House Tour

Come on over here.

Still Framing

Our framing team has had perfect weather, and they are moving fast. Here are some framing updates.

Those three middle squares are windows into our master bedroom, there are three matching ones on the third floor above the kitchen sink, too (no upper kitchen cabinets).

Cana considering her career as a builder, she says , "I'm going to be a builder, see I'm wearing a shirt." Way to break sterotypes kid. Those are technically pajamas you are wearing.

That entire top floor is the great room. We used the majority of the square footage for this space, therefore we have small bedrooms. Who cares? We just sleep in them.

AP undoubtedly deck dreaming. (He's standing in the french door rough in that leads to a deck that runs that entire side of the house.)

Inside the Great Room. (Standing in the kitchen, looking at the fireplace.)

In the Great Room from the fireplace into the kitchen. Check out that window on the right, there will be three of those, the kitchen sink is under the center one.

Now, onto important questions. Our house needs a name. I think that houses should have a first and last name like a person. In this case the name should say "laid back, loves the outdoors, and can appreciate crisp clean lines". Any ideas?

Progress!

Someday I'll tell the story of heartache and pain we've gone through to build this house. I'll fill you in on the insane process of closing on this piece of land, the 3 times we thought we were not going to get the building loan (after we owned the land), and the absurd ways we've had to fight with the bank to use the money from that loan (not to mention the 22 weeks it took to get a permit and the tons of rock we removed from the earth). But, today I'm just going to bask in the glory of framing.

The sweet smell of fresh 2x4s.

Sitting in the windows.

Playing in the stairwell.

Dancing in Grammie's room.

Oh yes, for all of the difficulty, this is really fun. I love that our design and building team is genuinely excited about this project and that the story of our family living in this house is going to be amazing.

A Little Homesite Video

Here is a quick clip of the home site. Be advised, the perspective is all off. That back wall is actually two stories high.

See it here.

Work it Out

Inspired by Krissy and Alli, I'd like to give you the update on what has been going on at our house with Cana. She's two, and that means that we've still got some suffering to work out in her, when you are two sometimes suffering comes in the form of discipline (giving up your wants for what is best). At her dedication a friend told us that her suffering would be worked out early in life. That's good, especially if you believe this little gem:

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:3

I really want my kids to have a lifetime of perseverance, character and hope.

At our house part of discipline is submission to authority. We've asked Cana to say, "yes Mommy" or "yes Daddy" when she needs to submit. This works for us. There is something about saying the words that makes her change and obey.

About three weeks ago on a Friday Cana wanted to sit in my lap at lunch. She was supposed to sit in her chair. We clearly laid out the expectation, but got a loud "NO" over and over again. I re-explained the expectations and reminded her to say "yes mommy". "NO!" I stayed calm. AP was right there with me. I continued to repeat the expectations and ask her to say, "yes Mommy". I get "NO!" Stayed calm. Repeated. Prayed for her. Hysteria ensued. Big tears. This continues for a good 8 minutes. AP prays over her, repeats the request. She gets out one final hard, heavy cry. Then she looks at me and says, "I'm sorry mommy, I'm so sorry. Yes mommy."

Whew. She happily obeyed and we celebrated (like she does most days). After she left the room I teared up. This parenting thing is hard sometimes, I'm so happy to be in it with AP. I'm happy to have my mom's support and a crazy great community of friends to learn from. We continue to work it out daily around here.

Food

Wake tried rice cereal for the first time at dinner tonight. He ate the entire bowl, and then licked every remaining morsel off of his hands.

Foundation "Footers"

I don't know what that title means. It's just the words that my husband and Jeff (our project manager) have used about 100 times in the past few days. And here are some pictures of progress.

You know what I like about Jeff? He sent us these pictures because we were out of town, he introduced himself to the neighbors and let them know to call him with any problems, and he calls if they need to make a decision that we haven't discussed. This experience is going well so far, and much of that is because of Jeff. The fine team at Kurt Platte Architects/Black Rock Construction is really impressive.