Filling In

Wow! Another busy week here. Sometimes, the busy can feel overwhelming and this was one of those weeks. So many things going on at the same time! One of the difficulties of being an owner/builder is trying to organize everything while working full time yourself. I don't know how Phil does it some days but I am very thankful that he does. Thanking the Lord for him and how hard he works!! 

Sometimes you rule the day and sometimes the day bites back. This shiner happened at work but it's a reminder of the physical dangers associated with this profession.

We picked up this sink at a restaurant auction. We are going to use it in the laundry room. The smaller sink inside it will go in the kitchen island as a veggie washing sink.

Phil installed the pocket door that will separate the laundry room from the rest of the house. Hopefully, it will keep the cold air from coming down the hall when someone comes in through that door, if we remember to close it, that is (and perhaps it will keep the laundry from being on display *wink*).

Getting ready for the porch lights to be installed. A string keeps them in a straight line.

For those who don't know what back framing is, it is all the detailing that needs to be done after the initial framing is finished. Things like the header above this closet door.

Phil dropped the ceiling a bit in the bathroom and the laundry room to accommodate the myriad of pipes in there.

The garage is starting to fill up with things that we have ordered online. Shopping online is a great way to save money and gives us more variety than what our small town offers.

These are the gable vents that will go up in the peaks of the house.

The back side is covered with a screen to keep out unwanted pests.

We are putting a sun pipe in the upstairs bathroom to let the natural light in because it doesn't have a window. We are also going to put one in the library. You can never have too much light in the library! 

The day the excavator came back to finish, it poured rain! We gave Ben a bit of a hard time as his camouflage jacket and high vis vest seemed a little counter productive but looks don't really matter when you are just trying to stay dry and be seen at the same time.

The water and electric lines needed to be covered in sand before being covered back up. 

Another precarious angle. Sometimes it's better for me not to watch.

Riley does not look impressed being tied up but with all of the trucks coming and going, it was much safer for him.

There were some places in the trench that were very rocky and they weren't able to get as deep as they would have liked so Phil covered the sand with insulation for extra protection from the frost.  

This is what Phil's office looks like these days.

 The whole thing covered back up!

Hard to tell that they even worked there.

No time to rest, just as they were finishing filling in the trench, the truck with the septic tank showed up. Lunch? Who needs lunch?

Septic tanks are not really something that are usually blogging material. Considered a luxury in some parts of the world, we are very fortunate to have one and very thankful to have had someone else do all the thinking and planning when it comes to dealing with it. This one was designed by an engineer with our particular needs in mind. If all goes according to plan, we only need to think about it every 5-6 years.

Yes. that is Phil. Going down into the hole. Under the big machines. The lengths he will go to to make sure the septic tank is level. 

All done. Now, what's for lunch? Time for a break. You know, now that the sun is out! ;-)

Matt is home now and is finishing work on the roof. 

My thoughtful spot. This is where I sit and think. And pray. And enjoy the beautiful season that is fall.

Work on the roof that has been waiting for various other projects to finish. 

So thankful for times of relaxation too. A couple weeks ago Phil, Ben, Matt & Steve went with a friend for a kayaking trip down the river. 

So peaceful. A great way to truly unwind. (Even if someone *cough Ben* did get a little more wet than planned. But hey, he got a new phone out of the deal so win, win though. Right?)

Steve, working hard to keep up.

They even got to see some magnificent birds in their natural habitat.

Pretty neat!!

A fun day that they truly enjoyed!

A little wrestling to top off the day. Steve taps out but one day, he may be a force to be reckoned with.  Careful Matt!

I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm glad this week is over. It was a tough one. I hope that doesn't sound like a complaint. We are so thankful to be building this house together but sometimes our physical bodies can't keep up with everything our minds are planning. Does that make sense? You live, not just in today and dealing with all that comes up during it but also in tomorrow and the next day and a month down the road. Planning what needs to be done next and in what order. And sometimes, when a lot of things happen at the same time, you just have to take a deep breath and do what you can. While filling in the trench, Phil was also taking calls from the insulation company and the drywallers (also known as sheetrockers to our American friends). The building inspector showed up at the same time as the septic tank, and someone from the gas company also stopped by. Sometimes, it just happens that way. Thankfully, when we feel overwhelmed, we can go to the One who gives us strength. I am so thankful to be married to a man who knows this and who knows how to pray. I can't imagine doing this any other way. 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16b