Getting Started on Our Little House Build - Hopes, Plans, Goals - How We Make Decisions Together

[@littlehomeinthevalley]

Just reading this title choked me up. I know I'm not the only one here who is just absolutely, genuinely thrilled for you both!! ❤❤

[@jankarel6454]

It's lovely to see such a nice couple be able to build a home that suits them exactly. I wish you many happy years in your new house.

[@dfhepner]

Install a dumbwaiter to transfer stuff up and down from the basement.

[@damogranheart5521]

Yep. True that.

[@alicecain4851]

Yes! As they get older, carrying things up and down will get tricky.

[@Jenny-hh1um]

We had a utility room growing up. It was great . You came in from the garage . There was the washer dryer, double utility sinks( wash veggies, large dirty things, kids , small gas stove, cupboard / counter - for canning. Which was nice because the house didn't get hot or messy. The large freezer was there. Entry into the wood shed. A breezeway right before entering into the house. It was a great set up.

[@cgreen186]

Our house while I was raising my children had on also. It was the length of my double car garage and 10ft wide with washer and dryer, it was my sewing room and it had cupboards on both sides which I held all of my canning and food in. It is a utility room that I have missed so greatly in my house that I have right now. Even though I am now retired and my children are grown and I have great grandchildren.

[@EnglishCoach3Ts]

I am so excited for you all and I am looking forward to watching whatever you have to share with us along the way! Thank you!

[@karenjohnson6667]

I’m so happy for you to break ground on your long-awaited small house. I have to say Clay is the most pleasant, smart and talented man. And I’m sure you are beyond grateful to have him as your husband and life partner❤️

[@kimbenjamin5210]

I agree; but have to add, so is Ariel!🙂

[@GenerousLife]

Mr. Clay has found his voice. He is doing great as a video star!

[@SuePenn]

So happy for the both of you. Can't wait to the progression.

[@OkKez-c1p]

Arial and Clay, thank you for sharing your life adventures with us - you’re both so knowledgeable with your endeavors on your property! I think you both are so ecstatic about your house project, that even though Arial interrupted Clay here and there, Clay didn’t seem to mind and usually picked up where he left off or on to the new topic. It’s nice to see such positive people happily sharing homestead experiences!

[@stanleygainey]

I wish I could give this two thumbs up. 🙂

[@debbee3319]

if need comes put a chairlift to basement. I use mine sometimes for carry heavy items up or down stairs. bungie cord to hold laundry basket to chair.😃

[@alex31p]

Wonderful news. It is hard work but still fun and rewarding to plan and physically build your own home. Lord, I ask you to bless the work of this couples hands and let them prosper in your kingdom. In your name Jesus. Amen.

[@desertrestnv]

🙏🙏🙏

[@patriciasimmon6854]

Thanks for explaining the reasoning behind the up-coming home. Glad you're doing what is best for you two.

[@alycegallant5406]

This is going to be great! Thanks for taking us along for great adventure.

[@suemcknight9051]

What an enviable and very delightful way to live … I started watching Arial shortly after she started this channel. This is what lives well lived should be like. For me… this is a “feel-good” channel to always watch.💘

[@lahsm5050]

Always happy to see Burly is enjoying life too! You took just great care of him after the accident! 🥰❤

[@Diligent-dp7gi]

THIS is what LOVE Looks Like : ) : ) Clay & Ariel

[@lavondacarter7228]

Your home , your way !

[@reiu956]

If I were building somewhere that had that panoramic mountain view, for sure I’d build myself a little porch on one side or another, open if there was no local mosquito problem, screened if there was. What a place to greet the dawn with a morning coffee or end the day rocking away the fatigue.

[@lahsm5050]

Very valuable information! I've always been very attentive of how the sun will shine into the house. I love a bright house especially in the morning and afternoon (kitchen, living area, bedroom). I also spent as much time as possible on the property outdoors during the week and weekends listening - I wanted solitude from traffic noise. Exciting news!! Enjoy the process!! 😃❤

[@TenaPhillips-h4d]

very good plan seem s like clay has many building skills

[@LindaForsberg-f6f]

Congratulations you love birds! How exciting! Sooooooooooo happy for you both!

