Check out our progress!

Okay, so it has been a LONG time since I have posted ANYTHING....but things haven't really been moving very quickly. Or at least progress that you can really see.

The front door has been installed, you'll notice that I bought the darker oak door with the square window. It looks nice but when Jim first installed it I asked "do you think it is too dark?" He promptly stated..... now don't start questioning ALL of your purchases, this what you selected we are NOT changing it NOW!! So I guess it's the right one afterall! (sigh)

The siding, called Hardyboard, is nearly complete - less one ceiling piece over the deck. The siding Jim purchased is compressed concrete which is supposed to withstand all weather better than aluminum or steel, including large hailstones and high winds yet still looks like traditional lap siding. I hope to start painting this week. The color I selected for the house is Shady Willow a buff color trim called Deer Run.

Speaking of paint color, the photo of the shed (aka bus barn) that sits at the end of the driveway so the kids have a warm dry spot to wait for the bus in the morning is also pictured. This shed was our test building for paint choices, you'll be happy to know that that WAS NOT the color I choose for the house! It was TOO GREEN, yuck gross!!! The Shady Willow is a much softer color similar to a sage! I'm glad we did a test run on the shed rather than paint the whole house a color that just wasn't right, then I would have to live with another poor choice!

The deck is also now finished, Thanks Rye Con! It even has a built in beer table! It is a lot bigger than I expected, actually larger than the deck on the old house. With the shelter of the roof (for shade and protection from the rain) it will be a nice place to sit and enjoy the view!

Jim's projects this weekend include finishing the electrical wiring and installing the garage doors. Hopefully the concrete will be finished next week so that the brick can applied to the front of the house next. After the electrical is finished the insulation will be installed and then DRYWALL - which of course means that we are getting closer to the finishing touches! I can hardly wait to order flooring, kitchen cupboards, select more paint colors and get this mansion finished.

My dream to be living in the new house by Christmas has faded as things are just not moving as quickly as I hoped.......but maybe by EASTER!

Progress has stalled to nearly a standstill

Progress has really slowed this last month, waiting on one contractor to finish his project so that others (electrician and plumber) can complete their jobs.

We've been shopping for the "perfect" front door, however nothing has been purchased as of yet. Jim wanted to get a solid wood door, but the price tag didn't fit the budget. So I think that we have decided on one of two fiberglass doors pictured here. I prefer the darker oak finish with the square window, Jim likes the light oak with the oval window. We'll see what we end up with.

The whirlpool tub and special order window are now installed.

The kids' shower is also in place,

that's the shower tub combination pictured.

The siding and brick estimates are supposed to be ready this week. Jim wants to put on concrete siding, which is more durable than vinyl but will need to be painted! (arghhh) The brick that I have selected is called Crimson Mountain, it is not traditional square brick but has an appearance more like a ledgestone.

We recently learned that the second story windows do not meet building code. This was a mistake by the salesman who ordered the windows and was discovered when one of his co workers came to the building site to measure for brick and siding. Luckily the replacement will be at their cost, not ours.


In the lull of progress we have been working the calves and cattle, preparing for the County Fair in early August.

Blessings to all.


Colossians 3:11-13 (Contemporary English Version)
11It doesn't matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, [a] and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.
13Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.

We've been PLUMBED!

The windows are installed, including the bay window in the dining room. We are still waiting on the special order window for over the whirlpool tub in the master bathroom.

The roof is finished and NOW the plumbers are here installing all the PVC pipe throughout the house. I shopped on Monday afternoon for the perfect whirlpool tub, shower stall and the handicap shower for the guest room. There are just TOO many choices out there, I would do much better with just two to choose from.

I've been searching the many catalogs for the perfect style, finish and design for each of the bathrooms. There are 5, yes FIVE bathrooms in this house - almost one for each of the 6 Nickels who will live there.

The electrician will be the next contractor to being called and I'm sure there will be plenty of decisions to be made for those fixtures as well. All these critical color coordinated choices can be a little overwhelming, Jim keeps telling me to "get what you want" so I guess then he can't COMPLAIN about the cost!

Have a blessed week!

Exodus 15:2 (New Living Translation)
2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

Roofers are making progress.....

Saturday's hot sun didn't stop these guys from working on our roof. Thanks to Ken, Leroy and the Nickel boys - they were able to get the north west roof all on Saturday before noon. However, the sun grew so hot by the time they moved to the south side, it was impossible to continue. The shingles were so soft from the heat, the staples went clear through. So shortly after two, these dedicated hot roofers called it a day and soon found the adult cold beverages!

The picture on the right, shows the guys were back out EARLY today hoping to beat the heat and the sun. They are working on the south side of the house today, going amazingly fast (helps to have builder here to help out - Thanks Rye!)

Oh by the way - I think my final decision on the shingle color was the right one! They look GREAT and I'm excited to see everything coming together!

Job 26:13-14 (New Living Translation)
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent. 14 These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”

We have WINDOWS!!

Check it out - windows are being installed today! Yeah, once enclosed - I actually think we could have a sleep over! Roofing to begin tomorrow!

