Update

Since the last update we have finished the walls of the house! It has been a long process that we started in November of last year. We have battled with the weather. If it was raining it was not safe to work, if it  snowed we couldn't work, also a bad storm came through and did a lot of damage to the property and we had to take time off from working on the house to clean up, but we kept going through all of it and finally got it finished. Our next task will be to erect the ridge pole support logs and set the ridge pole. Also, we have to put in the girder support for the second floor. Please pray that God will continue to protect us from harm, and that we will make good time on finishing the house.     

Update

Since my last update we have managed to move ahead. After the snow melted, the ground was deep mud and we thought it might be Spring before we could continue, but we took advantage of the freezing temperatures and started at sunrise to drag logs in place. Usually by 10:00 am the ground would thaw and bring work to a halt.

We are now thankful for the warmer temperatures and dry weather. The ground has dried and logs are going up more quickly now. We are in the middle of the ninth course now and the logs measure 11 feet high. We estimate we will need 16 or 18 courses depending on their measurement. Courses need to be in even rounds.

With the triple block and tackle, Blane Jr. can easily hoist himself to the top.

Blane and Blane Jr.

Blane, Gabriella and Christiana

Mom is looking for the right color scheme to use in decorating the interior. Hard work indeed compared to stacking logs. We will show you the colors soon.

Weather Delay

We have three courses of logs and 1 log on the fourth course and 11 inches of snow. It is going to take quite a while to dry up enough to be able to return to work on the cabin. In the meanwhile, we have enjoyed our time together as a family and have caught up on some much needed rest.

You can see some of the awesome views we will have from our cabin. I can't wait to sit out on the front porch and worship the Creator.

Foundational Logs are in Place

What an exciting day!!! We stacked our first five logs today thanks to Philip, Tim, Chris and Jeff. They went on really easy. We stagger cut the rebar and drill the holes an 1/8 inch larger and it couldn't have gone any easier.

Gabby, Christiana, Conner, Charla, Philip, Blane, Sr., Blane, Jr., Lance, Chris, Brandon, Jeff and Tim

Using block and tackle, we tied off to two 4WD vehicles to raise the logs and two guys with ropes pulled them to get drilled holes fitted onto the rebar.

First log being lowered into place

Preparing to lift the second log

Third log going into place

Blane, Jr. drilling the holes to thread the rebar through

The final foundational log being guided onto the rebar

After our helpers left, Blane and Blane, Jr. were able to get a fifth log in place and pinned down.

It was a very good and productive day with no injuries except for a few sore backs and muscles. Thank you God!

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Recently our 9 year old daughter, Gabby, said that of all the places we have lived, this is her favorite home. Understand that for most this would be the least desirable place to live, a 36 year old single wide where our family of seven makes our home now. When asked why, she replied, "It is so cozy and cuddly and I like cozy and cuddly."

Home is not the box you live in, but home is where there is family. Our family works together, laughs together, eats together, prays together, studies together, and yes cuddles together. And did I mention LAUGHS together. Our home is nothing pretty to look at, but it is filled with love. We all agree with Gabby, our home is cozy and we love living here. I hope Gabby will like our 2300 sq. foot lob cabin, too. I think she will because home truly is where the heart is.

All the Lumber is Cut!

Blane and Blane, Jr. finished cutting the last log Monday evening. Yeah! They are now cleaning up the mess. We will have plenty of fire wood for our hot dog roasts.

                                           Here is the good stuff.

We came up short on the timbers and had to order some more from a sawmill.  We didn't order enough logs, but now we know that we can only get 2 and sometimes 3 rafters or floor joist out of one log.

                                         These are some of our 12 ft.,  2 x 4's.

Now the job for Saturday will be to make some more of the solution that we treated the logs with and treat all the lumber.

Then we wait for the logs to be graded so that we know which logs can be used as support logs and which ones will have to be wall logs. After the grading, we can start putting the walls up, then it will start looking like a real house.

                                           Happy Days!

Update

Since my last post we have made a lot of progress on the house.

• First, we finished bleaching and treating all the logs.
• We measured all of the logs and categorized them. 
• We had the foundation backfilled.
• We set our lifting poles that we will use to....Wait for it...lift the logs into place! We need to think of a fancier name other than lifting pole. 
• We passed inspection on our foundation.
•  We began cutting the 4x12s that we are going to use for the rafters and joist for the second floor. 

As soon as we finish cutting the 4x12s we will be ready to have the logs and rafters graded. After that we will be ready to begin stacking logs.