Closing

I think it is finally time to close down updates on our house blog as it started out as a record of our building process. Now that we are settled in and making it our home I am hard pressed to find "updates" to put on the blog. I'm not going to delete it as we are sure to visit this site many times to relive some of the memories of the last months. You are sure to see pictures on www.patchofflowersblogspot.com of our home, but no more construction photos!!!

Thanks to all of you who encouraged us along the way and watched the blog, commented, and cheered us on. This morning I had a few thoughts I shared on our family blog and tonight it hit me that it just might be the perfect close to this written journey. I leave you with this...

This morning Jason took the kids to Home Depot and I had the luxury of enjoying a cup of coffee, piece of toast and a good book on my deck. I was very distracted from reading, though, as I was captivated by the wet, quiet and beautiful woods behind our house.

As I sat I felt such peace and calm and found myself being able to give the Lord complete glory for my disposition. I realized just how grateful I am for this piece of land Jason and I are able to put our name to, a piece of land we'll be growing with and journeying through life upon.

I decided to brave the mud from last night's storms and walked back to our creek. It is amazing how many memories that creek evoked from my childhood. In Iowa we had a creek running through the front of our farm that we would cool watermelons in during the summer. I vividly remember the cattails and crawdads as we played in the sun. Then my memories took me to the creek across from my parent's land here in Georgia. We would bury treasure (marshmallows, matches, and Band-Aids) along the creekbed for those emergencies that were sure to occur. The sound and sight of our creek today brought back so many memories as my own siblings and I would play, as children, in the cool water.

And to think, my children will have these same memories, they will create their own versions, but they will enjoy those same things that were so full of treasure for me as a child.

As I walked along the creek this morning, in the quiet damp woods, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge of what we've been given. Not what we've earned or bought or worked for or afforded, rather just what we've been given. Our Father has blessed us with a home so dear to our hearts, not one of great grandeur or wealth, but one of solidity and firm foundation to grow this family in and upon. My heart overflows...

Working around the house...

I worked ALL DAY to get the kitchen set up and the boxes cleared out enough to enjoy this moment. I wasn't there long but I was there...in my favorite chair cozied up with a book and afghan enjoying my new home.

...the end of the day

At the end of the day Jason and my dad took the truck back to the rental store and Mother and I gave the kids a bath in our new tub. Then they stayed for our first supper in our home.

Moving Day!

Moving Day!!! What a glorious and exhausting day. These pictures don't show everyone, they don't show the effort, the tiredness, the sweat, and the time our family and friends gave us on Saturday. Both of our parents, my brother Charlie and his wife Maggie, my sister Katie and her husband Chris, and our dear friend Jamie Vickrey gave us their time and we are so grateful.
There are just a few pictures as we were all much too busy to be taking many pictures. We completed the move in a record 6 hours. At the end of the day I think everyone needed to ice a few muscles. Thanks to all of you!!!

We own our home!

Today's closing went without a single hitch. We were blessed with a kind and fun builder along with a friend of ours as the closing attorney. Both were happy for us as we solidified the ownership of 65 Grove Park Drive.
Libby, Caroline and Doster have been real sports as they've been back and forth to the new house over the last few months. Today they are all playing here, a babysitter is coming around 4:30 and Jason and I are having fun taking some stuff over to the house. Two of Jason's friends are coming over tonight to help him get the shop/garage stuff over along with swingset and washer/dryer. All I can say is Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. :-)
It might be a few days until I post again but when I do there will be pictures of us as homeowners.

Tonight...almost complete 02.13.08

The Final Week

Caroline & Doster loving the new carpet.