We've got a roof!

Well, we are definitely making progress on the home. Dad and Bobby were here and got to see it! The thermo-ply is up and the roof is on! Next comes the windows and the sheathing!

The pizza man has arrived!

On Tuesday, Bobby Koelzer called to tell us he was coming to town to pick up a scooter for his dad. He wanted to know when we were available so I told him we'd be around Thursday and Friday since we were off work. He said he'd get into town Thursday probably around three o'clock and would leave Saturday morning before we went back to work. When I found out he was coming, I called dad right away to try to convince him to come along but he told me he didn't have much vacation time left so he couldn't...whatever! Needless to say, I was pretty bummed yet excited to still see Bobby! Thursday morning we woke up to get the house cleaned, errands ran, and groceries bought since we knew we wouldn't get a day home this week to do it. I went back to the bedroom to pick up and I heard the doorbell ring. I knew it was Bobby so I told Travis to get it. They came in and were talking in the living room when the doorbell rang again - less than 30 seconds after Bobby came in. Travis again got the door again and came back to the bedroom, "Ash, did you order a pizza?" "Uh, no..." I replied, considering we just had pizza a couple days before. At that point, Travis told me to go to the door and tell him it wasn't us. When I got to the door, I started to say, "We didn't order pizza so you...OH MY GOSH, WHAT THE HELL DAD, YOU AREN'T THE PIZZA MAN!!!!" Needless to say, I was SOOOOO excited that dad came along and once again, they got me! (Dad had Bobby's hat on and I didn't even recognize him, considering I was expecting it to be a "pizza man!"

That was just the beginning of the fun. Dad didn't know it (nor did we at the time) but we got him back and it was even better. His 50th birthday was in February but he didn't want to have a party or anything since "his girls" weren't able to be there. Over the past seven months or so, all of us girls and mom have been planning a trip where all of us could be together to celebrate dad's birthday. We came to the conclusion that it would be the most fun if we could all come home to a K-State football game. Since there are a couple KU fans in the family :), we agreed that the K-State vs. KU game would be ideal. We wanted to wait to tell dad until closer to October, but I talked to mom earlier in the week and she said Bill and Christi Perkins were coming into town over labor day and she was scared that dad would use all his vacation. We agreed we better go ahead and tell him so he has a heads up. It's always hard for all of us to find a way to be together to tell him, whether it be via Skype, phone, e-mail, etc...but since dad showed up and we ordered the tickets and had them, all of us figured I could just tell him. I typed up a letter and put it in a card along with all the tickets and while Michele watched via Skype, I gave it to him. He was so surprised (you should have seen his face!)...so happy that all his family could be together for the first time in 4 years and we're doing it to celebrate his birthday! We love you, dad and it's about time we FINALLY got one on you after all these years!

The home is completely framed and we are moving on to the sheating and windows...it's going up like hotcakes and has been a fun process to experience!

Champions...I think so!

As most of you know, I was asked by a realtor that I work closely with if I would like to play on their Co-Ed softball team for the summer season. I have been antsy to get back to playing since it's been a few years so I eagerly said YES! (Not only for that reason but there are other realtors on the team that I can get to know so they'll bring me clients!) Travis actually played a couple games with us when we needed subs and after not playing for several years, "he still got game!" They said the team went 2-6 last season so it was a pretty miserable year. They brought in some new players for the upcoming season in hopes that it would be better than the last. Amazingly enough, we ended up going undefeated for the summer season at 11-0 and became the summer league CHAMPS...all that was worth it for a $5 t-shirt :) They actually invited me back for the fall season so I've agreed to continue playing with the team!

We have a house!!

As you can see, the house is progressing quite nicely. We finally have what looks like a house!

We've got wood!

They finally started framing our house and the first floor is done! It looks like we'll have a small delay due to the crazy weather we've been having down here. It has stormed the past couple days and rained the entire night last night. :( Once everything dries out, we'll be back on track. I guess we can't complain as we need the rain something terrible and we are so blessed to be able to watch our new home go up right in front of our eyes - something that many people never even get to experience! We are so thankful and more excited than ever knowing that what we've worked so hard for is finally paying off!