If you had told me five years ago that we’d be knee-deep in construction dust again, I probably would’ve laughed, then cried, then cried some more. But here we are—we are building again! And yes, that title deserved two exclamation marks, because it’s not just an announcement, it’s a whole mood.
This is our Day in the Life (DITL) during another round of renovation, rebuilding, and redefining what “home” means to us.
Why Build Again?
You might be wondering: Didn’t you just finish building two years ago? Well, yes. And that home served us beautifully during a special season of life. But as the kids grew, our family dynamic shifted, and our priorities evolved. What once felt like a forever home started feeling more like a really well-decorated stepping stone.
And so, we’re building again. Not because we have to, but because we want to. This time, it’s not about having more space—it’s about creating better space. Smarter space. Space that works with us, not against us.
Morning: Coffee, Chaos, and Concrete
Our mornings now start a little earlier. Not because we’ve suddenly become morning people (spoiler: we haven’t), but because construction crews tend to show up with the sunrise.
By 7:15 AM, the unmistakable rumble of trucks rolling in wakes the whole house. The kids—surprisingly unbothered—use the sounds as their new alarm clock. I, on the other hand, require two cups of coffee and a deep breath before facing the day.
Breakfast is a chaotic blend of toast, yogurt, and dodging extension cords. The dining room is still intact, but with all the hammering and sawing going on around us, it feels like we’re dining in the middle of a Home Depot.
Still, there’s something exciting about it. Even with the mess, the noise, and the occasional missing sock (thanks, dust piles), it’s alive. There’s movement, energy, purpose.
Midday: Meetings and Measurements
By midday, I’ve usually transitioned from “household manager” to “project manager.” This week’s big hurdle: finalizing the kitchen layout. Again. Because let’s be honest—if I change the placement of the fridge one more time, our contractor might change his phone number.
There’s something kind of thrilling about making these decisions, though. Picking out cabinets, arguing with myself over hardware finishes, and trying to balance practicality with Pinterest. The mood boards are overflowing, and so is my desktop. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Meanwhile, the kids are at school, and my partner is trying to work from what used to be our guest room and is now a pseudo-office-construction-headquarters combo. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
Sometimes I sneak away to the job site (aka our backyard) with a measuring tape in one hand and a sketch pad in the other. There’s something grounding about being in it, seeing the progress firsthand, imagining what it’ll look like when it’s done.
Afternoon: Tiny Wins and Big Realizations
By the time afternoon rolls around, we’re knee-deep in decisions. Some small (Do we want black hinges or brushed nickel?), some massive (Should we add a skylight above the hallway?).
One of the joys—and curses—of building is the constant realization that everything is a choice. Every corner, every light fixture, every switch. It’s empowering and exhausting at the same time.
Today’s tiny win: the pantry framing went up. It might not sound like much, but if you’ve ever lived without a real pantry, you know how life-changing that one space can be. I stared at the wooden frame for a solid five minutes, already imagining the snacks, the jars, the peace of knowing exactly where the cereal lives.
Evening: Dusty Feet and Full Hearts
By dinner time, everyone’s home and the energy changes. The saws are silent, the trucks are gone, and the house is just ours again—quiet, for a moment.
We gather around a makeshift table (because the dining room chairs are currently serving as temporary scaffolding for the kids’ fort), eat something easy, and talk about the day.
The kids ask questions like “When will the stairs be finished?” and “Can my room have a swing?” and “Will the dog get his own door?” The answers are yes, maybe, and absolutely.
We end the night with a walk around the property, flashlights in hand, inspecting the progress. The kids find joy in every pile of wood. The dog finds every nail (don’t worry, we’re careful). I find peace in knowing that we’re building more than just walls—we’re building home.
Lessons We’ve Learned So Far
- Flexibility is key. Plans will change. Materials will be delayed. But if you stay flexible, you’ll stay sane.
- Progress over perfection. Not everything will go as planned, and that’s okay. Progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
- Keep your vision close. Whether it’s a photo, a sketch, or just a feeling, remind yourself why you started.
- The mess is temporary. The memories, however, will last a lifetime.
What’s Next?
We’ve got a long way to go. Walls to raise, tiles to choose, paint colors to test. But we’re doing it—one board, one brick, one dream at a time.
So yes, we are building … again!! And while part of me misses the clean floors and the predictability of a finished home, the bigger part of me is excited—so excited—for what’s coming.
It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. But it’s also full of hope. And in the end, that’s what building is really about—hope for the life we’re creating, brick by brick, day by day.
Stay tuned, friends. The journey has just begun
