Finally

I think it is finally safe to say that we have started to build! The plans are finalized, bids are in, and the ball is rolling. This weekend, Kevin and I built an entrance to our land (pictured above). It was hard work (mostly for Kevin) but we got it done and I think it looks pretty good. Then, on Monday the utility company came and installed our poles for electricity (also pictured above). Today, some guys came and dug two 20 foot deep holes to take soil samples so we can get an engineered foundation. We should have the results in about a week, and then the foundation plans in 2 or 3 more. Kevin is waiting on 3 more bids, but it looks like we will be able to go to the bank at the end of the week to apply for our loan. I don't want to guess at a date that we will officially break ground, because all of my dates have been wrong so far, but we are pretty close. And we are EXCITED!! Look for more to come as things start to happen.

It's Beginning

Our house is SOLD and we are in the process of building our dream home! We are so lucky to have 2 acres right next to my grandma and are knee deep in the beginning stages of building a house. We are hoping to break ground in January, and are taking care of all the things (that never seem to end) to get the ball rolling. We have an official address, and are in the process of obtaining water, electricity, and a loan from the bank. Our house plan is currently in the hands of Kevin's old boss from college who is a custom home builder. He is drawing it up with some changes we wanted and some he suggested. Once that gets back to us, we will start getting bids and begin construction.

Here is a picture of the land taken a few weeks ago at sunset. We are very excited and blessed!!

Update

Sorry it has been a while! School started and suddenly I have no free time. 2nd grade is so much fun but so much work. Keeping 17 seven and eight year olds entertained all day is a challenge and takes a lot of planning. But every day gets a little easier and I am starting to think I might have things figured out!

OK, here's the exciting news. Our house is UNDER CONTRACT! Can you believe it? Only 6 short months since we put it on the market. We are supposed to close this Thursday, so please pray! The buyer is a young, single guy whose name is Kevin. It just must be meant to be. But it ain't over until it's over so we aren't going to celebrate until those papers are signed.

More Coast Fun

Here are some more pictures of the fun we had at the coast. Mom, Dad, Kara, Jacob (Kara's bf), Rusty (my dog), and I all took a 12 mile boat ride to some sand dunes near Bird Island. We had a lot of fun running around in the sand, especially Rusty!

Kevin came and picked me up on Friday, and we made the short drive to spend the weekend with his family in Port A. I got to fish with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and adorbale nephew, Ryland. Despite all of the rain that showed up that weekend, we had a great time.

Coastal Vacation

Another benefit of our new location is the short drive to the coast. I am here at "Meemommie's Coast" with my parents this week. Kevin is coming on Thursday night after work, and then Friday morning we will head to Port A to spend the weekend in a condo with his family. Last night Dad and I went to the "Honey Hole" and I caught this beautiful Red. He was almost long enough to have to tag- just shy of 28 inches. Dad caught one that was 21 and a half inches long. I guess he didn't want to hold it up next to mine in the picture. :)

Our First Anniversary

Yesterday was our one year wedding anniversary! We pulled our wedding cake top out of the freezer, and enjoyed a piece that tasted just at good as it did one year ago. Then had a fantastic dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, where our steaks were served on 500 degree plates and melted in our mouths. We got a complimentary piece of cheesecake with "congratulations" written on the plate in chocolate. After our dinner we took a stroll on the Riverwalk and enjoyed a drink in bar on the water before heading home. It was a wonderful evening, and much less hectic than our actual wedding day a year before! Neither of us can believe a whole year has passed since that day. Wasn't it just yesterday that we exchanged vows and danced the night away? It certainly seems like it!

So much happened in our first year of marriage. We experienced many things from the top of the list of life's major stresses- loosing a job, looking for new jobs, moving, the loss of Murray's dad. But, there have been so many good times as well. We have remained strong and in love, and that is all that matters. It is amazing how being back at home with our family and doing the things we love most makes things so much better. We are truly blessed.

Ode To Our Home

I took a few pictures of our house the other day before we started packing. It has been a wonderful first home, and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I am very sad to leave it, but unfortunately it is just not in the right location. It's a little too far north. About 300 miles too far.

Here is the front porch. Actually, this was taken when I first planted the beds about 2 years ago. I just wanted to include a pic of the front of the house.



Here is the kitchen table area.

This is our fantastic fireplace.

Another shot of the living room, with the screen door turned sideways on the wall that my mom made famous. That is the couch we purchased with our wedding money. Do you recognize those throw pillows, Aunt Betty? :)

This is my favorite room, the guest room.

It is not going to be easy to leave our home and live with my parents for a while, but I am so grateful that we have that option. And one of these days our house will sell, and we will buy another one that we will love just as much. Goodbye first home!