The Swenson family of Minnetonka expanded after a wrenching intrusion of tragedy. Now, thanks to "Extreme Makeover-Home Edition" their home also has grown. This wonderful couple are teachers at Hopkins High School. They are a family of 9, soon to be 10. Four of the children were Vicki's sister, Teri Lee's, a 38 year old widow who was murdered in her home by an abusive ex-boyfriend last year.
Last week Extreme Makeover sent the family to Disneyland, demolished their old home on Thursday, and this week to the cheers of 5,000 friends and well-wishers they cried their hearts out as they viewed their new 5,600 square foot home. Thank you ABC, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, TJB Homes, Inc. 4,000 volunteers, 200 contractors and subcontractors who worked for six days at breakneck speed. A project of this magnitude requires a working schedule that breaks down the job hour-by-hour and a team of building partners that can stick to that pace or exceed it - and they did. Just a note that all workers were required to be ready on the job site TWO HOURS before they were scheduled. It was built in 99 hours, 7 hours faster than the goal set by the show!
TJB is a famly business and leadership on the project reflected that. I am so impressed with TJB and what I have read about them. What a wonderfully gifted family.
The Swenson family went through the home, room to room and were overwhelmed. "Vicki cried like a baby and Erik was just so excited, he was jumping up and down."
The show will air November 25, and Vicki is expected to give birth to their 4th child shortly before the show. The show receives 3,000-5,000 applications EACH DAY for new homes. The Swenson home was the 100th built by the show since it began airing in 2003 and the biggest one built so far. I know when I watch this show (I hardly watch tv), I will be crying my eyes out too.
I believe in angels. But how miraculous to see so many at one time!
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