slow and steady

If you're facebook or instagram friends with me, chances are you know that we're in the midst of trying to finish up the project we began two years ago to expand our upstairs and make space for our ever-growing family. We're pretty big fans/pupils of Dave Ramsey (and what many would probably call just plain old-fashioned wisdom) and that means that we try to do things as we have the cash for it and not any sooner. This often results in taking a little longer to do some things than we would ideally prefer, but we find that if we keep chipping away, sooner or later it gets done!

First in the project we tackled the basic exterior that had to be done: framing, roofing, sheathing, insulation (summer-fall 2011). Then we slowly finished the interior: the bathroom (March 2012), our bedroom (summer 2012), and finally the nursery/guest room (March 2013).

This was the time to tackle the finish of the exterior: trim, wood siding, painting, and shutters. We blocked off last week for the express purposes of getting it done.

It's, of course, been a lot more work and much more time-consuming than we'd anticipated. Most projects are-- even for experienced remodelers-- and we are novices, so pretty much everything we do on the house is a "first time" for us and we generally never quite know what we're getting into. On top of that there are, as always, unexpected surprises along the way, especially when you own a home that was built before 1860.

Still, it's fun work.

Long days, but exciting progress.

I'm very thankful for the help we've received along the way. We got in way over our heads with this one (!) and are only nearing the finish line due to the gracious assistance of others. Josh (neighbor, adopted-family-member, fellow church-employee) has put in several very full days with Daniel (and by full, I mean of the 8am-9:30pm variety) and has played a huge part in keeping things moving. A guy from down the street whom we had never before met walked by one day, saw the project, was interested due to his background in carpentry, and has now been here 4 different afternoons lending his skill and energy and fearlessness. We recruited two Criscitello boys one day to help with painting, running things up and down scaffolding, holding pieces of wood that need an extra hand or two, and more. A church friend, Greg, was here yesterday on one of his last summer vacation days to help out however he could. Our own boys have spent several days doing all the priming that was needed (both sides of every board has had to be primed), as well as burning old scraps of wood, cleaning up the yard constantly, and running back and forth to the basement and porch and various places in the yard to retrieve tools as needed.

I'm also very thankful for a husband who plans carefully, prepares well, and sees things through. He has spent many mornings, afternoons, and evenings climbing up and down scaffolding countless times as he measures, cuts, and nails board after board on his own. It's been great when he's not doing it solo, as that method takes much longer. Nevertheless, he doesn't ever grow weary, it seems!

 

leveling a ridge board for the "someday" screened in porch

 

our God-send neighbor and newest friend, Alan, busy at work

 

Josh, who is relentless when he wants to see a project get finished!

 

progress in the back!

 

the remnants of one of countless meals/snacks that Bronwyn and I have been pumping out of the kitchen (I even learned how to grill chicken outside while simultaneously cooking veggies and pasta inside this week, a running-back-and-forth feat I hope to rarely need to repeat!)

 

 

 

progress on the side!

 

Greg Lapinski and Daniel getting a board cut on our porch/make-shift workshop

 

progress on the other side!

 

We're not setting any records for fastest-completed projects (two years!), but we're chipping away as faithfully as we know how. All that's left at this point is some painting and a small section still awaiting siding that is ground-level and can be done without rented scaffolding or help from others.

Our home is such a blessing to us. We are thankful for it; thankful to be able to raise children here, learn together within its walls, share it with others, and steward it. A physical home represents something pretty amazing, doesn't it? It is a tangible refuge and haven, and I pray that as we look after the structure itself that we are also learning how to look after and foster the intangible refuge and haven it should be for every soul who walks through its doors.