While it will be weeks before we are fully settled, we moved to a new home over the weekend. And even though it might seem that I’ve been keeping a secret, it actually happened so quickly that I didn’t believe it was really happening till papers were signed and we were in. We’ve known of this house for years, right down the street, never thinking we would one day live in it.
Right now I’m wiped out both physically and emotionally. Just to write those words, my eyes fill with tears. We lived in our little house for fourteen years, the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere in my life. I hold places tightly in my heart and it is hard to let go. Friday, the day the beds were moved, and this really became reality, I sobbed uncontrollably to the point that Jonny asked if we were making a mistake. I knew I would be sad, but didn’t know how my insides would hurt, how my heart would feel like it was broken. I read to my little girls in our old bedroom one last time before Jonny took the bed apart and loaded it on the trailer. I could hardly get the words out thinking of how Larkspur was born in that room, as were Silas and Job. An hour later, the room was empty and my tears subsided. More dear than a place, is my family. My family, including me, needed more space.
You’re not going to believe the story behind how all this has fallen into place. As we get settled, I will share more. There are such good, kind people in this world. God has blessed us beyond measure, and we will make this beautiful home our own over time.
I suspect that this will feel like a loss for some of you as well, just peeking in the window of this blog, it’s still hard to let go. We will be working on our old house over the next few months, preparing to sell it and hand it over to someone else, hopefully someone who will love it like we do. So, this will be a slow goodbye and I am glad of that. I’ll be sure to share our work there as it happens. We’ll all say goodbye together. And while “goodbyes” are hard, aren’t “hellos” exciting? We’re moving forward, full of hope and anticipation.
Kathleen L. says
We pray for you to have Such joy and hope in your new surroundings!!! You are truly blessed!!! I hope you have a wonderful 1st Thanksgiving and Christmas in your new home!!
Erika says
Oh, Ginny! I might have woken my sleeping kiddos if I hadn’t stopped my shriek of joy in time! I know it has its hard side, all change and moving on does. But I am so grateful to God for this blessing on your whole family. You have been such a source of encouragement to me over the years, and I truly thank God for how he has provided this new home for your family. I can’t wait to hear how it all came about.
My husband and I just moved stateside with our three kids this year, after being abroad for the last four years. So I know how true it is that your family is your home, not the location. But I also know the joy of moving to a new location and space that is much more appropriate for your family at this time and making it your home. Enjoy!
Julie says
Yes to all of it! The happiness and the sorrow. Many blessings and prayers for you and yours.
Michele says
WOW! I can’t believe it! Your new home looks so beautiful, as does the surrounding flora. I am so happy for you!! Congratulations! I can understand about the sadness of the ‘goodbye,’ though. We purchased some land a little over a year ago, and have finally started building our new home. We have lived here 23 years (24 by the time we move, probably), and have created many, many memories here. I am excited for this next step, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be without some sadness. Prayers for you and your family during this transition time. I can’t wait to hear more about it all! God bless you.
Michele says
P.S. We are planning a red door, too!
Brigitte says
Changes are so hard. I can relate because we moved from a home that had a very special spirit and in which our daughters had their formative years. You will carry it with you in a way, and so will they. It sounded as if you really needed this change though and I am so happy for you!
Lori Ann says
Thrilled for you all! Cannot wait to hear the details you want to share – sounds like this new home is a blessing!
Mary R says
The few glimpses that you have shared of your new house are marvelous. The bookshelves. The woodwork. The windows letting in light. Space. That wonderful red door!
It is always sad to leave a place that holds so many memories for us. I had the hardest time moving from the home we brought our newborn son home to. Where he experienced many “firsts” – that was the hardest goodbye.
But, you are already making new memories in your new home, and the ones you made in your old one will always be with you.
God’s blessings to you and your family as you love each other in your new (larger! spacious!) home.
Maria says
Oh my goodness Ginny, exciting and sad news all at once! I think we women are far more attached to homes than men are; my husband doesn’t understand why I don’t want ever to leave our old farm, with all its imperfections. Do you have a spot for the goats and chickens?
Briana Elizabeth says
I’m so happy for you. I’m so sad for you.
Thankfully, days come one at a time, and we can move slowly within them.
Marina says
Congratulations! What a blessing! I’ve thought of you often, wondering how you did it, as we are bursting at the seams of our little house with only four kids!
Cindy in NC says
What wonderful news about your new home. I’m sure you’ll feel better about it once you find the right buyers for your old one. I, too, get very attached to places. I had a heard time selling my parents’ house. Although I didn’t grow up there and no one was born there, my dad took his last breath in that house which made it seem like a sacred space.
An amazing family (they were surely sent by God) that had admired the place for a while approached me about buying the house. They even showed me an album of “before and after” pictures of their current home as if they had to prove they would be good stewards. It actually made me feel good about letting the house go.
Stephanie says
Oh Congrats to you all! I know how hard this is but imagine all your new memories you will make in this home! The garden looks lovely and I bet your children will just love it!
