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As the framing continued and the structure of the house rose higher each day, another phase of the process began. Questions. Lots and lots of questions. It seemed that every time I stepped outside or answered the phone, another one was waiting. Where do you want your light switches? How many outlets will you need in this room? Do you want can lights or fixtures? Do you have the exact dimensions for your vanity yet? Have you ordered your plumbing hardware? And then came the fo

As the ice finally began to melt, the property transformed into something only Northeast Texas can produce. Mud. Not just any mud—red clay mud. The kind that sticks to your boots, clings to every surface, and turns the ground into a slippery, stubborn mess. Water stood everywhere as the frozen ground slowly released what the storm had left behind. During the day, the temperatures climbed back into the 50s, but the early morning hours were still brutally cold. And the wind mad

Life has a way of reminding us that even the best-laid plans can change in an instant. The next two weeks would prove that once again. In late January of 2026, a massive winter storm swept across the region. What began as rain quickly turned into freezing rain and sleet as an arctic cold front pushed through East Texas. Temperatures that had been in the 50s and 60s plunged rapidly into the low teens, with some nights dipping into the single digits. Wind chills dropped well be

With the concrete cured, the next phase began. The walls started going up. Framing crews arrived, boards were measured and lifted into place, and slowly the outline of the new addition began to rise from the foundation. What had been open space only days before was now beginning to take form. It was engrossing to watch. The foundation had seemed surprisingly small when it was first poured. But as the walls began to stand and define the rooms, the space suddenly felt much lar

Life during construction has a rhythm all its own. Some weeks move slowly, with waiting and problem-solving. Other weeks seem to gather momentum all at once. This week held a little bit of both. With my washer and dryer now gone—making room for what will eventually become my expanded master bathroom—I found myself with a perfect excuse for another quick trip to Dallas. Laundry needed to be done. And of course… it meant another chance to see my daughter. (smile) Even though it

A new year brought new movement. After nearly three weeks of waiting, the plumbers finally arrived. The ground had already been leveled, and the framing for the foundation had been sitting quietly in place, waiting for the next step. That morning the crew pulled out the blueprints, stepped into the framed space, and began measuring where everything would go. Soon the dirt was marked with lines and numbers. Pipes were staged nearby, and the layout of the house—bathrooms, serv

My birthday falls in the quiet days between Christmas and the New Year — a space that always seems to invite reflection. This year, that pause felt even more fitting. With construction temporarily on hold at the house, I decided to step away for a few days and travel to Dallas to celebrate my birthday with my daughter. As it happens, her birthday falls the very next day on New Year’s Eve, so we decided to turn it into a shared celebration. I arrived late the night before my b

Momentum is a powerful thing. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the house had been alive with movement. Walls were coming down. Siding was being removed. The ground was being opened for new foundations. Every day seemed to bring visible progress, and with it, a growing sense that the vision for My Father’s House was beginning to take shape in real time. Then came the news I hadn’t expected. Our plumbers would not be able to come until after the first of the year. Just lik

In the days that followed the first wave of demolition, the transformation continued — not only inside the house, but around it. As walls were opened indoors, the outside of the house began to change as well. Siding was carefully pulled away, revealing wood gables from a time long past. Hidden layers emerged — craftsmanship and structure that had quietly endured beneath the surface for decades. The old wood was removed with care, and fresh wood was placed in its stead. It fel

The First Week of Demo Eight men showed up that first week. No hesitation. No easing into it. They walked in, assessed the space, and immediately got to work. Flooring came up. Walls came down. Appliances were hauled out. Insulation was stripped away. It was loud, dusty, chaotic — and astonishing how fast it all happened. In what felt like a moment, everything looked different. It was exciting. Energizing. A visible shift from vision to reality. And still… there were a few un

The First Days of Demolition After months of praying, designing and redesigning, interviewing contractors, and sitting with decisions longer than I ever imagined, the final “yes” came quietly—but decisively. On the choice was made to move forward. That moment set everything else in motion. The following Monday, I met with Ray, my general contractor, and together we decided demolition would begin on Monday, December 8th. There was only one small problem: I didn’t have one sin

This space will serve as a place to share the unfolding journey of My Father’s House—updates along the way, glimpses into the restoration of the land and home, and reflections on what is being built, both seen and unseen. It is where progress, process, and purpose meet. My Father’s House was born out of a longing for something quieter, truer, and more rooted than the pace most of us live by. It is not a venue in the traditional sense, but a home—set apart—where people are inv