More pictures from today

Footings and cement.

Today was another big day. Footings were dug and the cement was placed in the footings. Alexis proceeded to walk in the cement but found her way out. Mark smoothed it over. The pictures are of the work done today. Sure am enjoying the two oldest nephews being around! This is a fun and exciting time. I am learning a lot about construction.

A Bobcat and two confused dogs

The work really got underway on the new addition yesterday! A Bobcat was used to level more of the back yard. The majority of the day was loud but it was exciting to see the progress! It poured down rain at Mark's mom's at one point but stayed dry here until they were ready to leave. It thundered but never rained until after they left. I gave glory to God!! Mark's mom lives very close and it poured there!! The dogs were very scared and had a long day. They get a break today as our contractor is not going to do the footings and cement today because of the forecast for rain.

a busy few days

My dad decided not to come to visit because a friend of his lost her husband this past week and he felt like he needed to spend time with that family. We did go to Kansas City with friends yesterday to the farmer's market and Nebraska Furniture Mart. We bought some fresh green beans and baby potatoes as well as an onion. Mark got a good deal on some flowers at the market and planted them last night. We really enjoy the farmers market. We had a belated birthday party for his great niece today. She will be a sophomore at Benton in the fall. She is doing very well in academics and has a very sweet and gentle personality. We are very proud of her! She has no interest in dating yet and we are actually glad for that. She has Juvenile Diabetes but handles it so gracefully. Anyway, they are supposed to do dirt work tomorrow and so we are hoping it will be dry enough. They removed the old retaining wall stones this morning. We looked at some paint and carpet this weekend but are not close to any decisions yet.

Ground Breaking

The rain ended and there was just enough light to get our ground breaking in. Our contractor brought two shovels and painted them gold. Mark said a prayer and then we took the pictures. My dad is coming for a visit and mom wants to go fishing. Not sure if dad will get here tomorrow or Saturday but we hope to relax and enjoy time with family and then Monday, they will start moving the retaining wall back and proceed from there. Mark's former brother-in-law and father of the three nephews that belong to his sister, is our contractor so he is also a long time friend. The nephews are to be helping with the project and will be able to Monday because of being out of school.

The weekend

Saturday, we went to a back yard party for a graduating senior I used to get to mentor (actually we mentored each other). We saw many old friends and had a great time. Church and a nap for me this afternoon. Tonight we had dinner with some other friends and watched a movie. Mark worked on clearing the yard of things in the way of the digging and dug up some flowers that will be in the way. He also replanted some in other places. I swam Saturday morning. We are tired!! We may have a small "ground-breaking" and I will post some pictures if we do. The fence/gate will be down for several days and so we will be training Lexie to go out on a leash like Lacie. Not sure how that will go. Good night.

It is almost offical

Tomorrow is the day that we are to get the first building permit and sign the contract with J.R, to build on to the house. We will be waiting for Dig Right to mark the places that need marked and could have the digging going as early as next week! I plan to take pictures at various stages and post them as we progress. I started my volunteer job at United Cerebral Palsy today with an orientation. I think I will enjoy it and plan to spend about 4 hours per week there to begin with. Got my hair cut at the beauty college today for summer and swimming.

The Play

Today was the play and it was so much of a blessing! I had lots of fun renewing old relationships and forming new ones. I think the play was received well and Pastor Rodney we will begin a new series of sermons next week on Desparate Households and so the play was a good way to get us thinking on families. The man who would be building on our room/bathroom is presenting the plans to the city for their permisson on Monday (I think) and if it is approved, we will likely be proceeding. We are both looking forward to this venture and having a three bedroom home. I jokingly say I want to decorate it in Winnne the Pooh but Mark always reminds me that will not be the case. Chosing decor should be a fun thing to get to do when the times comes. Hoping to have a quiet and routine week.

The play is approaching..

Next Sunday is the play and so this week will be busy with dress rehearsals. I also try to swim three days per week now so I hope I can keep up! I am using my walker less and less all the time (praise the Lord) and am even getting the courage to walk independently in the community some. We got the estimate yesterday on building on the new bedroom/bathroom but have not made a decision. Still gathering information and praying. We have a weather radio that is supposed to alert us to bad weather in the night (and day). Problem is that is gives surrounding counties also and flood warnings that we really would rather sleep through. Mark unplugged it in the wee hours of this morning and we have no plans to plug it in tonight because between the actual storms and the alarm, we had very disrupted sleep last night. We will hope that we would hear the local sirens in the event of a tornado.