God is AMAZING!

Even with the windy conditions.....

Rye construction is high on the hill up on the roof! It's been a windy week to be working on the roof of our two story house, however, neither wind, nor rain or dark of night will stop these guys! :)

Tuesday afternoon, I went to the contractor supply location and checked out the asphalt shingles, after changing my mind SEVERAL times I finally decided on Weathered Slate (mostly black) then by the time I got home I had changed my mind again, so I had to call the guy first thing this morning to tell him my FINAL ANSWER is Mountain Slate (brown and kind of green).

It's a tough job making all these color coordinating decisions! (I imagine I will be a basket case when it's time to make decisions about the interior!)

The windows are scheduled to be delivered on Friday 5/22 and hopefully installed the same.

Weather permitting, we are hoping to put the asphalt roof on over the three day weekend.

So we're moving right along......

Stop by and check it out in person sometime soon!

God is GOOD - All the time!

A Mansion in the making....

I keep telling you this HOUSE is huge! Seriously, I think I'll have to quit my PO job and stay at home just to keep this mansion clean or maybe I'll just have to hire a maid.

But what a beautiful home it will be for our family, I guess maybe we deserve it. We plan to do a lot of the interior finish work which hopefully will help to control costs and then I know we will deserve to enjoy this new home. (I just hope we can afford the TAXES!) :)

Another beautiful day and more pics to share. ENJOY!

Amazing Grace.....that saved a wrench like me.

Mark 10:27 (New Living Translation)
27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Another glorious sunny day on the hill

and the roof gables are being lifted into place. I am blessed to be able to watch as they lift the huge gables onto the second level of the house, creating the second story of our home.

On Friday Destiny (age 11) called me at work with exciting news: " Mommy I can see where my bedroom will be". Well not exactly where her bedroom will be, but she could see the roof outline for the second floor and she knows that her bedroom will be upstairs. She called me back a few minutes later to report that the house looked like it had a roller coaster on the top of it. (see the photos, you'll see the structure she thought looked like a carnival ride) :)

It's exciting and moving quickly. We are truly blessed, God is helping us to rebuild our lives and our home. Our Father is an amazing God, allowing us to be blessed beyond the ashes!

Check back for more updates later today.

GOD is GOOD! (all the time)

Job 5:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 “If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. 9 He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. 10 He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields.

upper level progress

Another GREAT DAY of progress on the hill near Malcolm. The main floor walls are being framed and enclosed.

The first picture is the guest bedroom - north side of the house, right inside the main entrance. Hopefully this will be grandma Barb's room if she returns to live with us.....if not maybe you could stay there when you come to visit. Otherwise, Cordell says that will be his bedroom when he stays with Nana and Grandpa. :)

The second photo shows the rear view of the house, both the walk out and first level -exercise room and the sun room have 3 large windows exposed to the south. The third photo shows the 3 large windows in the sunroom and the smaller window on the left will be the breakfast room window above the eat in booth.

The last photo is looking toward the front of the house (taken from the trailer deck) the unenclosed area will be the three stall garage (on the right) with the guest bedroom on the left.

As you can see, the house will have a LOT of windows, according to the framing contractor (Rye Collins) "you can't walk 5 feet without another window in this house!" :) - we do like the view our the hill!

As I approached the drive today at lunch, I noticed several tire tracks in the road. I thought more deliveries were being made today! Yeah! As I traveled up the long drive, I was surprised to see a semi truck with over sized load signage BACKING up our drive. That had to be an experience for the driver - our driveway is nearly 1/4 mile long!

Another progress report likely tonight, as they are busy out there putting up MORE WALLS!

This is SO EXCITING!!!

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

Psalm 147
1 Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

2 The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

WOW - what a difference one day can make!

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised when I ventured out to survey the progress that today brought. I could easily see the tresses in place and the subflooring on the first level.......then I walked around to the basement, not only did I discover the basement rooms all framed and enclosed BUT the steps were also in place from the lower level to the main floor.

MAN ALIVE - that Rye Construction does good work AND quick! This was all accomplished after only two days on the job! I am amazed and grateful ...... after waiting so long for ANY progress it's just a little difficult to absorb when things move quickly I guess.

WOW - I guess I'm a little nervous now that such progress is so obvious.... should I be out shopping for things such as flooring, carpet, cupboards, paint colors..... all this activity has my mind spinning ! The windows were ordered last Thursday, approximate delivery timeframe is three weeks

Praise God from whom all blessings flow......have a blessed week!

1 Chronicles 16:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 9 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. 10 Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.

Progress.....slow but sure

Well to most people this really isn't so EXCITING.....but after 3 weeks of pretty much non existent progress, we are finally ready for the basement floor to be poured. Today the tubing for the infloor heat was installed in the basement making way for the concrete (weather permitting) to be poured tomorrow. Which I believe will include the lower patio, front stoop and sidewalk.

NEXT - I'm told (which seems to be my standard statement these days) that the framing will begin either Saturday or Monday 5/4/09. So for obvious reasons I'm ESTACTIC! I realize this will be a lllloooooooonnnnngggg process, but I am thrilled that we are actually moving forward in this venture.

