Happy Friday! 😀
Lots of barn building going on over here this week, despite the downpours nearly every afternoon. Five of the windows are now installed, and more are being added soon. And speaking of windows- do you remember the dormers in the inspiration photo I posted a while back?
Well, our sweet builder constructed two dormers with shed style roofs (one on each side of Jim and Katie’s den) this week…
…just like the ones in our inspiration photo and the ones our architect drew on the plans.
BUT- I didn’t care for how long the roofs were, or how low the windows sat on the roof. :-/ See how the bottom edge of the one pictured above touches the roof of our sunroom? And when I started thinking about how the dormers at the far end of the barn would look, I realized they would sit *reeeeally* close to the bottom edge of the roof. Not good.
Sooooo, I asked our builder if he could modify them today. I told him I wanted the windows to sit up a little higher (away from the sunroom and bottom edge of the roof) and that I wanted to new roofs to be gabled (not shed-style). (We’re recycling windows that will be removed from our master bedroom in these dormers, by the way.)
Here’s what he whipped right up:
Isn’t it adorable? Even the sky seemed to like it better. 😉
Like I said, there will be another one done at the other end of the roof, and there will be two more on the opposite side of the barn. The two closest to our house will provide light in Jim and Katie’s den/kitchen, and the two at the far end of the barn will be more decorative than anything because there will be attic space above their bedroom and bathroom.
We’re also adding a cupola and weathervane to the very top/center of the roof, so of course I’m scouring the internet for weathervane inspiration now too. I like this little guy:
(Amazon)
Have you seen any cute ones lately?
PS- We got an adoption update yesterday and we’re *hoping* to see Sonny’s passport (via email) today. If we do receive it, and there aren’t any typos, we’ll enter our final 4-6 week “chunk”. It’s called “USCIS” and it has to do with Sonny’s visa among a few others things. I know we’ve known about him for a couple of years now, but I can still hardly believe we get to be that babe’s mama and daddy. Totally blows my mind, really. That the God of the universe would write this privilege into my story…flawed, sinner, undeserving ME….super humbling, to say the least. I’ll let you know if I hear anything next Monday! 🙂
Danielle
I love watching your updates on this barn! I came across your website looking for a plank ceiling tutorial a while back- which I still have yet to do but you know… and I love so many things on here! Also congrats for your adoption update, VERY EXCITING!
I was just on this quest for a cute weathervane not too long ago and here is my top:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Montague-Metal-Products-Inc.-Deluxe-Rooster-Weathervane/22204602?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3&adid=22222222228016055629&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=52628701991&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=84504239711&veh=sem
http://www.gardenfun.com/garden-biplane-weathervane.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwnIm7BRDSs42KxLS8-6YBEiQAfDWP6J-8XPFFvs2z-Zb_RuGr3jUjNwYS6qUPnPNtVN3yFCIaAlCV8P8HAQ
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000645ULO/ref=s9_zwish_hm_awbw_bw16p_g86_i23?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-11&pf_rd_r=R5DVYQATJQ3TGB98VZET&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=9d1c900b-1fc0-5667-99f7-cd117d19fea8&pf_rd_i=13827291
I turned an old shed in our backyard into a barn and added a cupola. I ended up hiring a blacksmith that lives down the street to make our weathervane. We did it in my husbands plane that he flies for the airforce and gave it to him for Christmas- it was so fun! Weathervanes add so much! Good luck!
Whitney Sigler
The house looks fabulous. Love the Windows. On to the baby news!! Woot!!! I’m doing a happy dance for you all!!! Sending love Whitney
Laura
From time to time, my children ask if you have Sonny yet. I wanted you to know that there will be some excited Texans when that baby comes home! In the meantime, I will let them know that he is just over the horizon!
Amy Griffin
Never bury the headline, Layla! I always look forward to adoption news! So happy for you all and praying for no typos!!!
Layla
Well, *technically* there isn’t any “headline news” to report yet…but I’m hoping there will be on Monday! 😀
Jamie Giorgi
Loving the barn updates….but so excited for the ” SONNY” news….I can’t wait for you to bring home your sweet p. My continued prayers for you and Kevin to have him HOME and for you to truly begin your life as a family of 3 ✨?✨?✨
Sandie Steadman
Looking good! If they happen to be into sailing , there is an older one at Candlelight Antiques located in North Alabama right on I-65. It is a good one for a water lover’s home! Only 4-6 more weeks! YAY!
Stahli
It’s looking good! Have you ever thought about connecting some sun tunnel skylights to the two bathroom dormers? They would provide good lighting during the day, saving electricity and wouldn’t be too much extra work to add since it is a new build.
And I agree with Amy. Anything to due with the adoption is headline news! Good luck, we are praying for you all!
Susan
Love your blog and seeing your barn progress, but I have to tell you that the ads are the worst on your site of any I visit. They cover both text and photos and are beyond annoying. I know bloggers need ad revenue and don’t begrudge them that in the slightest, but in this case it is so distracting and really makes it difficult to enjoy the content. You have the banner at the top for your ebook that a reader can’t make go away which takes up screen real estate. Then when I scroll up or down the dang ads pop up again and cover the photos.
Marianne in Mo.
I had that same problem the other day. Downloaded an ad blocker, and poof – ads are gone! You may want to get one too.
