[PHOTO: Progress as of today]
Two years ago Saturday, Hurricane Helene pushed water into a home that had never flooded since it was built in 1974. We stood in knee-high water in our backyard, not knowing where to start.
This morning, we were up before dawn for a very different reason. Our daughter had a cross-country meet 40 minutes away, with check-in at 6:30 AM. It was chaotic, groggy, and exactly what our family loves: being together and cheering on our kiddo. My parents were in town and came along, which made it even more special. And V set a new PR. Two years after the storm, we spent the morning on the sidelines, proud and cheering. That feels like the right way to mark the day.
[PHOTO: Super proud of our runner!]
I know I’ve been quiet. Summer was busy, our daughter started high school, and the house has been doing a lot of growing. So let’s catch up.
The House Is Coming to Life
The walls are up. The roof is on. Framing is complete, HVAC and plumbing rough-in are done, and electrical rough-in is almost finished.
When framing started, it took a while before we could really see the layout. But as they worked through the second floor, it all came together: the kitchen and pantry, the dining room, my office, and the in-law suite side of the house. Then came the third floor, and walking through the bedrooms was the moment it truly felt real. These weren’t lines on a plan anymore. They were rooms.
The house has also been full of little surprises. One day we were walking around upstairs and suddenly noticed a tub. We had no idea it was coming in, but what a pleasant surprise. The same thing happened with the living room fireplace. I may or may not have sat on the floor in front of it and, just for a moment, pictured us in a real, finished house.
[PHOTO: The surprise tub and fireplace installation]
V has walked through her room a few times and is super excited. She’s more than ready to get out of the RV and on to the next chapter, and honestly, so are we.
[PHOTO: V’s bedroom, she has the best view in the house.]
The Stairwell Change
We designed a set of windows specifically to show off a beautiful staircase. Once the framing went up, we realized the wooden landing sits right in the middle of one of those windows. Instead of a staircase, you’d see the underside of the stairs and a landing cutting across the glass.
So we’re adding an extra window and shifting another one down, so the landing no longer splits the view. It’s expensive, and we looked hard for another way. But this fix actually expands the view of the staircase, so what started as a problem is turning into an upgrade.
[PHOTO: The Stairwell window debacle.]
The 6 Inches
This one was a frustrating realization. For a while, Troy kept noticing that the tile from the outdoor kitchen at the old house seemed higher than the new foundation. When we finally had the builder measure it, the new foundation came in 5 to 6 inches lower than previously planned. We don’t yet know where in the process, between the site plan and the final drawings, that change happened, and we were never told about it.
For a family that flooded once, 6 inches matters. The good news is that the ground floor is only covered porch and garage, so our living space sits well above it. Still, it’s not what we planned.
The lesson I’d pass along: ask to be told about every elevation change, no matter how small, and ask for it in writing. When the whole reason you’re rebuilding is to get above the water, every inch is yours to decide. And trust the person who keeps saying “something looks off.” Troy was right.
A Faux Paw
Pun intended. One of our contractors accidentally drilled through some of our floor trusses. Not the news you want to hear. But they owned it right away and are paying for the repair. Mistakes happen on every job site; what matters is how people handle them, and they handled it with integrity.
Saying Goodbye to the Koi
Some of you may remember our koi, who rode out the pile driving in a temporary pond just a few feet from the action. Right before we left for Scotland, our pond cleaner had an accident during a routine cleaning, and we lost our koi, all except three babies.
We’d had those fish for at least eight years, and I’ve had a pond since we bought the house. We’re devastated. We’ve decided not to rebuild the pond, and the three little ones went to a friend who knows how to care for them. It’s the right home for them, even if it’s hard.
[PHOTO: From our original pond]
A Much-Needed Breath: Scotland
This summer we escaped to Scotland as a family, and it was magical. V ran a 5K at a castle, and yes, it was as beautiful as it sounds. The course was much hillier than anything in Florida, and she wasn’t happy with her time. But she finished sixth overall among women, and we couldn’t have been prouder.
[PHOTO: Running the castle 5K]
Then there was the Isle of Skye. We drove all around the island and hiked to the Old Man of Storr as a family. Troy and I weren’t sure we’d make it; it was rough on us. A couple of hikers coming down told us it was worth it, so we kept going. They were right. Some of the most amazing views I’ve ever seen.
[PHOTO: Old Man of Storr.]
The Budget Reality
Tariffs and gas prices have hit hard, and we are heavily over budget. So we’re making “later, not never” decisions. Some non-critical cabinetry will wait. The brick flooring on the ground floor is on hold. Landscaping will start more basic. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the reality of building right now, and I suspect many of you are making the same trade-offs.
Where We Stand
We’re still on track to move in at the end of March. If that holds, we’ll have been out of our home for about two and a half years, and in the RV since June 2025. I’ll be honest: the small space is becoming a challenge. We’re ready.
What I’d Tell Myself Two Years Ago
If I could go back to that flooded house, I’d tell myself this will take much longer than you expect. I’m a glass-half-full person, and did not foresee the challenges we have had.
Experiences like this can pull families apart. Ours hasn’t. The easy times aren’t what strengthen us; the hard times are. Life isn’t always unicorns and rainbows, but our family keeps rolling with the punches, and dodging and weaving when we need to.
Tonight at dinner, we raised a glass to two years of progress (as well as a 5k PR!), and to the strength of the three of us (plus two very patient dogs) who keep pushing through.
Here’s to year three, and to finally coming home.
[PHOTO: Tonight’s dinner toast]
