A project completed.....FINALLY!

I just have to share my happiness with you all! When we built our house almost 2 years ago, we left one wall section in the basement unfinished so we could put in a brick surround for a wood stove. Derrick has a good friend that is a brick mason and they had plans to do the work together, but this friend also teaches school and only bricks on the side. Since we were a more or less, non-paying job (we did some trade work) we had to wait until the timing worked out just right. I've tried hard to be patient, but, I just have to say how much I hated that ugly wall. Well, it's not ugly anymore, in fact I'd have to say it's BEAUTIFUL! Derrick and Maughn put in almost 4 full days working on the surround and the chimney that they had to build. I felt really bad for them hauling the heavy block up through the attic and onto the roof in the heat. Now all we need is the stove, but it will be much easier to be patient waiting for that, now that I don't have to look at that ugly wall anymore. Today I am VERY thankful for talented friends and a hardworking husband! They have also spent most of the last week bricking the front of my mom and dad's house and it looks marvelous I must say!

Is that not SERIOUSLY the ugliest wall you've seen?

Carlie was a big helper when Dad was poring the cement cap for the chimney!

All the family put our hand prints in the cement!
Brock helped out a lot and even cleaned up some of the mortar joints!
Doesn't that new chimney look nice?
Isn't that beautiful, and SO MUCH better than that ugly wall?

(and yes, the carpet will be put back as soon as the floor dries out)