typing out this announcement is surreal!  for many, MANY (30 something) months now i’ve said (to the few who knew) ‘it doesn’t seem real yet!’  and frankly, it still doesn’t!  things are fiiiinally, slowly but surely, falling into place. 

fall of 2019, we were *quietly* planning and meeting our architect weekly.  a few months later of keeping a secret, right as we were preparing to sign our (first) contract, the pandemic suddenly changed everything.  we were forced to shift our perspective to larger things and questions like, ‘will our business survive?’, ‘what do we need to stay safe and keep others safe?’, ‘when will this end???’  needless to say, we didn’t move forward w the house at that time.

towards the end of 2020 we reached out again to our architect, in hopes of resuming.  we met to discuss new plans and had a very exciting conversation about pickup up where we left off.  i was so nervous that he would turn us down, but he did not! 🤪 glimpse of light at the end of a tunnel.

by early 2021 it seemed more likely we would someday build the house we designed, and just THAT alone was a milestone.

spring 2021 we were presented with something new- a drawing we had never seen before!  the ENTIRE design had drastically changed and we made very minimal alterations bc it was already beyond perfect.  of course there is not one sketch by clay chapman we wouldn’t take in a heartbeat… so naturally, we loved it! the way everything came about, the uncertainties, fourth baby on the way… it was truly fitting. ironic how time and life in generally has a way of working out. i’d gaze at the layout on sketchpad, imagining our growing family all around the porch, the patio, the living room, and the open dining and KITCHEN!! countless scenarios soared through my mind and i just knew this was THE one.

last summer we signed the revised contract.  bittersweet!  there hasn’t been a day pass i haven’t envisioned this structure we will one day call home.  initially, we were supposed to break ground this past spring. due to a very saturated market, we’ve waited patiently (ok maybe not-so-patiently 😅) for our turn while remaining grateful for this opportunity.  we’re absolutely honored to work with the incredibly talented, award-winning architect, (@1000yearhouse on instagram).  get ready to have your mind blown with his work! check out the CNU.org link as well as OKL.coop article ‘Building Hope’ to name a couple.

home.

this pasture is there’s to see now, but this ‘before pic’ was an important keepsake. (thanks to mary for the captures!) there is actually SO much more to elaborate on including the tentative plans/ideas we have for the surrounding land, community, etc. 🤗

while we’re undoubtedly joyful, the privilege to pursue this is not lost on us.  the past few years have made it abundantly clear that tomorrow is not promised.  material things are merely material things.  no matter what, togetherness will carry us through life’s ups and downs and in-betweems.  may our hearts stay humble as we navigate this next chapter, never forgetting what’s most important.  soooo thankful. ❤️ 

xx,

katy