Day 11 - Rain, Rain Go Away

Well, we were scheduled to pour the slab this morning, but after a good rain last night it looks like we will have to wait until Monday or Tuesday. the good news is that it is forcasted to be sunny between now and then.

Day 9 - In the Trenches

Got the plumbing laid on Thursday (Day 4), took a break for Memorial Day weekend and they got the trenches dug out yesterday. They are working on the rebar today and we should see some cocrete in the morning! Here is a picture of Josiah having fun in the trenches. I've posted all the pictures on my facebook page and as soon as I figure out how to make them public I'll post a link to them here.

* Try this link & let me know if it doesn't work:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1667&id=1268096891&ref=share

Day 2 - Seven Loads of Dirt

Moving along at a steady pace. They got the slab all formed up yesterday and should begin putting the plumbing in the next couple of days. The bank ordered the 2nd survey (you have to do a total of 3!) this morning so that should be done by the end of the week and we should see some cement the first of next week. (if it doesn't rain).

Day 1 - Breaking Ground

Michelle and I were discussing last night that we've talked about it for so long that it's hard to believe this is actually for our house! We set the stakes and elevation yesterday morning and they got started. We had a decent pad already built so we won't have to haul much dirt in. If all goes well, we should see some cement sometime next week. We will be 13" above the road.

Michelle said some of you have asked about he floor plan so here it is.

Sign Here

No backing out now. We closed on the construction loan this morning. I spent yesterday transfering money, getting a cashiers check, and getting permits. It took 3 trips accross town and almost 2 hours before I got all my paperwork filled out, notorized and recorded for the septic and building permits. I didn't leave without them though. If the weather holds up, we should begin the ground work on Monday!

Closing the Deal

We finally heard back from the Title Company yesterday and we are all set to close on Thursday! It should be a busy week. Thanks to Buddy, we got all our stumps ground this weekend so we can bring in some more rock for the driveway.

We should get our water tap and building permits this week and the power should go in soon. I finally found a use for the "panaramic" setting on my camera and figured out how to stitch the photos together so I attached a little better picture of the land above.

Happy Mother's Day

Justin has ordered me the stove of my dreams. We found it a few hundred dollars off and snatched it up while it was on sale. Duel fuel: gas on top and convection below, with two ovens, one for casseroles and the other for the bigger stuff. I am looking forward to being able to use the higher oven so Anna's little fingers are in less danger of getting burnt. With God's help everyone can come over for a Thanksgiving dinner to remember: turkey and homemade yeast rolls cooked in my new oven and (if Justin gets his way) a 52" flatscreen for enjoying the football game : )

Only in America!

Only in America do we have a system setup where we get to pay "professionals" to tell us what we already know.

Last week, the Appraiser called me and asked what we paid for the land last year, and what the contract price is on the new house. His appraised value.....the same amount I had told the loan officer when she asked for my guestimate! For this privelege I was honored to pay him $350.

Yesterday, I spoke to the guy I get to pay $300 to decide where our septic system would best be located and how to best lay it out. His question....where would I like the septic to be, and how would I like to lay it out.

Not that I didn't know this in advance. I have been forewarned by more than one friend who recently went thru this process. I'm just thankfull that God has blessed us with the ability to pay for these annoyances. After all it is His money anyway...and the septic will be where I want it.

Two steps closer.

The survey and appraisal are done! We just have to wait on the Title comapany and we should be able to begng construciton around the first of June.


Here's a poll. Take a look at both front elevations shown and give us your opinion on 1 or 2 gables in the front center. Either way, we are using stone and hardie where shown in the b&w architectural drawing above.