It's coming along well, Cahlen. A couple thoughts from someone who has 25 years construction and underground mining experience. 1) you definitely need a French drain system even in the high plains desert - Colorado, southwest, as you don't get a lot of rain and snow but you will for sure flood in there being below just from water table but also from run off coming off the burm as well as roof, 2) cross braces for this is a good idea and not temporary as with water and pressure it could collapse given time and pressures put on the system, 3) where the dirt touches your building you should at least put up aluminum roofing or siding for some stability, as I do believe you won't get much more than a season out of that before it degrades, which is fine but you would have to do it again - money, time etc, #it would get you a season though be it with lots of issues, 4) on your soffit you should always overlap for water running down towards "gravity", how you have it now water will runn off your roof and behind and flood the inner walls with even a light Colorado southwestern rain or snow, 5) I would come off the ground to even if just using firring strips and plywood to counteract moisture and if it does flood it will give you 2 inches of play to help, probably best too to get cedar or treated lumber as well for anything from ground contact up to two feet up, 6) the fireplace will be good 45* degrees is best. That is my thoughts so far, I would add if it was me not only would I do those things but the inner walls I would fill with Cobb and put French drains under the floor and on the side of the house. Let me know if you have any questions of want any more help. Thanks for the inspiration with lots of things over the year. All the best.