Jan
17
2011
17
2011
Life in Longmont
Filed under: Life in Longmont, Life Updates, Travels
Oh where to begin? There is much to tell and my heart is full. So without further ado, I give you…the big life update.
We moved into a rental house in Longmont, Colorado on December 31. This little house couldn’t be more perfect. I know, I know…how do we find these places, right? It was built in 1910, but it’s been remodeled nicely and has paint colors that jive with our style already. It’s in a perfectly wonderful part of town…close to parks, the library, and most importantly, the Thai restaurant. 
Oh, did I mention the adorable little backyard that is perfect for entertaining and hooping? See the tour here.
Matt is working in Boulder for my brother’s company, and it’s just a short drive away with mountain views the entire way. It’s been different having him gone all day at work, but we are slowly adjusting and finding our new rhythm after 4 years of having him at home. I’ll be writing more about that soon.
I am looking forward to doing more photography…if you are in the area, I’d love to do your family/child/engagement photos. And please share my website with your friends!
Speaking of friends 
It’s not often that you can move to a completely new community and have an instant network of friends…but that’s exactly what we have here. Some of our dearest and oldest friends, Kris and Natalie, live here. Natalie knows me so completely. We’ve been through the highest highs and the lowest lows of life together. Oh how I love her!
Kris and Matt are like two peas in a pod. Both towering over the general population at 6’6″…they make quite the pair. We’ve been creating memories together since our college days…and we’re all looking forward to making many more!
They have been out here for about 5 years planting house churches…and we will be jumping right in alongside them. Matt led worship this last week and again this week. He has missed that so much. We’re excited to be plugged back into a home church community.
I also have a slew of blog friends that live in the Denver metro area…and I already have plans to meet up with many lovely ladies. My brother, Scotty, is now working in Boulder too…it’s been so great seeing him all the time. My brother Dan, and Jess are here often as well. AND…my aunt/uncle/cousins live in Denver…so we have no shortage of family here!
Longmont is just a fun place to be. And with a population of almost 90,000, there is a lot to do. There is a wonderful rec center with an indoor water park, there are yoga studios, tons of parks, museums, great shops and restaurants. Denver is just 45 minutes away and Boulder is just 20 minutes away. Or, we can go north to Loveland or Ft. Collins! Or all of beautiful Colorado for that matter.
The hooping community here is also amazing. I have many friends from Hoopcamp who live here and attend different jams all over the area. There is always something “hoopy” going on…including the upcoming Spin Summit! Woooo!
Longmont also has a strong network of homeschoolers and learning opportunities abound.
Need I go on? It’s pretty much the perfect place for us right now. Which leads me to the next thing…
We’re staying!
Our hearts are settled and we love it here. We never planned on traveling full-time forever…although we will always call ourselves “travelers”. It’s funny…we never thought we would end up in this area. But God has a way of changing things up when you least expect it. Some of you may wonder how we can “give it all up”. Especially when life on the road seems so perfect. But it’s time. It’s time to slow it down. Create community. Give our girls some roots. Make new traditions.
Will we miss our life on the road? Of course. Is this a HUGE change for us? Yes.
We will miss meeting up with so many amazing people…BUT, there are still new people to meet and new experiences to have right here at “home”. We have a new life, a new normal, and a new vision for our future. And someday when the time is right, we will travel again.
The RV will be up for sale shortly…if you’re in the market for a sweet, family-friendly 40-foot RV that runs on veggie oil, feel free to email us for details.
For the rest of you…flights into Denver are cheap! Come and visit! Oh, and there are 2 houses for rent on our street. Who wants to be my neighbor?
Posted by Sara @ 3:38 pm | Leave a Comment
17
2011
It all sounds like fun! Best wishes for your new life. I’d love to visit [we could compare dreads] but New Zealand is just a bit too far away from Colorado
17
2011
Anne-Marie…
Maybe our next tour will be worldwide!
New Zealand sounds lovely
17
2011
Sara,
so happy you are feeling “at home” in you new home. I wish all the best for you and can’t wait to hear of all the joy you find in CO. I’m hoping to travel to CO someday soon. Such a lovely part of the great nation. Home churches sound interesting to me. I’m struggling with church at this time of my life. I hope you speak more on that subject. Best of luck to you and your family, especially now that you are walking a little “more” slowly.