Check back soon, I hope to have pictures that actually resembles a house in the near future!

What a beautiful day

and what a beautiful sight, when I arrived for lunch today, not one, not two BUT four concrete trucks were here pumping the foundation frames full. One more step in the right direction!

Thank you God for this beautiful spring day and for the blessings we have received.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Exciting Progress

I'm THRILLED to share these photos and news that we have PROGRESS on the new house! On Monday 3/30/09 the trenches were dug for the footings, followed by footings poured on Tuesday and now the basement/foundation framing is in place for concrete walls to be poured on Friday 4/03/09!

After seeing our progress the last few days, Tyler (now 14) thinks we should be able to move in next month! (HA - this young man certainly has NO IDEA what all is in store for him, as well as the rest of the family ) There will be a lot of work to be done before we can even start working on the interior, as you well know. Then Tyler, we'll have to see which paint brush, hammer and sand paper fits your hand best!

While inspecting the basement today I suddenly realized this house is HUGE (remember everything looks spacious after living in a mobile home) however, immediately after this discovery, I was suddenly horrified that I will be the one expected to keep this mansion CLEAN - I was very SCARED, but only momentarily as I remembered there are 5 very abled helpers that will be moving in as well ( I did say abled, not necessarily cooperative - :) Oh well, if you want to visit please call before you stop! Maybe someday I can afford to hire Maria or Marilyn! :)

Now that we will have basement walls, I am told that it will be a minimum of 2 weeks before framing can begin. That's when the new house will be, at least to me, more of a reality. Thus far it has been hard to visualize how everything will look based solely on the blueprints. How can a girl decorate a room from just a drawing!

Jim and I have had conflicting priorities when it comes to designing our new home. While I have been searching the internet and stores for countertops, kitchen cabinets, floor tile and brick or paint colors, Jim is focused on pea gravel, back filling dirt and drain tiles. I can't understand WHY he doesn't seem concerned about the pretty things involved in building the house ! :)

Thanks for checking in and hopefully the next post will include some pics of a structure that will resemble a new house. God is in control, now and always!

Love ya !

Chelle

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Still waiting....

Well, we are waiting for the building permits to be issued so that activity can actually BEGIN! I spent this last Wednesday afternoon running errands to get the ball finally rolling. I was assured 5 working days if no issues with the design plans arise.

While the building process is slow, this is really a busy time of the year for us, calving season. We currently have 24 cows, two have already dropped (the term used by cattlemen for giving birth) so we have 22 more to go. It certainly seems these cows are on their own schedule, not mine. We check them several times a day, with disappointment in no activity here either.

Destiny has two bottle fed calves this year, Daisy and Cocoa. They reside right out side of the mobile home so that we can keep a close eye on them. Already they have brought us much joy, those hungry little calves. She is preparing them for County Fair in August 2009, Daisy will be her bottle calf project and Cocoa will show as a market calf.

Mark and Tyler still have their market calves from last season and will show them both as market steer this year at the Lancaster County Fair. These calves also live close to the house so that chores are easily accomplished.

Since I don't have any new photos of the progress not being made on the new house, I will post a photo of our little Daisy. Afterall, she is a blessing of another kind. :)

Check back later this week to see if we actually begin digging and pouring the new house basement.

Beautiful Dirt

Beautiful Dirt ?????? Well as you can see the old foundation and all concrete have now been hauled away, making way for the new foundation and basement to be poured. In the background is the 3 bedroom (single wide) mobile home that has been our home for the last 13 months, yep all 780 square feet for 8 people and a dog! Also pictured is the deck and swimming pool, thus far untouched by the fire or the destruction of the house.

We are currently waiting for all the red tape to clear and blueprint updates to apply for the building permits. Who would have ever thought that you needed documentation for such things as insulation or a lagoon inspection? So while patience is not my strongest characteristic, it is something I think I will be challenged by in the coming months. But isn't that just BEAUTIFUL DIRT??

God is Good! ALL the TIME!

A Brand new day!

On February 8, 2009, we worked to retrieve anything left that was salvageable. At the end of the day Jim said this would be the end of our home as we knew it and boy was that statement true. On Tuesday February 17, the remains of the house was reduced to rubble and carried away. No one can get over the view that we have from the deck of trailer, I guess we had gotten quite accustomed to looking at the burned remains of our former home. I for one am VERY EXCITED for the forward progress. From the ashes of the fire returned to the dust of the earth.....

Welcome to blessings beyond the ashes

It's been a long year since that fateful day in January 2008. Our lives will never be the same. God has blessed us in many ways and proved beyond a doubt that He is in control of our lives.

The house was a total loss, including Oscar and Koda our devoted dogs. God provided an agenda for all family members that took everyone out of harms way the day of the fire, for that I am eternally grateful. It has been a long year, but just as spring erupts following the snow; we have found "blessings beyond the ashes". I desired to share with our family and friends as we rebuild our lives and our new home, so Becky helped me to create this blogspot. Check back often for updates and hopefully tons of photos!