[@sharvo6]

I'm enjoying how much more communicative Clay is ... no doubt this because this project is dear to his heart.

[@joellenbroetzmann9053]

I'm thinking back over my entire 70 plus year life, mostly lived in Northern WI. I am a big reader, and have read so many books about farms, and blizzards, and the difficulty of getting to one's animals from the house safely. You are planning wisely for the rare day you tie a rope from the house out to the chicken coop to find your way back and forth.I'm excited to watch what you come up with!

[@dawnbaker9274]

Congratulations on this next leg of your journey. Wishing you abundant supplies, good weather, and few delays.😊

[@BarbaraHaropolous1only]

Congrats! I can't help but think of Mike Mulligan and His Steamshovel 😅

[@mintysmom-nell5114]

I think if that too. Haven’t heard any one mention that story in ages

[@joannewolfe5688]

Exciting times! I'll enjoy watching the building process.

[@katherinekelly5380]

Wow! This is when it pays off to have the equipment and know how to use it !

[@maryjaneharris6187]

I love hearing you both talking about your plans and look forward to seeing it all come together. Thank you for sharing.

[@sea2799]

so happy for you guys!

[@christineb8148]

I love how much you emphasized the orientation of the home on the property!

[@papajeff5486]

Excited for your build. Wish you well. Just retired into our forever home. All the things you mentioned about the form and function of your new home sound great, the cellar, the facing towards good views, dedicated space for wide staircase, getting multi-use wherever you can, the flow, in concert with the rest of your property.…all seem wonderful. We too spent a good bit of time on our place, before our build, which provided excellent perspective. Thank you for the hard work of sharing your lives with us…from east Tennessee.

[@thebucksstophere8870]

How exciting! We just completed a home and casita in South America. Our views are two massive volcanos, ( I pinch myself often) year around grow season, one level wide open spaces, water storage, generators, living our dream. We did the same , sat on lots all hours of the day and night until we decided. Then we lived in a small house across the pond to keep an eye on the actual build. It’s been an experience but exciting! It will be fun to watch your journey!

[@jamesandrew4859]

Have been watching your videos for several years and all that you have accomplished. Looking forward to see the house go up. Make sure your windows allow you to view future rainbows!

[@zzydny]

The floor plan looks great. Very well thought-out. Looking forward to seeing the progress videos.

[@maryhart637]

This is so exciting!!! This will be such a thrill to watch you build your new home!🥰🙌🏠

[@parkerposey788]

How exciting is this!!!!!!! So happy for you both ✨🤍✨

[@TakeTheRide]

From what I've seen, knowing where your snow drifts are, is very important. 😂 It's actually nice to see you two sitting down together. Folks, please don't let your dogs bark continuously. Be courteous neighbors. ❤

[@janisaschim2429]

How exciting! I look forward to following your house building journey.

[@Lelliott1122]

How very exciting you two! I look forward to the progress!🥰

[@susananderson618]

What a super super interesting video! Looking forward to following along this home building process....especially how Clay digs the cellar portion. I am curious he mentioned the plumbing and water lines will be underground, how will you prevent freezing in Wyoming winters? Also looking forward to your other videos with the harvesting and the animals. Been following you since before you purchased this property. Very happy for both of you!

[@JCsJennifer726]

I loved this!! Excellent advice, and I love the idea of having exterior doors inside the house where they are sealed from the rest of the house. Very wise! God bless you both your animals and your land🙏🏻🥰

[@LWYOffGridHomestead]

How exciting ❤

[@flatlandah52]

So excited and happy for you! Will look forward to watching your progress. It’s a well thought out plan! My husband and I have hand built 6 houses through our 46 years marriage , never planning on selling any of them… but life happens. 😉 Our current home we converted from an abandoned 2 car+ garage into a cute bungalow. Hopefully it’s our last. Only God knows what adventures the future will bring.

[@klazyy641]

Great episode----loved the picking music right at the end, too! I like the simplicity of your layout while always remembering that you'll have the "tiny house" as a bunkhouse if needs demand one. Thanks!

[@pamgrant832]

LOL that night barker dog must be a Great Pyrenees. Most people would be much happier not being house poor. Cant wait to see the progress.

