We moved into our house 30 years ago. Matt and I spent part of yesterday looking at old pictures and remembering the early days of building and living here.
The photo above shows the first load of gravel, which wasn’t enough to even cover the dirt. It did make it easier for vehicles to get up to the house site. At that time the grading was mostly done but building had not started.
Just behind Matt’s motorcycle is where the shed sits today.
It took almost two years to clear the land and build the house. We couldn’t have done any of it without Pap and Granny.
They gave us the land and Pap built the house with help from Matt, Steve, Paul and other friends and family.
While the men worked Granny kept the stove cooking with good things to eat.
By the time the house was completed we were in a major rush to move in before the girls were born. We made it just in the nick of time.
The house has aged over the years with many scratches, scuffs, and the like, but it’s just as sturdy as it was the day it was finished. Even better than that, the love that filled it at the start has grown and grown until it seeps out of every window, door, and crack. God has richly blessed us.
Tipper
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Tipper, That was written beautifully and thought behind the story of a young couple so beautifully said. I can just imagine in my minds eye just how a special that part of your life was. God bless you and your family the love that fills your home is so precious it can most definitely be felt for sure. Love always, Esme❤️
Such a sweet story! I think it’s wonderful Katie and Corie got to live in the same house growing up and now they are still close by each other. And Paul is nearby also. It really is so special.
Aww! 30 years! What a blessing and what a solid home built with craftsmanship and love. Your home is lovely on every level and will last for many, many years to come. My parents have also been in my childhood home for a long time— 34 years to be exact. I can’t imagine not having my childhood home to go back to. I have been thinking about the twins 30th birthday coming up. They share a birthday with my mom so I always remember their birthday approaching! Our 12th anniversary is the next day. It will be a special weekend.❤️ I’m sure you will have a very special celebration of your sweet girls.
A family homeplace is indeed a place of love and filled with our memories. It is true that home is where the heart is or it is for me. What a happy celebration for your family, and the memories continue to be made.
I think your house is beautiful. I know how you feel about all the memories and blessings. We raised our two children in the house my hubby built 40 years ago. He worked on it every morning before going to work on afternoon shift. He worked on it every weekend. We spent every paycheck buying a door or flooring or whatever came next. People would just randomly stop by to see the progress. Sometimes they were just in time to help lift a log or a heavy beam. We always had food out on picnic tables whenever anyone stayed to help out. He shingled the whole house one morning before going to work. We were young then. Lol. I still call their bedrooms “their bedrooms”. We add to the memories every day as our grandchildren come visit and have sleepovers, when we all get together for breakfast after church, birthday cake, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Grammy’s annual Easter egg hunt. It gets noisy and crazy, and I love it! It’s not a big house, but it’s a good house…a cozy house…and I don’t think I could ever move and leave the memories we have created together all these years.
I have never had a house in my married life. We started out living in a single wide mobile home and then in 1990 traded it for a reprocessed double wide that am still living in and will be living in when I die if nothing happens to it. I wish I had a plain simple home, but by doing what we did, my wife and children’s mother was able to stay home or work part time and raise them without having having to put in daycare. I always thought if I was single, I would be happy living in a one room cabin, with a few of today’s modern conveniences. I think a HOME is wherever your heart is, a house does not necessarily mean a home.
What a beautiful memory! My home was built by my great grandfather, my dad and his brothers as my mom and dad’s first home in 1952. As the years have gone by many memories have been made in this home and as you stated, love pours out of every inch of it! Giving Glory to God for every blessing He has provided. You have a beautiful home and family and you can feel the love for each other in every video.
Tipper, what a contrast in your story and ours. We just made our 12th move in 65 years of marriage. But this is the last stop. We are in a completely renovated house, purchased by our daughter and son-in-law as an investment, and happy to call them landlords for life. Love such as you described went into months of work by family members to get our place ready, then they packed and moved us from Florida to Georgia. We are truly blessed.
