Her husband used to beat her frequently, so she took her children and ran away from home

Cara Brookins made the brave decision to leave her abusive marriage and build a new life for her children.

With no construction experience and limited resources, she resolved to build a home on her own, using online tutorials and sheer determination. In 2007, she bought a one-acre plot for $20,000 and secured a $150,000 loan to start construction.

A mother of five and a computer programmer, Cara involved her children, ages 2 to 17, in the process.

Her son Drew helped with the plans, while 11-year-old Jada hauled water to mix concrete for the foundation. They worked together after school, and for more complicated tasks, she hired a firefighter with construction experience.