[@ccl005jn]

How exciting. The plans look perfect, just enough and not too much.

[@TheOtherBill]

I suggest you consider clothes closets on an outside wall rather than interior. I've had both and it does make a difference in winter, the closet makes a good buffer and keeps the room warmer.

[@ellp152]

I have an exterior door in my bedroom! And yup I love it! And in the spring and fall it stays open a lot! I can just walk right out in my back yard

[@rnord9882]

So excited for you and happy Clay has all those skills! We just got done the same process, designing and building our off grid small house (but totally normal size for earlier America 😂). This advice and process is perfect!

[@dominiquebt]

Exciting project! Looking forward to watching your progress:)

[@cherylbertolini3140]

You guys look great:) the house plans are really nice.Would like to see a potato harvest video if you have time to film it.

[@LJones-uu4xy]

So happy for you! Can hear the excitement in your voice. Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your plans. The house plan looks interesting. With eyes going and only the phone screen, am I missing something? I don’t see a bathroom. I have always thought it interesting - the various cultures - and how the living spaces are arranged. The property is showing your hard work. Having the tiny house to begin with must have helped so you could become better acquainted with and see how you wanted things. Many blessings.

[@gillianmeehan3206]

It's great to hear that you are finally putting plans into action and taking us along for the ride. I'm sure that you'll get comments on the lines of 'why don't you do this?' and this is mine. If it was my house, I'd make the mudroom wider so that you could have a large closet for all the things that can make a house look messy such as a broom, vacuum cleaner, ironing board etc and general stuff that you need indoors and don't want to have to go to the workshop for such as lightbulbs etc. Add a hanging rail also for all of your winter coats that are not currently dripping wet from being outside. Then you can shut the door on all of this visual noise. Maybe also stagger the outside and living room doors so they are not in-line as it will let the cold air straight into the living space. If the outer door is on the side elevation it will slow down the passage of cold air. I know that you said you'd have exterior doors inside the house which will help with drafts but that's only when they are shut but when the doors have been opened on a chilly day you can't stop the cold coming in.

[@sharvo6]

More than anything, I'm enjoying seeing all that quack grass being torn up!

[@lscostello4995]

So wonderful to hear your ideas and plans! It will take a while but being thorough is so smart! To design and build is both of your strengths, and making it just what you want is exciting! Best wishes and looking forward to watching this grow! 😊

[@juliechaud]

It sounds like a marvellous plan! Well thought out … well lived out so to speak!! That’s all so exciting and I’m happy to hear how you have progressed already in terms of planning and doing. Now this is a question that you may have talked about in the past and it may also just be too personal, but I noticed that you don’t have any inclusion for children other than future possible alterations from family that may have needs. And you don’t have to answer that - it may be just self-explanatory already from all that you’ve said. Thank you for your videos, always interesting and I wish you both all the very best !! 💕

[@vicky-akastichr-davis4676]

Yes! Solid doors inside! Will you be insulating the interior walls also?

[@gailmajorpoole6443]

Enlightening and informative. I can’t wait to see what’s coming! Thanks for sharing.

[@mamalovesthebeach437]

Congratulations! Exciting news! My first home was built in 1952. Solid, simple, plaster walls and 950 ft.² The home we built ourselves was a very complicated but beautiful home in the redwoods. I spent a few months sitting in a chair deciding how I wanted the house situated, where the light came in and when and what views I wanted from every window. It was perfection! I’m always shocked when I walk into custom homes with no recognition of where the sun rises and sets! Best experience of my life was designing and building a home. I fairly quickly acquired many skills. Throughly agree that spending time on your land before you decide how to orient your structure. Can’t wait to watch the process!

[@desertrestnv]

Oh wow, I am so happy for you! It is so exciting to see someone else moving forward on their dream project. On looking at your plans, I like a ranch house style with great rooms as well. So pretty much the only walls there would be are those that would enclose the bedroom and bathroom from the rest of the house. I love that! My personal journey to off-grid living has shown I made a few bad decisions that have to be reversed or fixed while I move forward with the move to Nevada. Things are going slower than I anticipated but it is a HUGE learning curve that I am walking along. Hugs to you both. And it's so good to see Burley doing so well!

