After spending all day at the property and working late into the night, my man and I crawled into bed, bone weary. The next morning, I didn’t hear my man get up early for the concrete pour. I only remember I awoke feeling utterly exhausted.
A big part of me wanted to be at the property that day. But I knew it was better that stay home and rest.
We Beat Winter!
My man was gone until late into the night. He came home exhausted but triumphant! The pour was a success! We finally beat winter! The pressure was off!
For the next two days, we only had to ensure the slab stayed covered by the tarp and that the heaters were running properly. And we rested.
It was a much needed break, because on the third evening, the first of many family members showed up for a house raising party!
The House Raising Party
About a month prior to the concrete pour, my carpenter brothers informed us they wanted to come help frame the house. We were delighted and of course, accepted their offer.
Our 6 bedroom rental home was overflowing with family that week! By day 3, there were 9 adults and 13 children (age 13 and under) running about the place! My parents got a hotel and fortunately for us, one of my married brothers lived about 45 minutes away and was happy to host a family or two.
But when everyone met at our place for supper, the noise (and chaos) was immense!
That week, I spent my time taking kids on walks, playing at the park and trying to help mamas keep the energetic little bodies preoccupied both in the home and on the job site!
The progress on our home was rapid. With my man, 5 carpenters brothers, our dad and a brother-in-law on the job, the house framing fairly flew to the finish line!
By day 5, exterior walls were up, sheeted and house wrapped. Interior walls were in place, and the roof was shingled on every slope!
The only part left unfinished was a bit of sheeting on the home’s peaks and the pantry/cold room out back, which my man and I planned to finish on our own time.
And to top it off, the power company finally showed up during this time and connected us to the grid. We were in business!
The evening before everyone left, we celebrated with a huge turkey dinner and home baked pies to boot!
Letting It All Sink In
Only eight days after the concrete pour, our house was up! Once the window and doors were installed, we’d be to lockup. Over. Done.
Let the rain pour! Let the snow fly! Let the cold winter days commence! Because we’d made it! I was grateful. And so exhausted it felt…surreal. What had just happened?!
Everyone left the next day and slowly, I unwound.
After church on Sunday, we took a drive up to the place. I needed to let things sink it.
I wanted to walk from room to room. I wanted to stare at the ceiling. Dream over the kitchen. See my pantry. I wanted to sit under the old birch tree outside the kitchen window and soak in the shape, height and size of my future home.
So I did!
I couldn’t believe it was actually ours! We’d worked long and hard for this, alongside open-hearted friends, family and neighbors. We couldn’t have done it without them. And somehow, that made it even more special.
I knew the whirlwind wasn’t over yet, but that day, I took time to breathe.
I'm Autumn. Join me in the simple cottage life and learn how to keep a traditional kitchen, garden and pantry!
Hi, Autumn!
I am so enjoying reading the “Our Journey To the Farm” posts – and the others. My husband and I and our two small sons had our log home kit put up by someone we knew 27 years ago here in the Virginia woods, on the north slope of a small mountain (a north slope is a bad idea for garden placement, especially in the woods . . .). We prepared the site ourselves , except for the biggest trees to be cut, and did a great deal of the inside work. Anyway, reading these posts brings back a lot of – exhausting, but fun – memories. We now have a nice, big, productive garden in spite of the north slope. We can also provide firewood from our 5 acres – so far, though we never turn down offers of free wood from people who want dead trees off their land.
Happy Easter – the Lord is risen!
Pam
Glad you’re enjoying it Pam! Sounds like we have land clearing and house building in common! I’m looking forward to the day when we need to collect firewood again:) Happy Easter! He has risen indeed!