The day has come and gone, but the house is still not ours.

June 20th, 2010. The date the our new home is to be substantially complete.  Well as of 6:30 this evening, there is still work left to do.  I guess some may call this substantially complete, but I believe the city of Herriman may not think so.  We have no steps from the sliding glass doors down to the ground.  It is not a big deal, other than it is an eleven foot drop.  Ginny and I have joked for a long time that we were going to ask the builder to replace the deck and stairs with a slide, rope and fireman's pole, because we thought the grand kids would love it.

If not having any stairs is not an issue, then how about the fact that the stove have not been installed and there are still electrical fixtures missing, of the fact that we have not hot water because the shutoff value to the water heater runs like a facet if the water into the house is turn on.  I do not believe the home is yet able to be occupied.

Oh, there are still lots of minor things to still be completed, but they were not required by the substantial completion date.  Hopefully things will get wrapped up by the end of business tomorrow.  Then the city can inspect things and grant an occupancy permit.  Our loan office is working to get an appraisal done this week and then we can sign on the dotted line.

It is looking more and more like we will be moving over the July 4th weekend.  I thought that was Independence day, but I am thinking it is more like Labor day.  If we do not get things squared away soon the fireworks may be seen at the builders office before Independence Day.

A break from the house to thank and honor our returning Marine

We feel it very appropriate to take a break for our reporting on the progress on our home to pay a tribute to our nephew and cousin who has spent the past 8 and a half months in Afghanistan performing responsibilities to defend our freedom and our great nation as a Marine. 

Jacob Chesley you make more than your mother proud.  As a family we are extremely grateful for you and your service to us and our nation.

This is Jake's second tour of duty.  The first was in Iraq and this time was in Afghanistan and we are happy to have him home safe and sound.  Several of his unit did not have the opportunity of returning to see their family and loved one.  They paid the ultimate sacrifice in performing their duties.  These we wish all to know that while we did not know them personally we grateful for they service.  We will always reflect on the courage, honor and dignity with which they carried out they responsibilities.  For them any every one of those who have contributed to our freedom we can't not express of deepest gratitude and our sincere thanks.  For you see we know that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.  We also recognize the not only are we living in a free nation because of the efforts of our military personnel, but many others of this world are also obtaining and establishing freedom in their nations.

To all who serve and especially Jake we as a family say THANK YOU and may GOD BLESS.