[@donnalaughlinhogan3819]

Looks like the perfect plan for a small home ….good for you both .I thought you’d have a main floor pantry ,maybe the basement will cover that need.All in all I’m sure this home will be well built and perfect for you both .Will be following along .♥️🇨🇦

[@anneirenej]

Oh gosh it all sounds lovely. We have lived in smaller homes and if you have a great floor plan you do not need as much square feet. Looking forward to seeing it as you go.

[@janeth3139]

Exciting! Design looks great.

[@beckyray8746]

So excited for you ! Can’t wait to watch the progress.

[@enjoyingthejourneycanceras2355]

Ariel I have been with you since your blog days. This is very exciting for you both

[@Lmfrs1844]

how exciting! love watching the years of progress and growth!

[@Ladythyme]

You are spot on…thinking it out first…..my husband and I built a house in our younger years…it was a bi-level home …bottom had a family room on one side, stairs in the middle and the garage/workshop area on the other side….upstairs had living room/ dining area on one side, the kitchen, a hallway and a bathroom sort of in the middle by the stairs and 3 bedrooms on the other end….stupidly in retrospect we put the bedroom area on the garage/workshop end….. A very big NO, NO considering my husband spent a lot of late nights in his workshop and was an avid Fisherman and had his boat in the garage area And would need to leave very early many mornings for tournaments…not a good thing when the garage door goes up and family is trying to sleep…..I would have definitely flipped the upstairs if we had to do it again. 😵‍💫…. Your plans sound wonderful!

[@janicebutner2152]

Happy for you both my husband came up with 24x40 and we ended up with 24x54 Happy building

[@lonanakken1688]

Looking forward to seeing it all come together. Happy for you both!

[@debshapherd7021]

So happy for the both of you. Looks like a nice plan. Blessings

[@damogranheart5521]

Most Excellent!! I am so very happy for you both! God bless all of your endeavors!

[@donnam4612]

Congratulations on getting a start on your forever home, so exciting!!! Your video is perfect timing as my husband and I were just trying to draft out a floor plan of a home we'd like to build. It will be interesting to see what steps you do along the way.

[@carolynmoody9460]

❤❤❤ 🕊️

[@sandrawyrick]

Can't wait!

[@monettelee]

Happy for guys looking forward to the videos.I know you both been looking forward to this.Pray it goes well.Always look forward to your videos 💐🙏

[@sherrekarl9640]

Excited for you both. I will enjoy watching the progress.

[@teresaedwards3659]

Thanks for the video!

[@carolyncarson1671]

How exciting! Well planned. Looking forward to watch the build. All the best on the adventure.

[@margittkennedy1311]

It sounds like my funny little house here in Denver! We have something slightly larger, at 1500 square feet with 3 small bedrooms and a decent kitchen. The stairs to our "stand up" crawl space were the outside stairs to the original cellar. That little dirt cellar came with shelves and old empty jars. We do have a second story over our kitchen which is the only addition (bedroom, bath and storage up there). It has taken us 37 years to shape the property to our liking. So don't listen to anybody about how long it takes! This is so exciting for you! I am happy for you both! Stairs will keep you mobile and young. My husband built our kitchen cabinets and we put large doors on every opening as well! Even the closets. For the same reason, access if we needed in our aging.

[@futurekron]

Exciting times! Looking forward to the build.

[@marianfrances4959]

All sounds awesome! Best wishes...will be watching! 👍😎🇨🇦

[@willymags123]

I love the two of you. ❤❤ great informative thank you for another great video. Till next time, God bless.

[@lostcreekcabin2021]

Clay was making some interesting points. It would have been interesting to hear him get to complete them.

[@maryjaneharris6187]

LOL

[@singing-sands]

Clay’s become more chatty as time has gone by, I don’t think Ariel has adjusted to it yet! 😁

[@Just_A_Wafaring_Stranger]

I so agree, I got tired of HER not letting HIM finish a sentence. It seemed like she wouldn't even let him express his thoughts. I couldn't finish the video. 😮

[@RockingChairRebel]

I felt it was disrespectful. My mother did the same thing to my dad and after a few years I guess he was tired of it and just stopped talking. For years she cried that he wouldn't talk to her, and then he died. It's an awful feeling to realize you're not valued and even more hurtful to know that you're not being heard.