Sarah says
Oh goodness, what a surprise! The little glimpses look lovely. Best wishes in the new home, even if it aches to leave the old one and happy memories made there.
martha says
This is so wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and I’m feeling all the “feels” with you. It makes me think about seasons of motherhood–how hard it is in one sense for me to let one season go, and slip into the next. Of course, the next is “bigger” usually as the kids grow and develop, but its so hard to let go of the little years once you realize you are actually at the point of letting them go. I am always terribly sentimental whenever we move, especially when children are involved and all the memories!!! But you have done such a phenomenal job of encapsulating those memories here on your blog, in your photography, so much to look back on fondly, and you will make so many more beautiful ones in this new home, as you know! We are looking to buy our first home right now, and I can’t imagine moving from this little rental, even though I want to–it will still be hard! And yet what great joys are ahead! 🙂 Anyway, congratulations! It will be strange now not to see some aspects of your old home here on the blog but super exciting, too, to “settle” into this new home with you, in a way!
CJ says
How exciting. Moving is always a big adjustment, but it sounds as though it is the right decision for you all. I remember how hard it was to leave the place where my eldest two were born, but in the end I settled somewhere new. I’m wishing you all much happiness in your new home. CJ xx
Kate says
Ginny, if I was your best friend or sister, I’d give you a big hug and say, “One of the things I love about you is your sensitivity and tender heart.” And then I’d slap you on the butt and say, “But, girl, you are depressing me!” Then I’d grab you by the hand and say, “Let’s explore your new digs.” Life is good!
c_ellis says
Chin up sweet Ginny. Home is where the heart is.
Katharina says
I’m so happy for you! God bless your new home and the old one for the next family to have a home there. 🙂
Ann says
Every home I’ve ever lived in with my husband I’ve cried when we left it so I understand the sadness. After a while the new home began to feel better than the old one which was one of the reasons we moved in the first place. I’m excited for you and your family to spread out a bit as you’ve mentioned the old house was a bit small and think of all those new photo opportunities. Have a peaceful weekend.
Kate says
I understand your sadness, but I feel so happy and excited for you! We’re thinking of moving from the house we’ve lived in for 15 years, but we haven’t actually listed our home for sale, merely put out the word to friends and friends of friends. We met a young family this weekend who want to get out of the city and live the rural life and I thought “these are the people I want living in my home.” The use and good we’ve had from our home is past, but I could picture this new family embarking a new journey in our home and getting the same joy we’ve had from it. I felt more excitement for them, than unhappiness for us. I’m now praying it works out all around for us and them. Pray that someone who needs the love and joy of your old home, finds their way to its door.
Renee Anne says
It must have happened fast because, seriously, I thought you were joking when you posted on Instagram that you were moving into your new house. I was like, “Bwah?! How did I miss that?!”
Deborah says
It looks beautiful! That staircase!
Wendy says
So excited that you can see God’s hand in all of this! Embrace all of your emotions! Congratulations–can’t wait to see more!
Leslie says
Congratulations! We are going through the very same thing. In fact, I have just taken a break from packing up my kitchen to check my emails, etc. Yesterday, it all hit home for me and I just got so very mixed up in how I felt. I really think it was packing up the kitchen, where we have celebrated together, eaten every day, enjoyed our school days and so much more. I keep telling my children that we aren’t leaving anything, we are taking all the important moments and memories right with us in our hearts. I can’t wait to hear all about this wonderful new adventure for you and your family.
Kendra says
Congratulations! I cried big ugly tears when we left the house that my children were born in (okay they were born in a hospital but you get it). Still when I drive past it, five + years later, it pulls at my heartstrings. Leaving for me was really rough, but new beginnings are always so good.
Erika says
I had prayed for a “special intention” for many years in our old home for a bigger space out in the country. Once the prayers were answered I became so troubled I actually sought spiritual advice to affirm our decision. It was so hard to leave memories, good memories, a good home. Give yourself some time for things to normalize. Change was hard coming for me but I am so content now. I hope you can enjoy your gift! Prayers and excited to see and hear more!
Christy says
These photographs are stunning!
I also have a really tight connection to homes and places, and a great hatred of change, so I understand how emotionally difficult it must be, but I’m honestly so happy for you and your family. I’m sure you’ll be so blessed by your new home and make many wonderful memories!
Vicky says
Wishing you and your family much happiness in your new home. It is the people that make a house a home so I feel sure you will all settle in beautifully. God bless.
Patty bl says
Wow this news is exciting but you leave more questions unanswered than answered! How are we supposed to handle the suspense and excitement?!? We are in the process of buying a huge run down old beautiful fixer on 20 acres and everyone in our circle is also dying to see it. Now I get their suspense haha!
Erin says
Oh hugs Ginny, changes, bittersweet. In your update be sure to tell what happened to all that extra land you bought, are you keeping it! Does this place have land for your family to roam?
