February 23, 2009

I Have a Dream

So many changes going on around here- just giddy with excitement at what the future holds for us. My perspective has shifted lately. That seems to be a theme for me this past year, the snowball effect of embracing who I really am. We have decided to make a move, a lifestyle change seems to be in order.

Land, trees, crickets, exploring, peace and streams. These are a few of my favorite things.

My heart has been yearning for the country for quite some time but fear was keeping me rooted in the suburbs. I realize now that fear is a silly reason not to grasp for your dreams. Maddie graduates from high school in just over 2 years and since Emma will still be in elementary school, we realize that it is the perfect time to move our little nature lover to a place where she can live the kind of life she dreams of.

We are in the research phase right now, looking at home plans (although we haven't ruled out renovating an old farm house), looking at land and deciding on location. Any of you Indiana locals out there wanna give me feedback on the location thing? We're focusing in on Hendricks county, particularly Danville.

So that's my dream. I'm happy to be working towards making it come true. What's your dream and how are you trying to make it a reality?

Pics(top: from laurelullandarchitecture.com (Seasons of Canon Falls house), the rest: countryliving.com)

33 comments:

  1. This sounds so wonderful Jen! You are a true inspiration. Keep on going for it!

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  2. I hope you can fulfill that dream. Living in the country is wonderful! I hope and pray that we never have to live in town again. Sitting on the porch enjoying the sounds of nature, the boys exploring in the trees, deer grazing in the yard..... Love it!

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  3. It is a dream of mine to live in the country too. I wish you the best as you pursue your dream! The house you showed is beautiful.

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  4. It is a dream of mine to live in the country too. I wish you the best as you pursue your dream! The house you showed is beautiful.

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  5. Sounds like such a wonderful dream! We are currently renovating our home, which is a much longer and larger project that I thought it would be. Hope you find your perfect solution!

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  6. I also dream of moving to the country. Our jobs keep us where we are at the moment, but there is a plan in the works to allow telecommuting from anywhere and I'm praying it becomes a reality at some point so we can also move.

    Good luck to you!

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  7. Sounds wonderful. By the way, I'm completely in love with the house you have pictured.

    My BIL & SIL love living out in the country. They have a lake, horses, and the most amazing trees. With the exception of it being way to far out of town for my tastes, I love it.

    They have the greatest neighbors around too.

    Good luck finding your dream home. I know it'll be beautiful.

    A

    P.S. I'm still a little stunned by the "Maddie graduates from high school in just over 2 years" phrase. Say it ain't so friend! I remember her holding baby Lauren when she was just a little gal...probably about the age Lauren is now - 8 1/2. Where did the time go.

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  8. Go with your dream. We purchased 6 acres in south east Ohio when our son was a baby and built a home there when he was 5 and my daughter was 2. Although we had to go a long distance to school it was worth it. They have grown into independent souls who do not follow the crowd. They have a love of nature and a sense that they can do whatever they dream of in life. Now that they are 17 and 21 my hubby and I have tossed around moving to an urban site since we have done the suburbs and the country,but all this privacy is a hard thing to give up. Pam

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  9. how exciting jen!!
    i can just see you now , filling up a farm house & baking in a fabulous kitchen overlooking an herb garden of course
    wink!!
    can't wait to watch as your dreams unfold
    xo

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  10. Good Morning Jen...How exciting! I have only a little bit of country but I love it. I love the freedom it allows the children and the extra space for enjoying a little nature. Right now I am dreaming of a cutting garden... http://lifeatbuttercupfarm.com/dreams-of-a-cutting-garden/ ...in the midst of sketching, gathering suggestions, and reading about all of the possibilities.

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  11. OMG You and Sweet Hubby have been making huge decisions! I'm happy for you!

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  12. Just wanted to say that I love your blog and have been "blog stalking" it for awhile. I especially loved this post today and those farmhouses are beautiful. Good for you decided to live your dream!
    Amanda in Alabama

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  13. I don't know what the future has for me as far as where I will live but for now I am trying to make my casita a home, even if I have to pack it up soon and move. My dream is to have a beach house, so I find myself beachcombing just about everywhere and adding little bits here and there.

