Hardworking mother and widow, Frances Lacey (Kathy Bates) is trying to make ends meet when she is suddenly fired from her job. Adding insult to injury, her son Shayne (Edward Furlong) is busted for stealing change from local payphones. Deciding it's time for a fresh start, Frances and her six children pull up stakes and move to Idaho. In search of a better life, they spot an unfinished house and decide to do whatever it takes to buy the property and build a home of their own.