[@copperpenny7526]

He’s a big boy. If it bothered him, he would say something and certainly not in front of viewers. Marriage involves tolerance of one another’s quirks. I admire these two who have found a way to bridge their different personalities and move forward TOGETHER.

[@davidbailey6350]

Best of luck… slow and easy is sometimes faster….

[@sherriludwig4263]

Sounds exciting nice to have someone with skills like Clay to build the house

[@Fireballsocal]

WooHoo! Great news guys. I hadn't even considered 36" doors being handicapped accessible but was with Clay on being able to move things in and out easier. I've had to pull doors from hinges a few times. I'm interested in the passive aspects of heating and cooling the house. Will you use batt or spray foam insulation? Double or triple pane windows? I think you guys are on propane up there. Will you have a furnace? Secondary propane heater like a wall unit for backup heat? I'm sure a wood stove is mandatory. A big question for me is will you have air conditioning? I'm looking forward to the build with fingers crossed there are no more water lines or rainbow tree roots in the foundation zone.

[@nmdispatchlady]

I've learned over the years that the more time and thought that goes into planning and looking at all the things, the less time in the actual work because aside from totally unforeseen circumstances you have it already figured out. Looks like a cozy home. love the way you will do the "root cellar".

[@numbersvibrations]

❤❤❤

[@janinafisher101]

I'm excited for you to finally be starting on your house dream! I think this was a good video for people interested in building some day - you mentioned a number of the things that I think people forget. I know where I live in Canada we separate our garbage into what is recyclable, or compostable, or just garbage, and people often forget to plan on places to separate their garbage! I always want a window in my bathroom to let out moisture and let in light - and I don't care if my window is in my bathtub/shower - but I notice you folks don't have a window. It's nice not to have to turn on a light every time you go in, though I'm sure you have your reasons for not having one. Hopefully the days will get cooler and spring, when you seriously start the building process, will be kinder!

[@dianeirvine1384]

Wonderful. Good on you two. I designed my own kitchen because of having things that others maybe don’t use. So I get where your coming from. Excellent video.

[@janebarbour405]

Love it ♥️. Blessings to both of you. ♥️

[@lauriebrown9714]

Great plans! May it be a smooth and enjoyable build. And no chem trails in your sky!

[@junewrogg6137]

I love the layout of your design! It's going to be beautiful. Happy for you both.

[@katherinekelly5380]

I lived most of my life on the Canadian prairies so basements are standard - if you want to anchor your house to the earth and avoid frost heaves digging the foundation below the frost line is the order of the day. There maybe other ways to accomplish this, I’m just familiar with basements. I didn’t realize until I lived in Portland, Or and then Vancouver,BC that basements are not standard everywhere 🤣 sometimes the water table has other ideas ! And if you don’t have to worry about frost heaves, basements are pretty expensive to build. Totally agree that a standing crawl space will be a joy! And having real stairs down to it a plus! When my mom had a knee replacement she asked us to add another hand railing to her basement stairs, so she could hold on with each hand to do her physio exercises. I didn’t realize how nice it was to hold on with my dominant hand no matter which direction I was going so I made sure I have a hand rail on each side of every staircase in every home I’ve had since - it was great when I broke my ankle - I toss down the crutches and use the hand rails going up and down 😄

[@DebMoon17]

Super happy for you guys! It will still be your tiny nest. Can’t wait to follow your progress as I’m sure it will be the kind of house I’d love to live in. 🥰

[@katherinekelly5380]

Oh my gosh ! I kinda learned this the hard way - my house was at the end of a T intersection, the vertical part of the T ran North/South and I would drive up it onto my driveway and into my garage. Then winter came and I would get a huge drift on my driveway! my neighbours on either side didn’t get anything close as they had houses blocking the north wind and I had the road! I ended up selling the house after a couple of years. It’s lovely to have a south facing backyard but it’s also nice to have your house blocked from the north wind in winter ❄️

[@chaebaker3012]

I cannot wait to see it because I want something like that.

[@brianquinn5060]

What a great team you make. Best wishes from Australia.

[@beverlymichael5830]

Fantastic and I Know you guys have to be so excited. I Like the layout.