I have a story to tell. And it’s personal.
It’s not an awesome recipe or an easy DIY. And to bare it all here on the web where everyone can see it is kinda scary.
But I’m hoping that by sharing it, you’ll see that I’m just like you. I struggle. My family goes through hard times and we have to make tough decisions too.
Still, there is hope to be found.
It’s hard to know where to start really, but with any story, it’s best to start at the beginning.
2008
In April 2008, when my son was six months old, we set our sights on California and put our house on the market.
When other houses in our neighborhood kept dropping in price and not selling, our house sold in two weeks – a near impossible feat.
While we waited for the house to close, we looked for another place to live. Randomly and out of the blue, I somehow reconnected with an old friend and roommate.
She was going through a divorce and was worried about making her mortgage… and we needed a place to stay where we didn’t have to sign a lease or deal with the costs associated with moving utilities.
We rented two bedrooms and set a goal to move in 8 weeks.
Do you know how hard it is to get a job out of state? Getting your resume past the screener in human resources is practically impossible.
As recruiters saw Texas as our current address, they would automatically say no. They didn’t want to pay for relocation. They didn’t want to take a chance on someone who might not even like the area and weren’t going to give the qualifications of the candidate a second glance.
Yet one manager did and called my husband for a phone interview… and offered him the job.
We shipped 20 boxes, packed up our two cars and drove 1600 miles in 2 days.
What we set as a lofty goal to move halfway across the country in 8 weeks, God made happen in 6.
2011-2013
Moving to California was one of the best things that could have ever happened to my family. We found friends, grew close to family and most important of all, we all came to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
But about five years into our life on the West coast, something started to tug inside. There was a desire to move – to where, we didn’t know. But we knew deep down that California wasn’t going to be our forever home.
We started looking at jobs outside of California. There was an opportunity in Mississippi, another one two hours down the coast and countless interviews. My husband began to fit job descriptions perfectly, as he went back to school and later took on positions in management. A few of them came with salaries more than we had never even dreamed of making.
We prayed for an opportunity that would be good for the family, but none of them felt right. So we said no to all of them.
In November 2013, my step-mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She started treatment 2 months later and we decided to stay in California through her treatment, one way or the other. We stopped looking for jobs and put relocating on the back burner.
Early 2015
In January of 2015, we were given the opportunity for my husband to work from home. It came with a pay cut, but we lived well within our means and had already paid off our debt a few years before. The amount of flexibility the new job offered and the increase in time together as a family felt like an answer to a prayer we hadn’t yet asked for. We took the leap and said yes.
At the end of March, my step-mom became very, very ill. She spent one week in the hospital before coming home on a Thursday. Monday morning, she was admitted again. My dad and I stayed at the hospital until she passed the day after Easter while my husband was at home with the kids.
Early Summer 2015
As we all began to find our new normal, home prices started to skyrocket, jumping up by $25,000 every few weeks.
Our rent went up. Then 2 months later, it went up again.
We looked for more affordable options in the area and in our search, saw a vacant unit in our complex listed for more than what the latest increase was. This meant a third rental increase was inevitable, and our rent will have gone up $600 per month in the past 2 years. Despite this, we were still in the cheapest three bedroom in town.
The rapid increase in rent made living within our means incredibly difficult. The other option was to take on a $500,000 mortgage for 30 years. We felt stuck.
Mr. Crumbs and I were in DISASTROUS debt when we first got married, and we worked our tails off to pay it off. We refuse to be in that position again, so we started looking outside California again.
Fall 2015
We tossed out states like Oregon, Washington, North Carolina and Maryland… applying for more jobs than we could count, knowing that we’d have to overcome the “you live in another state” issue again. We prayed for opportunity, for patience and for guidance.
At the end of one particular job interview, my husband was asked if he was interested in Georgia. We honestly hadn’t considered Georgia before, but given the job hunt odds were against us, we were willing to give any opportunity a fair shot.