Good morning Tipper! We’ve been in our home for 25 years now. It’s a small house but this home has been such a blessing to us. We’ve had our 3 grandkids here for sleepovers over the past 18 years. Our 1 grandson from BC wants to move here, he loves it so much. We’ve had church fellowship here many, many times over the years. So many wonderful memories have been made here! Like Ron said though, ‘houses never get done!’ Right now my husband is replacing the shingles on the roof, it’s a little harder for him to do the work at 76 years of age. It takes him a little longer, but it’ll get done. Hopefully, this will be the last time we need to worry about them. The work we do is an endeavor of love, maybe for the next generation! Loved your video last night Tipper, Happy Birthday to Corie and Katie! Have a great day everyone!
Such beautiful, precious memories Matt & Tipper – every scratch, scruff, and scrape are memories of not just a house, but a HOME – many hands and hearts were involved in the construction of a house, but the reality is that it is definitely a home that love built – not by hands but by hearts. Thank you all for allowing that love spill out through your sharing in your BP&A and YouTube channel.
Matt drove a motorcycle? That seems surprising; driving a tractor suits his image much better. As I get older, my family keeps urging me to move to a smaller house. I tell them that the next time I move, it will be to an even bigger house with golden gates. When I attended real estate school, the instructor advised the class never to say we are “selling homes.” Instead, he emphasized that family and love make a house a home. You really have it all.
going to the doctor today to get some blood work done, a starting over point, I have talked to Emory in Atlanta, about oral surgery, I don’t know how it’s going to work out yet, they have requested a referral from the dentist, x-rays, and so far the dentist office is cooperating, at least they said they would, going to have to get some transportation worked out to get all the way down there, Georgia Medicaid, Verida transportation, will give me 2 hours, and come back and pick me up, I hope I can get things worked out better, God bless you friends I love you thank you for praying for me and have a great day, I really don’t want to go that route, I’d rather have somebody I know, transport me down there, but it’s not affordable,
Happy House Anniversary of 30 years today! As they say “you’ve come a long way, baby!” There must be a wonderful pride and contentment you and Matt share concerning your lovely home. As you’ve built it from the gravel up, you’ve managed to raise a generation in that house and now a second generation is coming on quick! I’d say you two have a lot of beautiful memories surrounding the home and life you’ve made together with your daughters and parents and now with the grandsons! You really have a beautiful thing going on! I wish you 30 more years at least of love and life in your pretty house. You’re blessed beyond measure! I moved in here one year ago today and I’ve grown to absolutely love it here. Here’s prayers and concern for everybody going through health or issues important to them. May you find peace in the Lord and his rest. Amen. It rained and stormed here last night and it’s a delightfully cool first day of autumn. I cleaned up my garden over the weekend so it’s winding down quickly. I look forward to cooler weather I can catch my breath in…even the cows hide under trees it’s been so hot here. I suspect highly those gray stink bugs are much more than that-I think they’re eating trees down by wedging in the bark like they do around house edges or anywhere they can hide in corners inside the house and drop big brown spots of something. I know I smash every one I can and I hate them so much, I’d wash my hands 10 million times after 10 million kills. Why isn’t there a pesticide formulated just to kill those things? What kind of bug WATCHES YOU AND DROPS ITSELF TO GET AWAY???? There’s been literally swarms of them trying to get in here any way they can. Those and a cockroach or cricket make me sick. Yuck and gross..
I love your house and your holler! It is a beautiful place that you call home. I especially love that your family built it with you. When you find things Pap wrote on the boards to measure, etc. that just fills my heart. Love built your house and love dwells in it today. Because you are such special people with God’s overflowing love in your hearts, it shines out in everything you do and even in the house you live in.
We are building our house at the moment. It is a long term project like yours was. Hopefully we can move in by spring. My husband is doing the building with a few church friends who help with the parts he can’t do alone. It is so exciting and I hope our house is a full of love as yours is one day. ❤️
My family story is similar. The house I grew up in was built by my dad, his brother and granddaddy. Small simple but still standing today. My parents lived with my grandparents from their marriage until it was built. They moved in about a week before I was born. About a month later a hail storm broke out the front windows and they had to be replaced.
What a blessing to have a home where your family started for you, Matt and the girls. The memories it holds within its walls are priceless, just like the love that has grown more dear and precious every year.
