Phase Three

Well, November 2nd saw phase three begun. It was the roof this time. Thirteen trusses were laid and 160 square feet of plywood was nailed down. It really is starting to look like something. In the photo above, Madison, Kinsley, and Mollie are sticking out of the roof right before the last sheets of plywood were put down.
Next weekend we will get the roof shingled and the door installed. Also, we hope to have a ladder constructed so they can start getting into the playhouse. We still have bunks to make; a slide to attach, and swings. All in all, however, we are coming along nicely.
So many people have helped with our project: Robin Team, Roddie Hobbs, Mike Keifer, Mac Parrott, Steven Welborn, Kent Herman, Burr Sullivan, and Ryan Harman. Many thanks to each of them giving their time to help us out.
More to come!
Lee

The Project - Phase 2.1

Well, it took us a lot longer to pick up the supplies than we thought...then we had some obstacles to work around...so we only got about half-way done with phase two. The game was called because of darkness. The deal of the day, however, was getting some windows on clearance. $27 a piece. I was so excited. They are actually better windows than what I have in my house!

Mollie was always near watching us closely. She liked picking up the cut off pieces of wood and building things with them:

We hope to get the third and fourth walls up this week. Then it will be November before we get to the roof. It is my plan for it to be habitable by Thanksgiving.

Keep hammering!

Lee

11th Birthday Party

Friday night saw five girls added to my three for a sleepover party. Pizza was eaten, games were played, a movie was watched, presents were opened, and lots of squeels were heard. This is the third sleepover for Madison and Kinsley, and they had a wonderful time. Here they are with their friends:

Brooke and I were very tired, but we survived! It is hard to believe that it has been 11 years since our answers to prayer joined our family. I am a man most blessed. It is exciting to see how they are maturing, but it is also a little sad...for my "little" girls are growing up. I am trying to treasure this time, for I know it will be gone soon.

Hoping for time to slow down,

Lee

The Project Begins

Well, after three years of promising the girls that I would build them a playhouse, we finally got started in late September. I invited some of the church friends over to help. Robin, Roddy, and Mike joined me and the girls to get phase one done. Here is a picture of Madison and Mollie digging the holes around the posts for concrete:

After 4 hours of work, we had a platform about 7 feet off the ground measuring 8 feet by 16 feet. It is made up of 8 4x4's, 4 sheets of plywood, and a whole bunch of 2x6's. The girls had a wonderful time helping, and here they are celebrating the completion of phase 1:

Phase two will commence this coming weekend. We hope to get the walls and roof up. The big decision on our plates this week is how many windows to put it!

Till next time,

Lee

Norma's Visit

My good friend Norma came to visit.

Missing the Girls

I almost can't believe that the summer is over. School started for Brooke on Monday as she went to prepare her classroom. School starts this coming Monday for the girls. They have been out of town for over 6 weeks this summer, and boy do I miss them. Two weeks for camp; two weeks with my parents; and two weeks with Brooke's parents. I am ready for them to come home.

Our dear friend Norma is coming to visit on Saturday, before she heads to Brazil for two months of missionary work. It will be a true blessing to spend a day with her. She is truly someone who has yielded her entire life to Christ. She is an inspiration.

Today, I have the opportunity to participate in a regatta on Lake Norman in a J-105. I am looking forward to it. Actually, I have to leave in 10 minutes. Sailing is awesome.
Grace and peace,
Lee

Old Friends Reunite

What a blessing Sunday was. Our dear friends the Van Kirk's stopped by for a visit. Brooke and I came to be close friends with Jim and Amy when we lived in Lexington, Virginia. We took a number of vacations together and always enjoyed their company.
In 1996 we moved to North Carolina but still were able to see them when we passed through Lexington, VA on our way to Harrisonburg. But five years ago, they moved to Maine. So, we haven't seen each other since. All our children have really grown in that time, but it seemed like no time had passed for the four adults. Brooke and I are already planning to go visit them in Maine sometime during the next year.

Friends are a blessing from the Lord!