17
2011
Thanks!! I will make it point to share my thoughts about house church and church in general. I have been reading some really good books lately…
18
2011
Sara,
I would also love to know more about your thoughts on house church and regular church. Please share the books you are reading…I would love to look into these.
So happy for you all. You are a great person and such a blessings to many.
Cathy
17
2011
more reason to come visit! love ya.
17
2011
YES! We would all have so much fun. Let’s set a date!!
17
2011
What wonderful news, Sara. And, I would LOVE to be your neighbor, but God has lead us to move back to my hometown of Morning Sun, Iowa, to plant house churches as well. I’m excited to hear your journey with house churches here….or any new blog you might create.
My hubby and I met at a house church in the Chicagoland area….he’s from England, I’m from Iowa. Go figure! It’s been just delightful t’boot! May God pour his blessings upon you in this new season of life.
17
2011
Wow! What a fun town name
No new blogs! hee hee. I will definitely blog about it though! xxoo
17
2011
Your new hometown sounds lovley! Blessings as you settle in more and start to grow some roots – they can be wonderful things
17
2011
Sara, I’d love to get together with you sometime soon since you’re so close now!
17
2011
Ellen…that would be wonderful!! Message me anytime…
17
2011
Your new roots sound amazing! I’m thrilled for you but sad we never were able to get your littles together for a play date, I’m still holding out hope for for someday though. I’m looking forward to hearing about home churches… I’ve never experienced that before.
17
2011
Hey Sara, W.O.W. I wasn’t expecting this huge of an update
First, I wasn’t expecting you to get off the road but how cool was that -at the same time we did?! Then, you guys love it and want to stay…like forever? Way cool! It’s funny how some places just seem right – a feeling. I feel that way about Richmond. I am soooo happy to have met you and your daughters and hope that one day we will cross paths again. Until then, I will keep on reading! How does your work jive with the kids life?
17
2011
It’s a juggling act…much harder now that Matt is gone all day. But we’re figuring it out
So glad you like Richmond. We have friends in that area and have been to the great children’s museum!
17
2011
Looking forward to reading your new adventure even if it’s settling down to your ‘new’ place. I’m sure you guys are going to ‘bloom where you’re planted’ as you have been even on the road. We serve an exciting God!
17
2011
Wonderful! Can’t wait to see what’s to come
17
2011
Wow, that is great news! I hope and pray you have an awesome time in your new “hometown.”
17
2011
sara,
it’s always such a delight to read about your adventures and i just wanted to say congrats on finding yet another new home. we know you’ll always be travellers but being settled into a caring community, in one place, also offers SO much.
blessings as you journey this new road…
kath
(your biggest Canadian fan)
17
2011
Thanks so much for your kind encouraging words Kath! xxoo
17
2011
Oh Sara!!!!!! I am so excited!!! Lol, when I read “We’re Staying!” I yelled out, “THEY’RE STAYING!!” and began to read to Sid when my voice quivered and I got teary-eyed, lol. I’m such a mush! I’m thrilled to have you guys here and the opportunity to bond with you guys more. I was just looking at a post on fb from a friend in MO who has a friend who was hooping fire, and I thought, I really want to learn to hoop, and thought of you. Now, maybe we CAN hoop together! lol.
17
2011
Tiffanie…I had to read your post to Matt
You’re so cute. YES! We’re STAYING! And yes, I would love to hoop with you. You’re welcome to come down to the Boulder Hoop Jam with me anytime! Even just to watch all the fun 
Just let me know. Things are settling down a little…let’s get a date on the calendar to get together. xxoo
17
2011
I marvel at the sychronicities between our lives, Sara! We, too, have just come off the road and settled into planting our roots. There’s SO much to look forward to … decorating and gardening first among them!
Aren’t we blessed!
17
2011
Lara! I know
I can’t wait to garden. I mean…for real. It will be the first time we’ve ever really done it. I can just taste the goodness now…
17
2011
Wow, big changes indeed!
