Catching my breath...

Ok - for those of you who check this blog often - you may have noticed that I haven't posted anything in quite a while... There is actually a reason for this - and I plan on uploading the pictures to prove it.

WE FINISHED THE BASEMENT!!! This project that began in November of 2004 was just completed yesterday. Hours and hours of hard work - countless trips to home depot - sleep deprivation - caffeine... We are so grateful to God for the crew that did the majority of the work, (Dan, Chuck, Craig) and for everyone that came over and helped out with the different phases (Jamie - the painting maestro, Eric and his 2 days of glory, Dan Syde/Megan/Jessica/Steph/ and a guy named Jimmy (or Bobby) who brought a gallon of root beer. Scotty B, Brad P, Bob C, Paul P, Jamin, and Wes also worked hard for the project to be completed.

It is so strange to walk downstairs and have my feet sink into soft snuggly carpet, instead of the cold, treacherous concrete of the past 2 years.

I do have to admit a strange emotion that comes over those of us that would call ourselves dreamers - mourning. Even as the hard work gave birth to the finished basement, it also dealt the death blow to the dream that has occuppied and pre-occuppied my mind and heart for over 2 years.

Does anyone relate to this feeling? The birth of a new thing meaning the death of the dream? I readily admit that I am not normal... But standing in my finished basement and feeling a little sadness is a truly strange emotion... Now before any of you seek to get me on your couch for some therapy, I realize that this feeling may have something to do with the fact that our house is going on the market this week. But still - I can't shake this feeling that has appeared in my life a few other times as well - the end of missions trips, the end of 40, or after something is purchased that I have wanted for a long time.

Why is it that sometimes the dream is more desirable than reality, even when reality is exactly what you dreamed it would be?