Two days after the interview they offered him the job.
We had been in this spot before – considering a good job opportunity that comes with sacrifice.
We would be leaving friends who have helped us to raise our kids and taught us what true friendship was. Friends who shared the Gospel with us and showed us what it meant to walk in faith. Family that has housed us, clothed us and fed us on a weekly basis for my daughter’s entire life.
But there was something different about this one. There was anxiety and fear, but there was peace too.
In all my praying, I’ve asked God to close doors that aren’t meant to be open, and make it incredibly clear the path He wants us to take. And that’s exactly what He did.
Mr. Crumbs starts his new job in Georgia the week after Thanksgiving. The kids and I will join him 2 weeks later. Our emotions are like a bag of jumbled up marbles, but there’s something deep down inside of both of us that tells us this is the right thing to do.
Difficult, yes. But right.
My favorite view of God is hindsight, seeing how His hand has been working to prepare us for the road that lies ahead.
There are so many instances and events that if they had not happened, we wouldn’t have been able to do something else.
I have always tried to be as transparent with you as I possibly can – to be personal and let you into my home beyond the kitchen table – but sometimes pretty pictures and Google-friendly search terms get in the way.
One of my goals for next year is to be intentional with my hospitality. To open my door for you more often so you can see beyond frugal food and easy DIY’s. So you can see the good, the bad and the difficult. And I figure there’s no harm in getting a head start on that goal.
For the rest of this year, I’m sharing a more personal post on Fridays. I’ll be open about what’s going in our lives as we pack up (literally) and move from California to Georgia. Between packing, shipping, selling, driving, eating and everything else in between, I have no doubt there will be plenty to talk about!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you want the play-by-plays of the Crumbs family moving across the country!!
The Crumbs family began a new chapter in November 2015, and I’m sharing the story as it unfolds every Friday here on the blog.
Here are the rest of the posts in this chapter:
- A New Chapter in Crumbs
- The Art of Selling Everything You Own
- Viewing Your Life in Terms of Boxes
- How to Live Minimally for Two Weeks
PS – Many of you knew we were making big decisions and you’ve emailed to express your thoughts and prayers – can I just say thank you?! I am seriously BLOWN AWAY by your outpouring of love and kindness. You have absolutely NO idea how much it means to us – thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Despite not being able to reply to them all, I read every single one of them, cherish the kind words and encouragement you are sharing, and I am sincerely thankful for every single one of you!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. By making a purchase through those links, I will earn commission that helps to keep the lights on in the Crumbs house – with no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Crumbs in this way. Read my full disclosure statement here.
Rebecca
What wonderful news for your family!! Congratulations on the move and the new job!!
Tiffany
Thank you Rebecca!!
kathy keane
This was a nice read! Exciting times in life…. that is what is so cool and truth be told… a little/lot scary, but when God opens the door…. you have a peace!! We have moved every time this way. I think once again…. we may be on the move. I absolutely love to look back and see His hand at work…. inspiring for all those looking at you and yours. Enjoy Ga. and the people… I was born there, and my oldest born there too. Fun and beautiful! A little humid… you kind of want AC, but you can grow more there than in NJ. lol
Jennifer
Welcome to the South! I live in N.E. Alabama! Good luck with your big move.
Diana E.
I’m so excited for your family! I live in Oregon but visited Tennessee 5 years ago as that was where my dad grew up. Totally felt like home for me. Some day I would love to live in the south!
Calista
Oh, my gosh! How exciting! I can’t wait to see what happens on your next adventure! Housing around here is obnoxious, isn’t it?
Tiffany
Obnoxious is an understatement, lol! I’m surprised we never ran into each other, but you have a place to visit if you come out East!
Rachel
What a great story. Thank you for sharing and I pray for safe travels and a smooth transition for everyone.
Welcome to the East Coast. I live further north than Georgia (as I’m in Philadelphia, PA), but I can tell you the cost of living is much cheaper than California, especially the south. I look forward to following along on your journeys.
