This past weekend was a pretty big deal in our little family. We officially started building our house on the beautiful property that housed our garden and chickens last summer. I've been struggling with how to relay the impact, meaning, and depth of this small step in my sphere on the internet. Part of me feels like it's bragging, or that people won't care, or that people will think I'm making a big deal out of something small.
Friends, this is such a huge deal to me.
I'm naturally a nester, a settler, a homemaker, and a bloom-where-you-are-planted kind of girl. In the last 13 years I have moved well over 15 times, but I always worked at making my home, though temporary, my home. When I got married we still moved a lot, but I have longed for roots, structure, and a place to call ours for years. As I've had children that desire has grown. We finally moved "home" (where my husband grew up in Southern Utah) 3 years ago after working and going to school to get here. We bought our dream property 18 months ago, we had my mom design our house a year ago. and last week, January 23, 2016, we finally started building our house.
Our process of owning a home has been so very slow. I don't know many people who have 5 kids and have waited over 10 years to get into a house. Heck, it's going to take us two years to build it, so we'll be married for 12 (TWELVE!) years before we have a house. But all the moving, waiting, wishing, planning, building, and living without will make that move-in day all the sweeter. We also feel like we kind of skipped the starter home stage which means we'll have our "dream home" in the end. All this waiting and working won't be without reward, that I know. Thomas is still getting the plans into AutoCad and when it's done I'll share them with you.
So finally starting this house, our dream house, is a pretty huge deal to me. This house is so much more than a house. It's going to be our forever home. The house our kids remember and think of when they think "home", the house I plan on filling with people, and celebration, and food. The house that has a basement apartment for friends, and family, and you to come and stay in. I can't wait for you to come; you are definitely invited. Enjoy this house building process with me over the next few years because this kind of thing ends up being an endurance test and we can find the joy in the journey together.
I'm so glad you are here.
Thomas has been working on digging a trench from the power pole to our barn so that we can have power to the property. The trench is 4 feet deep and 220-something feet long and goes right down the middle of my garden and orchard. The power company came yesterday and got everything hooked up! Now we just need to do a little wiring inside the barn (which did have power in the past, so that won't be a big deal) and we'll be ready to roll!
Here's a cute little story about my husband. He was digging the trench for the power. It's very narrow and deep. In the bottom of the trench he noticed a fat, sleepy dormouse that he had disturbed. He said the mouse was super slow and couldn't get out of the trench. So Thomas stopped the backhoe, got out, scooped up the mouse up, and tossed him into the grass. This my friends is the perfect example of who he is as a man. Even the smallest creatures are worth his time and attention. He's good, through and through. Speaking of small creatures, the kids also love this project. They are going to have so many great memories of building the house. They talk about when we move in often and beg to go help dad work when he's over there.
On Saturday we officially broke ground on the house part (which is way more exciting than the power trench). We had a ground breaking ceremony and everything, pictures courtesy of my seven-year-old niece who was over to play. After a few pictures, Thomas got in the backhoe and started digging! I can't wait to show you the hole. IT'S SO BIG! And then there are the massive dirt piles out of the hole... world's best playground.
I'll share the hole and our progress again in a week! If you want more of a play by play, join me on Instagram and Snapchat (my username is BlessthismessM). I share lots of pictures there and use #blessthimessbuilds as a hashtag on them if you want to scroll through our house progress.
Thank you so much for letting me share this fun stage of our life with you. I'm looking forward to writing these posts and sharing this long but exciting journey. Some things are worth waiting years and years for, and this view/house is one of them.
Amber Robbins
I loved reading about your groundbreaking and can't wait to read about your future posts about building your dream home. Put my family on the guest list!
Mollie @Sprinkles of Life
Beautiful! Exciting! Rewarding! So many feels! I am so excited for you!! I'll be jealously watching the progress!!
katie w
I'm so excited for you! Building a house is hard work, but so amazing at the same time! I can't wait to see how it progresses! And your land is GORGEOUS (pretty sure I've said that before, but it is!)
Lacie
I don't know a family that is more deserving of this huge milestone than yours! I can't wait to follow all of the progress! It's gonna be one huge accomplishment and I get to witness every moment it takes to get there even from the South! I'm so excited for you Melissa!
Sarah
Oh I can't wait to see all that happens! Congrats, Melissa!!
Michele
This is so amazing for you! Those who understand the meaning of home and family and community will totally be in sync and exited for your progress. Congratulations on such a big step. Can't wait to hear about the process.
Liz
Great news for you and family. Looks wonderful and picturesque. Take care.
Melissa
Thank you Liz!
deb c
It is so exciting it is indescribable isn't it!!!!!!! Way to go!!!!!!!!! The forever dream home is the best..... you will find an inner peace like no other!
Melissa
I love your comment about inner peace. I know that things don't make up who we are but settling down and putting in roots is going to be glorious. Thank you friend.
Holly
I am SO excited for you!!!! Yay yay yay!!! I'm so glad you're going to share the journey with us. All of your sacrifice and hard work will be so worth it! And just count on us coming to visit and stay in your basement at some point. 😉
Melissa
You all will have to come for a Zion trip!
Pat
Thank you for sharing your beginning journey. I smiled the entire time while reading your blog! Please keep us informed of your progress so we can follow along with you.
Melissa
Thank you Pat!! Have a great day friend.
Pam Sohan
Congrats!! We've owned three homes in the 32 years we've been married. Hubby was active duty Air Force for 26 years and we've called 14 different buildings home. Not counting a few months here and there in Temporary Loving Facilities on Air Force Bases. We've never built a house. Got lucky each time we bought, that we loved each house. Now we are in our Forever home. Told my hubby when we bought this house in 2008, that the next move was the nursing home or the funeral home.
Melissa
Love that! That's what we are planning too, I'm living there forever.
Michelle
I am anxious to follow the building of your dream home. Congratulations on getting started.!!
Melissa
It's going to be a slow process but I'm so pleased you'll enjoy the journey with me!
Marseille
Yay! I am looking forward to the progress posts & I want to bring my family when you are done!!
Shiloh
Love your blog!!! We live in Utah too! Congrats on your house! We planned and finally built our dream house on our farm too! It was soooooo long in the making!...planning, building with five kids too! It has been all worth it in the END! Good luck! I will be following you along the way!
Melissa
How long did it take you all to build?! Isn't farmlife the best??
cathie martinez
this is so exciting, and so beautiful, and it will be oh so worth it. i would love to be one of the people that come and visit you when all is done and ready. you had mentioned once that you might have a little place to rent out on your property for vacationers, this would be me:) keep your pics and posts coming. i enjoy reading your posts and viewing your pictures.
Melissa
Cathie you are SO invited! It's such a lovely little spot in the world and you would have a glorious time here. I can't wait!