Things are really hopping now. We've met with plumbers, HVAC, electricians, cabinets, floors. We've made so many decisions, I dread pulling up to the drive-through because I know I'll have to make one more. David isn't always with me, so I make a lot of decisions for the both of us. He's so trusting and never once has he questioned my judgment. That instills a lot of confidence in me and I really appreciate him for that. I still prefer to discuss everything with him, given the chance.
We are agree on most everything. We picked out a brick in about 10 minutes! 100% agreed, no compromise needed! I would say the biggest stress of this entire process has been trying to stay on budget. Due to a complicated roof and perhaps a goof on the part of building supply guy (estimated too low), we are significantly over on our framing. The storm shelter put us over initially. Now we're digging out of a hole, so to speak.
This predicament, along with our desire to keep our mortgage payment manageable, and to honor the Lord with our finances, led to our decision to nix the rock in exchange for brick. Ronnie worked hard to find the best price for us, but it is almost three times as much to rock the front than it is to brick it. We would all love to see it in rock, but it is hard to justify spending $6000 more for an aesthetic when it doesn't add anything structural to the house. And, as I was reminded in our Sunday School lesson a few weeks ago, it's all going to burn one day anyway! "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. . ." 2 Peter 3:10-11 And build sensible houses! Hopefully this decision will help us to enjoy the process of picking out the rest of our house. We are entering the phase where we get more say in how much stuff costs.
Speaking of fire, Mom & Mark experienced a house fire this past week. Please pray for them as they dig out from under the soot and wetness! The laundry room was destroyed and the rest of the house has smoke damage. Praise God, no one was injured badly! Mark escaped and is down to 7 lives (stranded on a capsized boat in the ocean last summer)!! Fire pictures: http://www.nehp.net/~svmrestoration/fire/
Recent photos from our house:
dining room window
(and Sarah Kate sleeping through incredible noise--about 10 roofers above her pounding away)
kitchen
the boys discussing details (David, Ronnie) in the manly discussion posture
the back of the house with screened in porch
Here it is! Looking more like a real house every day. We have most windows and doors in, shingles are almost done. Please continue to pray for us. I've seen a difference when I stop to pray in the midst of the chaos. "Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain" Psalm 121:1. It's funny to me that right after that is "In vain you rise early and stay up late;" that's exactly what I'm doing today! Goodnight : ) Y'all come and see us!
