• Oct. 7, 2006
Extreme Experience
Each Sunday evening, you will find our DVR set to record one of our family's favorite shows. Our routine is predictable. At the earliest possible opportunity (either late Sunday or Tuesday night), our oldest son will make the popcorn, we'll get comfortable on the couch, and we'll settle in to laugh and cry as the Extreme Makeover Home Edition once again awes some precious family with a home makeover.
I've long dreamed of the Extreme Team coming close enough to our home where we could volunteer, participate, and celebrate! So I was filled with great joy when I learned last week that the team was in our area doing a home for a recent widow and her four children.
It's been incredible to see the countless ways that the community has rallied around this family and this common goal. Our community is family-oriented....tight...close. It just blessed my heart to see all the volunteers who gave of their time and persevered through thunderstorms, hailstorms, and power outages. We learned of the project too late to get in on any kind of volunteering (
), but we were certainly not too late to participate as spectators!
My mom and I excitedly took our boys out to the project for the big "reveal" yesterday. Shortly after arriving, we were walking alongside the road when we heard several voices shout out, "Ty!" As we looked to our right, there was TY walking across the grounds! He turned around and gave his fans a wave! That was certainly the highlight! 
In eager anticipation, we took our place along the road with 15,000 other spectators. And we excitedly waited for that glorious moment when the limo would arrive with its sweet passengers. Finally, after 4 long hours (and one too many "how-much-longer"s from one of the boys) the moment we'd been waiting for arrived. The limo pulled up, and in joyful unison, we all cried out, "Move that Bus!"
I'm so thrilled that we could experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I can't get this dear family off my mind. I'm so thankful that their needs have been met with far more than they ever dreamed. I'm so thankful that they are being cared for and loved. It reminds me of the love that our gracious heavenly Father has for us. It's so extreme...so above and beyond anything we ever imagined. His grace is amazing.
Comments
• Oct. 7, 2006
Cool!
Posted by Lilliepad
What a wonderful experience for your family! We love that show too because it shows that there really are still kind, caring people in this world even if the media doesn't present that side. I'm glad you got to experience it up close and personal, a memory your boys will never forget.
• Oct. 7, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by Starlady
What a fun experience for all of you! I'm so glad you were able to go and watch (and see Ty too ;- ) ) one of your favorite family activities in person. You'll have to let us know when it's airing so we can be searching the crowds for you and your precious families sweet faces.
• Oct. 7, 2006
Me again. :-)
Posted by Starlady
I was looking at your links and went to the Married life link. Is that your church's website? Wow! If it is, I'm impressed and if it's not, I'm still impressed. LOL
What an amazing amount of wisdom and blessings in there. No surprise that you would have that on your blog as you are an incredible blessing to me and many others. I'm going to have to bookmark that site (w/ links to all the other sites) to read through. I saw lots of good stuff in there that I'm struggling w/ right now. I thank you for having it there as I know God led me to look at it just when I needed it. I look at your blog so often yet I've never noticed that particular link. God is good, isn't He? Brings us what we need when we need it.
Thank you again my sweet friend.
• Oct. 10, 2006
How cool....
Posted by FaithfulGrace
I'm so glad that your family got to participate. It is a great show, one of the only ones I'll really watch anymore.
They did a home near my parents recently. Not only did they do give this family a beautiful home, but Ty went to a local football game.
I always enjoy my visits to your blog, even when I don't comment.
Wishing you a great and blessed day,
Linda
• Oct. 10, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by kleo30
About this time last year EMHE did a house in the county over from us. We weren't able to volunteer, but Doug and the boys went one Saturday to watch the construction. They were sad they missed the demolition lol. It is a huge blessing what they do for these families.
~Kelly
• Oct. 10, 2006
Oh What GREAT pictures!
Posted by MamaMary
Oh Nikki,
We love this show as well!?
• Oct. 11, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by GiffordBabyJournal
What an amazing story!! Our family loves the show and we just cry!! Of course being pregnant, I am the one that blubbers the most! That really was a once in a lifetime experience, and I am glad your family got to experience it!!
Blessings,
Christi
• Oct. 13, 2006
Untitled Comment
Posted by Juldos
What a fun opportunity. Everytime I watch that show I cry.
Have a great week-end!
Julie D.
• Oct. 14, 2006
I understand...
Posted by Kitten
Our family got to go see a show being made here in our home town last year. We got to visit the site 3 times, but missed the reveal! :(
I felt just like you did that it was such a once in a lifetime experience. I'm so glad you got to experience it as well!
