Hay Day!

On Wednesday, Skye's uncle came and cut our back 15+ acres of hay to have it baled. They came back to today and baled it and took it to the farm for the cows. It was a neat, seemingly easy process, with the equipment they have.
I have to admit, it's exactly how I wanted to see that back pasture used. I am not sure why but it was a breath of fresh air knowing we were using what God has created. I've really enjoyed being out at the farm and I'm super excited to move in, probably next week, to the "old" house.

Home?

Today was the start of another new thing. What a rush it is to see your dreams coming true before your eyes!! It was an amazing feeling watching them put up the first wall.
I was sitting there while this one wall was coming up thinking about everything...
the prayers
the dreaming
the planning
the talks
more prayers
the sketches
and sketches
and sketches
and talks
and paperwork
more prayers
and dreams
and PRAYERS...LOTS of prayers
and tears, arguments, laughter, more tears...dirt...lots of dirt.

All in this 10 seconds it took to put up this wall and nail in it place. Simply amazing!!

The sunset tonight was wonderful. I keep visioning what it will look like from the porch, and how we'll watch the spring sun fall over the tractors and planters sowing the seeds. The summer time corn growing, the lightening storms, and fireflies. The big autumn moon and the combines harvesting the corn. The colorful leaves on the thousands of trees in my view. The winter snow...covering the ground so the deer tracks are easily seen.

The more we are here, the more it feels like "home". Because really, in the last 10+ years, no place was "Home". Just a safe place for us to stay, so we were close to Skye!!

We are officially...Home!

Up to the subfloor

Today we had some helpers come at the end of the day and that really sped up the process. As they say, many hands make light (or in this case, accomplished) work! :)

Skye and his dad Ed got mostly all the "I" joists put on today, and when the guys came they finished that, put the boards all around them to secure them, and started the sub-floor  Tomorrow we start walls on the 1st floor. It's been so great having the extra hands as I am not much help to Skye with these hands, but I do give myself an "A" for effort.

I guess you can say, we're comin' along!

 The sub-floor was put on later, but it was dark and I didn't get a good pic! :)

 Little helper, helping Daddy back fill.

They love the "left over" wood to make stuff out of! That's our niece with Z.

Madly in love with a "2" year old!

You can NEVER tell me that God doesn't answer prayers. We prayed and prayed for our Joshua, and God provided. He is simply amazing and I don't blog about him enough. We've never had terrible 2's and he is holding that to be true. He's sweet, kind, funny, athletic, dirty, and simply wonderful! We adore him!!
I can't believe my baby boy is working on 3. I feel very blessed and very challenged with him. God's blessings are wonderful!

This weekend ROCKED!

The first blessing I want to thank God about is that this is the second weekend Skye's had the entire weekend off, and it's the 2nd one in a row! So...Thanks God! You rock!
Second, we have some very diligent helpers that have really changed our world. If they did not show up, we would not be as far as we got this weekend! You know who you are, and we thank God for you too.
Third, I want to thank God that through all this, He is giving Skye and I the grace we need for each other and our children, and although we sometimes fail, He gently reminds us...and we get back on track!

For all who are new, about 15 and 1/2 years ago I met this guy, and our very first conversation was about how we wanted to build our own house in the country (at the base of the mountains, but we compromised and decided against that). We wanted horses and a huge back porch that we could sing on. This first conversation lead to many, many more, and we've praying about it for all these years. So...this dream is coming to life and it takes my breath away...with each and every step!

Here's new pics...the first beam in place!


Here's another beam, with our helpers...minus Matt.

The basement is mostly framed in.

Guest bedroom...all are welcome!

We have WALLS!

Earlier this week the walls were poured. They took the forms off yesterday and we have WALLS!!! Today we poured the basement full of gravel getting ready for the concrete to be poured in the morning. We start framing on Saturday. I can't believe how well it's going. I am so happy, and so exhausted at the same time.

While looking at the picture to the RIGHT is the front of the house...the LEFT is the walk out basement. The building in the back of the picture is our barn. That field is not our property, it ends after that barn.

Drains, Walls, and a little buddy!

In the last week the rain has really put a hold on all that we've been doing...so we've just enjoyed the softball park! Skye had is first entire weekend off since December, so that was nice, and Mother's Day was this weekend and he was home with us the entire day! YAHOO!!

We put drains in the floor for pumps and bathrooms. Today the concrete guys showed up and put up the forms for the walls in the basement. It looks SO small compare to what we originally thought, but I'm sure once we get in there, it'll be perfect!

There's the little guy who hangs out with us every day. I mowed for two hours the other day and he was Daddy's helper digging in the gravel with him. It's a real treasure to have the kids right along side of us as much as possible.

The framing material has been ordered, and I go tomorrow to pay for it... OUCH! :) That will all be delivered to the sight, and if all goes well, we start framing this weekend. So exciting!!

The girls have a little over 2 weeks of school left and then school is out for summer! We ALL can't wait because that means, late nights with fireflies, s'mores and cousins. We will also be moving out to the "old" house which should be very interesting! :)

Footers, skeletons, and beams!

Work is still work no matter how small! Last week the concrete guys poured the footers for the walls. These are like the foundation for the foundation. They are 16 inches wide and you pour the 8 inch wide walls on top. They are not coming to pour them until late this week!

Back in the old house my sister and I we working on cleaning it up so that as soon as school is out we can move out to the property so we can really be working on it from dusk to dawn. We found a LOT of skeletons in the drop ceiling we were tearing out but once it was down, there was a beautiful ceiling...that will one day be my gorgeous dining table! :)

Opening Day!

Today ROCKED! It was an awesome day for us as a family. The girls first opening day for softball. They did so great...it was a BLAST to be out there with them coaching. I THOROUGHLY enjoy coaching. It blessed my heart to be cheering them on!

This is Z's first At-Bat! Got got a single!

 A's at bat, she's a great little hustler!

First base coach, I was rooting her on!