We’re Going on an Adventure

To continue sharing our story, I want to take you back to the very beginning of our journey—how we found the courage to step away from the comfort of what we were used to and embrace a new way of life.

The spark for this adventure ignited when I first met Troy’s family. His sister had recently moved from her cozy residential neighborhood to a plot of 5 acres, determined to build a home and create a life steeped in simplicity. She was surrounded by her three young children, husband, and a couple of goats—one of which hilariously went viral after jumping into a delivery driver’s vehicle. I was captivated by her boldness to uproot her life and start anew.

In conversations with Troy, he shared the exhilarating idea that we could do the same. We could carve out our own 5 acres and build a home. At first, the notion felt daunting. Our kids were only 1.5 and 5 years old at the time, Troy was frequently traveling for work, and I, not one for change, felt anchored to our routine. We had a wonderful daycare, easy access to shopping and dining, and life felt undeniably manageable in our residential area. I brushed off the idea repeatedly, but it tugged at my heart.

While I didn’t grow up on a farm, my grandmother did, and her stories about shucking corn, snapping green beans, and canning in the kitchen painted a vivid picture of a simpler, more connected way of life. The dream of “a simple way of life” began to form in my mind.

Eventually, we got serious about making this dream a reality. Troy’s parents had moved in with his grandmother, who required full-time care, leaving their house available for us to live in while we built ours. After clearing out their belongings and making some minor repairs, we packed up our lives and moved onto our little homestead.

We took the scary leap!

The transition was a shock to my system. The sounds of the countryside were unlike anything I had ever experienced: gunshots in the distance, the symphony of crickets and frogs, and a hyperactive squirrel that seemed to thrive on nocturnal chaos in the attic – right above our bedroom. Then there were the smells—the skunks living in our crawl space who occasionally made their presence known through the AC vents, mixed with Troy’s own scents of oil, diesel, and sweat from his tinkering outside.

Having grown up in a neighborhood, the realities of country life—bugs, snakes, and critters—were overwhelming. The first year was undoubtedly the hardest, but the initial months tested us the most. We faced a completely new routine, responsibilities, and a change in daycare. Our son started school just a few days after we moved, and we went from having two bathrooms to one very tiny one.

Through it all, Troy remained my anchor. He continually reminded me that we were a team, and that in the grand scheme of things, this transition was a perfect stepping stone for our family.

As we began to settle into our new life, the discomfort gradually gave way to excitement. We were no longer just surviving—we were learning, growing, and adapting. Each day was filled with small victories, whether it was getting a tractor running, exploring the land, or simply enjoying the peace and beauty that surrounded us.

This journey has not been easy, but every challenge has brought us closer together. We are learning to embrace change, to appreciate the simplicity of life, and to cherish the moments that truly matter. Our adventure is just beginning, and we can’t wait to share more of our story with you.

-Love

The Homestead Heroes