A few weeks ago you might recall a post I made about the homebuilding event taking place here in Kansas City as part of the Libby's Get Back to the Table initiative.   As excited as I was for that day to come where I'd get to meet up with some of my blogging buddies and work on this exciting homebuilding event, nothing could have prepared me for how much I'd actually be taking away personally from the event. 

It was actually a cold and very rainy morning on the day we were scheduled to build.  I actually called up to the Habitat for Humanity Kansas City office just to make sure we were still "on".   The plan was to meet at the actual home site to work on finishing touches for two homes that would be presented to their new owners the next day. Cool!

Upon our arrival, we were given instructions on what needed to be done in order for the homes to be presented the next morning.  There were lots of little and big things that still needed to be done — installing baseboards, installing doorstops on certain doors, installing door handles, installing doors themselves, cleaning, painting, cabinet shelving, and of course stocking the pantry which was a very cool thing that Libby's was going to do for each of these homeowners.   Let's just say there was a LOT of work to still be done.  Thankfully, we were all eager to get started and went right to work.  By the end of the day, the rain had subsided and our spirits were high!  Building a house really does something for team building, I tell ya!

I went right to work on installing doorstops on all the doors.  Afterwards I decided to walk downstairs to see if Jenn needed any help.  She was busy installing a door in the basement bathroom and was having a bit of trouble.  Well, my being there didn't seem to change anything!  Talk about frustration!  We worked and worked at getting those door hinges lined up and it just wasn't working!  But, we perservered as moms do, and eventually got there.  Success!

The work day was hard (and hot!) but I remember so many times walking through the house and looking around thinking how HAPPY the families were going to be getting to move into their very own space!  I know as a mother that one of the things that makes me feel good is being able to secure them in bed each night and sometimes even go in to check on them in their rooms while they are sleeping soundly.  As I looked around I imagined the dad of 5 kids who was going to be moving into this home very soon and how as a Father, he would soon be feeling much the same way. 

I remember installing these cabinet shelves and thinking how they'd walk into their new kitchen and open up the cabinets and arrange things to their liking.  It's always such a fun chore – figuring out what you need where!

At the end of the day, I walked away from the work day completely humbled and honored to have been a part (even if only a tiny part) in this whole process.  I remember longing to be in my own home and enjoy our family surroundings and how I would never take that for granted.  A home is so much more than just a place to live.  It's a place where peace lives. 

Me taking a stab at painting trim on front door frames.

Cabinets!

Beautifully stocked pantry, courtesy of Libby's!

Good times with good peeps for a good cause!

Thank you, Libby's!

{Disclosure:  I am being compensated by Libby's for my participation in this campaign, however, the opinions and thoughts expressed herein are strictly my own! No one is the boss of me!}