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  14. i just love changes, and it sounds like you are ready for one!
    xo

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  15. What beautiful homes you pictured. Congrats on deciding to make your dream a reality!
    ~Michelle

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  16. how exciting, jen! keep us all posted on the process. i love my house -- it is a dream come true for me -- even though the yard was making me a bit overwhelmed today. raking in february?

    anyway, please feel free to pop over to my blog. i'm having a THINKSPRING GIVE-AWAY and there's still time left to enter.

    xo

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  17. So excited to have found your blog. I absolutely love the white house you have featured. Indiana is such a wonderful state. There is a little town called Rising Sun, on the Ohio River. Quaint, adorable little Main Street.

    I will add your blog link to my site right now, would hate to miss out on your adventure.

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  18. The thought of moving to the country for me sounds like a dream too! Changes are good, can't wait to see what you decide on!

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  19. Sounds like a good dream that's coming true. My husband and I have a dream to move near the family cottage. Good luck in your search~

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  20. Jen I can see you in a house just like the one you posted. It seems like it was meant to be for you. I'm so excited for you and your family and to see your dream come true. And two years seems like perfect timing too. RJ

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  21. What an exciting season in your life! To reach out and grasp a hold of what you have longed for! :o)
    We lead a pretty simple life, but that was always my dream. Married, children, living in the country, and having chickens! :o) To me, I am living my dream! :o) Of course there are areas of fine tuning, but overall, it is all I ever hope for but never prayed for. I guess you can say fear held me back too. :o)
    Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

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  22. Isn't change exciting!!! I am so happy for you. I know nothing about that area, but I look forward to hearing about it!!

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  23. We moved to Carmel from Hendricks County (Avon). Jennifer now lives in Brownsburg. Jennifer's best friend wants to do the same thing!

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  24. My dream is similar, which is shocking considering I've always lived in a very densely populated area (the San Francisco bay area). But we have small kids now, and I'm tired of the crowds and traffic, and constant financial struggle in a place where median home prices (even in this economy) are over a million dollars in most places. I want simplicity! A peaceful life somewhere with trees and good schools and a quieter pace.

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  25. That sounds wonderful. My hsuband and I both would like to have a few acres. A couple years back we found our dream home with seven acres in a equestrian community neighborhood but luck wasn't on our side and we didn't get the property.

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  26. Very exciting new Jen... I'm looking forward to watching your dream become a reality.

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  27. I get giddy just looking at the photos of houses you are thinking of, all of which would be my dream as well! How exciting!

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  28. What a beautiful DREAM... it's mine too :-)It's hard to keep the Country girl's heart in the city for too long. Here's to living your dream Jen!

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  29. I am thrilled for you....and happy for my since you will be a little closer!!!
    XO~Hope

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  30. Go for it-We did the same thing-moved to the country- love it! And we built our house as well- found the plan while standing in line at the Grand Union- Better Homes and Gardens. We've been here now for 12 years.I love it more each day. AND just think how much you'll be helping the economy!!!PS my home looks very similar to the one you have pics of- a new house that looks old . All the best with plans for a new nest,

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  31. We are in the process of building our own little country dream home after leaving the city life behind (woohoo!) and purchasing some land. Feel free to check out our blog all about building it... http://thenewfarmhouse.blogspot.com.

    I can't wait to get to decorate it! :) Love your blog.

    ~Ashley

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  32. I am so excited to have found your blog!!! I love your decorating style.

    I totally relate to your dream. This week, we finally broke ground on our dream for a little bit of country life. It was years in the making, but totally worth it.

    I can't wait to scan through your posts...

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  33. My hubby is from Brownsburg and my in-laws have a beautiful piece of rural property there. I work in Zionsville and I've seen some amazing homes there too complete with horses and donkeys! I always thought I 'd be a suburban girl for life but I have a feeling when we go for our "forever home" it will be somewhere out that way too. Good luck!

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