Building an Ark on Friday

Today... what can I say about today??  Well, I could probably say a lot, but since tonight has been a rough one, I'm gonna just show you the major points of Rachel's Ark process... The ones that involved the most tears...

This morning, we carried the roof over to the ark

And Middleton Lumber raised it to the top for us

Before lunch, Travis, Melissa & I were working on building the benches and he shaved a paper thin piece of wood off the end of a block... and it was left with, go figure, a heart shape hole in it.  So before lunch, Melissa & I went to pick up Rachel's sign (which is gorgeous, and of course, I forgot to take a pic!) and we went to visit her.  I brought her the piece of wood.  I thought she might like to have a part of her playground there with her.

I put it on the light so it won't fly away...

Mel watered the grass seed for her and I rearranged her stuff cause the cemetery moved it so they could put her footing for her stone in. 

This afternoon, we carried the entry arch over... it's HUGE and absolutely breathtaking.  We all worked together to get it standing.  I don't have pics cause I was helping, but Tris has been taking pictures of everything, so I'll have one later, most likely.  here is it after it's standing...

The top part under the cross will eventually have a big "Rachel's Playground" sign, but it won't be ready till next week :o(  When I stood back and looked at it, I couldn't stop the tears.  I love the cross.  I imagine there are going to be many days, as my kids play on their sister's playground, that I sit under this cross and lay all my heartache here.

And this is my aunt's husband, Dave, in the big hole helping shove rocks under the arch to help make it level. This is one of my top moments for today because out of mine & Matt's families, he is the only one who has come to help us.  (my mom & sister don't count in this, they're there for everything)  I was so blessed to have someone from my family there with me.  Thanks, Dave!

Tonight, I've been pretty sad...  seems strange, I know, since most people think I should be happy.  But today is 22 weeks without Rachel.  I've also had some stuff happen this afternoon and tonight that has left me really feeling discouraged.  I know God has a good day planned for tomorrow though and I'm excited to meet people who have been following my journey with Rachel that are coming.  Today I got to meet a blog friend named Terri and just love how even though I have never met her, it didn't feel that way!  I'm also so honored when I get to introduce someone as a friend from my blog.  I have made so many... thank you for loving me and Rachel!  You have become such dear friends to me.

I didn't get a picture of today's finished progress cause of what happened this afternoon, but it is looking more and more like an ark and it is more beautiful than I could have imagined.  Tomorrow is going to be a big day.  Pray for the weather - outside... and in my heart.