The Upper Rooms

The highlight for us this week on the homefront was climbing the stairs for the first time and seeing the work on the second floor. Much to our delight, the view from the second floor is amazing. The photo here shows the view from where the bonus room (read: pool table) will be. The structure there is our dock.

The girls both saw their rooms for the first time, which was quite exciting, and we are really beginning to get a feel for the space inside the house.

My job this week is to order exterior trim, and Randy and I will be making decisions on the hardwood floors. Once the framers have finished, within days I think, the job site will be a busy place as other crews rough in plumbing, electricity and install the metal roof. We are also collecting Scripture verses from family and friends to write on the walls and floors before they are covered. If you have contributed to this effort, thank you so much! We love the idea of including a bit of you in our new home.

Looking at the other photos, to the right you can see the staircase, which will come down into the gathering room. This room will be open above with a 19-foot ceiling and a terrace to the upstairs rooms. Just below are photos of the back of the house and then the interior of the house with a view from the guest room looking at the bonus room. Finally, the bottom photo shows the framework of the gambrel gable that will cover the front entrance to the house.

Going Vertical

During this past week, the carpenters have added the second story to our house. Although the steps have yet to be built and I've only seen the second story from the ground, I hear the view is fabulous.

Amazement and excitement set in when the guys installed the roof trusses. The photos show the progress they made in one day.  Additionally, the fireplace inserts, which are made from volcanic pumice, were delivered and installed this week. With every tiny step, this house is starting to take shape and so is the reality that this house that we dreamed about and talked about for so long is beginning to jump off the blueprints and becoming an actual structure.

While I patiently await for the staircase, I am choosing a metal roof and pondering options for the exterior trim. I am also praying that forecasters are wrong about this year's hurricane season, and North Florida will once again be spared. Actually, while I'm at it, I'll ask God for a mild storm season for all.