Keeping a Building Binder

Throughout this building journey, I’ve kept pretty clear and regular notes. In a composition notebook, there are entries of the date and whom we spoke or worked with and what was said.

There have already been times I’ve looked back because we may not have remembered something the builder said, or I was curious how long another thing took to finish. The binder contains all the builder’s receipts that the bank forwards to us for each draw.

There is also a general building timeline I found here.

Also a pamphlet of one of our builders previous homes to keep as a reference for some of the same materials or finishes used.

House Progress

Family-wise, same stuff going on with school, work, kids activities. Lots of work with the house happening. We have most of our roof completed and windows installed. The kids are enjoying running around inside and I can just imagine their play from room to room when we are finally in.

February is Here

Most of the kids were interested in the big game, but it didn't go our way:

My measly attempt at Valentine's Day decor. Not much to do when so much is packed in boxes.

And look at this! Time to roof this thing. 

Up, Up She Goes

We can officially call it "the house" now instead of driving by an empty lot. Men have been busy and this is their work for the last six days! First floor almost complete and second floor partially begun. We caught a lovely break in weather and forcasts for 50s-60s for the next seven days. We should be able to get the framing done in the next week. We have chosen where the stone, stucco, and brick will be placed and have to decide on colors today.

Side/Front

Garage Side

Even with all the extra support boards, it's fun to walk through the rooms

Upstairs in the gameroom

 Second floor partial wall up/Facing East

Second floor/Facing West

Upstairs looking down stairway

S L O W Going

Our progress on the house has not gotten very far. Due to rain and cold weather, two weeks have passed with the footings being poured, lots of dirt loads brought in, and rough plumbing done. The rebar is set and now we wait for a good day to pour the foundation. Fingers crossed for this week!

Third Time's A Charm, Right?

Summer of 2012

Two long years later, this is starting to happen for our family! We outgrew our current house about two children ago and we are so crammed in here that we're all about to go crazy. A 1600 sq.ft. home is a bit too small for seven people to enjoy, and we are all ready to have room to spread out (and privacy as well). We started our for-real-this-time process in July and already have hit some snags just trying to get started. It's a real test of patience and trusting in God's timing, especially for me being home all day and dealing with the issues of no room for anything. We have broke ground, but that is as far as we've gotten to date. I'm trying to be positive that we can get this thing going before the bad winter weather stays for good. Here are our plans for a 6 bedroom, 4 full/3 half bath, 4-car garage, office, game room, and theater:

1st floor

2nd floor