James Van Der Beek’s cited his family health incidents, the death of his mother and the ongoing pandemic as reasons why he and his family headed to Texas last month.
James, 43, took to Instagram on Tuesday with a series of stunning nature shots of he and his children with wife Kimberly, 38 – Olivia, 10, Joshua, eight, Annabel, six, Emilia, four, and Gwendolyn, two – in the spacious nature of their new home in Austin, Texas.
Van Der Beek, who shot to fame playing Dawson Leery on the show Dawson’s Creek, wrote, ‘And… we’ve landed,’ before surveying the situation that led him and his family to relocate to the Lone Star State.
The latest: James Van Der Beek, 43, cited his family health incidents, the death of his mother and the ongoing pandemic as reasons why he and his family headed to Texas last month. He posed with his kids in a shot from their new dwelling
‘In the last ten months,’ he wrote, ‘we’ve had two late-term pregnancy losses, each of which put @vanderkimberly in the hospital, we spent Christmas break thinking she had a tumor (the doctor was wrong, thank god), a business colleague I hired hijacked the project and stabbed me in the back, I was prematurely booted off a reality dancing show I was favored to win in front of the whole world, and my mom died.
‘And a shut-down. All of that led to some drastic changes in our lives, and dreams, and priorities… and landed us here.’
The actor, who’s also been seen in Varsity Blues, One Tree Hill and CSI: Cyber, said he was ‘overflowing with profound gratitude’ amid the change in his life.
Kimberly explained why the family was looking to move out of Los Angeles in August on The Make Down podcast: ‘I think we’re in a time right now where people are wanting to ground themselves a little bit more into nature.’
New beginning: The actor shared shots from his new home in Texas
Natural beauty: The Varsity Blues actor shared an idyllic shot of a sunset from this Texas home
Family: James, 43, and wife Kimberly, 38, are parents to five kids – Olivia, 10, Joshua, eight, Annabel, six, Emilia, four, and Gwendolyn, two
She said that Los Angeles ‘has been a magical place for many years’ in her life, making the move an emotional one: ‘So much life has been lived here, I’m going to go through a process to leave. I mean, I birthed three kids in the home I’m living in.
‘But you know, I gotta get out of the concrete jungle for a little bit.’
James last month posted a shot of Kimberly and the kids gathered around a tree at the home they’re moving from.
James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly announced that they were headed to Texas last month
Home: Kimberly said that Los Angeles ‘has been a magical place for many years’ in her life, making the move an emotional one
Sentimental: The actor posted a shot of Kimberly and their five kids – Olivia, 10, Joshua, eight, Annabel, six, Emilia, four, and Gwendolyn, two – gathered around a tree at the home they’re moving from
‘Sometimes a fuller life begins with an empty house,’ he said in the caption. ‘Leaving Los Angeles incredibly grateful for all the friends and memories we’ve made here. Onto the next big adventure!’
In an Instagram post last month, Kimberly said, ‘Today we left our home in Beverly Hills to embark on a new adventure in Texas,’ and that the family adopted a pair of rescue puppies named Windsor and Able ahead of their trip.
Kimberly took to Instagram Stories with a series of shots documenting the family’s move, including shots from inside a moving van, and saying goodbye to their neighbors.
Fun time: The kids and family friends posed for a shot amid the family’s move
Kimberly took to Instagram Wednesday with a series of shots documenting the family’s move, including shots from inside the emptied house and a moving van
James last month posted a message of optimism amid the uncertain times of the coronavirus pandemic and social change.
‘There’s so much to be upset about right now,’ he wrote. ‘To all my activist friends – especially the ones fighting for causes that aren’t elective for them – be sure to take care of yourself. Get out in nature. Invest some time and energy in the people who love you.
‘Remind yourself that there is still a goodness and order within this existence that transcends politics, skin pigmentation, man-made systems, viruses, and anything else that might generate a push notification to your phone.’
He continued: ‘Then keep fighting the good fight. But be sure to love yourself first… enough to maintain a connection with what moves you and loves you back.’
Dawson’s Creek is available to stream on Stan in Australia