Marvelous things.....

I have had so much trouble with the post I did over the week-end...I finally just deleted it.  I think I exceeded the photo upload limit - 25 was too many I guess!  So...here we go again...second try with less pics...

So beautiful!  We first saw this property a year ago and none of us remember seeing these beautiful apple trees blooming!  In fact, we thought they were dead and cut one of them down!  So grateful we left two of them!  No doubt they need a good pruning and not sure they will actually produce anything - they look pretty old...but...the blooms are beautiful right now and we are enjoying them!

"O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."  ~ Isaiah 25:1



Hannah and Connor were big helpers removing the last kitchen cabinet and sink.  Still trying to remove the 3 layers of linoleum from the kitchen floor and the particle board.



Thankful that we uncovered this mess during demolition...we guess that the previous refrigerator/ice maker leaked.  The mold removal company sprayed this with some sort of chemical to stabilize it so it can be safely removed (and so we don't spread any potential spores).

Scott and Connor working so hard!  All of the old kitchen cabinets, appliances, and sink are GONE!!  Oh happy day!  This floor is such a challenge to remove!



The mold removal company worked in the basement for three days.  They took out the workbench and cabinets that were along this wall.  We didn't want to take any chances that any mold (white spots) would be left to spread again.  Everything that could be removed (shelves, old wood, insulation, cabinets, etc) has been taken to the landfill!  Looks much better!



Air scrubber creating negative pressure while the technicians were working down here.  They removed everything that was left (Scott had already done most of it), vaccuumed the white mold off of everything, then sprayed a "hydrogen peroxide solution on steroids" everywhere.  We also keep a commercial-sized dehumidifier running constantly to keep the humidity low (mold likes high humidity).

Cleaned out!  We will also be doing some work outside to redirect the water away from the house.  All of these steps should keep us from having a mold problem again.  This house has been vacant for more than a year and closed up...things started to get out of control...until now...

This is the brick front porch hanging out over the basement - not a good idea.  The previous owners also had water leakage problems here - we see caulk everywhere and these members have rotted.  The framer will replace these and beef up the support.  We also will be closing in the existing front porch to create a bigger foyer and closets, and adding a big front porch.  These steps will also keep water away from this basement wall.

The only thing we didn't remove were these metal shelves - they are so heavy!  We've been told that mold doesn't like metal too much.


*******

Scott and Connor were very busy on Saturday removing the last kitchen cabinet and sink.  They also removed almost all of the rest of the particle board subflooring on the main level.

I stand in awe of the "marvelous things" God is doing as spring is unfolding.  Beautiful!  We first saw this property just over a year ago (March 12, 2010) and none of us remember the apple trees blooming.  They are so pretty!  I've been studying the short, but powerful book of Habakkuk recently with a group of ladies and this verse keeps coming to mind...

"LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known, in wrath remember mercy." 
~ Habakkuk 3:2

Friday was a crazy day - we received an email from the County stating that we would receive building permit approval that very day if Scott walked in with our revised plans.  Then two hours later, we were copied on email correspondence that indicated our permit would be denied due to the septic tank being too close to the house (it is original to the house).  Scott and our architect friend have designed the front porch footings to avoid any type of loading to the septic tank and the County building department agrees with the design, but the VA Department of Health is not satisfied apparently.  Waiting on a decision from them...

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." 
~ Isaiah 26:3-4