Accepting the Challenge

Ok so today we met again about our floor plans. Fixed the kitchen counter space, added a window in the office and made a space for table inside our garage entry. Through this meeting we also brought up wheel chair excessable doors. We feel this is VERY IMPORTANT one because my grandma needs to be able to easily use the bathroom and get in our home so we can enjoy having them over. And two because we are trying to build this home to sell to an older couple. "2" bed 2 bath and an office is not a "family" home it's a couple home. So either a starter home or a older couple. This didn't seem to big of a problem but there is definitly changess that had to be made to make this happen.

These changes will happen and are not hard to make just some how stressed me out today. It's this kind of thing that i'm truthfully fearing getting into the building process and finding out ... "oh by the way your grandma can't come over if she is in a wheel chair" and "you can't sell this to any older couple who might be looking for that." Those are j ust important things and I want to make sure I am crossing the T's and dotting the I's before we get into the building process. BUT i know that's probably not somthing you can be completely prepared for.

Then we talked about our lot a little and i knew our backyard/porch area would be level so we won't have a tall deck but I was secretly hoping to be able to have a least one step down so we could have a wood porch and pretty railings ect. Through this meeting we descussed having a concrete slab.  Oh I cringe just typing that. But I know it's the most practical thing and cost efficiant thing. BUT i still want to have a relaxing party friendly enviorment in our backyard. VERY IMPORTANT again. Really this is why I am typing this post because I'm trying to de breef from that meeting.

Now on to fixing the problem!

This is what I think of when I think of a concrete slab. (sad dog and everything)

Then the guys were like shell it will be ok we can stain it and make it look nice just like tile or something... and this is what I think of. A stained slab of concrete.

Sure it's better... but I wouldn't even call this a comprimise to my ideal deck.

So my goal today is to figure out how to make a flat slab of concrete feel more cozy for parties and relaxing. So we will actually go outside and enjoy the place not just have a outside but it be nice.  I accept this challenge!

Idea #1 (ignore cool modern home and big windows) cut lines in concrete to appear like big tiles.

Ideas # 2&3 build a sitting area around boarder to create the feeling of depth. Add a Long skinny fire pit like in the picture. Toss in a spot for a hot tub and plan out for table and chairs so you have a unique shape not just a simple triangle slab. Use the space wisely!

A Process

SO we have been planning in our heads for quite some time now to build a home. We have been house hunting for almost two years now. And have gone back and forth on if we want to build. We decided YES but then came the process.

About a year ago we visited our first banks asking for a Idea on a Home Loan we can get. Many Tears and many frustrations came with this process finding out so many rules hold us back since we are Self Employed. Getting told no over and over again and one lady even said "You might never get a loan" We found out later through that process that SHE WAS WRONG... We just needed three full years under our belts of taxes for our company!  Happy Anniversary to us this February!

One of the other first parts of building a home is Finding or Finalizing a floor Plan.  Oh goodness has this but fun yet so discuraging. Mom helped me the very first day cutting out rooms by measuing what we already had and taping them together to make a home. Then we have met with two contractors and an drafting company to try and make it better. Then this Sunday we met with our Friend and Contractor to look at some of his pre excisting floor plans. He had one that was 1539 sq ft. That was pretty close.... so I spent a couple hours scribbling on it and e-mailed that to him this morning. At 11am I got to go pick up the changes!  And We like it!  WE LIKE IT!

We are verry happy about this accomplishment and very thankful that as of this morning building a home feels withen reach!

The Lord has His perfect timing for everything and we pray for His timing in this whole process. Although there might be discouraging parts or tears that fall through this we want to touch the lives of others through the process. And in having a home for our family and friends that God will create in the years to come.