Saturday, December 5, 2009
My thoughts on building our own house...
Brent and I decided years ago that we would try to build our own house. We've had the plans picked out for over 5 years. We knew we wanted to build here on the family land that we currently live on. So, on May 21 of this year when we began building we were so very excited! Things have moved along well and we've actually only had a few snags - wasn't able to use our existing septic tank after all, kitchen cabinets stained the wrong color and had to be redone, some of the items were well over the amount we had budgeted. For 2 people (mostly Brent) who have never done this before, I'd say we've done a pretty impressive job. Lots of people have thrown in their skills to help us out and that has a wonderful blessing to us.
I want to be honest with you all and let you know that it has also been very stressful on all of us. Lack of routine, increased number of bills, jobs to do and people to call ALL the time have all worn us down over the past 6 months. Oh, and did I mention that I've been pregnant for most of the time as well??? Lots of people tell you when you begin to build a house (or even talk about the possibility of doing it) that it will be a miracle if you survive your marriage through the process. Our marriage hasn't suffered and we are a stronger team now if nothing else. I can definitely see how lots of couples might not make it through or never be the same again after going through the process but Brent and I both know each other so well that we've done really well. There was one time that he was doing the rough electrical part and I asked him everyday when he would be done. He finally said to me, "Don't ask me again when I will be through. I will be through when I'm through!" I took the hint and stopped driving him crazy about it. I just wanted an idea of the timeline. It has worked out well for us that I've handle the budget and bill paying and he has handled the day-to-day work involved with getting the house completed. I am so proud of my sweet and wonderful husband for all that he has done to make this dream a reality for us.
The budget and bills are a matter of stress on their own. I didn't realize until just the other day that to think that someone that has never done anything like this before and can take an amount of money and come on the other end of it with a completed house is quite the responsibility. What if we would have spent 50% of the money and only had 25% of a house built??? What if we used all the money and had a large chunk of money left to pay to supply companies and subcontractors? I can't tell you that we didn't experience some stress related to this....ummm, actually I'm experiencing it RIGHT NOW. We are going to come out in the end with a completed house and we did all the things we wanted to do in the house without having to pick and choose BUT we have had some stress here are at the end. It's quite overwhelming to be nearing the end of the money and trying to estimate what you have left to pay. We have ended up having to be creative to get finished but look at what we have accomplished with God's providence and blessings.
We hope to move in next weekend. Brent's out in the house right now trying to get the electrical stuff done so he can have the final electrical inspection done on Tuesday. The final plumbing inspection passed yesterday. If we can get some steps built for the front and back of the house this week, then we should be able to pass inspection. We will still have the back deck to be concreted and that part of the house completed but we will have to do that after Christmas. This rain has postponed that.
I am so thankful for this blessing God has given us. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who has done such an awesome job with this (even though he's about to collapse from being tired!!). I am so thankful for all the family and friends that we have who have helped so much through this process.
I want to be honest with you all and let you know that it has also been very stressful on all of us. Lack of routine, increased number of bills, jobs to do and people to call ALL the time have all worn us down over the past 6 months. Oh, and did I mention that I've been pregnant for most of the time as well??? Lots of people tell you when you begin to build a house (or even talk about the possibility of doing it) that it will be a miracle if you survive your marriage through the process. Our marriage hasn't suffered and we are a stronger team now if nothing else. I can definitely see how lots of couples might not make it through or never be the same again after going through the process but Brent and I both know each other so well that we've done really well. There was one time that he was doing the rough electrical part and I asked him everyday when he would be done. He finally said to me, "Don't ask me again when I will be through. I will be through when I'm through!" I took the hint and stopped driving him crazy about it. I just wanted an idea of the timeline. It has worked out well for us that I've handle the budget and bill paying and he has handled the day-to-day work involved with getting the house completed. I am so proud of my sweet and wonderful husband for all that he has done to make this dream a reality for us.
The budget and bills are a matter of stress on their own. I didn't realize until just the other day that to think that someone that has never done anything like this before and can take an amount of money and come on the other end of it with a completed house is quite the responsibility. What if we would have spent 50% of the money and only had 25% of a house built??? What if we used all the money and had a large chunk of money left to pay to supply companies and subcontractors? I can't tell you that we didn't experience some stress related to this....ummm, actually I'm experiencing it RIGHT NOW. We are going to come out in the end with a completed house and we did all the things we wanted to do in the house without having to pick and choose BUT we have had some stress here are at the end. It's quite overwhelming to be nearing the end of the money and trying to estimate what you have left to pay. We have ended up having to be creative to get finished but look at what we have accomplished with God's providence and blessings.
We hope to move in next weekend. Brent's out in the house right now trying to get the electrical stuff done so he can have the final electrical inspection done on Tuesday. The final plumbing inspection passed yesterday. If we can get some steps built for the front and back of the house this week, then we should be able to pass inspection. We will still have the back deck to be concreted and that part of the house completed but we will have to do that after Christmas. This rain has postponed that.
I am so thankful for this blessing God has given us. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who has done such an awesome job with this (even though he's about to collapse from being tired!!). I am so thankful for all the family and friends that we have who have helped so much through this process.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
We need your help!
Leave it to me to mess this up! My mother clarified to me that my great-grandmother spelled her name "Mariah" instead of "Moriah" as I had first thought. I guess I dreamed that up...anyhow I hope that doesn't have an effect on anyone's vote.