Layla
Oh boy. My ad management company just wrote and said that that ad blocker you suggested will completely prevent me from earning income from my “employers”. They’re going to restrict some ads and space them out be several minutes to see if that helps, but I have a feeling blogging full-time may just not be in my future. E-times are a’changin’!
Marianne in Mo.
Okay, I changed my settings for your site, and it was loaded with ads again. I understand the need for income, so I will try to deal with them for you. I would hate to see you not here anymore, your blog is one that I cherish. 🙂 According to the ad blocker site, it was supposed to not hurt your income.Sorry that I may have caused you problems!
kristin
I am glad someone asked. I love reading up with you Layla. However, it seems I am trying to get rid of ads the entire time. I understand as well, and you are worth the irritation but agree.
Marianne in Mo.
I had to kinda chuckle when I read that you asked the builder for a change, because I feel we have been doing that a lot! 😉 Hard to know how it looks until it goes in/on, and we have already built our same house before! But you were right, it is much improved now.
Gave mine a pic of your fireplace so he could see your brick, then the next day asked if we could do a hearth like yours ( we were not going to have one). So now he has to check with the building commissioner to see if we can. HA!
So excited each time you report on Steevenson’s progress. It’s getting so close now, I too would not be able to sleep much! Will you be vid-chatting with him soon? Love hearing his voice.
shar y
He’ll be coming around the mountain when he comes, and so on! Yay for the Sonny news!!
Barn update is awesome!
Cindy Pierce
Love the house updates…but I’m so thrilled to here “Sonny” news. My prayers that there will be no typos. He’ll be home before you know it!!
Lauri Mcintosh
I recently purchased my weathervane on Amazon. They have a nice selection. I got a cow, although it’s still in my bedroom, waiting to be installed! Ugh
Marie
Sometimes the very last few weeks can feel like the longest time even after waiting all the years but that’s because it’s the most exciting part – the end of the waiting. So excited for all three of you. Imagine you’ve both been to Sweet Pea’s home quite a few times but when he come’s home to you it will be his first ever visit! He is in for such a treat. So excited for you all.. especially sweet Pea. He is going to have a blast running around your place. And Granny right next door! He’s got it all.
Amy J
http://www.hayneedle.com/product/accentua-olympia-cupola-with-horse-weathervane.cfm?redirect=false&source=pla&kwid=OutdoorDecorativeAccents%20new&tid=ACCE013-1&adtype=pla&kw=&gclid=CPHu4aOrr80CFZI9gQodU9wCdQ
Linda
We just ordered a outside umbrella from Hayneedle! We had a wonderful experience with this company. The umbrella was exactly what we wanted and ordered. Shipping was quick and effortlessly.
Robbin
Loving the updates on the bungalow barn. What a blessing for your in-laws to live next to you. Family is amazing. And to think that Sweet Pea is almost HOME. I want a video of you and Kevin walking in the front door of your house and of him playing in his room. OH my the tears will be flowing . . . tears of joy. Yes, isn’t it amazing that God, who spoke the world into existence, still has time to think of me and you and a little boy on a tiny island. I am in awe of Him. Blessings my sweet friend. And yes, I consider you my friend, even though we probably won’t ever meet on earth, I know we will spend eternity together. And that makes me very happy. Prayers for you sweet Layla!!
Gina
Love both updates, especially about your little Sonny!! I can’t wait to be reading and seeing posts about him in the future!! 🙂 Yes, God is a good good Father!!
Barb
My prayers are with you all.
teresa
We recently had a barn built (for storage yard, and a workshop of sorts for my hubby). We put a cupola on top, with plexiglass windows and it is sensor light controlled. I love it. That would be so cute your cupola! Our weathervane was salvaged from years ago and it sits atop this ‘new’ barn on our hilltop. I think I got it at the Nashville Flea Market.
I love your addition and LOVE the news about one more step being in place for Sonny.
Blessings!
Jody
I love the addition, but like everyone else I am most excited about how close you are to bringing your son home! 🙂 Happy Friday!
Pamela
Being a big Lewis Carroll fan I’ve always wanted a weather vane with a flying pig.
Karlene Fredericks
I love the window changes you made, they look more natural your way, they looked “crammed”in there originally.
Such an exciting project! Thank you for making the time to share the progress!
Such great news about the adoption process! To think he should be with you before the summer ends seem surreal! Best wishes to you all!
Sarah
Try SWEN Products on Etsy for a custom weathervane. We purchased one for my Dad for Christmas and he loves it!
Linda
Great news about Sonny! I am so sorry it has taken you so long to adopt Sonny! I told my hubby about your case. His reply was, Geez, the baby will be grown before you get him! I hate you have lost so much precious time with Sonny. BTW, what name are you going to call him. Stephenson, is so long. Are you going to shorten it?? Praying for you and Kevin!
I also love the barn. Great job!
Layla
Thank you, Linda! But we don’t look at it like we “lost time” with Steevenson. For us, it was never about how a child was when he or she entered our family, it was only about the blessing of being matched with a son or daughter- no matter when God wrote him or her into our story. That, in and of itself, feels like the biggest blessing of a lifetime…and one that we certainly don’t deserve! 😀
Here’s a post about his name if you want to check it out!
https://theletteredcottage.net/meet-sonny-steevenson-palmer/
🙂
C Riddle
Eddie Rouze (Kelley) who live in Prattville on Main Street (Centerpoint members) have two antique weather vanes for sale!
Sylvia
I think you should design your weather vane. You are so creative you could come up something unique for your blended family.