Throughout the construction of our house, we often jokingly wished that our lives could be a movie montage…. because building is so much easier in montages. Hell, a trio of goofy teenagers can carry building materials to a remote location and construct a charmingly ramshackle summer house in just a single montage. A pair of Irish children can clean, re-thatch, and lime-wash all of the stone cottages on a remote island in just over seven minutes!

Over the last few years, when feeling exhausted or hopeless, we often ached to skip ahead to where we are now—the part where we're finally able to watch with awe as photos of our process roll by in quick succession. In a montage, the tough moments are less raw and personal—they're just crappy blips in a larger story of triumph. In the end, the whole messy, chaotic process is neatly captured and tied with a bow.

The house isn't really finished—we still need to build a loft ladder and railing system, put a stone facade around the bottom of the house, install a slate roof, and pour an earthen floor over our concrete one. But those tasks will come later. For now, it's finished enough, and we're hunkered down, enjoying winter in our cottage. It's warm and cozy, and we are happy and grateful.

Happy new year, everyone! Holy shit, we made it!