I spent quite a few years after getting divorced living up north of Portland, Oregon in a little town named Columbia City trying to prove to myself and everyone else that I was a successful, single-mom.
Once I had proven that to myself (and realized that I didn't need to prove it to anyone else), I decided to move home to Southern Oregon where most of our family lived.
I rented a house for awhile in Grants Pass which was hard for me after owning my own place up in Columbia City (a little, old house that I bought after the divorce). Once I had saved up some money though, I ended up buying a little, yet-to-be-built house in a sub-division right by Ross's school.
It was kind of cool because I got to pick the lot I wanted and got to pick some of the details for the house (so long as those details were within the budget).
And that's me standing in the lot I picked. (Too bad they cut all those trees down a few years later.)
I used to stop by there on my way to work every morning (Remember?...I was a dental hygienist for 12 years) to see how much progress they had made.
That's what it looked like when it was just about done. (And that's Ross walking in front of it.) It was kind of small (about 1350 sq. ft.) but it was what I could afford and it was perfect for me and Ross and Coley.
And that's a picture Ross took of me on the front porch.
And that's a picture I took of Ross & Coley just a few weeks before we moved in. (It was 2004 so they were 3 & 12).
We're living in the new, old house already and just have one more load of stuff to haul over from the old, new house before it's empty. And then, we just have a few things to work on over there before it's ready to rent. (We decided not to sell it because the market is so bad right now.)
I thought I was going to be sad about leaving that house because I always have a tendency to mourn change a little bit (even when it's good change).
But I'm not.
It was a good time in our little lives. I was proud and excited and hopeful and even though I had a tough time envisioning what the future might look like for the 3 of us, we were happy where we were.
I met Josh Downs on an airplane about 4 months later and we moved our little family of 6 into the new, old house another 4 years after that.
Life has lots of little, wonderful, crazy, unexpected plans.
I just love the stories and the pictures your share.
Posted by: Dina | June 22, 2009 at 10:39 AM
It's funny how you get attached to a house. I still drive by our old house, that looked alot like your old, new house. I just see it like a chapter in a book, you smile and turn the page to see what's next.
Congrats on your new chapter.
Posted by: Jo Baer | June 22, 2009 at 11:48 AM
It is so easy to get attached to a house, although not everyone can understand by just how much :) I love reading your blog... I grew up in GP (actually Merlin) and it's nice to read and see pictures taken around the area since I'm not able to go down and visit as much as I would like to...
Posted by: Tori | June 22, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Whats so funny right now is I am trying to do the math in my head.. I have been in St Helens going on 5 years in October. I work in Columbia City and run all over town(literally)LOL.. I am trying to picture where your home was at..Anyway i hope you enjoy your new,old house. I am all about change and welcome it which is good since as of this October this will be the longest we have lived in one place...I am hoping I get registered for one of the classes when registration opens even though I may be out of town.. wish me luck...:)
Posted by: lynn boyle | June 22, 2009 at 12:56 PM
My husband and I built a new house too about 5 years ago. We thought it would be everything we dreamed of until we had our son, and we were 800 miles away from our family. We left that new house last year to move back to our home state and into a house that was 50 years old. We've never felt more at home, and I was not sad to leave the new house behind. But your photos reminded me of how exciting it was to build that new home. It was my son's first home, but this old house is where he will spend his childhood (and hopefully adulthood when he takes over ownership). Congrats on the new, old house and the memories it will hold for your family.
Posted by: Wendy Goodman | June 22, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Boy does it. I don't know you at all but wanted to let you know that your post touched me. I only recently discovered your blog when someone suggested I take your class - which is full and I can't really afford. But still, I'm hoping to take it, because that's what I need to look forward to. I hope to be able to take better photos of my kids. They will never really know just what I've gone through for them, but at least I'll have a few photos of the better times. Hugs to you and best wishes on your journey.
Posted by: Jennifer L | June 22, 2009 at 01:20 PM
look how tiny they were! oh my gosh!
what a great pic.
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | June 22, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Can't wait to see all the pictures you take in your new, old house!
Posted by: kelli | June 22, 2009 at 01:59 PM
You and I are so very alike...sorry Karen. You make ME very proud!!
Valerie
Posted by: Valerie | June 22, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Karen I give you three years and all the excess sq ft you just gained will be gone! Best Wishes on your new old house. Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie | June 22, 2009 at 02:23 PM
your journey and family are beautiful.
:)
Posted by: sassafrasanne | June 22, 2009 at 02:30 PM
It's all good..glad you guys are almost totally moved in...thus begins the next part of your journey together! ;-)
Posted by: Kathy C. | June 22, 2009 at 02:31 PM
You are going to need to get a new magnolia tree for the new, old house! :)
Posted by: Brooke - in Oregon | June 22, 2009 at 04:04 PM
love that picture of your boys... my boys are 11 and 2 right now... that will be them in a year.
Posted by: eh | June 22, 2009 at 04:12 PM
and the story ends...or begins...."and they all lived happily ever after".
Hugs,Congratulations,and Enjoy!
Posted by: janel | June 22, 2009 at 07:09 PM
If you can find me a teaching job in Oregon, I'll buy your new old house! It is so cute! :)
Posted by: Gretl | June 22, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Where do you take all the energy and strength from? --- I really admire you for your life journey and I hope I will be such an energetic and positive mom later on once I have kids.
Love your blog!! Thank you so much for sharing...Makes me couragous for life´s journey... MY life Journey... who knows what to come!?
Posted by: Anne | June 23, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Love when you share little stories about your life!
Posted by: Deneen | June 23, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Wow Karen I didn't know the story behind your old house. A big Congrats to you...you have an amazing story filled with inspiration for all of us. Thanks so much for sharing. Knowing you has changed my life.
Posted by: Tracy | June 23, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Karen, this is beautiful post. You always know how to find the beauty in change.
Posted by: Megan | June 23, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Don't I know about changes, just got a divorce after 20 years, left my just 18 and 2009 graduate son with his dad in the house we built 15 years ago.. and moved to GP to be with the new love of my life a somewhat younger man ( 13 years) guess that makes me a cougar..... But am ready for what life throws my way, oh did I say I quit my dental job in Medford too.....
Love you Karen and miss ya
Laura P
Southern OR
Posted by: Laura Plunk | June 23, 2009 at 05:32 PM
And life is good, isn't it!
Posted by: Jayne | June 23, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Good for you Karen!! It's always good to see good things happen to good people!!
I'm very happy for you and your family..
thanks for sharing..
Posted by: teresa b | June 25, 2009 at 02:51 PM