We're halfway through the year and normally we would be chugging along on our projects we laid out to accomplish at the beginning of every year. You can read 2019's project list that we wrote three weeks into January right here if you want. We outlined 8 projects we wanted to accomplish--6 of them were at the cabin. (We lost the cabin to a fire just 3ish weeks after we wrote that post). The rest of the year leading up to this point has been a whirlwind of mourning, planning, pivoting and picking ourselves up--but man, do we have plans now!
Since announcing we were moving, many of you have asked if we would be moving if the cabin hadn't burned down. Interestingly enough, I know for sure the answer to this question. Our last weekend at the cabin, less than 36 hours before it was ashes, Chris and I had a long conversation about moving or staying in our current home. We had been looking at Zillow and seeing a few homes all of January just out of curiosity. But that weekend, one night in particular, we decided to officially stay in our current home (the one we just sold) and enjoy the fruits of all the years of our labor, live in contentment and focus on renovating the cabin. A huge weight felt like it was lifted and I was so happy.
Obviously the fire rocked our world in a lot of ways and we sat still for some time before deciding to do a flip! (Which fell through in a bad inspection). We found some peace in taking on the Fullmer kitchen. It allowed us to keep our minds busy and to stay comfortable in our home at the same time. Being creative and renovating their space was incredibly healing. My friends noted how nice it was to see me laughing and goofy again. I felt lighter. I felt productive.
When my parents sold their home (they lived next door--a perk you don't just give up lightly) we were in a place that felt night and day different than that winter evening in February. We no longer felt content, but almost stuck and we were craving progression. We widened our search to include a city 30 minutes from where we lived, started looking at homes again and ultimately found THE one we moved into last week. The one we want to be in indefinitely.
Behind the scenes, we were (and are) still dealing with insurance to recoup the cabin loss and determine our options. We have yet to hear anything about the cause of the fire, but the investigation started a couple weeks ago and we're hoping for clear answers. And though I still have anxiety when I think about it, we have decided we'd like to rebuild the cabin. It feels right. It feels like healing. We're working with a builder who is currently putting together the cost-to-rebuild, which we'll give to our insurance and hopefully begin making some kind of progress.
They said it will likely be 2 years until we have a rebuilt cabin, which also factored into our decision to move. 2 years is a long time for a creative homebody mind to sit still. And though I don't wish this year's events on anybody, I am so grateful we were lead to this property and home that is going to be a wonderful place for our family. It's overwhelming, but inspiring and we can't wait to begin making it ours, starting now.
A fresh list of projects on deck coming at you this week!
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Lovely post.. I thrilled you are going to rebuild the cabin. So excited to see the work on your new home. ❤️
I would say—on a stress scale, that you’re going off the charts!! Did your parents move to ID Falls, too? My entire married life (30 years this November) has been spent living far away from any family, like over 1000 miles!
Is the cabin closer or further from your new house?
It's closer by 10 minutes!
Posts like this are why you are one of my favorite bloggers! So honest and real.
I'm curious: How does your new house compare to the one you thought you wanted so much that you knocked on their door and made them an offer?
Loved this post so much! Have loved following you and your family.....and will continue to do so. Excited to follow you making this new home your own....and I’m happy to hear the news that you think you’ll rebuild the cabin. Exciting times for you....and for your followers!
I’m so sorry about the loss of your cabin, apart from the loss of a place you worked I’m sure so hard on, it must feel very unsettling and disturbing not to know. Since you really keep your homes up well, it must feel even stranger. You both must have gone over and over it...Are there any areas that make you think it could have been that? I know I’ve heard dryer vents are common or old wiring etc?
I hope your insurance wraps up soon and answers are found for your family. And best of all always, no one was hurt.
If you haven’t already, Bob Goff wrote both everybody always and love does. (Maria Goff, his wife, also wrote love lives here. 10/10 recommend too!) and they went through a similar experience with their cabin.
He’s a phenomenal writer and incredible human. If you haven’t read, I can’t recommend enough!
Your strength is amazing and beautiful!! So happy you were able to find your forever home!!! (And can not wait to follow you through your rebuild journey!!)
I love this post and the wonderful perspective you have about this year. Looking forward to all the wonderful stuff coming up!
Beautiful, positive post - thank you for sharing. I’m so invested in the lives of a family I’ll never meet, half a world away : ) xxx
I almost just cried when I read you're planning to rebuild the cabin. I'm so happy to hear that! It feels like healing, just like you said. The A-frame cabin adventures aren't over, just on pause.
