Extreme Update

Well it's been about a week since Extreme Makeover-Home Edition welcomed home the Riojas family here in Fresno and I'm still overcome with emotion. Being a participant (even in my small, little way) was truly an amazing blessing! I can honestly say, aside from my wedding and having my children...it was the most amazing week of my life. So...I can't even imagine what the Riojas' must feel like.

My experience started on January 10, 2009 at 4:30a.m. when I arrived at the volunteer check-in and holding area. Actually it really started the night before when I tried to go to bed early so I could get up at 3:00am but then couldn't sleep at all because I was so excited! Then we waited...and waited...and waited! I was there on DEMO day so we were actually waiting for the production crew to call us when they needed us. When we checked in they even said they may not be needing us at all (this broke my heart). Alas at about 8:30am we were summoned onto the construction site/ television production set.

DEMO DAY:

I was part of the "Braveheart March" which is at the opening of the show when the Builder, Contractors and Community "March" onto the soon to be construction site. Basically...I have to be honest...I was a t.v. extra! Don't get me wrong...It was a great time and awesome to see how the television show is filmed along side of the construction. Then they called in the contractors to demolish the old house. In a way this was a little bit said knowing that Mary Ann had bought it as her first home just a few years ago. At the same time...exciting to know what would soon be in its place. Pics


Day 2:

Gary and I took the kids since it was the first day spectators were allowed. When we got there...the concrete was poured, the house being framed. By the time we left a couple of hours later...the house was framed, windows in, roof started, air/heat/ducts being installed. Our friend, Jeff Dick of Donald P Dick Air Conditioning happened to be there as well. He said a job that normally takes them 2 days...they had done in 2 hours! Even my kids were impressed with how quickly things move.

Reveal Day:

We arrived early (6:30 am) so Gary and Toni could get a good spot to watch the days events! You could feel the energy and emotion as the crowd waited the arrival of the family. It was so awesome to see the Riojas family receive their new home!

After the reveal...I was on clean up crew. I felt really good about doing this since my first day was in "TV Land!"

So if you ever get the chance to participate in something like this...DO IT!!! You will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible.