In December of 2006, Ryan and I embarked on a road trip that would forever change our lives. On Christmas morning, we woke up considerably early and headed out on the open road. We had intended on driving out to Saddlebrooke, Missouri (near Branson) to purchase some property. We had been saving for months and were confident that if we saw what we liked, we would buy a lot and immediately put our home in Beaumont, California up for sale.
The first day of the trip, we drove all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico and stayed with our friends, Chris and Lisa. Our trip was extended, when Ryan accidentaly shattered the side window of our SUV by walking into the On-Star antenna with a pillow (it was like 20 degrees outside and the tug on the window cracked the glass).
The second day, we made it to Jasper, Missouri. We stayed in a cheapy motel and the next morning made our way to the Saddlebrooke Community. We thought it was absolutely beautiful, but a little too quiet. We saw no children on the premises and were concerned that although scenic and well-kept, it was not an ideal place for children to grow up.
We left Missouri disappointed....we knew we wanted to move out of California, but what we had seen so far in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, had left us feeling hopeless. We drove through Illinois and decided to check out Indiana (this was never intended, but my assistant principal told us it was a "must-see").
When we arrived in Indianapolis it was late at night. When we woke the next morning, Our friend (from high school) Steve, took us on a tour of the neighboring suburbs. We fell in love with the area INSTANTLY! It was everything we had dreamed about--clean, safe, decent teacher pay, 4-Star schools and affordable housing...it was like God had answered our prayers. As corny as it sounds, it felt like we were visiting "Pleasantville."
We left Indiana feeling optimistic and excited. We knew the minute we returned to California, a "For Sale" sign would be in the yard and we would be on our way to fulfilling our dream of raising a family.
We continued our trip through the beautiful and scenic states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. We stopped to celebrate New Year's in Phenix City, Alabama with Ryan's cousin Chris and his wife Janet. It was great seeing them and being able to spend time with family.
Once we left Alabama, we continued home through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and back through Oklahoma where we stopped and had dinner with Ryan's old baseball buddy, Justin. Afterward, we drove through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and finally made it home the 2nd week of January. We put our home up for sale that same week....
We had NO idea it was going to take SOOOOOO long to sell our home. It took over 7 and a half months!!! It was the most stressful roller coaster ride of my life. I felt like I was going to be trapped in Southern California forever!!!
When we finally got an offer on our home in August, the escrow kept getting pushed-back...we were so afraid it was going to fall through. The market was dropping dramatically and if it fell out of escrow, we knew we were going to have to drop our asking price....I prayed every night and asked God to please help us to make a better life for our future children....Our wish came true on September 17, 2007.
Ryan and I have been officially "homeless" for a week and 2 days. It is surreal. We still have to stop by the old house and pick up our mail and the sad thing is, I feel no connection to the house. You would think I would have sentimental feelings toward the first home I ever purchased. Ryan and I lived in that house for almost 4 years...we became a married couple in that home. Sadly though, it means nothing to me.
Maybe it's because I knew that home had nothing to offer. We could never make a life in that house. It was small (3 bedrooms, 1 bath) and wasn't in an area that I wanted to grow old in....Indiana on the other hand, fills my heart with excitement.
I know we will be able to live on one income and I will be able to stay home with our children-something we have always wanted for our family. We can have a large brick home that can be filled with children and possibility. We can play in the snow in the winter and catch fireflies in the summer....we can have a real life....A life that will be what we always imagined it to be .
We are currently living with my dad and will make our BIG move to Indiana in June! We are excited for this huge change in our lives. We know it will be an adjustment, but a welcome one!
Taking this step is not only life-changing, but it is also fulfilling a dream.
The first day of the trip, we drove all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico and stayed with our friends, Chris and Lisa. Our trip was extended, when Ryan accidentaly shattered the side window of our SUV by walking into the On-Star antenna with a pillow (it was like 20 degrees outside and the tug on the window cracked the glass).
The second day, we made it to Jasper, Missouri. We stayed in a cheapy motel and the next morning made our way to the Saddlebrooke Community. We thought it was absolutely beautiful, but a little too quiet. We saw no children on the premises and were concerned that although scenic and well-kept, it was not an ideal place for children to grow up.
We left Missouri disappointed....we knew we wanted to move out of California, but what we had seen so far in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, had left us feeling hopeless. We drove through Illinois and decided to check out Indiana (this was never intended, but my assistant principal told us it was a "must-see").
When we arrived in Indianapolis it was late at night. When we woke the next morning, Our friend (from high school) Steve, took us on a tour of the neighboring suburbs. We fell in love with the area INSTANTLY! It was everything we had dreamed about--clean, safe, decent teacher pay, 4-Star schools and affordable housing...it was like God had answered our prayers. As corny as it sounds, it felt like we were visiting "Pleasantville."
We left Indiana feeling optimistic and excited. We knew the minute we returned to California, a "For Sale" sign would be in the yard and we would be on our way to fulfilling our dream of raising a family.
We continued our trip through the beautiful and scenic states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. We stopped to celebrate New Year's in Phenix City, Alabama with Ryan's cousin Chris and his wife Janet. It was great seeing them and being able to spend time with family.
Once we left Alabama, we continued home through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and back through Oklahoma where we stopped and had dinner with Ryan's old baseball buddy, Justin. Afterward, we drove through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and finally made it home the 2nd week of January. We put our home up for sale that same week....
We had NO idea it was going to take SOOOOOO long to sell our home. It took over 7 and a half months!!! It was the most stressful roller coaster ride of my life. I felt like I was going to be trapped in Southern California forever!!!
When we finally got an offer on our home in August, the escrow kept getting pushed-back...we were so afraid it was going to fall through. The market was dropping dramatically and if it fell out of escrow, we knew we were going to have to drop our asking price....I prayed every night and asked God to please help us to make a better life for our future children....Our wish came true on September 17, 2007.
Ryan and I have been officially "homeless" for a week and 2 days. It is surreal. We still have to stop by the old house and pick up our mail and the sad thing is, I feel no connection to the house. You would think I would have sentimental feelings toward the first home I ever purchased. Ryan and I lived in that house for almost 4 years...we became a married couple in that home. Sadly though, it means nothing to me.
Maybe it's because I knew that home had nothing to offer. We could never make a life in that house. It was small (3 bedrooms, 1 bath) and wasn't in an area that I wanted to grow old in....Indiana on the other hand, fills my heart with excitement.
I know we will be able to live on one income and I will be able to stay home with our children-something we have always wanted for our family. We can have a large brick home that can be filled with children and possibility. We can play in the snow in the winter and catch fireflies in the summer....we can have a real life....A life that will be what we always imagined it to be .
We are currently living with my dad and will make our BIG move to Indiana in June! We are excited for this huge change in our lives. We know it will be an adjustment, but a welcome one!
Taking this step is not only life-changing, but it is also fulfilling a dream.
2 comments:
Brooke!! I am so glad you made a blog... I've been on here for a bit now, just updating family and friends on what we do and putting pics so everyone can see our little family.
Even though you and I barely hang out, I still will miss you when you leave. I guess since we've known each other for so long... But you will be so happy in Indiana... And having a family will be one of the happiest things that will ever fill your heart!!!!
Remember, you guys are welcome to our home anytime... If you ever just want to stop by and hang out or have dinner and watch prisonbreak, just let me know!!!
Here's the link to my blog...... It's www.mrskatdemers.blogspot.com
Talk to you later.
Hey Brooke! This is pretty cool huh? Much more user friendly blog-wise than myspace. Love you and are so excited that your life is finally rolling in a direction you are thrilled by :)
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