by little getting tasks done. The tasks have been tough to photograph, so here are just some of the latest pictures.


View from the back - we are using the patio even with all of the construction. If you look really closely, you'll see the kiddos in the pool :)


John has been working on framing and drying in these sections - the black plyform and red metal will be covered with stone and the deck eventually. Please take special note of the caulking job - that has been my main task for the past two weeks. It's harder than it looks and takes forever! I am thrilled to say that for the moment I am finished caulking. There will be a few more places down the road, but for now I am putting the caulk gun to rest.

In other areas - the stairs are still in progress. We are hoping to have the first set ready this week. The inmates are building them for us - that thrills me.

But I thought you might be interested to see what we are currently using for steps ...


The first set is not so bad - even Lilly has mastered how to get up and down. I think she is a smart dog - although others might not agree. A few times I have been on a ladder outside of a window, she has gone in the house, up the stairs and greeted me at the window. Now, isn't that smart? I think so :)


Up to the next two landings - they are pretty sturdy (except for one), but they are getting higher and higher. I am still thankful for them, though, because before these steps were in ...


we had to scale across the 2x6 wall to get to the landing. We only did that once or twice trying to keep rain out of the window openings (before the windows were in).


Here, John is demonstrating for you. He is carrying pocket door frames for the closets upstairs.


Ta-da. Pocket door frame installed. John did 4 of the 5 yesterday all by himself .... while I finished caulking.


I was able to trade my caulk gun for these! Oh, how I love to paint! For now, the only project is exterior doors - 7 of them. I did one coat on one yesterday.

So, things are progressing. We have an electrician and crew coming soon, a quote from an HVAC guy, got the name of a plumber and a quote for stone for the concrete section outside. We have been shopping (pricing mostly) for some interior stuff - showers, sinks, lights, kitchen cabinets, flooring, etc.

Every step is a little bit closer.

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On other news, Annie has her own sidebar photo, by repeated request (hi-d!).

Friday, she apparently got on the wrong end of some critter because she came back with her eye swollen almost shut. After Benadryl and a few hours, she was fine.


The good news is Lilly has limited the neck biting to a minimum, so Annie is much happier :)

The Goin's On

We are full blown into summer fun. The kids are enjoying our mini-lake pool pretty much every day.

They have become quite helpful, actually. I am not quite sure what they are up to. We have been asking them to do more on the house and around the camper and so far they are actually enjoying it and asking for more! I don't remember doing that - the asking part - when I was a kid :)

The house is progressing. John finished framing above the doors in the basement, so we are almost completely closed in (still looking for the front door).

I have been working on putting mud around the basement windows and doors and now caulking around the rest of the windows. I have all but finished the mud work. Seriously questioning my sanity at the number and size of windows in our house - now that I am actually working with them :) Caulking windows is tricky - and messy. Not one of my favorite jobs, but I am learning more and more each window I do. By the end, I may just be an expert!

Bugs. Period. It's just crazy the amount and size of bugs that have died in our house. And let's not even think about those that have taken up residence - yuck.

We did learn about a very interesting wasp - the mud dauber wasp. These wasps are building these mud nests in our house in a few places. When we knocked the nests down, little critters that looked like spiders fell out of the inside. After some research, we discovered that it is actually spiders (or other insects) that the bee paralyzes, lays an egg on and then closes in. Kind of creepy and cool. I like the idea that they are taking care of spiders, but I would rather they build their nests outside of the house.

John has been a researching, thinking, designing machine. He is waayyyy ahead of me and does a fantastic job of thinking things through. Thanks, honey, for all of your hard work.

The stair stringers are being built for us and should be ready this week or next. We will then fasten temporary treads on until construction is finished. I can't wait to show you pictures - I think they are going to be very cool!

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In other news:
We are also preparing for the next school year at home. I was able to go to the local home school convention last Friday and picked up most of my books for next year. The kids are so excited - Hadden even prayed the other night that "school would start soon" or something to that effect.

I am excited, too, and want to spend some time this summer getting organized and plan a rough schedule. I really want to be more structured and organized.

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Yes, "Annie" is still here. She has endured Lilly and has hung around. :)

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The last couple of days have been a little bit cooler and we have not needed to run the a/c, so that has been a welcome break. We had friends up last night for the evening and enjoyed sitting out on the back porch (John was leading the chapel service, so wasn't able to be here).

