Kitchen Update

Well, the kitchen is finally taking shape.  It's wonderful to see everything come together.  Uncle Frank has been coming and working late nights on the tile.  The tile isn't completely finished in the kitchen, but it was done enough to install the cabinets.

Mike and Ben picked up the cabinets last Wednesday, and then Mike and I installed the wall cabinets on Friday evening.  Jordan and Ben helped Mike install the ground cabinets on Saturday morning.

The hardest part is making sure everything's level.  Mike bought a DeWalt self-leveler (of course) to do the job.  I'm so proud of him!

Unfortunately, the countertop estimate didn't go so well.  The guy couldn't measure because the tops of the cabinets can't be more than an eighth of an inch off in a space less than ten feet.  We spent hours leveling and shimming it again Monday night, so he's coming back tomorrow.  I'm hoping we can move forward!

Mike's family of drills:  the pre-drill, the counter sink, and the main event.

Uncle Frank's handiwork, partially grouted.

We started with the corner wall box, clamped and drilled.  This is a craft of precision.

The first boxes up on the wall.

Laser level with tripod for accuracy.

Mike in deep thought :)

This whole wall is installed!

Installing the final cabinets.

Everything but the island.

Everything is in.  Now we need the counter tops!

Thankful Thursday

I thought I'd start something new.  I'm going to attempt to update my blog each Thursday giving thanks to God for the blessings he provides.  Sometimes the blessings are disguised as "refining" moments where he molds and shapes us more and more into his image.  These can be painful experiences and pleasant ones.  I hope to record both, and give thanks in all things like the apostle Paul encourages us to do in his letter to the Thessalonians.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."      -1 Thessalonians 5:17

I'm thankful for:

• the GOD who loves in spite of our failures and shortcomings
• the HOPE of eternity through Jesus Christ 
• a wonderful HUSBAND who supports me in all aspects of life
• our FAMILIES in Florida and Indiana for raising us and teaching us what's important
• a CHURCH dedicated to preaching and living out the gospel
• the opportunity to buy a HOUSE in Hawaii
• KIM and JORDAN for letting us stay with them while we work on ours
• FRIENDS who are so willing to help us out each step of the way
• JOBS that support us financially
• SISTERS in Christ that live both near and far whom I can confide in and rely on 

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I've been thinking a lot about craftsmanship in this whole house process.  Over the past few months I have become more skilled in using power tools.  Mike is very proud of that fact, and I am too.  Yesterday, I started making a bench for my classroom.  I want to set up a reading station or "nook" for the kids to have alternative places to sit during S.U.R.F. time [Silent Uninterrupted Reading Fun].

As I began to craft this bench, I wanted to make the cuts perfect.  Of course I needed a measuring tape, a chop saw, a steady hand, and a vision.  I needed to know what I wanted this bench to look like, and the purpose that it will serve.  There are several analogies in the Bible that display God as being the creator, master craftsman, and potter.  I was reading in Ephesians this morning about how we are created for his purposes.

"We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."    -Ephesians 2:10

Just as I desire my bench to serve the purpose of providing seating for my students, God had a plan and purpose in creating each of us.  He rescued us (like distressed wood... which is the craze these days) and crafted each one of us for different purposes.  It wasn't because we already looked good on our own; we CANNOT boast in that.  He saved us from the landfill.  He took something seemingly dead and useless, and made us worthy vessels.  He created us for good works, so let's walk in them!!  (Eph. 2:8-10)

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On a different note, I had a little fun busting up some tile yesterday while Mike was asleep.  He's been working nights these past few weeks and sleeping during the day.  I thought I'd share a few pictures.  Enjoy!  The tile is almost gone.  We took three loads to the dump... which is what got me thinking about landfills and craftsmanship in the first place.

Just call me "tile buster"

Bruised and battered knees... even with knee pads!

Got a little carried away... busting tile with a sledge hammer is rather therapeutic :)

Battle wound, but SOOOOOOO worth it!!

Manic Monday

I don't really think it's a manic Monday, the song by the Bangles just popped into my head for some reason.  Anyway, it was another fun and productive weekend!  We worked on the house A LOT, but we also got to spend time at the beach with friends from church and enjoyed a nice evening with the Tau'as. 

Pastor Mike spoke from Psalms chapter 51 this week, and I felt like it was just what I needed to hear.  

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:10-12

Does the JOY of your salvation need to be restored?  Mine did.  God used these verses to stir my heart and draw me back to himself.  Thank you, Jesus!

Anyway, before I get to the pictures and house progress, I just wanted to give another shout out to all the people who have been so helpful and giving--their time, their money, their home--we are so grateful and extremely blessed.  We hope to use our finished home to bless others in return.  Be ready!

SATURDAY Workers:

• Drew
• Jordan
• Mitchell
• Ben
• Matt, Jamie & Family

SATURDAY Accomplishments:

• Installed the Big Boy Beam!!
• Removed temporary walls
• Concreted the downstairs bathroom floor
• Finished trimming front bathroom window
• Started chipping the downstairs tile
• Installed Durock to upstairs master bath
• SOLD the sauna!

Court and Cam cruising in the van ;)

Madden with his biggest "cheese"

Party in the front, far AWAY from the construction zone!

Everyone was giving Jordan a hard time about the first cut.

Mitchell made it clear whose cut this was, haha.

He had the chance to redeem himself...

but then Ben couldn't resist.  I think he said something
to the effect of  "Let the Amish do the cutting..."

This was the "platform" that was created.  The original plan was to
move the beam up slowly and keep it stabilized as it got hoisted higher.

Mike "skillfully" cutting the joist.  (see what I did there?)

As you can see, the joist cuts had to be exactly precise to fit the 400 lbs beam.
 We didn't want to leave any room for error, so the guys used
the 2 ft piece they cut off to measure before they lifted.

The inspection shot ;)

Here's Jordan testing the last few cuts. We ended up scratching
the idea of"little by little" and they lifted it all at once.

Ben with the support post, and Jamie trying to get a better look.

This is the bracket the post had to sit it.  We poured the concrete
 last week and set the bracket in the cement.

Obviously, my assistance was needed in putting the beam up,
so I wasn't able to capture any pictures of that endeavor.  But here's one of the
beam up and the guys checking to make sure it's level.

We left some marks.  I also wrote some scripture on the other side, but forgot to take pictures.

Nice art Mitch.

Some more priceless artwork.

Say no more.

Upside down.

Beam installed with no Simpson ties.  Glad it's finally up!!!

Jordan installing the Simpson ties... making it secure.

Temporary walls coming down!

View from the kitchen side (and Mitchell's tile job)

Nice work guys, the open concept looks AMAZING!
(or it will once all the busted up tile is gone)

Plumbing is almost done on this bath.  Time to fill in!

Concrete action.

Leveling off the Concrete.

Looks great!

Time for a lunch break!

Yum!

I sold the Healthmate... Woooooo...

View from inside the sauna.

Drew's Durock work in the master bath.

Cleaning up.

Started the work day with a" heavy" beam, and ended with a "light" beam from all the dust :)

A better angle :)

What a great day of accomplishments!!  Now it's final decision-making time... ahhhhh.  How will everything be laid out:  kitchen island, cabinets, appliances, lighting, toilets, vanities, counter tops, tiles, carpet, and paint colors!  Fun, fun, fun!

Thanks again for reading...  Mike and I are super excited to get moved in to our new place.  It's coming along wonderfully!