Roughin' It

So do you spend a few extra thousand for pretty and perfect? Or be practical and chose merely attractive for much less? I struggle with these questions almost daily, and they echoed loudly this week when I was choosing the garage doors. We've found certain expectations are in place for custom homes like ours, and those expectations always have a higher price tag. The pretty doors cost much more, but they were perfect. Yet we are who we are; we strive to be good stewards of our finances and our blessings, and luxuries are luxuries -- not needs. But I guess exactly what is a luxury is a matter of perspective.

Ultimately, the question was decided for me: Pretty garage door windows are not available in impact glass -- a necessity according to building codes in a hurricane zone. Sometimes, though, the answer doesn't come so easy. Are high-end appliances that much more reliable? How many TVs do we really need?

So far, I've managed to find some balance. But I don't pretend to have the answers. I don't know why God gave us this opportunity. The sobering fact that so many are struggling financially these days is not lost on us as we consider each and every purchase. Our hope has always been that this house won't just be a blessing for us but for others as well, and I wonder if the blessing won't just be the house itself but rather the people we encounter and the lessons we learn along the way.

Another struggle I have is regret for past decisions. Back when I ordered the windows, I hemmed and hawed, drew multiple sketches, and in the end just closed my eyes and picked what seemed to work best. Now that the windows are installed, I'm going over those choices again and again. A few seem a little too busy. Are there too many spokes and hubs? Should I not have included any hubs? Could I have simplified the grilles more?

But that's life, isn't it? Sometimes no matter how much thought we give our decisions, we still spend a lot of needless time rehashing them. And in the end, it doesn't matter: The windows are hung and they are what they are.

You are looking across the terrace into the girls' loft and guest bedrooms.                     

The outdoor kitchen and fireplace will be screened and to the right of the back porch (pictured below).

The large window on the back of the house is in the bonus room.

Crews continue the roughing-in phase for HVAC, electrical, plumbing and finishing touches on the carpentry, windows and doors. The accent stone is chosen and should be installed on the chimney next week as the goal is now to get the roof on and the house completely dry for insulation and dry-wall installation in just a few weeks.

Aaron incorporated a soon-to-be round column into the staircase.

You are looking at the front entrance from the bonus room terrace.