The best Pose we could get together on Christmas Eve, minus Sean.
Life has seriously been crazy since, well, November! We ran a huge black Friday sale and were very busy with that. But there has also been a huge change in our family taking place, which I’m ready to share with you.
We are moving!!
(Yes I know you were waiting to hear that I was pregnant. I know how the mind of a woman works. 
)
It is truly a miraculous story of how we were able to sell our house. We have been trying for several years off and on to sell our house. At one time we had an offer and both parties had verbally accepted, but before we could meet to sign the paperwork the couple backed out. I get really restless when the house is on the market. It takes a lot of work to make the house ready to show, and leave the house with an hour’s notice so people can come and look. We decided to take it off for the winter, and really thought we would just stay here for a few years and then try again.
Then one afternoon Sean was outside with the children playing three weeks after we pulled the sign in the yard. A man drove by and asked if our house was still for sale, that they really liked it and would like to see it. We had heard it all before, and couldn’t imagine them really being interested but we decided it wouldn’t hurt to let them look at it.
They came in, and ended up really liking the house…and the rest is history! We held our breath waiting for the appraisal (in today’s market you just don’t know!) but so far everything has gone extremely smooth, and the appraisal came back quite a bit higher then we were expecting! We sign the paperwork in just a few days.
I’m so very excited, but it’s also bittersweet to leave our home. I love the outside of our home, the curb appeal is cute and I always did want a house with a white picket fence. We have done a lot of work to our house getting it fixed up the way we want it.
The Lord brings new paths to walk on, and we are currently in the middle of a new path. I’ve mentioned that my husband has gone back to college to finish out his graphic design degree. He has been blessed with a talent for art (I linked to his college blog showing his projects), and I encouraged him to go back and finish his degree and get into the art world.
A Moby Dick Project Sean did this last semester
For a father of five this has been no small task. We are making sacrifices in our family in order for this to happen. He sold his lawncare business in order to go back to college. I work more from home on our online business then I normally would. Our homeschool hours do not consist of extracurricular activities. And we are moving from our 1600+ square foot home to a rental home that is 1000 square feet. The house is really a blessing, friends of ours own it and are renting it to us. But downsizing some belongings is a must if we are going to fit seven of us into a 1000 square foot home for 1-2 years!
I have piles of belongings to either sell, go to goodwill, or just trash. My children have gone above and beyond what I had expected and been really good about going through their toys and getting rid of things.My husband and I have gone through our closets. I’ve had many conversations with a good friend about wanting to live like Little House on the Prairie, and my mindset is this house will be the closest we come. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not parting with my books, and my grand piano is being stored at my mother in law’s house until we move somewhere bigger. But things like china, extra dishes that I do use but are not necessary, nick nacks, and even extra cups and kitchen supplies are being packed up. Since I inherited some of my mother’s things when she died, I can’t just get rid of everything, but I also don’t have to have everything with me at this house.
The challenge is exciting me. The kitchen is much, much smaller then what I have now, so I’m working through how to organize it. Thankfully I have a hall closet and a linen closet to work with. I know Pinterest will come in handy when I’m looking for ideas on how to organize. My favorite pictures are coming with me, and any other smaller decor is either going to goodwill or being packed up. The house will just be too small for doilies and pretty things sitting around.
So if I seem preoccupied this month, you know why! I’m in the midst of packing boxes and deciding how much an item tugs on my heart. I’m currently in bed sick, but hopefully will be back to packing in a day or two!
Thank you all for bearing through my busy times. The good thing about the new house is that it has a basement, which will hold all our business inventory with a better shipping room. I’m dreaming of getting a white background set up and doing more videos and tutorials. But first I just need to get moved.
Hi there! How exciting! I’ll be praying for you as you walk upon the new path the Lord has set before you.
Wow! It sounds like you are busy… Your home is so cute!! We downsized 3 years ago and it can be hard.
Blessings,
Amy Jo
Caroline, he’s so talented – and your children – so beautiful. I know God has good things for you and your family.
It’s been a privilege getting to know you this year. You’re a blessing to me.
Jasmine
We just moved from a 3326 sqft house to a 1000 sq ft farm house, family of five , by choice and I love it. I adore cozy homes and love organizational challenges. Plus I found in the larger house I spent more time cleaning and here I get to spend more time playing with the kids. It is definitely a challenge minimizing but it’s amazing what you can get by without even a dishwasher and dryer. We are still waiting for a buyer for our other house but God willing soon! One of the reasons we moved already is because it just took too much to get the house able to show with three little ones running a muck daily. I pray your move goes smoothly and y’all have just as much fun being closer as we have!
Caroline, I love your sight. Thanks for sharing your heart! I will be praying for you and your families move. Blessings!
Wow I cant imagine why it was so hard to sell that house it is adorable! Don’t you just love watching the Lord fit things together when you take a step of faith? We are currently experiencing that with me quitting my job to stay at home.
Best of luck with the packing and moving. When you do get in you should write some posts about how you manage in a small home. We have 1200 sqft and after two years I still cant figure out how to live well (especially when we add more kids!)
Best of luck to you. We had a similar move to a smaller home two years ago. It was very short term, only six months, but we learned a lot. It was a great experience for us.
It’s a lot of work but it will be worth it in the end. You will be amazed at what you do and do not need. *I* was amazed at how much easier it was to clean house with less space and stuff.