Can’t wait to see what gifts and adventures this new chapter will bring you.
I’ve so missed your lovely web presence these last few weeks. Your infectious enthusiasm for life and positive attitude always inspire me to come at things with a smile!
Congrats to you and your little family!!!
17
2011
Thanks for missing me
I’m just now feeling normal again after the chaos of the transition. Hoping to be able to blog a little more now, but we shall see!
17
2011
It sounds wonderful, Sara! I’m happy for you
God will bless your new home 
17
2011
That is so awesome! We are looking into moving this summer… unfortunately, not to Colorado, even though I’d LOVE to move there. We are looking at Central Alabama. But, CO isn’t very far from there.
I’m so happy yall have found a nice community and are happy there. 
17
2011
We’re right over the mountains in Salt Lake City. You should come at the end of May for the Living Traditions Festival (great unschooling opportunity!).
17
2011
Ooooh fun! I’ll have to check into it…
19
2011
Here’s their official website: http://www.slcgov.com/arts/livingtraditions/
17
2011
Wow! I was expecting to hear about the home and the friends but I didn’t expect to hear you’d be STAYING! How lovely for you all. Give your family hugs from us!!
17
2011
yay for “roots!”
We wouldn’t travel nearly as much as you guys, but think we would love to live small like that and take our home with us wherever we visit!! 
Your RV is a dream! I think I would love to live in it.
Since meeting you all last Spring, my husband and I have toyed with the idea. He regularly scours Craigslist for rigs.
House churches are so appealing to me! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
I just finished reading The Irresistible Revolution, and my husband is about to finish it as well.
Amazing, practical stuff…very convicting…
What have you been reading lately?!
17
2011
Not reading much…to busy! But I have enjoyed the book “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream”. If you liked Irresistible Revolution, you will love that one too. xxoo
17
2011
so i’m dying to know (if it’s not too personal to share), how “little” is your little house? are you actually living in a tiny house like you’ve posted about?
17
2011
Crystal…it’s around 800 sq feet. 2 BR / 1 Bath. Comparable to our other homes. It feels smaller to me than our house in Bozeman because it’s not an open floor plan. We’re pretty tight in here
We actually had more storage in the RV than we do in the house.
17
2011
How exciting! I’ve been a reader for a while, and we met you briefly last summer when you came through Longmont (and put in my favorite first dread, which is doing the best, btw!). We LOVE it here, it is such a fantastic community.
I hope we can get to know you guys better! I’m curious as to where you are living now! We are just off third, but a healthy walk from downtown.
17
2011
Hi Amy! I’d love to meet up! Shoot me a message at janssenfamily (at) gmail (dot) com so we can connect. xxoo
17
2011
give me a woot woot.
17
2011
woot woot. miss you my friend. come see me!
xxoo
17
2011
My heart is filled with such joy for your family. I love the idea of traveling, but know I would need to put down roots after awhile. Thanks for blessing us with so many travel adventures. I know there’s plenty more in store from Longmont.
17
2011
So glad you found a home and love it! Now you’ll be easier for us to find as we travel!
17
2011
Yes! Come to Colorado!
18
2011
So much fun to read another post from you after such a long wait! I’m so excited for you and your family as you put down roots in such a beautiful place. Blessings to you all…
18
2011
It looks so perfect and it seems to be the right Place for you – for now. I really would like to hang out with you, but Germany is a bit too far away. But someday I will visit my Family in Florida, so maybe we’ll travel around Colorado.
18
2011
OOh, I was giddy with excitement when I saw that you’d updated, and it’s been great to hear all about what’s been happening with you guys. It certainly sounds like a wonderful place and somewhere that is “just right” for you all. Wishing you happy times and heart-warming moments in your new home – would so love to come by and visit, but don’t think a day trip from the UK is possible!! One day though… or you could come here when you get itchy feet again.
Sending you all much love and looking forward to hearing more about your staying put adventures – what do the girls think of the new home and lifestyle ?
18
2011
Hey Sara!