I'm glad that you are rebuilding the cabin since it is such a beautiful spot in the woods. I assume that it will be some form of an A-frame because of the snows, but are you going for a different layout or possibly a main cabin with some smaller "bunkhouses" to fit your large extended family?
Since you moved, how far is the drive time to the cabin area? Thanks and take care!
That would be fun! Chris wants to do a separate guest tree house, but we'll see. The cabin is actually a little closer now! Just by 10-15 minutes but it's feels faster.
I'm so happy to hear that you have decided to rebuild the cabin! The feeling of peace was so easily felt in all the photos that you shared :) The view was amazing and the memories you made there as a family were joy filled! And that's what it's all about :)
Only you guys would think of quickly renovating the Fullmer’s kitchen as a relaxing break instead of an insane sprint.
Thank you for being open about this. For some reason, I feel like some people think of it as a failure or quitting on something to change your mind, especially about big decisions like moving. Which is ridiculous! We have no idea what life is going to throw our way, and if we don’t adapt, we will spend our time wishing for what was, and lamenting a life you no longer have, while missing out on a beautiful life you never imagined! I am so excited for you guys, and look forward to seeing the home(s) you will create!!!
I can totally relate to your feeling of wanting progression, and am encouraged by your manta "don't wait." Thank you. I do have a question for you I hope you can help - how did you deal with the children (at least your oldest) changing school districts? (I'm just assuming that's whats happened with a move that far?) That's whats been a big reason for us feeling "stuck." It would be great to hear your opinion and feelings about how the move affects your children as its been a big worry of mine. What age would you think it is "too old" for kids to move - I've tried to do research on this topic as well does not seem like there is any right answer ;) So opinions really help! Thanks!!!
Oh my goodness, kids are so resilient!!! My family moved ACROSS THE COUNTRY during my senior year of highschool. It was terrible. But I eventually met Chris here. So, all good things. The girls are excited about new friends and a new school.
Laura, I wanted to comment as a now adult who moved many times as a kid. Not military, had a father play professional sports. By 6th grade, 1 moved 4 times. It was rough at the time, but kids that young are resilient. Dad retired after 7th grade, so I was excited to never move again. Nope! He found a job in a new city, and we moved again the summer before 8th grade. Stayed there through my sophomore year in high school, and moved back to our old town. But new school and kids. I will tell you that for me, it was much easier to move in grade school. The cliques start forming in 7th grade(was still called Jr. High back then), and it becomes much harder to find that new group of friends. If I were to move to a new school/district, I would try and do it before 7th grade for sure. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
I don’t have kids but would think that transferring classes, credits, etc. would be more difficult the older a kiddo gets. Different class offerings depending on the schools, arts programs, etc. My cousin knew she would need to move for her job in the next few years and made the move before her eldest got to middle school. (Illinois to Texas. Schools are a smidge different.) I know that even in our area on the north side of Houston, different schools in different districts were dramatically different.
We almost moved from Idaho to Texas..it was a big deal in Texas to move schools. The school's im Idaho are fairly reciprocal.
From what I saw growing up, it always seemed like kids who moved at the start of middle school or starting high school had the easiest transition to new friends since it was an adjustment to a new school for everyone. Being involved in activities also helps kids (or adults) make friends quickly! Sports/music/drama/church/etc.
Of course I feel for the loss of your family cabin so I don't say this comment lightly. But isn't it interesting how your path was shifted to (what seems like) a new path that you need to be on? I'm excited for your future.
This!!! I've been thinking this since the announcement of the new home. We all mourn the loss of that lovely cabin. But DANG I'm excited to see how this new home comes together alongside a cabin rebuild in the future. So happy for this sweet family we love!
I’m super excited for this new chapter in ya’lls life. I feel that buying this house was the right move for you all. The house is absolutely beautiful. It is sad that the cabin burned down, and y’all had already made so much progress in it. I was listening to the podcast where y’all talk about the steep drive to get to the cabin, and how Chris had to shovel snow for two hours. Even though y’all found someone that could shovel it, it doesn’t seem practical. That alone might make me reconsider rebuilding. Everything happens for a reason, and maybe it be better to move on from it.
I can't wait to read the project list! I'm glad to see the joy your family is feeling, thank you for sharing it with us all. And - rebuild the cabin!! YAY! The view from that property is so incredible!
What a beautiful post, inspiring and uplifting. You guys are the best! I can’t wait to follow along the next part of your journey to see the incredible things you’re going to do. ❤️
What a beautiful post ❤️. So uplifting and motivating! You guys are the best! I can’t wait to follow along!
Beautifully message that things work out the way they should! I can’t wait to see what you do with both properties. Congratulations!