Ok, we need some help here. We know what we are naming the sweet little baby girl but we can't decide on the spelling of her first name. This may be risky but I'm going to post a vote so I can see what everyone else thinks. DON'T be disappointed if we don't go with what you picked but we really can't decide. Here's the info:
I have a grandmother on both my mom and dad's side of the family named Mariah. There are 3 spellings that I have found. I'm not going to give you any of our opinions, but the info below may be helpful in your deciding.
Mariah - form of Mary
Moriah - means God is my teacher; the mountain where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac is named Mount Moriah; I think my grandmother on my mother's side spelled her name this way
Moriyah - the Hebrew spelling of the above word
We named Nolan Brent after his father. We named Elijah Willson after my side of the family. Names that have meanings and reasons are important to me.
Regardless her middle name will be Grace which is the name of my father's mother.
Ok, so now I'm going to post this and then the poll. Please vote on your favorite.
Ok, we need some help here. We know what we are naming the sweet little baby girl but we can't decide on the spelling of her first name. This may be risky but I'm going to post a vote so I can see what everyone else thinks. DON'T be disappointed if we don't go with what you picked but we really can't decide. Here's the info:
I have a grandmother on both my mom and dad's side of the family named Mariah. There are 3 spellings that I have found. I'm not going to give you any of our opinions, but the info below may be helpful in your deciding.
Mariah - form of Mary
Moriah - means God is my teacher; the mountain where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac is named Mount Moriah; I think my grandmother on my mother's side spelled her name this way
Moriyah - the Hebrew spelling of the above word
We named Nolan Brent after his father. We named Elijah Willson after my side of the family. Names that have meanings and reasons are important to me.
Regardless her middle name will be Grace which is the name of my father's mother.
Ok, so now I'm going to post this and then the poll. Please vote on your favorite.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
I am so excited! For awhile there hasn't been much going on that was noticeable in pictures but this week things have been happening!! We have tile, hardwoods, and carpet. We have kitchen cabinets. Brent has installed the undercabinet lighting in the kitchen which is awesome. Brent and I painted the baby's bedroom. Last night we bought door knobs, toilets, faucets, bathroom hardware, and mirrors. The countertops will all be installed by the 24th. The electric, plumbing, HVAC, master shower, stairs to basement, back deck, and driveway are yet to be completed. We have picked out bedding. I have picked out a chair at Daniel Furniture that I need to go purchase and pick up. I have purchased a dining room table and chairs that I absolutely LOVE. OH, and I can't forget that we need to get Peter's doggy doors purchased and installed. It's looking likely that we will move in either the weekend following Thanksgiving or the next weekend. Let's get moving people!!!
I have pictures to post but I don't have time right this minute. I'll TRY my best to get them posted today but it's also the day of Elijah's birthday party so I can't promise. I'm still trying to get all the pictures loaded from the beach trip too and then tonight I will have pictures of Elijah's party to post. So much to do, so little time!!
I have pictures to post but I don't have time right this minute. I'll TRY my best to get them posted today but it's also the day of Elijah's birthday party so I can't promise. I'm still trying to get all the pictures loaded from the beach trip too and then tonight I will have pictures of Elijah's party to post. So much to do, so little time!!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
From Baby Crotts
My mommy and Daddy brought my Big Brothers Nolan and Elijah, my grandma, my Papaw, and my Nana to see me make my BIG 3D 4D debut on November 6, 2009. My expected date to come into the world is April 6, 2010. I am 18 weeks and 3 days in development. I am such a little person right now and have A LOT of growing to do. I kept my legs crossed, so Mommy drank a Hi-C juice box to wake me up! And surprise, I am a girl! I am such a busy little girl! I have found my hands and I love to suck on my fingers! I have a LOT of hair already and very long eyelashes. I can't wait to meet everyone! See you soon!!!
IT'S A GIRL!!
This is how she first presented herself - with her legs crossed! She was being polite.
Isn't it cool that at 18 1/2 weeks, she has enough hair to be visible on the ultrasound??
This was one of our first peeks at the 3d view.
She was sound asleep so they had me drink a juice box to wake her up!
The big announcement: it's a princess!
Please just let me sleep!! Good view of the umbilical cord.
The lady at "Watch and Grow" said that she has to have a lot of eyelashes already in order to be able to see them! Look at that - eyelashes like her daddy's!
Stretch...!
All balled up.
Brent said, "Be sure and get a good shot of "down south"
Amazing!
Trying to find a thumb. We never got to see her put in her mouth
She was sound asleep so they had me drink a juice box to wake her up!
The big announcement: it's a princess!
Please just let me sleep!! Good view of the umbilical cord.
The lady at "Watch and Grow" said that she has to have a lot of eyelashes already in order to be able to see them! Look at that - eyelashes like her daddy's!
Stretch...!
All balled up.
Brent said, "Be sure and get a good shot of "down south"Right then, she gave us this view!!
Amazing!
Trying to find a thumb. We never got to see her put in her mouth but I bet she's already doing it at times.
The lady operating the machine said that she was SURE that it's a girl. She had several opportunities to make sure.
Snuggled up.
She had her mouth moving most of the time...trying to get her fingers in her mouth.
Everyone thought she has my nose. Brent has already decided that she looks like me.
We were so amazed and I just can't believe how much detail you can see at this stage. We got a package where we get to go back in January to see how much she's grown!!
The lady operating the machine said that she was SURE that it's a girl. She had several opportunities to make sure.
Snuggled up.
She had her mouth moving most of the time...trying to get her fingers in her mouth.
Everyone thought she has my nose. Brent has already decided that she looks like me.
We were so amazed and I just can't believe how much detail you can see at this stage. We got a package where we get to go back in January to see how much she's grown!!
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