We built our dream house by accident. Or at least, that’s how it felt at first. My husband had gotten a new job in a new city, and our house-hunting came up empty handed. Then we stumbled upon a small lot for sale, right on a beautiful lake, facing the sunset, brimming with potential.  Building wasn’t part of the plan—goodness no. I was seven months pregnant and just wanted to nest. But this lot sparked a vision, one we had dreamed up long ago, and suddenly, this was a path to get there. They broke ground the same day we were in the hospital having our first baby. The next day, still in the hospital, we got our first costly curveball: the lot needed an expensive modification to stabilize the foundation. There we were—brand new parents, staring down a very expensive, still-empty lot, living in a rental in a new city. Oh, and waiting for us at home? A six-month-old puppy and a senior dog, just to top off the utter chaos. WHAT WERE WE DOING?!…