E-Haus: On to Framing

It's so strange how house building can take forever to get from even thinking about a floorplan to getting the final loan approved, and then even longer to get permits together, but once ground is broken the project can move forward at lightning speed. Our builder was adamant that our home would take approximately 5 months to build from foundation to completion, and though we heeded the advice that is EVERYWHERE online and mentally added several months in our heads, he's on track so far. In fact, there are crews of men on site 6-7 days per week. So we'll have to see what winter brings. Snow has a tendency to slow life down...

It sounds strange to say, but though our house looked enormous to me when the foundation walls went up, once the floorboards went on I started to wonder why we had chosen such a tiny home. Then the rest of the house got framed and once again, it looked big. Square footage, as with life, completely depends on the place from which you are viewing it.

This shot actually terrified me. I have no personal fear of heights but when my kids get within 10 feet of any kind of drop, I become convinced that their lives are in peril.

That tall wall on the right is the start to our (great!) great room!

And that bank of windows makes me smile so hard. I love the woods view, and I can't wait to watch the seasons change from a cozy seat within!

Walls!

I never quite considered the possibility that one day, I might wax poetic about poured concrete walls. But here I am, and actually it's a great place to be. After the perhaps ubiquitous delays that plagued the first few months of our building experience after we closed, every little bit  of construction that indicates our home will be real is awe-inspiring.

This week we were jazzed to discover that the inspection apparently went flawlessly and that our concrete basement walls were poured and then the area was backfilled in less than a week. We have egress windows and random tubing. We even saw metal trusses on site, which means that we might actually have the full outline of a house by Thanksgiving because vertical framing starts this week!

We also, of course, are realizing that the landscaping is going to be no joke at all. There is so much brush to mow down and grass to grow and general prettification of the area to be done after we move in. I don't care. We will have a house, and that is thrilling. That being said, I have big theoretical plans for a giant garden and an equally giant outdoor living area with a built-in fire pit. Someday.

This wooded area, while a little sparse-looking in late November, will be our view out of the two stories of windows in the great room. Whether they are green, flowering, or covered in snow, it will be so nice to have some nature as part of our every day home decor.

 I spy one of our egress windows! It's so strange to see a 3D version of our house plans.

Nate's standing in our three-car garage. We are realizing that it's going to be a little full once we've parked our three cars, and he's already pining for his someday pole barn.

More side yard and playtime in the garage. The best part of building a house? In my kids' opinions, it's all of the dirt!

In other news, besides vertical framing, we should finish up with our selections this week. Our builder is dropping off countertop and fireplace selections, and then we're kind of set for awhile. It's scary but also a relief. I'm excited to see all of the plans come to life!