Anyway, I’ve read and been inspired by many of the same authors you have: all Shane Claiborne’s books, Radical, Wendall Berry’s books, the Shelter books, Victoria Boutenko, Dr. Gabriel Cousins and Frank Viola’s many books… the list goes on. My husband, 3 boys and I have been on the raw food diet off and on. We’ve left the institutional church and are doing home church here. Unschooling/homeschooling now for over 2 years. We are also seriously thinking we would like to start or join an “off the grid” community where we are free to be the homechooling hippies we already are inside! We plan to get land and build a little place of our own and put roots down like you’re doing now. Also, if you don’t mind sharing… what books have you been reading on the house church idea and do you know of any communities we could consider… and/or is Longmont a place for us to consider?
Congrats on your new “life” in Longmont, CO.
We haven’t met face to face, but I’ve been reading your blogs for about 2 years now and I feel like we’re best friends already!
We live in Japan right now for my husbands job and love it. But we’re in the process of deciding where we’ll put down roots when our 3 year term is up here. We are open to whatever, just want to go where God leads
I would love to chat more. And you’re always welcome to visit our fam in Tokyo! I know you’re quite busy with your lovely family and your new place but I would love to hear from you sometime.
-peace
Jess
18
2011
I am so excited for you! I will have to let you know when I come for a visit. The last time we were there I drove to Boulder by myself and the mountains embedded into my soul… when we drove away from Longmont headed east to home I felt like we were leaving the place I was meant to live.
Maybe someday.
I am so glad you are settling in so nicely!
Steph
18
2011
How awesome! We’ve been looking tentatively looking at Colorado as a place to live. I have some friends in Woodland Park and they love it. Looking forward to hearing more of your Colorado adventures!
18
2011
Congrats and welcome home – what a beautiful place to settle down, and your new house looks so cozy! Though, after reading your blogs for years, I’m betting you’ll be back on the road again sooner than you think!
18
2011
How exciting for all of you — the next chapter in your wonderful life.
We are finding how much roots are so very important to our little family. We have been talking about post-poning our travels for about 3 years. By then our little house will have been taken over by the city (urban sprawl) and the girls will be teenagers. It feels like a better time to transition to traveling then trying to tear up our roots right now.
Best wishes in your new home and community. It sounds like you are starting a very fun next chapter.
18
2011
SARA!!!!!! – REALLY???? You’re selling your RV???
Oh. my. word. Do I wish we had $$$$.
Best wishes to you and yours.
18
2011
Congratulations, Sara!!! Making a huge decision like that and feeling so good about it is fantastic…and what a beautiful area you’ve chosen. We adore the Ft. Collins to Boulder area. And we would LOVE to buy your RV! I wish we could…it’s perfect for us! I know you’ll have no problem selling it…if only you could keep it for another year and a half.
Congrats again and I look forward to hearing more about your new adventures in Longmont!
Rachel (BTW, just got my first hoop for Christmas!)
18
2011
Sadly not practical for us to travel and move from across the pond!!
Whoever moves in next door to you, Matt and the girls will be very blessed indeed.
Hope life continues to treat you kindly. As an aside my lovely hubby quoted your blog title back to me this lunch as I was dashing for a hospital appointment:
” Now remember walk slowly (pause) and (pause) live wildly!!”
He’s a sweet guy that hubby of mine.
God Bless
San x
18
2011
Isn’t Colorado great! We live in The Springs and plan to (hopefully) stay here after my husband gets out of the Army
18
2011
Oh…how exciting!! Please just don’t stop blogging!!
I’ve enjoyed reading your travel blog the past few years, as well as all your others. 
You have inspired many with your blogs…and Colorado is an awesome state!! So jealous.. 
Rose
18
2011
Sara-
I have had something I’ve been intending to send you for a few weeks. I have it addressed to the Texas forwarding address but is there a local address I should send it to now instead?
Thanks!
-Naomi
18
2011
Yes! Email me directly and I will give it to you. janssenfamily (at) gmail (dot) com.
