I Love This House

Why are we rebuilding?  It's a question we have often been asked during this whole nightmare.  People wonder why we would do such a thing when we don't know what will happen next spring.  Others think it's best for us to build outside of the flood zone, up on the hill.  There are many factors that go into our decision to rebuild as quickly as possible.  The first is that we bought this house because it's perfect for Natalie.  We will not be able to buy another house that can fit our needs and is in our budget like #5 Fairway.  We also need to be back as quickly as possible for the same reason---it's handicap-accessible.  We're not going to live our lives wondering what some government agency is going to decide, because if we do that we'll be waiting forever.  We just have to have the faith that the Lord will take care of us and provide for our needs no matter what happens.  Most importantly, we're rebuilding because we love our house.  And that's that.

So, back to the rebuild...

Electrical wiring is finished, and now it's on to insulation.  We considered the foam insulation, but decided to save money there and roll it in ourselves.  Our house is going to be so much more energy efficient the way it is with new windows and siding, that this wasn't really a difficult decision.  Here are Steve and Jim finishing up the family room.

 Here is the big bathroom/laundry room.  It's so large and luxurious.  I can't wait to see the finished product!!!  Do you see the package of insulation in the very middle of the picture?

 That's where this beautiful new roll-in, handicap-accessible shower will be.  How exciting!!!

 Now for the big project of the weekend...finishing the siding!  We got one step closer to this when the guys got together to place the shakes on the gables.  I was SOOOOO nervous about it working together...but it actually looks better than I had imagined.  

I brought cookies over for the guys--but Calvin managed to eat more than anyone else there---including his father!!  :)

We finally have a finished front of the house.  I think next summer we'll put a deck on the front of the house---but it's not necessary right now.

Calvin loves being HOME!

This is the fantastically beautiful dry stack stone on the front of the house that I absolutely adore...so much so that it will also go on the surround to the fireplace in the family room.  

So, again, we're looking in to Natalie's bedroom, with its wide opening and angled door.  Love it.

Looking from the master bedroom into the master bath.  I'm so excited to have two full bathrooms in the house.

The family room is insulated now.

Calvin is inspecting Daddy's work on the siding (cookie in hand).

Natalie sat in the "kitchen" listening to all of the work going on.  She loves all of the noise!

This little area will one day be Natalie's desk in the family room.  It'll be the perfect spot for her to listen to music, play games and have her own space!

More siding work!

Inside the house is a wonderland for Calvin.  He runs around like a mad man.

There's our beautiful house, hidden behind the ol' FEMA trailer, which I'm fairly certain won't be hooked up until 2012.  (It's for my in-laws, by the way!)

 So, what's on the agenda for our home?  Plumbing has begun, HVAC and sheetrock is next week, hopefully we can get some painting done before the kitchen arrives and  flooring goes in.  Then, it's all about the details and some looooooong nights.  We're ready for it though; it'll all be worth it in the end.