We have windows!

And they are so pretty! I love them, they are exactly what I was picturing in my head for months. And the whole time I was hoping they would turn out how I was thinking they would, but you just never know. But they did! I seriously clapped my hands a dozen times that day.

Kyle had lots of help and was able to get all the windows installed in just a day. Though the slider did not...because he was told the slider would not have a "flange" piece (sp) and well it did. And he had already poured the concrete patio....so now the door can't be install. Options: 1) cut the piece off; 2) get a concrete cutter and cut the piece out. Kyle is going to option 2.

So everything is looking more and more real. I keep joking that its nearly move in ready. But secretly I am not joking too much...I'm ready!

Next up: Electrical. Kyle has begun installing our 80 can lights! The electrician will be out this week to start hooking up the outlets and light switches

This is the side of the house, the kids wing. That little window is the in the kids toilet room. With one window on this side, it makes it look a little bare. I hope to dress it up with plants.

 This is the back of the house. From L to R the windows are the 1) window above tub in master bath; 2) Master bdrm windows; 3) Dining room windows; 4) Peytons room.  We opted for no grids on the back windows, more $$$ and I'd rather that expense be saved for the front of the house. 

This is the other side of the house. That window is the side of the bonus room. The hole in the wall is the "man" door to the garage/mechanical room. It'll be filled in later. 

Obviously this is the front of the house and my most favorite view! 

And this is the garage and the bonus room windows above. 

Next up is the installation of all the can lights!

OH yeah, we are building a house

*Originally posted to WORDPRESS on February 20

OK, it you aren't techy, this may not make sense to you. My blog was (and still is) hosted by a site called blogger. Well I haven't blogged in over a month because blogger is not being very user-friendly, and I've had all these issues with uploading pictures. And when I do, it is not pretty. Anyone that knows me knows I like everything to be pretty and organized and nice looking. So....long story short, I'm trying to switch over to a new blog host, WordPress. Hoping to have a better experience and get back to actually blogging.

So the house, OMG, so much has happened since the last post, Wood and Walls. People, I have walls, I have a rooms, I have a freaking roof!! Oh, and now I have pipes for sinks, showers and toilets. Its like nearly move in ready :-) So yes that's all the good news, with pictures below for you to view.

The not so fun part, bleeding money. We knew this was part of the process, but it is painful. First, we had to write a check for $20k for the trusses when they were delivered. I had to laugh, because for one thing Kyle had to write the check. How he did not hyper ventilate I do not know. Then I had to laugh, and ask him if he even knew how to spell that! Frankly, I would have really had to think that out because I have NEVER had to write a check that large. Well these checks have been common, there was the lumber package bill (gulp), I just paid for our windows, and our counter tops.

Now you might be scratching your head, why are you buying countertops with lumber and windows. Very good question. So about a month ago Kyle and I came to the decision we really wanted soapstone counters. We liked the look and how it was rated to stand up to the use of a kitchen. We also knew it would cost a bit more than say granite. So we (me) started shopping. I searched all the way up to seattle and down to Portland. I talked to about six different fabricators and warehouses. In the end, I choose a local fabricator and told him what I wanted. A week or so later he called and said "funny thing, just got an email from my slab warehouse I use (meta marble in seattle) and their soapstone is on sale. SOLD. So he's storing it for us until we need it. I'm so excited.

The roofing bill should be here next week as they are roofing as I am typing this! Thank you A-1 roofing! Again, painful. But hey it lasts 50 years right, not something I'll need to buy again for a long time.

As far as life on the compound, well its been joyful as usual. I heard a phrase at a work training yesterday, and although it was applied to a different situation, I really felt it was perfect for our living situation right now. YOU NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.  Look, I don't know where some of our stuff is a lot of the time, frustrating. I can't find what I want in the fridge most of the time, frustrating. I can't do laundry or take a shower when I want to at the exact moment, frustrating. But I am seeing a ton of positive from this too. I think...maybe its not true, but I am pretty sure I'm becoming a WAY better communicator with my spouse, and with his family. I think my problem solving skills are pretty dang polished. But I also know, with 100% certainty, that when our house is done I will not be sad to leave, and the in-laws will swiftly lock the door behind me.

Okay that's the update for now. I'll try to squeeze in a post next week on my trip to NYC last weekend.

Wood and Walls

It's the beginning of what I call phase 2. Phase 1 was the permits, dirt work, etc. Phase 2 consists of the actual building: framing, roof, windows and doors and maybe the Sheetrock. Phase 3 is the finishing and what I think the fun stuff: cabinets, tile, paint, floors

Blogger is just not cooperating lately with me and my photos. Frankly, its been a real PITA. So excuse the technical difficulties.

So much got accomplished this past weekend. Seeing the drawing of my house come to life has been amazing. The kids are SO excited. Running all around the house and becoming familiar with all the new spaces. And of course, their rooms. We've made a few tweeks here and there. The pantry wall is being moved back 2 feet which gains me 2 ft of cabinets and counters in the kitchen. The front rooms have finally been decided: His and Her office spaces. We just kept calling it a flex room because we had no idea what to do with the space. Now Kyle will have his own office to do construction business, and I will have mine to take care of family business, and sewing, and wrapping station, etc! so excited. And I'm sure the changes aren't over. But its all for the better and this is just going to be the best house and I can't wait to live in it.