Stand in the Place Where You Live

Growing up, my home was couched amidst mountains and fields. I was the happy product of "village" living, my home "town" not even boasting a gas station. It was, and remains, beautiful. I didn't grow up on a farm per se, but loved being surrounded by the crops grown by my grandfather, father, and the many other farmers in the area. I even loved working in harvest every year. Truly, my time spent in the fields of my youth are cherished memories.

But, I swore I'd never marry a farmer.

I don't remember distinctly why; I think it was primarily due to the dependence on the weather and the stress I remember feeling year after year as words like "drought" and "blight" seemed to be on the tongues of every one around. It was something I never wanted to have to deal with once I grew up.

And, I did not marry a farmer.

However, as my husband and I have developed our idea of what we want, and what we feel the Lord wants from us as a couple to provide for our family, we have found ourselves in some increasingly interesting situations. Rarely have we made the obvious choice. Frequently we have chosen something "less" than what we could have gotten. But, we've always been rewarded. Well rewarded. Always. And that is why, instead, as everyone expected, of going back to this:

We are enjoying this:





We are still unaware of all the reasons we were directed here, but we are grateful for one: FIVE ACRES. What?!? Yes. All these years later, I've come to the realization that, in spite of being at the mercy of the elements, one facet of true independence comes from working your own land. So, here we are in a place we never imagined ourselves, preparing to join the Modern Homesteading Movement. It's overwhelming some days, but we are really excited. We got here too late in the year to plant summer produce, but we'll be able to do fall, and we're eager to get that going. We have the beginnings of our orchard ready to be planted this weekend, and next spring, hopefully we'll begin our garden full force, as well as our grain crop.

In addition to the fruits and veggies we look forward to nurturing, and having nourish us in return, we are raising animals. Lots of them. What started on a small scale has become...quite a project. I'll have to post on that later, because right now I have to go muck out the barn. Hahahaha.....I know how that sounds. But, you know, I'm really okay with it. Bizarre, huh?

Happy Father's Day!

Look at my cute husband and kids. Wouldn't you think I have everything? I sure am a lucky woman. I'm so grateful for my darling husband. The two of us have been through a lot. A Lot. And I feel so blessed that I can feel, literally sense, our bond growing, our sealing becoming stronger, our partnership twining into something deeper as the years move on.

He is such a great support to me. He has taught me so many things about who I am, good and bad. He had strengthened and encouraged me to develop the good things, and helped me work to overcome the bad. His laughter, his common sense, his happy smile, his generosity, his ability to work hard and keep cool in stressful times...all these and so many more make it easy to love him.

As for being a daddy...my girls are so lucky. He is such a good "girl dad." I love that he's always been willing to take the promptings from me when the girls need to hear from their daddy that they look nice or some other "girl" need that maybe a man wouldn't see right off. I love how he is the best coach ever. If something needs to be taught, he is by far the best at it, because he has unlimited patience and can explain things in many different ways. And, he doesn't let you give up. With him cheering you on, you don't want to. He blesses our family in so many ways.

I'm grateful for this day in which we can celebrate the wonderful men in our lives. It's hard to be a man. It's hard to be a daddy. I'm so grateful to all those righteous men out there who have chosen to take this path, who take it seriously, and truly raise up their children and families. These are the men who will move mountains. These are the men who will change the world. Thank you for your efforts. I promise they do not go unnoticed.

Things I Enjoy About My New Home

Just wanted to share a few things around here that make me smile.

The Local Water Tower

Gorgeous Flowers from Our New Yard

A Few Garage Sale Scores:

Taylor's "Rock Star Boots" that She Got for Free

This Darling, Purring Lion: $1

"Magical Unicorn, Rainbow-Colored with Glowing Horn" (I didn't make that up, it sings that. Over and over.): $4

(ECSTATIC CHILDREN: priceless)

I've Earned the T-Shirt

I'm so excited and relieved for as well as proud of my hubby today! He's officially earned the right to don this: Or this:


Because he's totally, completely legally certified to do this:

Which pretty much equates to this:

HaHa! Just kidding. It's much less painful than that. But, as of today, my husband is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. So, be nice to him. He may just put you under one day. :)

This has been a long road, and we are so happy to be at the end of it and starting down a new one. Thanks to all of you who offered continual love and support through this process of schooling. We are looking forward to what comes next!

Choosing Your Path

One night when I was in college, I was walking home from work. It was late, dark, and snow blanketed the ground. As I passed through a virtually empty parking lot, my footsteps were the first to mar the pure white. For some reason, I was thinking about how tiny changes can completely alter where one ends up. I looked up ahead of me, trying to paint a firm picture in my mind of where I needed to go to get home. Then I closed my eyes. I walked for several paces, then took a look at where I was compared to where I ought to be. I was very far from my designated path. I hadn't been walking long, and there was nothing interfering with my finding a familiar way, except my eyes were closed.

Being where we are in life right now...let's just say, we wouldn't have brought ourselves here. But, recognizing that in the Larger Scheme of Things, our human eyes are pretty much closed already, we decided it would be best to be guided by the eyes that see all: those of our Father in Heaven. And, you know, even though I would have never, ever figured on being here, making plans for the kind of life my dear husband and I are planning to build, I feel so at home. I still have boxes to unpack. I still have flowerbeds to tame, old bills to pay, and mail to have forwarded, but I feel complete here. I know our family is where we are supposed to be right now. And that brings me comfort every day.

Thank you for being here as we start this new adventure. We are so excited to share with you our triumphs and toils. We love you all.

Let the games begin!