Almost four years ago, when Lavon Blount turned in her application to be considered for Demopolis’ first Habitat for Humanity moments before the deadline, she didn’t expect to be the chosen one.

But she was and hearing the news that she and three children ages 11, 15 and 18, would finally have a house for the first time in their lives, made her feel like one of the most blessed people on earth.

“My co-worker suggested that I turn in an application in the beginning but I kept saying no,” Blount laughed. “I waited right up until the deadline when I decided to fill one out and it paid off.”

Now, the Blount family is counting down the days until they can finally move into their first home.

“I can feel at home now. It’s not just a vision anymore and almost everything is there,” Blount said. “My baby (Shay Green) is excited but my two oldest ones (Marketia Blount and Willie Blount) are calm and relaxed as usual.”

Although the home has come a long way since a group of volunteers were raising wall frames on an empty foundation almost seven months ago, volunteers still have a lot of work to complete.

“We worked on the soffets on both sides of the house and did some more painting Saturday,” Habitat organizer Freddie Charleston said, “But there’s still some touchup work to be done with the painting and we have to finish putting up the soffets and fixing the siding on the outside of the house.”

This Saturday’s plan is to complete the painting and siding work and organizers hope to begin installing cabinets.

After that work is finished, the group hopes to complete flooring, sewer work and install air conditioning units.

“If everything keeps flowing the way it is, we hope to have them moving in by the end of may,” Charleston said, “The major work is over, so hopefully we’ll be done before then. We are just slacking manpower.”

Volunteers will work on the Habitat home on the corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. and as always, volunteers are welcome.

If Saturdays aren’t free, Blount said to feel free to contact her at 289-8733, or Lindsy Gardner at 289-1595, to set up an additional work shift.

The future homeowner also said she is open to any decorating ideas and suggestions to truly make her first house a home.