So in other news, what else have we been up to in house building?
In my last post we had just closed on the lot and the loan and were ready to get started. Well, that was well over a month ago. First, we took the plans to an engineer so that our slab can be engineered. This is an extra expense that will be WELL worth it in the long run. The soil in Amarillo is very finicky (for lack of a better word) and when it is dry here (as it is now) it acts one way. Then, when the rains come, it will act another way. This can cause some major problems with the foundation. This process of waiting for the engineer was just more waiting but the Lord really opened my eyes and gave me peace during the process. During this time I literally had at least 5 people mention foundation problems in Amarillo of their own or of people they knew. I really felt like this was God's way of saying, "Hey, I got this." After the foundation plans were finished we went straight to the city to apply for a permit. While we were not the favorite of the hippie man at the desk, he finished fairly quickly and we recieved the permits and the ok to start.
Then came concrete. This has been one of the hardest parts so far. I will probably say that about almost every part but this really was difficult. There is building going on ALL around us on all sides but those concrete companies are not interested in us as they have PLENTY of work and have no need to do just one job for someone who plans on not building again and bringing them business. As a result, we decided to use my dad's concrete company in Ft. Worth. So, the day was set for them to begin! I was more than excited. Dad came to Amarillo, we ran errands, got the water line set up, and as we were heading to check on the work, we got a call. The concrete man of course says things didn't work out so we are to go to such and such office and talk to them. Little did we know this was a completely different company and we would be starting from scratch. More waiting, more phone calls, and more questions. The days drug on as we waited and waited. Are you seeing a theme here??
Fast forward to five days ago. This is the day we finally "broke ground". The new concrete company came out and did their thing. I would try to describe it but it wouldn't make sense so lets just say they came, they did work, and then there was flat pretty dirt. That brings us to today. Today the concrete company dug trenches! I was so excited to see actual progress and see the next step being taken. The pictures above are what they have done so far today and I am excited to see what it looks like in just a few days.
As soon as the "rock is on the ground" as Dad would say, he can begin the framing. We will be so relieved when he takes over and we are no longer relying on strangers for when things will be done. I will continue to say that we are so very grateful for the sacrifices he and my mom have made through all of this as it has sure not been easy. We have only just begun but we have already made great memories! Thankfully I have started back to school so I do not have near as much time to call and bug him. :)
This sure is a long post but I want to remember every step of the process! Thanks for reading!!