Janet
The Army moved us to Columbus, Ga from Tacoma, Wa and it was so very scary. I completely understand your worries. Good news, we loved it! 7 years in Columbus followed by 3 in Savannah, Ga and now Ga will always be home. We’ve recently moved to the DC area with plans to move overseas in 2016, but Ga will always be home and it is where we plan to retire. The type of people you have left and will miss are the very same type of people you will find in GA – big hearted, God loving, neighborly, and friendly. I wish your family peace throughout the moving process and will look forward to reading about this exciting new chapter in your lives.
Heather
Yay! I’m so excited for you!! What an amazing adventure ahead. You never know how God will open up doors. There is always a blessing when you heed his call. I hope the move and transition goes smoothly!!
M.
Tiffany, thank you for sharing this. My prayers will be with you during this transition. With God, all things are possible. As a Southerner, I am biased for “my neck of the woods”, but I think–and pray!–y’all will love life in Georgia. God bless!
Melissa
WOW! Thanks for sharing your story. With God’s hand involved, it will all turn out okay, even tho it’s so scary to make such a huge move.
Joanna
Yay! That is so exciting that y’all chose Georgia! Since being married I have moved to Chattanooga, TN, but I grew up and still work in Georgia. I know moving is hard, but sometimes a new start can be refreshing! It is quite a transition for sure. The south is still far behind states like California regarding health food, but they are slowly incorporating better options at the grocery store. I can’t wait to follow along and see your discoveries. God is good and safe travels on your journey!
Michelle
We live in Ringgold, GA, nearly a stone’s throw from Chattanooga, TN. We moved here 8 years ago, and it feels like this is where we were meant to be. We’ve got lots of farmers markets, a nearby Costco (and a Sam’s), an Aldi, a Publix AND an Azure Standard Cooperative. I get fresh milk from the cow at a nearby farm for $3 a gallon, and grass fed beef from.a farmer friend for $4.50/pound. I love it here! Best yet, churches are abundant, so plugging into a church was fairly simple (even for this introvert). Welcome to the South!
Tiffany
Thank you Michelle! I haven’t explored much beyond the immediate area yet, but I have seen signs for Chattanooga so I take that to mean you’re not too far away! Looking forward to that raw milk price!
Shasta
Georgia is beautiful! We live in East Texas (I always have), but my mama is from Georgia, and we have lots of relatives there. I hope y’all’s move goes smoothly.
Tiffany
Thank you Shasta!
Kim
God is good!!!!
Good luck with your move. We live in
Chickamauga, GA…what part will you be
calling home? Where we live is country,
with farms and fields everywhere but close
enough to town for anything we do need.
I believe you will like Georgia, it will be a
culture shock for sure though. Again, good
luck and safe travels.
Michelle
Kim, we’re your neighbor in nearby Ringgold!
Pam
And I’m a neighbor to both of you in Chattanooga 🙂 Lived in Ringgold, grew up in Summerville, GA, went to church in Chickamauga for a while, and went to high school at Trion, where one of our rivals was Gordon Lee in Chickamauga. Small, small world 🙂
Juanita
Tiffany,
You will adjust as you have many adjustments in your endeavors, family life, you just have to faith and leap!
I lived in Georgia for two years, and I must say I have met some wonderful people.
You will have to adjust to the humidity, but I have faith you will succeed. I so enjoy your blog, recipes, I love the 90 minute bread that Mr. Crumbs made and I do find its the best bread ever!!
Good luck.
Juanita
Tiffany
Yes He is! We’re settling in Marietta/Kennesaw and so far, we do like it! Thank you for the well wishes!
Jodi
We moved to Cumming GA, fairly close to you i think in Dec 2014 and I love it! I love our neighbors, the ppl I even meet at the grocery and our church is just amazing! I’ve never felt so at home anywhere, even where I grew up! Hoping each new day and week brings you more peace and love for the south! God has taught us about so much since moving us here – mostly about others being joyful, loving and so very supportive and we have a whole new family here!!!