Happy “House-a-versary”! 30 years, 3 generations, and lots of memories!
I need to add, my cousin just sent me a message asking for prayers for B. She goes today for another MRI, liver scan, and blood tests. They are asking for your prayers. I’ll let you know what they find out when I know something. Keeping y’all in my prayers, too!
I will keep praying!
I love your house and garden. My dad built first what we called the little house which was a cinder block. It had 5 rooms. A kitchen, living room, bathroom a bedroom and a larger area where on one side my brothers slept and the other side my two older sisters slept. Me and my two younger sisters slept on a couch bed in the living room. My dad built our new house on the same property. I looks to be the same size as yours but without a basement. A three bedroom ranch. The sleeping arrangements were the same except that my older brothers and sisters had a bedroom. We thought we were rich! Two of my sisters still live there. I sure love the memories made in that house.
How time flies! Love, peace and joy to you and Matt and your family as you celebrate this milestone.
You are very blessed!! Having your family and friends help you build your home is something you don’t hear happening too much these days. I remember hearing about that happening a lot more when I was a kid growing up. Now it has become another business venture.
Good memories now though many trials at the time. We have lived here 34 years. Haven’t ever gotten ‘done’ – and won’t. My wife does not like green shag carpet even a little bit. We had some where we lived before and got rid of it as prep to sell and move. Guess what? There are two bedrooms here with green shag carpet 34+ years old. I know – should have got it out before we moved in – long story but not practical. Bottom line – houses never get “done”. Homes may if one can make their peace with the pricks and stings of “if I were doing this over I’d …..” I will say, in y’alls videos when you are sitting beside the house I notice how precisely cut the siding is at the window frame. I expect that joint is caulked as well. Of course in your 30 years there have been all kinds of changes in materials, styles, technology, tastes, etc. as with our ownselves, we have to reconcile with our house for it to be home.
My wife and I built our home with our own hands. From the ground up. The only contractors that we used were for the septic system, the heating and a/c and granite counter tops in the kitchen.
It took us a full 10 years driving from Houston 100 miles to the north end of Lake Livingston every weekend from March until mid November each year.
But when we finally finished it was ours free and clear. When I retired in October of 2004 we continued to live in Houston until November of 2005 when we finally moved to our “new” home.
Lots of blood, sweat and tears from two people went into it, but we love every board nail and screw in it.
Howdy neighbor! We’re also residents of Polk County. Small world isn’t it.
Speaking of houses, ours was built in the 1860’s, with later additions.
Tipper, I’ve been in my home, my little piece of heaven out here in the country for 33 years, this month & by the records, she’s a grand lady of 100 this year. We started here as a family of 3 but 8 years later, our 21 yr old daughter had moved onto to her own place with her long time boyfriend and the husband had committed strike #3…you’re out. At 43, my life took the wildest, scariest turn…the night before 9/11. Within 3 days, going to work as tho nothing unusual was happening at home…staying busy always helps me…I had decided I was staying in my home I’d come to dearly loved. She brought me peace and I wasn’t young to allow her to be ripped away from me. It was a bitter 13 months in the courtroom. My attorney was know throughout as the best(I had to pay his retainer on a discover card and worked every ballgame and sporting event that was offered to me and cleaned offices to pay his bill and it was worth every cent.) The now ex of 25 years went through 4 attorneys because he didn’t like each outcome. Well, we all know the saying about Karma…Oh, did I mention the same week my world imploded in Sept of 2001 I was also told I was going to be a grandma?? That was some shocking info for a few minutes then the best news I could ever have received. I fought long and hard for my home and won! It wasn’t without lots of push back and intimidation (deer cleanings in a large trash bag dumped in the middle of my lane on morning as I was going to work. These things make for good stories now but at the time it was just constant aggravation. I never faltered through this all because I knew I belonged here and this is where my grandkids would love to come stay with me (and they have and still do come visit) They each say they feel the peace, love and calm once they turn in the lane. Music to my ears. Now, with the fight against cancer, my home is still my touchstone. She keeps me safe, she keeps me busy, friends and family know she’s here for them, still. I’m not a very big woman lol but I’m a fighter of epic strength and have never back down from a challenge. I have the most wonderful support system of family & friends who are there for me, praying and showing up & by grace I found you, Tipper and this wonderful community. Sorry this was long but I wanted to share what being bless can do to help a person continue to put on e foot in front of another year after year♡ Love you all and if you got this far I wish I had a prize to give you!!!
