So, this happened this week….the sale went thorough on a darling little double wide we picked out this summer…
In Alabama.
That’s right, peoples.
We’re heading south again and this time it’s gonna be a little more permanent.
I say “a little more” because if you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you’ve noticed Jeremy and I both have a good dose of wanderlust. We love adventure, so we were pretty excited when we sensed God leading us to move home base to the corner of Alabama we parked the bus on the last two summers.
We love New York, but kinda think the world is too beautiful to live in one place for our whole life. (Don’t you agree?)
So, this will be our new spot…a private lot within his parent’s trailer park that we’ve been helping manage for 1 1/2 years. A darling little acre or two, in a rural setting, at the tail end of the Appalachian mountains, equal distance between Birmingham and Atlanta.
The list of things we will leave behind is long, many sweet friendships topping the list. But, as Sarah (Plain and Tall) said, “there is always something to miss”. And we are grateful and excited that the Lord is leading us to an area we have some wonderful new friends already, found a church that feels like home, and that promises to be a great place to raise our little family.
We left Alabama this summer with hopes to return by Thanksgiving. This week details finally fell into place so that hope could become a reality.
In other words, WE ARE MOVING IN TWO WEEKS! And I’m up to *here* with packing, and could. Not. Be. More. Excited.
I’m dead serious. I’m loving this. But I’m also in the middle of infant-induced sleep deprivation, with 4 kids, and two weeks to move a household just in time for the holidays, and I’m not above asking for prayers. For grace. For strength. For sleep. 🙂
(Cardboard boxes are starting to pile up in corners in nearly every room…)
Our home in New York will go on the market this month. We have loved this place…the views, the orchard, and the satisfaction of making it ours, but are excited for the next family who will get to call this place home. (Know anyone looking for a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom home in the middle of the fingerlakes? 🙂 Talk to me, people!)
This is an incredible adventure, and I wanna take y’all along with me! I’ll be sharing more details as I find moments here on the blog, but for real time glimpses of our crazy life, I invite you to peek through the window that is my instagram, where moving photos will be tagged with #holdenadventures.
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This is gonna be epic.
We just went through our 10th move in 8 years of marriage (thankfully, this was a local one) but we did a big move last year about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and we had family already slated to come visit for the holiday but we survived and had a great Thanksgiving with a full house! 🙂 Prayers for your sanity and for everything to go smoothly.
I’m so grateful for your prayers! And for your story of surviving–even thriving!–a big move during the holidays! Thanks!!
My boss’ former business partner moved to our town because she and her family were literally driving through one day, stopped at the park, and thought “wouldn’t this be a neat town to live in?” So they moved. I can’t quite wrap my head around such . . . spontaneity! 😉 I am glad that you and your husband share a mutual love of adventure! 🙂
Wow, Trina! What an adventure! I hope you’ll show us your new house! Praying for you all.
Wow! We really need to get together some time 🙂 I’m not that far away, and now that I’m not pregnant/remodeling my house I might be able to make this work.
And if you’d like a side of beef just let me know – my husband’s folks raise grass fed cattle. That is some tasty eating there.
Natalie…I cannot wait till we meet someday. You are one of my longest internet friendships and I’m so delighted we’ll be able to bring it into IRL one of these days!
Yay! How exciting! I agree that the world is too beautiful to live one place for an entire lifetime, but unfortunately, my husband’s roots here go pretty deep. *Sigh* Maybe one day…
What an exciting adventure! And what a busy mama you are! I too moved shortly after having babies. Twice. Moved when my first baby was 3 weeks old – from Virginia to Florida. Moved when baby #4 was 3 weeks old from Fuquay-Varina to Moncure. Last move was the hardest as that baby is super clingy and I’m 12 years older! But it is so much fun setting up new homes and seeing what the Lord has in store. May He give you great strength and energy and bless your move!
I’m forfeited to hear I’m not the only one who’s done this, Lisa! I agree-setting up house is fun!
I know that feeling! You have such a great perspective! I hope to hear the story in more detail! In the meantime, if you guys are still up for at least a meal together, we would love it. if you had time, we have space if you guys wanted to overnight with us too ( if you don’t mind a few moving boxes). We love company! ☺️ Will be praying.
Jyl, thanks for the offer! I’m not sure what our itinerary is yet, but I’ll be in touch if it looks like we can stop in.
Oh so lovely! So excited for you!
And I’m totally in love with double wides. They are the perfect house size and layout and everything. We lived in them in New Mexico and North Carolina.
I’m a little jealous because I have a bad case of wanderlust, too;)
Naomi, you are so right…I’ve lived in my share of single wides, this is my first double wide and I’m really excited…they are a totally different animal, and do feel so efficient!
Yay! Oh, these God adventure stories are the best. And I need another Southern friend ib blogland! Cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store!
Hooray! remind me which state you’re in?
Adventures are so great! Our family’s adventure brought us to a little farm in eastern Washington…where we met Gretchen Louise who introduced me to you! Prayers for steadiness and protection in the process.
thank you, Joan! I’m so blessed to ‘know’ you through Gretchen! Thankful for the impact you are willing to have on us both with your encouraging spirit!
So the dream is now a reality! Happy for you! As you mentioned one time, maybe you’ll actually be able to have a goat or two 🙂
goats are totally in the long term plan, Gayl! I’m so excited!
I am so excited for you (even though I am still holding out hope that the Holden’s adventures will eventually bring them out West!).
The bus wants to go west as much as I do. Hopefully with a smaller, more manageable home base, that westward trip can become a reality!
I am SO excited for your new adventures, but so bummed we never got to connect in beautiful NY!!
Emily, we still have lots of friends and reasons to visit NY…I’m still holding out for a rendezvous someday! Just keep me updated when you’re in my time zone! 😉