Tiffany
You’re not too far Jodi! 😉 Thank you for your prayers and well wishes!
Mary York Joesting
Welcome soon to Georgia. I live in Peachtree Corners, just south of Johns Creek. Familiar? My sister just moved with her family to Eureka, California and I miss her so . . . and I know she was / and still is homesick. Lots of transition, but I think you will be surprised at what you find here – lots more real estate for the money, right?? If you are close, I invite you to Perimeter Church (PCA) www.perimeter.org. Full of families with kids and lots of opportunities to be involved, not to mention the sound Biblical teaching and focus on discipleship.There is a school through 8th grade, but many many homeschoolers are in our area.
Best wishes for a a great trip to the East Coast.
Valentine
I’m always excited when I see other fellow Peachtree Corners residents 🙂 Our little corner of NE Atlanta has gone through a lot of upgrades in the 2 years since we moved here and we love it! Yes, the commute is not great to get to downtown, but tell me a place that is less than 30 min in Atlanta without paying over $500k for a home… nowhere! Plus, we love being in nature 🙂
Tiffany
Neither place is familiar Mary – YET! I’m still getting my bearings. 🙂 Thank you for the church recommendation and well wishes!!
Barbara
Welcome to the South! ? I live in SC, but most of my family is scattered throughout Georgia. Housing will definitely be cheaper! I’m sure it will be a big change for your family. Moving around the holidays is never easy either. I will be praying for a smooth transition.
Tiffany
Thank you Barbara!
Julia
Tiffany, Thank you for peeling back the computer screen. I have MORE respect and admiration (as if that were possible!) for you now that I did before. Whew! You guys have walked a tough road of faith and made it seem easy. As a military family who has moved 9 times with 4 kids, I can honestly say that moving is both a wonderful adventure and a soul-weary drain. But you know this :-). I love how you walk with your eyes wide open and your palms facing God saying “Show us the way, and we will follow.” That is the way of True faith. Perhaps God has something in mind for your little blog beyond food and finance ;-)?
Tiffany
Wow, thank you Julia! I can say our walk in faith has been anything but easy, but that’s how it goes, right? I hope God has amazing things in store for this blog – it’s our ministry and we strive to honor Him through it!
Jennifer
The Marine Corps sent us Georgia and I though it was the worst thing ever – my house is on a dirt road! 20 years later – it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.// and I’m still in the same house on the same (still) dirt road.
Welcome home.
J
Tiffany
LOL – how funny Jennifer! Thank you for your welcoming hospitality!
Jess
Goodluck Crumbs!
Tiffany
Thanks Jess!
Melody C.
Wow, what a wonderful story! I know it’s scary, but you will love it over this way. We moved from Ohio to Tennessee about 12 years back (not nearly as far as Cali to Georgia, but still a move away from family), and we love the South.
It’s amazing – I’ve been hearing a lot about being “intentional” over the past few months. I recently attended a huge gathering at Bridgestone in Nashville, and John Maxwell was one of the speakers. His 30 minute talk (which could have gone another 3 hours and I’d still be sitting there mesmerized) was all about being intentional and finding ways to add value to other people. It was incredibly inspiring. You certainly have added value to me personally, as I’ve gotten an incredible amount of wonderful information and inspiration from your posts.
I will pray for you and your family’s peace and safety during your move. And depending on what part of GA you’re moving to, I know of a wonderful Baptist church around Griffin that would welcome you with open arms – God’s Way Tabernacle. The pastor is Travis Cooke. I have “worked” with his wife, Jolie, for several years, and they are the closest thing I know to saints walking the earth.
Thank you for everything, and I’m looking forward to reading future posts about your new adventures!
Melody
Tiffany
Aw, thank you Melody! I’m way late to respond, but this comment lifts me up with encouragement – thank you!