This is the house that love built...

There we are...October 2, 2010. Sitting on what now is a foundation with footings and J-bolts and a mess of mud. Our new home.

 We started this journey more than a year ago, when we received a call from Dianna at the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority telling us we were qualified for their Mutual Self Help building program! HOW AMAZING!!! It was a long wait, but in September of 2010, we started meeting with our build group, a group of 12 other families, singles, couples, who are also building homes at the same time we are.

We didn't start "construction" until December. I say "construction" because it was a mess of moving stuff from one place to another, ripping down these boards that must be lined with lead, and kind of getting a feel for what would be happening. (I not-so-secretly think Ross just likes to see us move stuff from one end of the loop to another...it's like KCCHA's version of "The Biggest Loser"). But now, the last three weeks have been productive and amazing. I feel such a sense of pride in what I can do, what my family will have, what this community we are building together is.


First off, I think I get the dirtiest of everyone everytime I'm out there. I always find the ten foot mud hole. I don't know how it happens. Once a week we drive our children up there to see what's changing, and explain to them what's happening. As of Saturday, we have footings poured on all the houses, all but one house mudsilled (and I am an expert mudsiller!) slab foundation on some, slabs poured on some, and even WALLS on two of the houses. It is AMAZING! I'm always sore and exhausted (and covered in mud and sand), but it is such an amazing experience, and such a blessing for our little family of eight, that I can't help but grin while my husband and I lay on the couch trying not to breathe too deeply because it hurts! :)

So I'm going to use this as a place where I can track progress. Most importantly, I can use a drill (with a REALLY scary looking bit!), a table saw, a circular saw, and a router and no one runs the other way! I can't say these were things I was especially yearning to know, but at the end of this is experience, I will walk through the front door of OUR home...a home that friendship, perseverance, hard work and community built up together. I can not think of a lesson better for Ahren and I to experience, and a lesson better to pass onto our children.

Welcome to the house that love is building, and I appreciate you sharing this journey with us.

A&H