It's Coming...

We were in Rockville today checking up on the house. You can get a feel of what it is going to be like when it gets finished. Slowly, but surely, it's coming along.



This is where the TV will go in the new family room. It is a strange configuration because it is the back of the fireplace and covering the stovepipe which vents out to the side. It took us forever to figure out how to make it work. We were disappointed it took out so much space in the room, but it will make a nice shelf to put the TV on and great shelves on the side for the DVD player, etc. The closet on the right is the furnace closet.

This is the upstairs room. I love it because of the ceiling angles and all the light from the windows. I always wanted a room like this when I was growing up.

AND, THE UPSTAIRS ROOM HAS A HUT!!!!! It will have a door and there will be lights on the inside. Get ready for fun Jacob, David, Ethan, Tyler, Emma, Ella, Kate, Ryan, Grant, Jaxon and Madi!!! Here is the little doorway that will be the hut entrance.

Here is what it looks like on one side of the hut. Remember, it isn't finished yet and this is only half of the hut.

Here are some views of the opening from the old kitchen into the new addition.

Hang On Tightly

A few years ago David took all of our Christmas movies and put them onto a DVD. Tristan tried to watch one recently, but it wouldn't work in our DVD player. Today I tried them on my computer where they worked perfectly. I don't know why they won't work in the DVD player, but I know that as soon as they came on my computer screen, I couldn't stop watching them. I watched them for several years' worth of Christmases before I could pry myself away. The kids were so little. They said the cutest things. Their smiles made me smile and smile and then cry.

Sometimes I forget just how much Heavenly Father loves me and blesses me. He has given me the most wonderful gift He could have ever given me by allowing seven of His children to come into our home. When I was in the thick of raising children I didn't always feel that love and sometimes even felt like I was picked on.

The hardest thing about watching these movies today was watching myself with my kids. I didn't act badly or anything, but I know that watching myself back then I didn't really appreciate what a blessing I had like I realize it today. That time went by so quickly. What a shame that when I was in the middle of all the chaos I didn't realize how temporary it was, how fleeting it was.

If I could go back knowing what I know now, I would pay more attention. I would hug more often. I would read more books with someone on my lap or shoulder. I would find more humor. I would take more pictures. I would marvel more at their miracle and worry less about finding some time for myself. I would hang on tightly to the gift of having them in our home.

ROCKVILLE UPDATE

Here are the newest views of the progress on the house at Rockville. Every time we go there, it rains buckets. It was a big mud hole today. Good thing I took these pictures yesterday.

The windows aren't cut the to right size yet and there are windows on the end and back that haven't been cut out.

The electrician is pretty much done with the rough in wiring. The furnace should be installed this week and then the insulation will go up.

Stay tuned!