swing set relocation

So another amazing story about how awesome God is.  I love how in this season where money has been the tightest it’s ever been, God has been pouring out blessings on us right and left.  We had really wanted to get Owen a swing set/play structure for his birthday.  But it just didn’t fit into the budget.  I’ve been watching for them to go on sale now that summer is over, but they still didn’t come down much in price.

Enter Steve and Stacie.  Their girls had outgrown the swing set in their back yard.  Out of the blue, Stacie emailed me and wanted to know if our family would want it.  We would just have to come and pick it up.  Are you serious. . .yes!!

Elmer and Jackie, my inlaws are in town for the week and Elmer loves to have things to do and he is where William learned to be so amazingly handy around the house.  So they went over on Wednesday to assess what kind of tools they would need, and what size truck etc.  They took detailed pictures so they would know how to put everything back together.  Here Elmer is checking everything out.Then on Thursday afternoon/evening, Elmer, Jackie, and William went over and dismantled everything.  This morning, they rented a truck and went to pick everything up.  Owen didn’t really know what was going on, but was so excited about the moving truck in our driveway! William had warned me that it might be sitting our garage until next summer.  So I really didn’t think we’d have a swing set by the end of the day.  But some bug must have gotten into these men and they became bound and determined to get it done in one day.  They got everything unloaded and started the wash down process.  Owen even tried to help with that. We picked a spot and the laying out of the boards began.  Ellie was a good supervisor and Grandma helped keep the kiddos in check. Then things began to be pieced together: These 3 didn’t even take a lunch break.  Owen on the other hand needed a little break from working hard to play in his sandbox.Owen woke up early from his nap and I was going to try to get him  to go back to sleep.  But he looked out his window and I’ve never seen a child bolt outside so fast.  It wasn’t done yet, but there was enough that he could climb.  Wow, did he learn fast how to do that ladder!He spent the remainder of the day inspecting every inch of that thing.  He went up and down and up and down the ladder. Then we added the swing.  I found a cheap one on Craigslist and Ellie will be getting hers for Christmas.  He was now officially in heaven. At dinner, Grandpa arrived from teaching at church and got the tour from Owen.Then the men spent a good deal of time figuring out how to muscle the roof on top. Owen was quite unhappy that he wasn’t able to help with the muscles.  But then, it was DONE!  And I may never be able to stay inside again.  We may add a slide to it next summer. :)S&S – We could not be more grateful for this amazing gift.  Owen is so in love with it already and seeing his excitement made me tear up more than once today.  Thank you for your generous hearts.  We promise to make lots more memories on this swing set just like your girls did!   Thank you, thank you.