So happy for you! Going back to school definitely takes sacrifices, but good will come out of it.
We just moved 3wks ago, from owning our 3-bedroom house, so perfectly suited for us, to a 2-bedroom apartment. While the layout of the apartment works well, the kitchen is about 1/4 the size of my previous one. It took a LOT of paring down, a lot of work. I notice now that we have so much more time for each other and to do things, as we don’t spend so much time keeping up with our stuff. We moved as we’re beginning our missionary journey, currently at language school before heading to French Africa. It’s worth the sacrifices, but does mean a lot of work and sacrifices. God’s best to you and yours!
Congratulations! Your house is lovely, and I can see why you would have mixed feelings about leaving it. And, you are so right, as soon as I saw the title of the post, I did think you were pregnant, lol!
Your husband’s work is wonderful and I’m sure he’ll find nothing but success.
I will keep you in my prayers as you make your move and get settled in your new home.
Many blessings, Lisa
Moving from a spacious, 4 bedroom, 2 bath house eight years ago to 963 square feet (2 bedroom, 1 bath) when I was expecting #9 had it’s challenges! But downsizing has caused us all to be more organized and to determine what is really important (unnecessary items don’t stick around long!). Our house (and family) have grown during these years (the attic was renovated a few years ago and we are currently planning a large addition to be started this year!), and I now LOVE our charming little house. Here’s the post I wrote about the experience: http://treasuresfromashoebox.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-old-house.html
What a cute house! I can see why it would be hard to leave it, but God is with you and He will walk you through this, not just send you. Your husband is very talented!
I hope you get to feeling better real soon! It’s no fun having so much to do and no strength to do it in!
May God bless you and your sweet family as you follow the Lord’s plan for you life this New Year.
Congrats on selling your house! We were hoping to sell ours this year, too, but it didn’t work out.
7 people in 1000 sq ft is definitely do-able. As of next week (when baby #4 will arrive), we’ll have 6 people in 793 sq ft. It’s the Lord’s way of teaching my husband and I contentment.
wow! My husband, myself, and our 2 yr old son all lived in a 700sq ft trailer for 2 years. I about went crazy! I can’t imagine fitting 6 people into such a small space. You’re super woman!
Wow, your hubby is immensely talented {you are too of course
}. Congrats on selling the house and what a blessing it is to have friends let you rent one while you look.
How exciting! Change is always hard but brings growth and good things. Looking forward to hearing about how you handle all the challenges coming up. I am always encouraged when I pop in here. Thank you for sharing this news with us!
so exciting to take that leap of faith and also support your hubby’s dream!! When we were married, I closed my business and moved into his home, quite a bit smaller and an hour away from my “life”. I had to get rid of an entire house worth of things in order to combine 2 households! The Lord has really used the past 3 years to show me I was in Egypt
I am still learning to be intentional in what I keep or bring into my home- but the change has forced our family to also be more intentional w/ each other and spend more quality time together!! I am excited to hear how God grows your family in this journey!
We did the SAME thing two years ago, by choice. Then moved into something a bit smaller last year. As I type this we are currently packing to move out of State (out of California…finally!) to a small population town to really embrace our style and desire to live simple. We feel so blessed living this way. We truly focus more on the important things vs worldly things. Our kids do not feel pressured to be anything more than a child of God, and AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY. We’re a team
And little house on the prairie….I feel ya on that one too! Lol for Christmas I ordered my daughter bonnets and a pioneer dress 
I love the way the Lord works and know He will guide you through this move and beyond. Thanks so much for sharing your family, your business, and your heart with us. Blessings!
I read your blog posts in my email and dont normally comment but this one peaked my interest because my husbands passion is also art. But he had to quit school before we met and with now being married and having kids its tough to go back. Kuddos to your hubby for being able to do it. So curious whats he want to do with his art? Thats another thing my husband struggles with if he got back into it? Jobs seem scarce in art industry. I wish you guys luck in everything.
Best wishes for a smooth move and blessings for your family during this season of changes!
When we saw the Moby Dick art, my sister (who was peeping over my shoulder) and I were both impressed. You would’ve heard some gasps… “He MADE that!!!” …”WOW!!!” …”That is SOO cool!!!”
VERY neat.
We are going through a lot of the same things as you. My husband had been called to go into the seminary he want to pastor so he will stop working as of next week! Does your husband work at all? Were debt free and our home is paid off but we live in a 1100 sqft house and we have 8 children and 2 large dogs. We have a half acre which helps alot!! Try not to save anything you will not need, things get messy really fast in a small home.
Your husbands work is great!! I hope all goes nice and smooth for you on your move:)
Pamela
Dear Caroline,
I love your cute house, but I can see that God has better plans for you~ just you wait! God is with you, and He will walk you through this as you figure it all our. Your husband does awesome work and is very talented!
I am praying now that you will experience peace and joy in Jesus in your family. Stand firm in His grace!!
Blessings on your move and your family’s journey! Your home is lovely – I can see why you are a little sad to leave it.
And please post your organizational solutions on your blog if you can! There’s just two of us and a dog in our 1400ish sq. ft. house (we don’t own it so I’m not exactly sure), but it’s a super old house that was built in the 1910s…meaning oddly laid out. Lots of open space, but very small closets and very minimal storage space.
Again, blessings to you all!