But yes your children’s bodies are getting bigger and a larger home will make for easier sanity. Been there. The home looks beautiful!!xx
Anne says
Your new house is beautiful Ginny! Is it larger than your previous one? I know you’ve said before that it could sometimes feel a bit too snug. Many prayers for a smooth transition!
Amy says
So excited for you all! Looking forward to seeing more glimpses of your new home.
sonrie says
We all have the capacity to have emotional ties to place- whether a home, a town, the woods, etc. It is so brave to leave one place but also then to create new ties somewhere else. You can mourn a home, just like anything else. 🙂
Bee says
I’ve been anxiously watching this blog for an update after seeing the news on Instagram! 🙂 I can only imagine the mixed emotions you experienced while leaving your old house. To some extent, I can understand…my parents recently moved from the home they had lived in since I was born. I moved out of there for college, obviously, but it was still like my “second” home because – like you – it was the house I’d lived in longest. It felt weird and a little painful to let that go.
At the same time, though (this is a cliche, but a true one) I feel like the people and the memories made somewhere are what make a home YOUR home, and those are the things you carry with you. They are not attached to a place, they are inside you and around you, no matter where you go. They cannot go away :).
Give yourself all the time you need to adjust to your new surroundings, and relish the new things it brings you (those roses! that cute front (?) door! more space!). I look forward to reading about your life in this new place! All the best to you and your family.
Marcie says
I love your small house!
melanie moore says
the wood work is stunning! the new home looks like arts and craft time period which is my favorite. when we moved 8 years ago from our home that my girls grew up in, I cried and cried. I stayed behind after everyone was out and everything was moved. I walked through each room remembering and saying goodbye. it brought me closure and it might help you too. actually, once the rooms were empty and void of my people, it didn’t feel like home anymore. I was able to close the door with a smile on fond memories and I remember driving up my new driveway anxious and excited for our new beginning, because I realized home is where my family is 🙂
Mary says
The wood work is beautiful. I can’t wait to see more.
Amy says
Ginny, your faith in God is just so beautiful to me. May he bless you through all your challenges of this move.
Laura says
I remember similar feelings leaving our home last year- a fixer-upper that we poured ourselves into and in the course of 13 years brought three babies home to live within the walls. We sold it to a younger family we know and have watched grow up and love them dearly. This part helped make it easier to say goodbye but we are an hour away in a new town for husband’s job. Strange to see other little boys growing up in that home, but so good to know it is still loved. My husband and I prayed for their family- both before we knew who would buy the home and after- a blessing for each room- that their family and faith would grow stronger within the walls of our old home. It was a beautiful way to say goodbye to it and hold the memories still. We are making new memories in our new home and town, and I know one day this home will be hard to let go of as well. Cannot wait to hear how God has blessed you with more space to glorify Him ❤️
Kelly says
“I suspect that this will feel like a loss for some of you as well, just peeking in the window of this blog, it’s still hard to let go.” Exactly! I was surprised at my reaction to this news. Like a really good book, it always hard to read that last page and shut the cover. But I look forward to your story in a new setting!
Sheila says
The memories from one house will soon blend right in with the new memories being made….and just think of the blessing of all these years you have documented your days on your blog! ❤️
Christi {Jealous Hands} says
I so understand holding the places tightly. It can be so hard to let go. But you’re right, exciting things are ahead! Looking toward the future with you, and can’t wait to see more as you’re able. xo
Norma says
At least you can visit your old home…..looking forward to the stories and memories you will make in your new home. Never a dull moment on here…..wishing you years of Blessings in your new home.
Andee says
You know the saying new house new baby 🙂 I wish you the best of luck with your move and look forward to hearing about your new journey along the way.
Kathy Snyder says
I feel the same way about moving and big changes. It might be for the best but I’m not a big fan of change. It will work out because you hold your memories in your heart. This too will become a home where new memories are made.
Jane says
A breath of sharp, cold, frosted air, welcoming a new season. Praying all goes well for you, Ginny. I know the longing for a previous season while also anticipating the next. Joy mixed with sorrow.
Looking forward to sharing in your journey 🙂
Ann Voskamp says
Oh Ginny.
I love you.
I can’t wait to hear more.
Elizabeth says
Moving is a really big life change! I find your reaction very normal! Of course it is a huge change! But you’ve been needing more space for quite a while and there is a lot of good in this move, I can already see and feel it. I look forward to hearing more as time goes on. Now we will pray for just the right people to move into your own home; I know that my parents-in-law moved this summer, leaving a home of 41 years. But it was time and God blessed them with a family to take on their place and have a new generation there. You have prayed in this house and those prayers will never leave you or the blessing of that home. Sometimes change really *is* the best thing – done with God’s mercy – which clearly this is how it is for you – may your new home have peace in it for you all and comfort. God’s blessings to you!!! and your new home! Will be praying for your adjustment! God’s strength to you!
Shanda says
So excited for you . Enjoy your new home.
Meryl says
I understand the sadness completely, but those bookshelves, Ginny! Oh my goodness, those bookshelves!