Coming along nicely

The living room

Elijah's room

Breakfast room

The kitchen

Stairs to basement...we are probably going to change these to an open staircase...

Wow!

We came home to big changes to our new house!! We were so excited to see all the progress that was made while we were at the beach!

Happy 10th Anniversary!!!

Today is a special day in my life. Today is mine and Brent's 10th wedding anniversary. When we were married 10 years ago I had no idea how difficult yet amazing marriage would be. It is hard for me to believe that we have been married for 10 years. It has really flown by - we have done a lot since we were married in 1999. We have both changed careers. I have finished my bachelor's degree, obtained my masters degree, and become a registered dietitian since we married. Brent has finished paramedic school and has become a supervisor at EMS where he works. Brent has joined the volunteer fire department and is now the assistant chief. We have had 2 amazing and wonderful boys. I have had 4 knee surgeries - no joke. We experienced the loss of my grandmother and brother. We have added lots of animals to our family. We have purchased a camper and went on numerous vacations and weekend trips in it. We have gone on several cruises. We have made so many memories together. We have been through good and bad times. We have had good strong moments in our marriage and some that left us wondering if our marriage would survive (and without turning to God it might not have). We have created and also paid off lots of debt since we married. Through all of these, God has been with us and we have tried to cling to Him and find his desires for our lives.

I want you to know, Brent, how much I love you and how proud I am to call you my husband. There are no words to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. I want you to know that I still believe in the vows that we took 10 years ago and I still feel the same about you. No, that's not right, I have grown to love you even more than I ever thought possible. I enjoy spending my life with you and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years bring us! I love you!!

The framing has begun...

Now things are getting exciting...and we are out of town!! Today Karen sent us more pictures of the work that has been done today and yesterday. The framing for the back basement wall and the sub-floor are started! It is going to be so exciting to pull in the driveway this weekend. I sit here and think about when we first found these house plans years ago and how we dreamed of being able to build this house. Now I see that the dream is coming true and I am speechless. There are no words to describe how overwhelming the feeling is to me. I am so thankful to God for this physical blessing that will be our home. I am so thankful to have such an awesome husband who is my soulmate - it is so amazing to me how we fit together so well and want the same things in life.

Backfilling and Basement Floor

Although we are at the beach this week, we are happy to say that progress is still being made on our new home. These pictures were taken on Tuesday evening after some backfilling was done and the basement floor was poured. Also, the basement foundation plumbing was completed on Saturday. (thank you Michael and Karen for getting these pictures to us!) (thank you Ocean Lakes campground for having internet access - ah, this camping is rough!!)

Enjoying the beach

Elijah's first stitches - Don't worry, it wasn't too serious. We were going to go to a Ripley's attraction and he slipped and fell at the entrance. The building is designed to look like the bricks are cracking off the building and when he fell he hit a sort-of sharp edge and his eyebrow popped open. Brent, Kevin, and Kim took him to an urgent care place and he was a trooper.

Does this injury look familiar to anyone?

Ocean Lakes here we come!!!

We are all very excited because we are leaving for our annual beach trip on Friday. We finally got the camper out...it was a little difficult due to the construction but we got it out. I've got the food gathered together. I've almost got the boys clothes packed.

Elijah says he's going to dig up some worms at the beach and jump in the waves.

Nolan says he is looking forward to getting in the pool.

I am excited to have 10 days to be at the beach, spend time with my boys, and be free from thinking about the nutritional needs of veterans! (To be honest I am taking some books to read for CEUs though.)

Brent is excited too - he isn't here right now for me to ask what he is looking forward to, but I think it's getting to relax and spend time with his family.

Brent and I will also be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary while at the beach!!

We are also all excited to spend time with Papaw and Grandma, Papaw and Nana, Kevin and Kim and Morgan!!!

I climbed this large pile of dirt to be able to take good pictures of the front of the house. Of course, the boys were quick to follow!
Daddy climbed up too and of course was shortly interrupted by a phone call!

Elijah is my little bug collector these days - he particularly likes to find "roly-polies" and put them in his bug cage.

Elijah loves to explore all the equipment and supplies that are around the yard!

On Saturday, Nolan lost both of his bottom teeth on the front - one first thing in the morning and the other when he bit into a mint at the restaurant we ate at on Saturday evening! He has been so excited about this!!

We couldn't get Peter to climb up on the dirt with us.

Here is Nolan when he first started his climb up.

Here is Elijah who had just made it up to the top!

This is Nolan on Sunday morning. He is just starting to like to sleep in a little! I don't mind one bit...I just wished I was still in the bed too!

More progress..

The basement walls are completed.The view of the basement walls from the back.

This part the sticks out is the part of the basement that will be directly below

Nolan's room and the boys bathroom.
This may give you an idea of the location of the house if you've been here. Here you can see in the top left corner the driveway down to Brent's dad's house. In the right side of the picture is the lower side of the front of the house.

Here you can see where the garage will be.

This is the part of the basement that will be directly below the kitchen and breakfast room.

Nolan is excited to watch the progress of the house!

This gives you an idea of what our backyard view will be like. We think it's beautiful.

This will be just below the front door.

This is the view from our current front porch.