It’s hard being a single mom, especially with four children. Cara Brookins of Arkansas had been through two failed, abusive marriages and had been stalked bout a man who was mentally ill. She needed something so she and her kids could feel good about themselves again.
She wanted them to grow up with confidence and self-esteem, and she was worried they didn’t have any. In 2007, Cara and her kids made a decision that changed their lives forever. They decided they were going to build a house together.
Meet single mom Cara Brookins from Arkansas.
Cara Brookins
She had been through two failed marriages full of abuse. She’d also had a mentally ill stalker.
Here she is with her kids Jada, Roman, Drew, and Hope.
After her failed marriages, she knew she and her kids needed something.
Cara Brookins
They wanted to have a house of their own.
Cara Brookins
They couldn’t afford to buy one, so they decided to build one.
Cara Brookins
It was a family effort.
Cara Brookins
Brookins took out a loan to buy all the materials they needed.
Cara Brookins
But she and her children had no idea on how to build a house.
Cara Brookins
This didn’t stop them.
Cara Brookins
They turned to YouTube tutorials for guidance.
Cara Brookins
The learned everything they could.
Cara Brookins
They worked together to get the job done.
Cara Brookins
Each contributed their share of work.
Cara Brookins
It wasn’t easy. After all, we are talking about building a house.
Cara Brookins
Finally, they were able to finish a 3500 square foot house.
Cara Brookins
It has five bedrooms and a three-car garage.
Cara Brookins
Moreover. it has a shop and a two-story tree house.
The family has now been living in what is known as the “Inkwell Manor” for eight years.
Cara Brookins
Building the house together made them a strong, tight-knit family, which they still are today.
Cara Brookins
(via BoredPanda)
How many families can say they built their own house together? That’s a pretty cool story.
