Mountain Lane Homesteaders

A bit of our Montana story........

I thought I would share some of the tale of our journey to Montana with you all so you can understand the gratefulness we feel to have landed here on this most awesome and beautiful piece of earth. 

For many many years my husband Sam and I would sit and dream about one day having enough money to move out west and buy property in the mountains to build a home on.  Most of those conversations just centered on BEING in the mountains with no real goal in mind.  Seems like Saturday morning breakfasts over pancakes with our  kids was when the conversations would always begin.  Unfortunately, as a young married couple with 3 kids, the imaginations and dreams always bummed out when the "how can we make it happen?" question would arise.  We were a single income family so that I could be at home full time with the kids.  The income to pick up and move across country (we were in Iowa), purchase land, and build a house just was NOT there.

After painting houses for several years, a short art business, more house painting, working for a finance company, and giving a try at self employment in the insurance and investment industry, we were burnt out.  Try as we might to figure out how to "make it" enough to finance the dream, it just wasn't going to happen.

Finding ourselves once again in job transition Sam looked at me one day and said, "You know, why don't we just move to the mountains?"  After I stood looking at him like maybe he had gone insane he continued..."We've always talked about wanting to move west into the mountains.  If not now then WHEN?"  I had to concede the point.  We were in job transition anyway and our kids were getting older and settled into their school.  I had just "graduated" from an 11 year period in MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) and was wondering what was next for me.  BUT HOW? WHERE? WAS I REALLY READY TO MOVE?  We finally decided that Sam would continue his job search locally but would also begin looking into something "West".

Once we were both fully on board with the possibility of moving to pursue the dream even though it meant moving far away from friends and family we stopped trying to figure out exactly HOW to make it happen and just let ourselves start believing that perhaps it COULD.  We did things backwards of most "sensible" people.  Although there was no job in hand we sat down at the computer and started looking for properties in 5 different western states.  When it became clear that it was just too difficult to cover such a large area we decided that of all the 5 states, Montana just FELT right!  So, we narrowed our search and found a property that got us drooling and pointed us in the right direction.  

I think it's time to end this post before people decide it looks too long to read but I'll pick up the story at this point next time.   I'm hoping that there's someone out there who is dreaming a dream and can take heart from our story that they really CAN come true even though you may feel like it is utterly impossible. 

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9:23 PM, Tuesday, July 11, 2006 .. Posted by jenna

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm dreaming about a future that seems impossible, so it's nice to hear you made it! :)

I look forward to hearing the rest!

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5:36 AM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by candy

What a great beginning to your story. I am also looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks for sharing!

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6:55 AM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by BuzyMumof3sons

I can't wait to read the rest of your story!!!! We're hoping someday to get our own homestead as well!

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7:34 AM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by happymama

OOOOHHHHH...keep going!!!! I was born and raised in Montana, but I now live in Southern CA. I miss home and hope to return there someday! Thankyou for sharing! What a neat and inspiring story!
Blessings, Rossie

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8:49 AM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by morningsunshine

thank you for sharing... we need to do it too... I have always dreamed of Montana... I cannot wait to read the rest

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5:37 PM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by Anonymous

I am from Montana, and my parents still live there. However, my husband and I had been living in Florida for many years. Six years ago, we felt led of the Lord to move West so that we could be closer to my family. We didn't want the severe winters of Montana, though, so we targeted SW Idaho, which is milder in climate. We came here without a job, not knowing a soul, never having been here before. For us Idaho was/is a dream come true after longing for a climate change for years from the humidity of Florida. Sometimes, you just have to step out in faith.
I'm glad you all did that and that you are living your dream!

Oops

5:38 PM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 .. Posted by Patti

The above comment from anonymous is from me. Guess I forgot to login.