What a difference a little board makes!!

I apologize for not keeping up with the blog. We have been having so much fun watching Andy put our home together, but school seems to be eating up every spare minute I have. So... while Sarah Palin hopefully kicks some Biden Booty, I'll share our newest surprises from High Meadow.

First of all, all thanks to God for sparing our poor naked (brickless) house from mean old "Ike". We did lose some beautiful oak trees, but the good thing about living in the woods is we've got replacements! There was very minimal damage to the house that has already been fixed up. So after a couple of weekends of chainsaws and dragging trees to the front of the lot (with LOTS of help from Brian, Liz and Lauren!) we are right back on track.




As far as progress on the house itself, this is absolutely the most exciting part so far. Last week a pile of odd looking boards of all shapes and sizes was stacked in our garage. This week a crew of 4 or 5 of the most talented men have been taking those boards and pieces and creating some of the most beautiful trim I've ever seen. Our blank walls are coming alive - doors are trimmed out and windows are just gorgeous. How I wish I had just a thimbleful of the skills these men have shown us.

Thank God for friends and family!

Friday is Michael's 23rd birthday! How is this possible?! It seems like yesterday (sounds trite, I know... but it does!) that I was getting his little blue and white nursery ready. I read every baby book that I could get my hands on so that I could be the best mom possible. Knowing that Dr. Spock and Dr. Dobson probably didn't know it all, I drove my friends and family crazy with questions. I was constantly asking about how they handled this and did they have this ache and pain and truly, was he ever going to sleep through the night? I shared my plans and philosophies with any poor soul who would listen in hopes of getting their opinion and affirmations that I might be on the right track with this new adventure of ours. Keith of course, being the man he is, chose the "I refuse to stop for directions" approach and forged ahead with our family... knowing that we would figure it all out somehow. He would roll his eyes at the amount of time on the phone I spent with my mom and others asking advice and sharing ideas. When Kristen was born, I started all over again with the search for understanding and enlightenment. After all, raising a girl meant a whole new multitude of challenges and adventures (including I now got to shop EVERY aisle of Toys R Us!) I loved this time of my life, but it was only possible because of all the help and support that I received from everyone.

I have decided that this new dream home adventure has a lot in common with our lives 23 years ago!

Again, I want this house to be a perfect home for us in this special time of our lives. I am so obnoxiously excited about it and am once again, talking to anyone who will listen. I am so hungry for opinions and ideas and we have gotten (and used!) so many. Still, Keith shakes his head at my blabbering, but it seemed to work well 23 years ago, didn't it?

I just want to thank all of you who have allowed me to drag you out there to see the piles of sticks and concrete that we are so proud of. You are patient and tolerant and wise and I completely appreciate you all!

Thank God for friends and family!

Speechless... believe it or not!

For all of you who are tired of my ramblings... You're in luck! Keith and I just got back from spending several hours just in awe at the wonderful job that Andy has done so far. I really can't find adequate words to describe how we are feeling right now, so I will just hush and share the pics. Enjoy!

My Life is Good!!

Can my life get any better??? In the last 6 months...

• I have a beautiful new daughter in law, Terri.
• She and Michael are giving me my first precious grandbaby.
• Kristen is in New Jersey with a terrific beginning to a chance at an awesome career.
• I have completed the first year of my new job and love it.
• Keith is, of course, the most wonderful and patient husband and.....

Only 3 weeks after I took a picture of our lonely outhouse....






...We can actually see our beautiful house!!

God is SO good!

Merry Christmas!

I woke up this morning feeling like I was four years old and Santa had a "Susie Smart" waiting for me under the Christmas tree. We have waited and dreamed for this day and it is finally here. The complicated "dance" that Andy had choreographed was the most beautiful thing. The day was just so perfect! Thanks be to God!

I believe him!

Since the beginning of time (or since I remember anyway) I have never had a reason to doubt my brother, Andy. I remember vividly that he told me that the McKitterick family has super powers. I believed him and know to this day he is correct. He told me that we would not be caught throwing snowballs at the nuns strolling through the Ponca City Catholic school, Unity. I believed him and, sure enough, we did not get caught. He told me that I would be very sorry if I told Dad that he shot me in the lip with a BB gun from close range. I believed him until several years ago at a holiday dinner where I let the cat out of the bag. He was right. In retaliation, he started sharing stories of some of my unfortunate (and unknown) car accidents and sure enough... I was sorry. As you can see, Andy is very wise and I have always adored him.

A couple of years ago, Andy suggested that he could build Keith and I a house. Wow. Was this the first time ever that I might doubt him?

But you remember that I love my brother and know he can do no wrong (sorry, Beth) so we took him up on his generous offer. Over the last few months, we have watched in awe as he has put together a mammoth amount of bids, engineering reports and plans. Keith and I stay confused. How did the guy who tried to flush pot down the household toilet but forgot to actually FLUSH get so smart? It has been amazing to watch the intricate web that he has designed to make this whole plan come together. We actually have pipes, tons of re-bar, plastic sheeting, tension cables along with other stuff that I don't have a clue what it is.

I called him the other day to let him know that there is a pipe coming up through the middle of the dining room. Mom's friend Bobby Woodward said that it was sweet that Andy was putting a fountain in my dining room!! Good one, Bobby! Andy thinks that I should stay away.... like that will happen...

I trust my brother completely and love him dearly.

Andy tells me that he will build us a house. I believe him.

The Luckiest Girl...

What a wonderful weekend I had! I have really missed my mom lately (I get like that... doesn't seem as if I will ever grow out of that one!) and, of course, my kids (wonder if THAT feeling will ever go away!) And since I got to spend time with all of them, this weekend was the best ever!

Kristen came in on Friday and we ate with Mom, Andy and Beth for Saturday lunch. At dinner time it was on to Conroe to feast with Terri's parents on grilled 'everything you can think of'. Michael and Terri were there along with the rest of the Marshall clan and it was so nice and relaxing.

Sunday, I had the best day ever! Kristen, Michael, Terri and Mom came to eat with Keith and I. My mother's day card had THREE signatures on it for the first time ever. After yet another large meal, we headed out to see the port-a-potty. (It doesn't take much to excite us you see)
Here we had our first open house. Michael and Keith scooted the "facilities" out of the way of the construction trucks. I had my video camera on the ready to catch any spillage at all (a blog treasure, I am sure!) but sadly they handled it very well. The rest of the time was spent trying to figure out where in the world all the rooms go. I know it doesn't sound like fun to many, but having my family of whom I am so proud of with Keith and I out there was amazing! I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world!!

The perfect ending to a perfect weekend!