It's Finally Here - Don't Miss It!

So sorry that I've all but disappeared from blog-land. I'm going to work very hard this weekend to make up for some lost time. I just wanted send out a quick reminder that the MOST IMPORTANT Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode airs this Sunday at 7/6c. This is the season finale which is airing at a special time for two hours.

From the ABC Website:
McFarland Family
May 17, Sun 7/6c

Ty and the gang travel to Indianapolis, IN, to help a single father of three who started a program that empowered his community's children with books and knowledge.

We're very excited to see how the neighborhood improvement projects are depicted. Bryan has spent so much time working on this. He's not looking for any personal recognition, but really wants the neighborhood showcased. When Estridge first approached ABC with their plan for neighborhood revitalization, they were told "Do what you want, but it won't get any airtime." I believe that by the end of the production week, they changed their perspective!

So please watch and let me know what you think!

"Move That Bus!" Day

Here are just a few of the 160 photos Emelie took on the day of the big reveal of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house in Indianapolis.

Ted entertains the crowd with a joke while waiting for the family to come home. We stood for around 6 hours, but the EMHE people kept things moving so that time went by quickly.

Waiting in the lovely sunshine for the family to come home.

This photo cracks us up! Bryan and I had just schlepped that pot from the back of house when designer Michael Malloney pretended to place it there as part of shooting a sequence.

Designer Ed Sanders brings a table in from the art tent. They were still polishing it as they drove it up the street.

Ty Pennington comes out of the house and says, "We're all done. Let's bring the family home!"

Ty goofing with the bus for the camera. We couldn't hear what he was saying...

After being shown his house, Bernard McFarland (in the striped shirt) took off running down the street. Later he went all through the crowd giving everyone high-fives.

The McFarlands had to go through many takes of pretending to go into their house before they actually got to see inside.

Looking Back on our Extreme Week

What an incredible week we had participating in the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build. I didn't expect to be involved to the extent that I was, but, thanks to my wonderful mother watching the children, I was at the site every day for a week. We didn't get much sleep (hence the Red Bull in the photo!), but I was ready to be down there as much as possible and always hated to leave. Bryan needed some help coordinating the neighborhood improvement projects, and I was more than happy to spend some time with that man that I haven't seen much of for a couple months! I'm very proud that Estridge has taken this show to a whole new level, and Bryan was instrumental in that change!

The following is an e-mail that Paul Estridge sent out to the employees on the evening after the bus was moved. It captures the spirit that surrounded the week.

We Gathered Sticks
We Lit Fires
We Left Them Burning

I know most everyone has had the opportunity to visit and experience the EMHE site this week. For those of you who have not been able to be apart of it, I am sorry you could not for it has been life changing for so many.

I want everyone to know this is by far the most proud thing I have ever been of our entire company. For the first time I feel the world has gotten to see what we all know exists within us. The most talented and committed and professional building team in America. The entire thing was undoubtedly the most extreme thing we have ever taken on. We have been tremendously successful. Our image, our organization, our marketing, our volunteerism, our leadership, our professionalism, our teamwork, our character, our creativity, our integrity our experience, our knowledge, our talent, our commitment and vision is the best there is in America.

As we always do, we have taken the show to an entirely new standard in absolutely all ways. I have been told that we have very likely inspired a new concept for
the show: The neighborhood.
22 Homes Repainted, Reroofed or Rehabed
6 Miles and 1200 Street trees planted
5 Miles of Alleys graded, cleared and redressed.
450 Homes to receive Free Internet Access
An entire school Building given to the community as it’s new community center.

Two abandoned homes demolished and hauled away.
100 new Dell Computers for every IPS child in the neighborhood
A new neighborhood Library and home built for a great American Family.

The design and execution of the design by our building teams is even to me staggering. The home and Library are simply beautiful. I know what we have done
here will drive an entirely new look and style of homes and neighborhood.

Literally everyone involved with the show has come up to all of us on the build to tell us how much they love the home and that for many they believe it is the best they have ever seen.

Lastly I just want to say none of this could have been done without the dedication and unselfish sacrifices made by so many of our past employees. Yes past. The ones that got let go. This to me has moved me as much as anything I have experienced. Maybe it is because they had nothing else to do. Or maybe it is just because of who they are and how much they love who we are.

Please thank them when you see them. Our roots run deep. We will not blow down easily. It was our finest hour.

We Truly do, Build Together.

Thank you everyone for Living the Vision
Paul

This shot of Meghan was taken by an Indianpolis Star photographer while we were waiting for the family to come home. Teddy also entertained the crowd by
telling one of his jokes. I'll post more photos soon!

Lainie

Extreme Week!

Saturday, the McFarland Family of Indianapolis had their lives changed forever when Ty Pennington knocked on their door.

Bryan, Emelie, and Teddy were at the house site Saturday and you can catch glimpses of them on this news report. Ted's in a teal coat reading a book across the street while the family has their picture taken (such a homeschool kid!). Look for Emelie's long blond hair.

Sunday, Bryan and I marched down the street for what will be the shot of the builder and volunteers coming onto the set. Later today the house was demo-ed. Click for that news report.

Very fun, very inspiring, very cold, very tiring. What an experience. Next up - Day 3!

Extreme Makeover Build Team

As I type this it's 11:44 p.m. and my dear, sweet husband is still at work, and he doesn't know when he's coming home. It's amazing everything that goes into building a house in four days for a two-hour TV show. In just over four days, somewhere in Indianapolis, Ty Pennington will be yelling "Good Morning %^&#@ Family." Wow!

Last Friday, Estridge held an Extreme Pep Rally for their vendors and volunteers. Even though times are tough, every one of the vendors approached to donate time and materials has said "yes." And thousands of volunteers are ready to participate.

This is the Build Team with local news personality Kevin Gregory. (Bryan said he's really funny and VERY tall.)

Exciting News!

This morning the world found out what I've been busting to tell for weeks. Bryan's company, Estridge Homes, will be building the home for the two hour season finale of Extreme Makover: Home Edition. This honor couldn't have come to a better group of people! Follow the progress at Estridge.com.

Here's the announcement to the employees (note the handsome man in the green sweater.)