Kim, thank you for sharing your story! You’re a blessing to us too!
God bless Kim and family in Jesus name
Back in the day 1968, we moved into our first home in the country. We were married for two years. We bought this house for $5,000.00 with an acre plus land. We have completely remodeled it over the years adding long front porch, fireplace, siding, metal roof, new windows, hardwood flooring, tiled sunroom, marbled bathroom and much more. I now am blessed to have a large pantry to hold my food and freezer. Many meals have been prepared in this house and it is the only place my children and grandchildren have known as home. We now have church here in our house on Sunday’s with Sayward. We have been doing this for over 5 years now. She just didn’t seem to fit in to the nearby churches in our area. We prayed about it and felt led to have it here. She loves to set on the front porch swing and worship God. Nature is so alive in those moments. As young children we take a lot for granted and think things and people are going to remain the same, but death of parents and age can move you in many different directions. I am so thankful each day to God for putting me in this family I was blessed to have. Many gardens and many jars of food have been grown and preserved here to feed our family. I love to watch you and Matt and those two precious girls and those babies growing up the way I did. It feels like home. I miss those days and times in my life. God bless you all.
There’s no place like home.
A house that is truly a home! I am so nostalgic over every little thing that even repainting rooms that my girls chose the colors in as grade schoolers now that they are grown and flown is hard. My once bachelor husband bought our home as a foreclosure to “flip”… add a wife and two little girls and before you know it 20 years have flown by and it’s just us now, still in that starter house that we raised our babies in. We have plans to move to family land and into his parents home in the future but it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to this little place filled to the brim with memories. God does indeed bless us everyday.
Amen Tipper! You have been blessed! I enjoyed last nights telling of the birth story. Happy birthday to Katie and Corie!
Love to all!
Yes you are blessed! You have your family close by.
Every day God blesses us.
Good Morning Tipper and Acorns. I enjoyed the video last night with y’all talking about your early years, the things you found at Granny’s house and all the other stuff. Those fresh taters for supper sounded good. I keep everyone here, Papaw Tony and the good folks up Wilson Holler in my prayers. TY all for your prayers for Ed and me. Love ya
This made me cry! So special! Time marches on and those we love go home, but the memories are so very precious. I love the picture and all it represents! Love seeps from everywhere and everything is the best ever!
We have been in our home 30 years as well. My daddy found it and bought it and then sold it to us. He and my father in law helped us put a new roof on it. They helped us rip out the inside and redo it. What a job! We couldn’t do it today! I feel exactly like you do about our home. Momma would help me work inside and we would cook for those working.
My husband’s coworker even came to help when we couldn’t figure something out. He was a carpenter on the side and loved to come eat. Several years later he would be found murdered. No one ever knew why.
I pray Matt gets help for his back. My husband has had two surgeries and life is very difficult. I have 4 bulging discs and scoliosis quite bad. Each year I wonder if I can do another garden. The Lord gives us strength! We are still young enough, but a bad back keeps one from doing so many things. I try to stay active, but as the years roll on it becomes harder. Your back effects everything including your balance. I pray this is a short lived thing for Matt. Lord bless him!
I have 3 bad discs in my back to go along with my bad arthritis. I inherited the arthritis from my mother’s family, it gives me more trouble than my back. I had the best mother, but will joke and say “if I had known I would inherit these things, I would have been more careful about who my mother was.” Once I hit 50, everything begin to fall apart, it seems like I started waking up everyday with a new ache or pain. I had a coworker that did carpenter work on the side. He was stabbed to death late one evening, when he came home from working. Most people think his ex wife had something to do with it but no one has ever been charged. This happened in Greenville, SC.