18
2011
i love colorado so much! i miss it dearly.. it’s actually a consideration for a move i’m hoping to make with my little ones. i am a bit torn though, since i don’t have a support system.. my choices are between burlington VT vicinity and someplace back in CO. i also want to (UN)homeschool my 5 yr old twins, and am struggling with the location part due to technical laws and whatnot. i know for certain i do not want to be here in MA. what exactly is the process to unschooling/homeschooling in CO? would love feedback. i’m looking into both states and it would more likely be an end of summer move.
oh how i wish i could afford your RV, that’d be the ideal situation.. to take life on the road for a bit to SHOW my girls what there is out there. to really FEEL freedom and be all the more richer for the experience.
i LOVE the idea of home churching it. that would totally jive with me. i’ve never had any like minded folks around me.. this is also part of what fuels my desire to move. i just want to be embraced for my true spirit and lifestyle.. not shunned or shrugged off as if it’s unimportant. you know?
i’m so glad you found your place! everything happens for a reason! God has been so kind to you and yours!
love & light!
18
2011
Pamela…
Colorado isn’t as easy as say, Texas, is for homeschooling, but it’s not bad at all. There are so many homeschoolers here. I wouldn’t let that deter you from moving to CO. Blessings on your decision and possible move! xxoo
18
2011
I want to be your neighbor! I miss Colorado so much! However, we are moving to South Dakota in 3 weeks… Congrats on the move! Praying that God will use you in a great way in your community. My hubby is a worship / creative arts pastor… and we will have a new community ourselves in a few weeks, so cheers to us for new changes all around! Can’t wait to see what’s up for you guys next.
18
2011
I’ve been a follower of your blog since a friend of my sister’s sent me your link and said, “she reminds me of you.” That really wasn’t true, as you are far more creative and social than I feel most times. That was about two years ago. However, we have been a part of a house church for almost four years now (which happens to attract many homeschooling families) and have always loved it. It has multiplied during that time and has been interesting and exciting. So, that was cool for me to read about your friends there planting them. Many blessings to you Sara, and thanks for writing your blog.
18
2011
Congratulations! So wonderful to hear that you are staying. ;]
18
2011
I have been hoping you would be in my area again so you could take my daughters senior pictures.Everyone has loved the ones you took of my son.I’ll contact about this sometime late this summer:)Colorado is beautiful.Your house looks cozy.
Blessings to you and your family.
19
2011
Longmont is lovely. I have some beautiful memories of that town that involve a boy, and a secret trip to his prom. It was so magical!
Best wishes on your new life there!
20
2011
Mile High City huh? I love Colorado, however it doesn’t love me. I get sick every time I get close to the mountains. The last trip we made it to Colorado Springs and I was sick for days. We were suppose to head up into the mountains for a homeschool family retreat. Ha! Let’s just say we visited Focus on the Family’s campus and took in the Garden of the God’s instead. At least we had a beautiful view of Pikes Peak from our hotel room.
22
2011
I followed the link over from your Happy Foody blog and in the photos you showed I thought to myself, “those food items look like what I can find in the stores here” and then when I clicked the link to see where you picked to settle down, I see that you picked my town! That made me laugh. It’s a great place for kids (tons of free events, parades, etc), I live just south of where it looks like you are renting and am an urban homesteader, we have front and back yard huge gardens, chickens, do lots of food preserving, eat a mostly plant based (lots of raw) diet. I am intrigued by the hooping, I don’t know anyone around here that does that and I’ve lived all over Boulder County for the past 16 years (even a few yrs in a yurt off the grid in the mountains).
Good luck with your transition to town life!
23
2011
good for you for knowing when the time was right. i used to live in boulder and that whole area is still one of my favorite places on earth. enjoy your new home!
1
2011
Hi Sara,
Welcome to Longmont! Ive been reading your blogs for gosh, 4 years now, and I was suprised to see the pics of the my local library today. We’ve been in Longmont for almost 3 years now and love it. We are unschoolers too (I have a 5 yo dd) and part of the Yahoo unschoolers group called Blue Skies. We get together most Wednesdays for Park Day and monthly moms nights outs. I would love to see you there or get together otherwise!
Lisha
21
2011
oh man! I too am exited you settled near by! I’ve been reading your blog for ages and it’s what inspired me to take my first steps towards both raw food and simplifying my life. Perhaps I’ll run into you in Denver someday! Welcome home to lovely, lovely Colorado!