Crossing The Finish Line

 As I sit down to do this update I'm struck with how quickly the last four months have gone.  I honestly didn't realize that my last post was October.  Much of that time involved the final stages of construction, but there was also the busyness of the holidays and travel. 

 Our original plan was to be in the house by Thanksgiving so that we could host everyone.  That goal proved to be a little too lofty, so we decided to aim for Christmas.  We came SOO close! We actually were able to host our family for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, we just couldn't spend the night.  In fact, we were allowed to move in all the furniture except bedroom furniture prior to our final inspection and receiving our certificate of occupancy.  

After several hiccups and unexpected delays, we finally spent our first night on January 28th.  I think there were angels singing Hallelujah over the steeple. To say we are excited is such an understatement!  Every time I walk through the door and see our dream turned reality I am just overcome with thankfulness.  

Going from 1200 sqft to over 4000 sqft is wonderful and daunting all at the same time.  I've never had so much storage! I still have many cabinets that are empty.  I've also never had so much need for decorative objects (Brad hates it when I call them tchotchkes ;)). It's still very much a work in progress, but I love the work!

Here are a few pictures of the last bit of construction and some since we have moved in.  Thanks for tagging along on our journey.  

 

 

 

 

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

         The changes around the barn have been coming fast and furious the last three weeks.                     Although it's been a bit crazy with all the decisions and changes and more decisions, we're doing our best to roll with it. Our motto has become, "We'll make it work." 

Final site work has literally transformed the exterior of the barn! Initially we intended to build a retaining wall perpendicular to the front facade in order to level out the steep grade.  Timing became an issue and we decided to go forward without the wall.  Fortunately, our stellar site work contractor worked his magic and it looks even better than what we had planned.

(The below pictures show the hill before grading.)

Another reason for the exterior transformation has been the completion of the siding. With this addition it's as if any hint that it was a barn has disappeared from the outside.

The interior has seen significant progress as well.  Between cabinet, tile, electrical, and mechanical installation the barn has been a little like a bee hive, continually abuzz.

The next few weeks will be equally busy with the install of floors downstairs, railings for the stairs as well as the screened porch, countertops, backsplashes, exterior paint, and new roofing. 

Each time we walk into the barn now it feels more like a home and we can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.

*Before the roof can be replaced the cupola has to be repaired. 

 Kudos to Carlos and his crew for this precarious job

and to the Jolley Electric crew for wiring new lighting.

 

Hardly Recognizable

 Progress at Bethel Barn has accelerated rather quickly over the last few weeks.  In fact, on one of my recent treks through the house I sat down on our freshly installed wood floors to make some notes on my phone. It occurred to me that this space has gone through a metamorphosis.  Before we decided to convert the barn we used it for family parties, we hosted dove hunting barbeques, and even hosted a friend's wedding.  But that old barn is hardly recognizable now.  Sitting there on the floor and taking it all in, I found myself thankful that we have chronicled this journey in pictures.  Much like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, Bethel Barn is evolving into something far more beautiful. 

 

Watching From a Distance

 Living a stone's throw from the barn is good for many reasons.  We certainly won't have far to move once it's finished. Sometimes, however, it's nice to get away for a bit and then find that a lot of progress has been made while you were gone.  

Such is the case now as we are away celebrating our soon-to-be 30th wedding anniversary.  When we left a week ago sheetrock and shiplap were complete, masons finished the chimney and fireplaces, and concrete was being poured for our carport as well as our screened porch.  

Thanks to our son and our GC we've received some progress pictures this week and we're excited to see that things are moving right along.  

The five-panel interior doors are being installed, trim is going up, and the screen porch is being framed.

I can hardly wait to see what's completed during the remainder of our trip!

Maybe watching from a distance is the way to go ;)

Bless This House

 As I've shared before, the name for Bethel Farm came from a study I was doing in Genesis when I learned that Bethel means "house of God".  Nothing could be a more fitting description for this beautiful place we've been blessed to live.  It's important to us that we remember that this farm truly is a blessing from The Lord.  With that in mind, this week we set about doing a sort of house blessing/dedication.  

Through the years there are many scriptures that have become especially meaningful to our family.  Some are precepts we seek to follow, some are promises we rely on in difficult times, and some are sentiments of thanksgiving to God. To symbolize the fact that The Lord is the foundation of our home and to acknowledge His blessings over us, we decided to write His words on the framework prior to hanging the drywall. 

We imagine one day when our grandchildren go to remodel they will maybe be able to read some of these verses and be reminded of the foundation of faith on which we have built our family.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

(Our family verse)

Like A Ton of Bricks

 The last month has been a busy one at Bethel Farm as construction continues to progress. Everyday it seems there is something new completed and more checkmarks on our to-do list.

As I've mentioned before, there are inspections all along the way.  These last several weeks we have passed wall, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and chimney footing inspections as well as having our septic system installed. Up next is the insulation inspection followed by drywall installation.  

The amount of insulation is CRAZY and it has completely changed the sound when you walk in the barn. It definitely sounds more like a house now.

Once the footings were poured for the chimney the masons got busy.  It's amazing to watch these guys work! Brad laughs at me because I'm so mesmerized by the process, but my creative side would love to get in there and learn from them.  

Altogether the chimney will house three fireplaces, two on the lower level (one in the master suite and one outside on the patio) and one on the main level in the great room. 

The firebox in the great room is tall enough that I can stand up in it!

The brick will be covered in a stone facade and a reclaimed wood mantle.

We can hardly wait to have our first fire.

For my part, the last several weeks have involved lots of design decisions, internet orders, furniture orders, cabinet choices, tile choices, lighting choices, etc.  I still have much to do but the list is certainly getting shorter.

Along with all the changes and progress at the barn we have been blessed with one extra special addition to Bethel Farm.

Our first grandchild Callyn Clare Boyles was born May 20 and she definitely rules the roost!