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Soak this in ...

Colossians 1:10-14
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Progress report

We have had more help from PA! This time, it was John's Dad and wife Beulah. John Sr. was a home builder for 26 years, so he knows a thing or two :) He helped us install windows and doors in the basement. I am thrilled to report that we have ALL the windows and doors in except the front door (which we still need to buy).

Here are some shots from our time with John and Beulah:


I loved watching them working together


Aren't they cute?


John and Beulah enjoying some cool shade in the basement

Puppies! The neighbor's dog had a litter of puppies and Jesse brought them up hoping we might take one or two. We said NO! (aren't you proud of us?) However, now the mother dog has been spending a lot of time up here. She is also a beagle, we think from the same group that Buddy was from - as they arrived about the same time.

Hadden holding one that Jesse is keeping. They are really cute.


Savannah is holding one that is looking for a home. Want one? :)

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Last Saturday, we also finished framing the bedroom level. John is working on adding nailers for the drywall.

I am working on putting mud around the windows and doors in the basement to keep the bugs out. I also am going to be working on caulking around all of the upper windows. It's trickier than it looks.

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We also put our patio set and kiddie pool on the patio!!! That just thrills me - it is out of the grass and dirt, and just so nice to feel a little bit civilized again. One step at a time, and I like to celebrate and praise the Lord for every step.

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OK - gotta get back at it!

Quick Update

To PA and back, to our retreat and back - now to OR!!!

We have had a much needed interruption to our regular routine and even though it has been busy, I feel rested and refreshed.

We had a super time in PA being able to quickly visit family and friends (although, unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to see everyone, nor spend nearly enough time with anyone). The wedding was beautiful and it was wonderful to see two young people committed to the Lord and desiring to honor Him in their wedding ceremony and lives. Many blessings to each of them as they now walk together with Him.


I didn't take many pictures in PA, but here is a shot from the kids favorite park - climbing the spidey web!

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Home on Tuesday, unpack, laundry, baseball wrap-up party, repack, go to retreat on Wednesday. Whew! Thankfully, we had only an hour drive to the retreat location.

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We definitely feel like We Care is our family away from family. From the very beginning, we have felt welcomed and loved. Each event is a blessing and great time catching up with friends. The kids love being with all of the other kids, too.

We had session times that were very fitting and timely in my spiritual journey - just solid, good reminders of keeping our relationship with the Lord first, then spouses, then family, then other stuff.

We also had free time where we were able to go hiking, swimming, play softball, volleyball and putt-putt golf. Savannah and Hadden both really enjoyed playing putt-putt golf.






John is a diving machine - I always enjoy watching him dive. Here he is waving at me while in the air :)

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For those of you who knew and were praying for the easement problem, thank you! As of yesterday, we have legal clearance to our property and the bank loan necessary to finish our home.

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Now, off to Oregon to visit my side of the family and friends! Can hardly wait to get there!



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Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

Getting closer and closer!

Yesterday:
The weather was not so nice yesterday afternoon and evening. We had rain, thunderstorms, and tornado warnings. It was obviously not the best conditions for laying brick (or anything else for that matter). They did work as much as they could and got quite a bit accomplished.

Last night:
Because of the weather, we decided to take supper to the cabin instead of eating at the picnic table. Here are some shots from supper.


John, Tom (background), Savannah and Ben


Josh and Rance


Doc


Tom and Hadden


Caption by other guys: "Josh sleeping while the others are working" :)

This morning:
More rain. They put up a plastic roof in order to continue working.




I think this pretty much sums it up for this morning.


View of the lean-to.


They just keep on working anyway.


Benny doing some more mixing.


Rance bringing more brick.


Josh laying more brick.

Lunch:

Benny


Rance


Tom


Doc, Josh, and Ben


Doc texting after lunch


Back to work


Doc


Ben - through the upper window of the tower


Rance throwing down unneeded materials.

The kids have loved joining the men for meals. They just like being part of the crowd :)




The end is in sight! I am thrilled for them. I KNOW they are missing family and home and are anxious to get headed back. I am very thankful that soon they will be reunited with their loved ones. We will miss them - they have become like family to us and we appreciate each of them and their dedication to a job well done so very much :)

Praising the Lord for continued safety and blessings beyond measure!